Coast ready to rock

NGATI Porou East Coast player-coach Ngarimu Simpkins says his team are “ready to rock and roll” ahead of tomorrow’s Meads Cup final against Wanganui in the Garden City.
“The whole season comes down to one game; it’s do or die and we have no intention of dying,” said hooker Simpkins, who has made one change to his reserve bench for the game.
“Puri Hauiti (prop) comes in for Tanetoa Parata (flanker).
“I’m going to use the props to their full capacity. I feel for Tanetoa but his time will come. He and all the players who have been involved this season know that without them we wouldn’t be where we are.
“But at the end of the day Rua (Tipoki, second five-eighth and assistant coach)and I have to do what is best for the team for each game.
“We believe Wanganui will try to take us on up front and set the platform for their backs.”
Openside flanker Hoani Te Moana, fast emerging as one of the finds of the season, retains his place in the starting line-up after being a late call-up to start ahead of Robin Wyllie in last week’s semifinal win against North Otago
“We need Hoani’s speed around the paddock to complement the power of Mutu Ngarimu (No. 8) and Morgan Wirepa (blindside flanker).
“Hoani’s not the biggest loosie in the competition but he has a lot of ticker.”
Simpkins said that while their semifinal win against defending champions North Otago in Oamaru had created huge interest around the country, he and Tipoki had played down the “final buzz” doing the rounds.
“Our phones haven’t stopped ringing and players are getting text messages from all around the country and overseas.
“We told them to forget all the talk about a final, work hard at training this week and then play as we have done all season . . . for each other, the supporters, the jersey and the union.”
While some might think making the Meads Cup (top four) final is a victory for a side who finished bottom of the Heartland Championship table last season, Tipoki is not content with playing in the final.
“You could look at it like that (making the final, as a victory) but we want to win this weekend,” said Tipoki, whose battle with his midfield opposite Stellie Koro could be a deciding factor in the outcome.
“Making the final is great, winning it would be even better and a fantastic achievement.
“It would also be a payback for players like Charlie Harrison, Puri Hauiti, Tojo Maaka, Pakanui Webb, Willie Waitoa, Junior (Morgan Wirepa), Robin Wyllie, and other guys and supporters who have hung in over the years. And it would be great for the young players coming through.
“That’s what has made this year so special.
“We are a team who believe in each other and play for the jersey.”
Written off in their opening game against perennial Meads Cup semifinalists Mid Canterbury, the Coast gave the first indication they were no longer the easybeats of the competition.
With two forwards in the sin bin for the last eight minutes of the opening game of the season, the 13 men held on for a 15-13 win.
They also played with 13 men for 10 minutes against North Otago last week and held their opposition scoreless.
“We can’t afford that tomorrow,” said Simpkins, who was sin-binned, along with lock Willie Waitoa.
“Wanganui haven’t lost in two finals at home and they will be confident of making it three from three.
“We have watched them and know they have players in the backline who can hurt you. But we also have players in our backs who can win games.
“That’s why it’s important the forwards front up tomorrow.”
As well as Te Moana, props Tripoli Poi and Michael Hartley and lock Ricky Waitoa have made huge strides under the guidance of Simpkins and Tipoki.
Mike King is the unsung hero of the backline.
King, who starts at centre tomorrow, has also played on the wing and come up with crucial tries.
Like the rest of his team-mates, his strength this year has been a willingness to put his body on the line — with or without the team’s rallying call of Nati, Nati, Nati.