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Wanneroo are out of the frying pan and into the fire when they face Nedlands at Kingsway in Saturday's match of the week in the RugbyWA club competition, sponsored by KWIK Crane and Transport Hire.
It's a tough start to the season for the Roo-dogs, finalists in the last two years under coach Elwee Prinsloo. Last week's testing match against reigning premiers Cottesloe was a 28-21 loss and this match against Nedlands, last year's preliminary finalists, promises to be just as arduous.
However, Wanneroo should be competitive again this year, losing just a few players such as flyhalf Phil Gibson, wing Lawrence van der Linde and exciting centre Koiatu Koiatu, and have benefited from quality recruitment. Experienced prop Tua Efe comes into the side as captain and centre Ammon Matuatuto has joined the club from New Zealand first division province, the Tasman Makos.
Despite the continuity, the team looked rusty in its first outing, trailing polished premiers Cottesloe 22-0 early in the second half of the opening game.
“I think the big problem we had was we didn't have quality trials,” Prinsloo said.
“We played against Rockingham and Wests with uncontested scrums, so we didn't have an opportunity to be tested, especially in the set pieces.
“To come up against a quality side like Cottesloe with very well balanced backs and forwards, it took us a little bit to catch on to the level.”
But the Roo-dogs found new purpose as the second half continued, following some blistering comments by Prinsloo at half time.
“I told them to get back to their structure and dominate the pace,” Prinsloo said.
“We just had to slow it down, get a bit confrontational and keep it close to the fringes.”
Wanneroo's no-nonsense work in the tight took the Seagulls by surprise and the result hung in the balance with a four point difference before the premiers gained a late penalty goal. It was a pleasing turnaround for Prinsloo and a warning to other teams that Wanneroo remain one of the serious contenders this season.
“I was really happy with our fitness as the bigger pack,” Prinsloo said.
“To see us playing so well in the last 30 was really pleasing. It gives us confidence that we're not far off the level required to play premier grade.”
Although he is satisfied that his team has made better progress than the 2009 model, Prinsloo believes they are capable of a much better standard.
“I don’t think that Cottesloe can improve as much as we can,” Prinsloo said.
“I think there’s a hell of a lot improvement ahead of us.
“Last year we were hit by 11, 12 injuries but this year the boys are fitter, we’re closer to the structure we want to play and the attitude in the camp is like heaven from earth compared to last year.”
Wanneroo will need every improvement they can muster on Saturday against Nedlands, who scored an impressive 40-21 win over 2009 grand finalists Palmyra at Tompkins Park last week.
“Neddies is always a tough game, and we haven't beaten them in the competition rounds,” Prinsloo said.
“They are a very well balanced team as well, with arguably the best back line in the competition.
“We'll just concentrate on our strengths, be very direct and confrontational.”
In other first grade games on Saturday, Perth-Bayswater face a difficult assignment against Cottesloe at Pat O'Hara Reserve, Associates host University at Allen Park, Wests-Subiaco play Palmyra at Rosalie Park and Rockingham welcome Kalamunda to Lark Hill
by Rick Boyd
http://rugbywa.com.au/news/article,58017.html
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