Tawa Titans – Poneke Cavs U85kg Division 1 final set to be tight

There doesn’t tend to be a lot in these big U85kg Division One games. Last year’s final saw the MSP Blues beat the Tawa Titans 6-3 on penalties, and this Saturday’s final at Kilbirnie Park at 2.30pm between the Poneke Poneke Gasworks Cavs and the Titans could be just as close.

In fact, their two previous meetings this season saw Tawa pull away late in the match to win their first round clash 17-0 at Lyndhurst Park and Poneke win 7-6 at home at Kilbirnie in the second round. Only three tries were scored in these two previous encounters between the two sides and discipline more than ever looms as a key ingredient on Saturday as most finals in the last few years have been decided by only a few points.

Both are coming off well-earned Paul Potiki Shield semi-final wins, first round winners the Titans beating the OBU Onslow Bunnies 43-12 and top qualifier the Cavs defeating the Wellington Axemen 35-9.

Like the Tawa Titans, the Poneke Cavs are tight-knit group, with a flourishing history in this grade. Formed in 1998, they were previously the second Poneke team to the competitive Poneke Dogs of War side of the mid to late 2000s.

The nucleus of the current Cavs side has its origins five seasons ago. This year’s assistant coach Tutere Williams first took them to the U85kg Division 2 final in their first season up from Division 3 in 2011. In 2013 the Cavs entered Division 1 and last year they qualified third for the semi-finals, losing to the Tawa Titans 8-15.

This year former Dogs of War coach Steve Matthews has taken over as Head Coach of the Cavs, bringing several former Dogs of War players that won four titles and played in five finals back to the fold.

Team manager William Tokona said the Poneke team is hitting form at the right time of the season.

It's taken us until two-thirds of the way through the second round to get to where we like to be,” he said. “The last three games, in particular, have seen a growing confidence within the team that we're travelling well and peaking at the right time of the season.

“This attitude is no better exemplified by the effort from the team to keep their try line intact in the last two games against the OBU Bunnies (22-9) and in last weekend’s semi-final Wellington.

“There’s a strong core of players, including the Dogs of War boys who have the experience of being there before and won, that could prove crucial on Saturday if the game hangs in the balance.”

Tokona said, whilst it would be a team effort that topples the Titans, some key Cavs players include former North Harbour and Wellington B midfielder Makea Pokere, workaholic hooker/flanker Dean Condon and elusive fullback Andrew Foster.

“In general we have good depth in our squad, starting in our tight five. There are three players who are unable to play because of injury, which would upset most team's preparations for the finals. Including back and former Wests/Poneke Premier player Liam Townsend, back Dan Payne, a former star player for the Dogs of War team and lock Ross Billingsley who was injured in the warm-ups before last week's semi-final.”

Other players, Geoff Botherway and Wilson Auld played for the Tawa Titans 2012-2014, and Tony Natoli (Tawa Titans) played for the Poneke Dogs of War team in 2010-11.

Tokona said that the Titans will be a tough side to beat.

“We respect the Tawa Titans immensely, they've been there at the business end for the last four seasons, and hold both the JC Bowl and the Centurions Trophy.

“They’re a tight bunch who’ve played a lot of rugby together over four or more seasons. Their captain Dave Tye provides them with direction and purpose.

“That and their ability to play it tight around the rucks and mauls and offload are their main strengths.

“It's not a case of who wants it the most, as both teams will be equally determined to win on Saturday.

“In the end it's the team that's able to perform the basics under pressure the best and take the opportunities presented to them that will win the game.”

As well as the first round JC Bowl title, the Tawa Titans have successfully defended the Centurions Cup seven times this season (not contested for the final).

The Titans have maintained the core of their side over the last eight years. Having lost a few players to retirement and a few returning to play for Poneke their recruits to the have been outstanding this season. 

Captain David Tye is upbeat about his team’s chances in the final.

“Having contested and lost the last three finals there is a feeling that this is the strongest team we have been able to ever field in a final and so we go into this game confident we have the talent to win but knowing we are going to be up against a very physical Poneke side whose set piece will be very well drilled and whose backs will capitalise on any mistakes we make.
 
“Having had two very close games this season with one win a piece both teams will know they are capable of winning the final so it should make for an intense 80 minutes.

“Whilst both encounters this year have been tightly contested and physical on the field, off the field both teams respect each other and get along well with two of the Poneke side having played the previous two seasons for Tawa and many others having played on opposing teams for many years. Regardless of the result I’m sure both teams will enjoy a beer after the game and reflect on what is a very fitting end to what has been a great season not only for these two teams but for the 85's grade in general."
 
Statistically, Tawa fullback Dan Kubiack has scored 15 tries in 15 games, whilst Tye has also scored 10 tries. For Poneke, Pokere has scored nine tries, halfback Nick Shanks has scored eight and fullback Foster seven. Poneke centre Jeremy Riddell has scored 114 points.
 
Poneke head into the final have won 14 and lost two from 16 games, and have scored 463 points for and conceded 153. Tawa have lost just once all season, and have scored 502 points and let in 151 points.

About the Paul Potiki Shield

The Paul Potiki Shield was presented by the Poneke club in 1996 in the then new 85kg Restricted grade. Ories stalwart Tony O'Brien was responsible for establishing the grade, with the aim to "to bring enjoyment back into rugby for the skinny, smaller bloke." Paul Potiki was a Poneke stalwart, a former member of the 22nd Infantry Battalion in WW2, taxi driver and a well-known Wellington identity.

The Poneke and Tawa squads contesting the Paul Potiki Shield final (to be confirmed)

Poneke Cavs

1. Geoff Brotherway
2. Dean Condon
3. Rory Spray
4. Tony Mathews (c)
5. Logan Walker
6. Phil Newell
7. Gus Gawn
8. Tyler Kendall
9. Nick Shanks
10. Dave Taylor
11. Martin Le Breton
12. Makea Pokere
13. Jeremy Riddell
14. Josh Lopdell
15. Andrew Foster

Reserves

16. Nick Walker
17. Troy Ramsey
18. Adam Smith
19. Steve Walters
20. Wilson Auld
21. Dan Lewington
22. Tarq Vosper

Coaches: Steve Mathews (Head coach), Tutere Williams
Manager: William Tokona
Club Mentor / Gear: Paul Hakaraia

Tawa Titans

1. Aaron Eltringham
2. Bernard Dodds (vc)
3. David Tye (c)
4. Api Pepe
5. Simon Penny
6. Cam Prestidge
7. Jonny Smart
8. Sam Butters
9. Daniel White
10. Gene Johnston
11. Joe Denyer
12. Darcy Po
13. Heath Crawford
14. Danny Shaw
15. Dan Kubiack
 
Reserves

16. Mitchell Bernard
17. Rhys Martin
18.
19. Matt Drysdale
20. Callum Meek / Chris Hopkins
21. Freeman Stempa
22. Josiah Orr
23. Jake O'Callaghan
 
Coaches - David Fa'atafa, David Tye

Match Details

What: Paul Potiki Shield U85kg Restricted Division 1 Final
Who: Poneke Cavs v Tawa Titans
When: Saturday 29 August, 2.30pm
Where: Kilbirnie Park