Work to do before shield tilt – coach

HEAD coach Josh Syms concedes a couple of deficiencies were exposed when Wairarapa-Bush lost 19-12 to Wanganui in a representative match in Palmerston North.

Their attacking impetus often was slowed by an inability to get over the gain line from first-phase play and there was a disconcerting lack of accuracy in lineout throwing on Wednesday night.

And while “pretty confident” the throw-ins can be rectified before his team challenge Hawke’s Bay for the Ranfurly Shield in Napier on Thursday, July 9, he admits the solution to the go-forward issue is posing bigger headaches.

“Frankly, there does seem to be a shortage of players who are capable of providing that initial penetration. It’s still a work in progress,” Syms said.

“We don’t really want to ask players to do something they are not comfortable with but we do need to get that important go-forward which helps free up the guys out wide.

It’s a tricky one.”

Tricky enough to have Syms and assistant coach Wayne Roache yesterday delay naming their squad for Napier until the weekend.

“We need a bit more time to look at what options we have got, that’s the truth of it,” Syms said.

Overall, however, he was delighted with the enthusiasm and commitment displayed by the 28 players given game time against Wanganui.

“You couldn’t quibble about the effort they put in. There was a lot of intensity there, especially on defence.”

Syms said Wairarapa-Bush clearly shaded Wanganui for territory and possession but Wanganui had four or five gamebreakers who were able to impose themselves enough to make a big difference to the end result.

“They had some really powerful ball runners, they definitely had the edge on us in that respect.”

Prop Kurt Simmonds had been one of the more impressive Wairarapa-Bush players, especially for the soundness of his defensive work around the fringes of the mauls and rucks.

Jayden Mason was another front-rower to shine, while lock Lachie McFadzean’s mobility was often apparent in broken play.

Wiremu Grace and Brock Price also did well up front and James Goodger made a decent fist of the openside-flanker role.

In the backs, there was a lot to admire about the service provided in the No9 jersey by Cody Whittaker, and Tim Priest was always sound at first-five. His tactical kicking was a major strength of his game.

Byron Karaitiana and Tipene Haira were solid in midfield, while Ryan Saunders, Paul Tikomainavalu and Cory McFadzean made the most of their attacking opportunities.

By Gary Caffell – Wairarapa Times-Age