By Stu Piddington

The Timaru Boys' High School First XV will have the edge over Roncalli Aoraki Combined in the UC Championship local derby on Friday afternoon.

Roncalli have home advantage and may well match TBHS up front, but it may be among the slicker Boys' High backs where the game is won.

They're likely to spread the ball wide, even on Roncalli's narrow field, and they could prove a handful.

Last year TBHS racked up 90 points against their cross-town rivals on the way to the UC Championship final, but they are in a rebuilding phase.

With just two wins in 10 games, TBHS, who have been a bit unlucky, sit just 11th in the 14-team competition.

Roncalli-Aoraki are 13th, having beaten Mid Canterbury Combined, so they will feel they have a shot.

Both captains are likely to play key roles and are excited about the clash.

Roncalli's Alivereti  'Freddy' Vereivalu is an excellent player who spends time at hooker, prop and at No.8. He is a strong ball carrier and gives his side plenty of go-forward.

Prop Shane Fikken is the rock of the TBHS front row and does plenty of hard work in the close quarter exchanges.

Vereivalu said it was important for his side to carry out their game plan.

"If we follow it we are in with a chance."

The team was looking forward to the local derby, he said.

In his third year with the team, Vereivalu said it was one of the games he looked forward to each year.

"It's a good rivalry with our brothers down the road."

Fikken was also looking forward to what he predicted would be a tough match.

"It's a game I always look forward to. The boys are up for it and we are expecting a big crowd down there."

It had been a tough year so far, with a few results not going their way.

"We have been a bit unlucky but that is rugby," Fikken said.

For TBHS Blake Tippet has been playing well. He has switched from lock to the back row will join the hard-working TJ Lensley and George Brown in an effective loose forward trio.

Where they could have the edge is through their attacking midfield of Taniela Wacokecoke and Joel Hill, while wing John Vasurakuta is dangerous with ball in hand.

First-five Ryan Greenslade is in his third year of the UC Championship and experience could also be a key. Former Roncalli back Dean Edwards could also have a big impact off the bench.

Roncalli-Aoraki will have to rely heavily on their pack, including Vereivalu and prop Jack Pani as well as brothers Aqa and Siale Siale.

Siale Siale has been switched to No 8 and could prove a handful.

Flankers Jack Pratt and Keanu Peneamene will need big games if an upset is to materialise.

Halfback George Gibb is a very tidy player, while Roncalli's best back has been first-five Ben Thomson, who can split an opposition open.

Second-five William Johnson is a strong defender but will likely have his hands full, along with Jack Purdon, while Lian Brown is handy out wide.

Roncalli entered the championship in 2010 and had their best ever finish, fifth, in 2011.

This season they have played as Roncalli Aoraki Combined to allow other schoolboys in the province to have a chance of playing in the UC Championship and to strengthen the side, considering that with only 250 boys they have the smallest talent pool to pick from.

Roncalli had a purple patch from 2011, when they beat TBHS three years in a row, but since then have struggled against the bigger school. The game kicks off at 2.20pm at Roncalli College.

AT A GLANCE

Roncalli (from 1): Jack Pani, Alivereti  'Freddy' Vereivalu (captain), Ryan Brosnahan, Aqa Siale, Ed Campbell, Keanu Peneamene, Jack Pratt, Siale Siale, George Gibb, Ben Thomson, Lian Brown, William Johnson, Jack Purdon, Jackson Hicks-Sandri, Wiari Tuite. Substitutes: William Ellis, Marcus McKay, Izzy Holden, Seb Monua, Reuben Moulsen, Angus Cook, Tom Cox, Sean Fisher, Robbie Morrison (two to be omitted).

TBHS (from 1): Shane Fikken (captain), Ben Sands, Darian Dysart,  James Davidson,  Ryan Lewthwaite, Blake Tippett, George Brown, TJ Lensley, Harry Bampton, Ryan Greenslade, Jack Mullany, Taniela Wacokecoke, Joel Hill, John Vasurakuta, George Guerin. Substitutes: Logan Goldingham, Mac Edwards, Will Pudney, George Mulder, Jimmy Robertson, Dean Andrews, Liam Parker.

Referee: Mike O'Brien

Article added: Friday 27 July 2018