52-4: Rams run rampant in South Island opener
“I definitely knew we had it in us. I was just trying to keep under the radar to be honest, I didn’t tell too many people how I thought we would go."
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Southland Rams coach Nathan Anderson felt something special was brewing heading into Saturday’s South Island Championship rugby league competition opener at Rugby Park.
He just chose to play it down a bit when anyone asked how the team was shaping.
But there’s no hiding now.
The Rams delivered one of their best performances in many years in a 52-4 statement victory over the Aoraki Eels in Invercargill.
Southland led 22-4 at halftime before highlighting its fitness work when it powered home to the 52-4 victory.
The Rams dominated territory playing with the wind in the first half and also playing against it in the second half.
“I think they only got into our 20m four or five times, so our defence was really good. It was definitely up there with the best I’ve seen for a while,” Anderson said.
Anderson had been encouraged by the build up heading into Saturday’s competition opener.
“I definitely knew we had it in us. I was just trying to keep under the radar to be honest, I didn’t tell too many people how I thought we would go.
“But we’ve got some confidence now and some momentum heading into West Coast but even though we have got that we need to make sure we are grounded again.”
There were standout players across the field at Rugby Park for the Rams, including prop Darcy More who played big minutes and set a good platform.
Both second rowers - Junior Toparea and Dominic Vercoe - played 80 minutes and led the Rams’ line speed in defence.
With Daniel Low carrying a calf niggle, Calder White started at hooker for the Rams and impressed.
Osika Kaufonogna was dangerous from fullback making some key line breaks, while his brother Sione, at halfback, directed play well.
Wing Richie Kuresa produced a brilliant individual try where he beat plenty of Aoraki defenders.
Even on the back of such a dominant showing, Anderson said there were areas they would need to improve on as they now eye a trip to Oamaru on Saturday to take on West Coast.
“We still had 13 handling errors which isn’t ideal, so in a 50-point win to have 13 handling errors it could have been worse if we held onto the ball a bit more.”
Anderson said it was special for the Rams to get to play on Rugby Park on Saturday.
“It was brilliant. It was definitely a step up to be playing there… The person who marked the field did a really good job and looked after us.
“We are very happy with how they looked after us and getting to use their facilities.”
The Rams have a decent enough challenge ahead of them now given West Coast gave the Canterbury Bulls a big scare in their game on Saturday.
It took a late Canterbury try to bank a 16-14 win over the West Coast.
The other part of the challenge is the fact that the Rams will travel up and back to Oamaru on the same day to play the West Coast.
Anderson said budget constraints hasn’t allowed for an overnight stay, but he added both teams would be in the same position given West Coast will also have to travel.
A win over the West Coast could set up a grand final-like fixture for Southland against the Canterbury Bulls in Oamaru the following Saturday.