WSML Wairarapa-Bush U18 ready for tough challenge

WSML Wairarapa-Bush U18 will be hoping to make it three in a row this weekend. Photo: JADE CVETKOV

Wairarapa-Bush Under-18 are in line to follow Wairarapa-Bush Development and win a piece of rugby silverware this weekend.

Up for grabs is the TrustBank Central Secondary School Shield.

But first the Wairarapa Scrap Metal Ltd sponsored side has to fend off their Wellington Samoa counterparts.

With two wins from two matches the fixture, in the Capital, doubles as a grand final.

Having swept aside Horowhenua-Kapiti 39-12 in Masterton last weekend, Wairarapa-Bush will have to turn the dial up a couple of notches to match it with what is expected to be a formidable Wellington Samoan side.

Manager Brian James says the lads are bracing for what will be a “big challenge”, but he reckons that they are up for it.

“The boys know it is going to be a hard game but they are really looking forward to it,” he says.

Playing at home on the artificial turf at Trust House Memorial Park last weekend Wairarapa-Bush showed plenty of promise against Horowhenua-Kapiti.

They also looked to have the goods against East Coast, winning 27-7. That match was played in Wairoa.

While Wellington Samoa is expected to be packing plenty of bulk, Wairarapa-Bush is not short of a few big fellas themselves. In Sam Siaosi (Chanel College), Ryan Hargood and Rhys Reiri (Wairarapa College) they have a pretty menacing front row.

“To be honest, across the park we look quite promising, and there is also a pretty good bench,” James says.

A key player will be half-back Ben Renton (Rathkeale College) who has developed a useful partnership with Guy Percy (Wairarapa College) at first-five eighth.

Wairarapa-Bush Under-18 is coached by Deon van Deventer and Jake Ross.

Success this weekend will come on the back of Tranzit Wairarapa-Bush Development’s heroics in the RDO Shield last weekend. With trophies in the cabinet the pressure will be on Farriers Wairarapa-Bush to do the business in the Heartland Championship.

Wairarapa-Bush Under-18 finish their season off with a “friendly” against Wanganui in Masterton the following weekend