‘We won’t be overawed’

NGATI Porou East Coast return to the scene of one of their greatest triumphs when they play North Otago in Oamaru in the Meads Cup semifinal on Saturday.
In 2000 the Coast came from 21-9 down to beat North Otago 25-21 in the NPC final — giving them back-to-back third division championships.
Just as they were 11 years ago, the Coast go into the Heartland Championship Meads Cup semifinal as underdogs. But flanker Morgan Wirepa junior — the only surviving member from that champion 2000 side — says the Sky Blues can win.
“Back then we were the underdogs and apart from ourselves and our supporters no one will be giving us a show of winning down there this weekend,” said the blindside flanker who was a 21-year-old in his first NPC final.
“That was my first year in the NPC and to win the championship was awesome, especially the way we did it.
“We had a good mix of experienced players and young guys — same as it is this year.
“We won’t be overawed, that’s for sure. I’ve got a feeling we’ll win.”
Wirepa junior, who has played 75 games for the Sky Blues, missed last season’s Heartland Championship with a broken wrist.
“After Ngarimu (Simpkins, Coast coast) and Rua (Tipoki, assistant coach and captain) took over as coaches they asked me if I was interested in playing this year.
“I said yes and then realised I would have to get myself fit. I’m glad I did it and now we’re only a win away from the Meads Cup final . . . who would have believed it?
“We’ve never been in the Meads Cup playoffs.”
Wirepa junior has been one of the side’s most consistent players this season but knows he has to keep turning in good performances.
“We’ve got some really good loosies coming through — Hoani Te Moana, Ben Parkes and Tanetoa Parata.
“These young fellas are the future. They haven’t had as much time as I’m sure they would have liked but their time will come.
“Ngarimu and Rua are doing the right thing by blooding them this year. It’s not just these three. Everybody who has been involved this year has kept the pressure on the starting guys with their commitment to training.
“Sometimes in the past when the team was picked the fringe players dropped away, but not this year . . . they’ve stayed and got the rewards of wearing the jersey, and good on them.”
North Otago are the defending champions and beat the Coast 52-17 in round three.
“We learned a lot about them and ourselves that day,” said Simpkins. “We went into the game overhyped and lost our discipline.”
The Coast played 60 minutes of the match with 14 men after Tipoki was sent off for punching an opponent.
“North Otago came out firing and scored three quick tries, then we lost Rua,” said Simpkins.
Down 40-10 at halftime the Coast’s 14 men lost the second half by only 12-7.
“Morgan was one of the players who spoke up at halftime,” said Simpkins.
“He told the boys we came to play good rugby, to forget all that went on in the first 40 and play for each other. Junior was our leader that day.”