Counties Power Game of the Week - Te Kauwhata vs Weymouth Premiers - 9 July

DateThu, 07 Jul 2016

 

Te Kauwhata EnviroWaste host Weymouth Premiers in the Counties Power Game of the Week. It’s the final round robin game of the 2016 Counties Power Club Rugby season, so both sides will be looking to finish on a high.

 

It’s been a tough season for Weymouth, with the side hit by a big injury toll. Coach Colin Mayer said his side are up for the challenge.

 

“We know we have had a hard year and having to default a couple of weeks ago against Patumahoe due to injuries was tough. We are really looking to try and end the season well this weekend and do as best as we can against a really good Te Kauwhata side.”

 

Mayer’s expecting Te Kauwhata to run the ball around and be physical and he’s hoping to have some guys back from injury to help bolster their squad. Mayer said Weymouth captain Sonatane Halaeko has been inspirational this season.

 

“He’s been leading the team well and standing up and playing his heart out, and a few other guys in our squad have been the same. Sonatane has been having to swap between second five-eighth and number 7. He’s normally a number 7 but he’s adapted to playing in the back line because of a lack of depth we have had due to lack of players and injuries.”

 

Like many teams this season, Te Kauwhata EnviroWaste have also been hit hard with injuries, so many of their players will be assessed by the physio this week.

 

Te Kauwhata hooker Mario Vodanovich said his side are preparing for a big battle up front against Weymouth.

 

“They’ve always got a big forward pack. We know they will come out firing and we will just have to weather the storm and spin the ball around to get the big boys running around. But we will definitely have to match them up front.”

 

Vodanovich said the club will be celebrating a few milestones at home on Saturday.

 

“We haven’t had many home games this second round so it will be good to finish off at home in front of our supporters. We have a few guys getting their blazers presented to them. They have played their milestone games over the last few weeks but we wanted to wait until we were at home to present their blazers. Ben Ormsby played his 50th against Waiuku, James Peters also played his 50th and prop Jared Udy played his 100th game against Manurewa last weekend. All the boys wanted to have their presentations on the same day, so it will be great to celebrate this on Saturday.”

 

Get to Te Kauwhata 1 at 2:45pm on Saturday to watch the Counties Power Game of the Week between Te Kauwhata EnviroWaste and Weymouth Premiers.