The Volcanix are set and ready to go this weekend for their first of two Tauranga Domain double-headers as the Counties Manukau Heat come to town for a Round 5 Farah Palmer Cup matchup.  

"Everyone has trained well this week," says Head Coach Brent Kaua. 

"We've worked on the areas we needed to work on, and they're excited to get into their mahi. What's even better is that they get to play in front of friends and whānau." 

The Volcanix narrowly lost last week's matchup vs defending champions Waikato. Despite the defeat, they took away key learnings.  

"We played well for periods of the match, especially in the first 25 minutes. Our set piece was good. We just need to be more clinical with the ball in hand and maintain our tempo," says Kaua.  

Assistant Coach Crystal Kaua adds, "we were penalised 21 times against Waikato. Our discipline is a non-negotiable this weekend.”  

"We're at our best when our set piece is dominant, we are decisive and playing what's in front, and our defence is aggressive and moving forward.” 

"Each week our team is growing, and we are excited at the thought of them putting it all together." 

There are multiple changes to the side that will face Counties this weekend, including a variety of players starting in different positions. Four new players enter the starting lineup, including Te Urupounamu McGarvey, Tynealle Fitzgerald, Miracle Monga and Payton Takimoana. 

Captain Luka Connor is on restricted minutes leading into the Black Ferns Laurie O’reilly Cup, so she willll be making an impact off the bench. 

The Heat are one in four this season and will need a win if they want to keep their season alive. The Volcanix, meanwhile, are two from three and currently sitting 4th in the overall standings. 

The Double Header action kicks off Sunday 14 August with gates opening at 11.00am at the Tauranga Domain with the Volcanix kicking off at 11.35am and will be broadcast live on Sky Sport 1. 

Volcanix Round 5 team vs Counties Manukau Heat 
1. Te Urupounamu McGarvey 
2. Natalie Delamere  
3. Santo Taumata 
4. Kelsie Wills (VC) 
5. Tynealle Fitzgerald 
6. Les Elder 
7. Kendra Reynolds  
8. Pia Tapsell  
9. Sheniqua Taula 
10. Kalyn Takitimu-Cook 
11. Olivia Richardson 
12. Miracle Monga 
13. Renee Wickliffe 
14. Grace Parata-Stewart  
15. Payton Takimoana 

16. Luka Connor (C) 
17. Kate Henwood  
18. Animei Skudder 
19. Jessie Wharekura 
20. JayJay Taylor 
21. Emma Flynn 
22. Kiki Tahere 
23. Sapphire Williams 

Not available due to injury:  
Olive Watherston 
Kiri Ngawati 
Azalleyah Maaka  
Tayla Manu-Pym 

Match details  
Bay of Plenty Double Header 
Sunday 14th August,  
Tauranga Domain, Tauranga 
Gates Open at 11.00am 
Volcanix v Counties Manukau, 11.35am 
Steamers vs Taranaki, 2.05pm 
Games Live on Sky Sport 1 

Article added: Friday 12 August 2022