So, surely, the unbeaten Wakatipu Premiers should easily beat Arrowtown in this Saturday’s rugby derby in Queenstown?
Fact is, no one’s buying that narrative.
Despite Arrowtown’s ordinary season last year, Wakatipu only beat them 16-10 when the White Horse Cup was also on the line — and the year before, Arrowtown tipped them over in Queenstown.
Arrowtown captain Ryan Egerton says "we know we’ve got to be at our best to beat Wakatipu, because they’re a strong outfit".
"We’ll certainly give it a crack, though.
"We all know what it means when the White Horse Cup’s on the line, we’ll hopefully grow an extra leg as well."
Wakatipu co-captain Tom Ria’s also sure Arrowtown will fire up on Saturday — "I don’t think past results matter too much".
"They managed to find another gear [last year] and no doubt they’ll do that again on Saturday.
The ‘Battle of the Basin’ is special, he agrees, "and having the White Horse Cup here makes it that little bit more special".
Though confident of a ‘W’, "it’s going to be a lot closer than what people would say, I think", Ria says.
His team will also welcome back star back Logan Beggs who’s been on a silent retreat in Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Wakatipu Wanderers lost 10-3 to Waiau Star in Tuatapere last weekend and play Mataura at home this Saturday.
And Wakatipu Ladies lost 56-14 at home to Gore’s Albion last Saturday.
They finished strongly, however — coincidentally, or not, scoring two tries after borrowing an opposition fullback as injury cover.
This Saturday they play Pioneer in Gore.
This Saturday, Wakatipu Wanderers v Mataura, Queenstown Rec Ground, 1pm; Wakatipu Ladies v Pioneer in Gore, 1.15pm; Wakatipu v Arrowtown, Queenstown Rec Ground, 2.30pm.
‘Give us your boots’
Bayleys Real Estate Queenstown recently hosted several Highlanders on school visits as part of a new partnership with the franchise to encourage people to donate used rugby boots.
Pictured at Remarkables Primary are, from left, All Black Highlander Folau Fakatava, Pamela Tristao, 12, local Bayleys CEO Stacy Coburn and his son George, 10, and Highlander Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens. The players also visited Arrowtown School.
Coburn says they’re encouraging people to drop off boots at Bayleys’ offices.
"We believe every child should have the opportunity to play without the burden of forking out a lot of money for sports gear, not to mention a great way to clean the garage out."
