News

Counties Power Game of the week U19 Karaka v Onewhero Farmlands semi-final

22 July 2010

This weeks Counties Power game of the week is the U19 semi-final between Onewhero Farmlands and Karaka at1.00pm at Karaka.

Kramer Ronaki is in his first season as Coach with this Onewhero U19's side and he returned earlier this year from a player/coach role in Shelford in Cambridge.  He was also a former Bay of Plenty Steamers Hooker coached by current Steelers coach Milton Haig.

For the boys from the hill this is a must win match to get a finals berth.  It is a tight, positive team captained by Hooker Joseph Cross and their strength is their backs who have improved as the season has gone on. 

The first time these two teams played Karaka won 14-13 and the second time Karaka won 28-12. Onewhero are expecting the Karaka forwards to dominate so they will need to get the ball out wide to challenge the Karaka side and run them around. 

Onewhero center, Ryan Simms had been playing well for this side but the side has had a few major injuries with key players. Lock, Brock Williams is out with a broken ankle which he broke in the match against Drury lock and fullback Matt Haldan broke his collarbone last time they played Karaka.

.  

Karaka are a physically big side and are second on the table two points behind Pukekohe. They are use to pressure rugby having made the semi-finals last year and have only drop one game all season and that was their opening match, however they will not be taking Onewhero lightly and expect a true semi-finals contest on Saturday.

Coach Alan Goodall is in his second year coaching this side and know they need to stick to the Karaka style of rugby keep and keep it in the forwards to get the upper hand. Karaka had a tough match against Waiuku last week and won 22-3 but didn't play one of their better games which Alan said has given them plenty to focus on for this week.

They have six players in the Counties Manukau U20 squad which includes their Captain

Ross Tekoronga who plays lock or flanker.  Two of the stand out players for the Karaka side this season have been former Rosehill College prop Chris Apoa, who has really stepped up in the second round and fellow lock Josh Cole who has been one of the most consistent players in the side and definitely are two players to keep an eye on this Saturday. Kick off is at 1.00pm at Karaka.