Storm to front the heat of the Volcanix

Ruahei Demant will be looking to repeat her efforts from the last time she was at Eden Park

 

  • Storm still have their eyes on a semi-final spot
  • Maiko Fujimoto comes in at hooker for Fiao’o Fa’amausili

 

The Storm head into Friday nights match-up with the Bay of Plenty Volcanix knowing that a win will go a long way in keeping their semi-final hopes alive.

The Volcanix are also in the same boat meaning the match is likely to have plenty of feeling to it throughout the 80 minutes.

The side is largely unchanged form the one that travelled to Waikato last weekend with the most noticeable switch coming at hooker with Ponsonby hooker Maiko Fujimoto coming in for Fiao’o Fa’amausili. Hasting Leiataua also returns on the left wing with Corina Nanai shifting to the right edge.

Coach JP Fa’amausili is well aware of the significance of the game and the potential threat of Bay of Plenty.

“They’ve got some really good players out wide who are able to break the game open if we let them. The challenge is to contain them and ensure we don’t give them enough space to hurt us throughout the game.”

Physicality and bringing that edge is a key component to the type of performance the Storm are looking to produce come Friday night. Fa’amausili is looking for a focus on set-piece with the understanding it all starts from there.

“We haven’t yet fully utilised our set-piece to date. It’s ultimately where everything begins from and if we get that under control then we can start playing with the ball and control the game how we want and basically, play the style of game we know we can.”

 

Storm team to play Bay of Plenty Volcanix:

  1. Aldora Itunu (Ponsonby)
  2. Maiko Fujimoto (Ponsonby)
  3. Aleisha-Pearl Nelson (College Rifles)
  4. Eloise Blackwell – Captain (Eden)
  5. Charmaine Smith (College Rifles)
  6. Alaimoana Fineaso-Levi (Marist)
  7. Misaki Suzuki (Marist)
  8. Joanna Fanene (Marist)
  9. Jennifer Rose-Reu (Marist)
  10. Ruahei Demant (College Rifles)
  11. Hasting Leiataua (Marist)
  12. Mele Hufanga (Marist)
  13. Lauren Sa’u (Marist)
  14. Corina Nanai (College Rifles)
  15. Kiritapu Demant (College Rifles)
  16. Jacqui Aiono (Marist)
  17. Margaret Vaiouga (Marist)
  18. Vainga Moimoi (College Rifles)
  19. Olalini Tafoulua (Marist)
  20. Aeron Warbrooke (Ponsonby)
  21. Lose Mafi (Marist)
  22. Savah Gautusa (College Rifles)

 

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