WARWICK SMITH/Things
Feilding and Old Boys-Marist face each other on Saturday in what should be a tight semi-final at the Arena.
RUGBY: Feilding Yellows are happy to go under the radar for a change as they advance to another semifinal.
Yellows have won the Hankins Shield for the past three years and while they feel confident, they are not the juggernaut they have been for the past few seasons.
This year they finished third in the regular competition and will play in the semi-final against Old Boys-Marist in the Arena on Saturday.
Top qualifiers Varsity play College Old Boys in the other semifinal at Massey University.
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Feilding coach Nathan Williams was expected to name his strongest team of the season this weekend with the return of loose forward Ngapuke Patea and Manawatū Turbos defenders Drew Wild and Logan Henry.
Despite their recent success, this year was the most satisfying year for Williams as they didn’t have a star-studded team like the last three years, yet they performed well all season.
“We are a different side” [this year]’ said Williams. “We have some young guys there, it’s their first year of senior rugby and the age of the team is probably a lot younger than most.”
Even though they are young, they still have a few players back from last year’s winning team.
Williams said they had been battling injuries this year so needed to build depth. It had been a blessing to have had some rest for the people in the injuries department this past week.
It will be the 100th game for forward and captain Hayden Stratford.
Center Kyle Brown and wing Eseroma Nabuka were key men this year and are part of a dangerous backline with fullback Wild and first five-eighth Ben Wyness.
Williams believed the pressure was on OB-Marist, who stormed the table on the second round and finished second.
OB-Marist defeated Feilding 30-28 in their most recent encounter in Feilding, but Feilding won 22-16 in the first round at the Arena.
OB-Marist had the pair of first five-eighth Sam Clarke and second-five Kegan Christian-Goss signed by the Turbos this week. Both have been key players this year, especially Clarke and his big boot.
Hooker Bryn Gordon and loose forward Rhys Pedersen should lead from the front in the front pack for OB-Marist.
It will also be the 100th premier game for referee Matt McEwen.
Varsity will be the favorite to fight against COB after they finish at the top of the ladder.
The students have a strong squad but will be wary after being tipped into the mud by COB 16-15 a month ago at Queen Elizabeth College.
Varsity won in the first round 43-33.
The Manawatū Cyclones defeated Wellington 34-12 in a pre-season game in Kāpiti last weekend and have another pre-season game against Hawke’s Bay in Waipukurau on Saturday.
The Turbos have also attracted center wing Louis Rogers, who has played for Waikato for the past three seasons.
Draw, kick-off at 2:45 PM: Varsity v COB, Massey University; OB-Marist v Feilding, Arena.