Courage under fire

Playing at centre former All Black winger Zac Guildford has been a class act on defence. Photo: JADE CVETKOV

Farriers Wairarapa-Bush will need the same steely resolve that they showed against Mid Canterbury if they are to beat Thames Valley tomorrow (Saturday).

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Despite being winless on the table after three rounds the Swamp Foxes have enough power and strength in their forward pack to test any side in the Heartland Championship.

Wairarapa-Bush coach Josh Syms says they are the sort of side that you take lightly at your peril.

Narrowly beaten by Horowhenua-Kapiti and North Otago, Thames Valley last week managed to come from behind to salvage a draw with King Country, the very same side which rolled Wairarapa-Bush in the opening round.

That match probably still sits uncomfortably with Syms who will be desperate for his players to stay on the upward trajectory that they have been travelling ever since.

The circumstances of their 26-16 win over Mid Canterbury in Ashburton last Saturday showed that Syms’ men are not lacking in courage nor desire.

Reduced to 13-men for a period early in the second half and behind on the scoreboard Wairarapa-Bush produced some of their best rugby for a longtime.

“I don’t think I have seen that much steel or resolve for such a sustained period of time in all of the games that I have coached Wairarapa-Bush,” Syms says.

Picking that Thames Valley will be coming hard at them in Masterton tomorrow afternoon Syms says more of the same will be needed.

“What we need now is to find that resolve without having to be cornered.”

With a lousy looking weather forecast Wairarapa-Bush will probably have to keep a lid on their willingness to run the ball. It was their attacking flair that got them home against Horowhenua-Kapiti and Mid Canterbury, but that was on a dry track with little to no wind.

Thumbing their noses at the wet conditions when they last played at Trust House Memorial Park was their undoing with King Country taking the round one spoils.
Cool heads will be needed tomorrow, Syms says.

Prop Stan Wright was “huge” for Wairarapa-Bush against Mid Canterbury. His presence will be a key factor against a big Thames Valley unit tomorrow.

Although he has not be scoring a lot of tries former All Black Zac Guildford has been a class act on defence, according to Syms.

Also encouraging is the form full-back Sam Monaghan.

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