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Semple to get crack at No.10
Friday, September 21, 2012 • John Hill
RUGBY - NGATI Porou East Coast’s Irish import John Semple will start in the No.10 jersey for tomorrow’s Heartland Championship home game against competition leaders Wanganui at Whakarua Park.

Semple has played fullback in the Coast’s first four games but will be in his preferred position for this crunch match.

“John only joined us the week of the first round and we didn’t want to chuck him in at the deep end,” Coast coach and hooker Ngarimu Simpkins said.

“But he’s settled in really well and it’s time to give him a crack at No.10.”

Coast assistant coach Rua Tipoki has run the cutter from the opening game of the season and done a tremendous job.

Tipoki, however, is the best second five-eighth in the competition and will relish the chance to take on the Wanganui defence from his midfield position.

The former New Zealand Maori player is a hard man to put down and close to the line is virtually unstoppable.

But make no mistake about it, if the Coast do not get their defensive systems in place and tackle themselves to a standstill they will struggle to cope against a team who are unbeaten this year and are averaging 30 points per game.

The Coast will also need to avoid a repetition of the ill-discipline that enabled Wanganui first five Mark Davis to post 20 points in his side’s 30-10 win in the Meads Cup final last year.

“We’re well aware of Wanganui’s attacking capabilities and Davis’s kicking,” Simpkins said.

“But we won’t be dwelling on what happened in the past, that’s long gone.

“We have been putting a lot of emphasis on our defence but we also hope to cause them some problems on attack.

“The Hiku lads are especially keen to put on a good performance in front of their home supporters.

“Players like Kerehama Blackman (Uawa) and Junior (Morgan Wirepa, Tokararangi) also can’t wait for the game.

“Junior was there last year when Wanganui beat us in the final and Kerehama is relishing the chance to play against a side like Wanganui in what is the game of the round. But it’s not just these guys who are up for it — the whole squad really want this game.”

The Coast have 10 players backing up from the 2011 final while Wanganui have seven. Ace Malo, winger Simon Dibben, Davis, No.8 Darren Munro, lock Jon Smyth, openside flanker and captain Peter Rowe and prop Shaun McDonough were all members of the title-winning team.

Wanganui are overwhelming favourites having won 22 of the 23 clashes between the side.

But if any team can upset the table-toppers it is the Sky Blues, provided they do not let the occasion get to them.

Slowly but surely the Coast have been improving with each game and as Simpkins said: “it’s time to stand up and be counted”.
THE HIKU MEN: Hikurangi’s Tanetoa Parata (with ball) and Charlie Harrison (right) and Ruatoria City’s Marty Lloyd (middle) will be on their home club ground Whakarua Park tomorrow when Ngati Porou East Coast host Wanganui in the fifth round of the Heartland Championship. “Hikurangi supporters, in particular, are well known for their vocal support of their team in the club competition. It will be great to hear that support tomorrow,” Coast player-coach Ngarimu Simpkins says. Picture by Paul Rickard
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