Tasman Tanning Premier finalists against each other in four of the past five seasons, this Saturday will reveal if the ‘old firm’ rivalry between east and west of the catchment remains very much alive.

Normally, a Byford’s Readimix Taihape vs Waverley Harvesting Border match at Memorial Park to end the first round would likely have a big bearing on who will lift the Paul Mitchell Cup as table leaders at the halfway point of the competition.

Instead, Border has locked up that trophy with a game in hand, and while they are still defending the Whanganui Rugby Challenge Shield, they will make the long bus trip to find their old foes still trying to get traction in 2024.

Sitting with an unfamiliar 1-3 record, having lost three on the trot for the first time this decade, Taihape fell just short in their comeback against Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau, and then conceded right at the death to lose to both Marton and Tāmata Hauhā Rātana by one point.

“We’ve just had obviously a couple of tough losses – mainly due to how we’re playing and areas around our ball handling and our discipline,” coach Sefo Bourke said.

“We have had a large portion of our [former] squad that aren’t there.”

The team is really missing two of the Steelform Whanganui representative Whale brothers – with Ben still in England and Dane having joined Marton, taking talented outside back Tim Goodwin with him.

In addition, talisman captain Matt Brown has stepped away, while Whanganui prop Hadlee Hay Horton has moved to the Hawke’s Bay, and in a blow, his former representative prop brother Slade Hay-Horton suffered a broken leg against Kaierau.

Reliable veteran Jaye Flaws has picked up a thumb injury, while recent acquisition from Utiku Old Boys in Tama Cahill is also hurt.

“The guys that have come in to replace them, are at the level where we need them to be, it’s just [developing] a stronger connection, a stronger team bond,” said Bourke.

“Those that have moved on were a very big part of our club for a long time.”

To that end, 2023 NZ Heartland XV player Peter-Travis Hay-Horton has really stepped up as the new captain, Bourke noting he has brought back what he learnt at the higher level to impart on the club.

So, with nothing to lose and potentially a shield to gain, Bourke will want his team to show old foe Border that the rivalry still burns.

“We’re looking forward to it, we always do. A lot more now because of how we’ve gone.”

Border will be thoughtful heading on their longest trip of the season, after then-sixth place Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist came close to upsetting them on duck shooting weekend, their first penalty of the campaign required for a 32-29 win.

“It went down to the wire, all credit to Marist - they came out firing and really took it to us,” said coach Todd Cowan.

“Could have gone either way towards the end there.

“We’ve had a few injuries, but so has everyone else, we’re just trying to find our feet and get a bit of momentum now.”

Border too will be interested to see what Taihape have in store for them, and whether the old passions will flare for the hosts to lift their performance.

“Obviously new season, and new personnel in both camps, so we’ll cross that bridge next week when we get to it,” said Cowan.

It is more than likely Whanganui halfback Lindsay Horrocks will return after his guiding hand was missed against Marist.

With or without sustained momentum, midfielders Timoci Seruwalu and Alekesio Vakarorogo can make tries happen even when well marked – having scored four and three each so far.

Tyrone Albert continues to make a good fist of being the established first-five, while after injury ruined much of his club season last year, lock Ngapuke Patea continues to make strides in his quest to crack the Whanganui Heartland squad.

“We’re fortunate we’ve got a few young guys in the club at the moment, and we’re trying to bring that next lot of players up and in to Premier rugby, so we’re really fortunate in that space,” said Cowan.

In the other games, Marist need to take the confidence from their effort against Border back home to Spriggens to face Rātana, with both teams needing points to keep Top 4 hopes alive.

Marton and Kaierau could be a barnstorming game at Marton Park, in the battle of second vs third.

By Jared Smith

Tasman Tanning Premier Draw, May 11 2.35pm kickoffs

Taihape vs Border, Memorial Park
Marist vs Rātana, Spriggens Park
Marton vs Kaierau, Marton Park