Acknowledgments to the NZ Rugby Almanack Franchise:
2021
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
With three wins in their eight games West Coast finished ninth in the Heartland Championship and only twice achieved a bonus point for four tries.
Despite this record, they were never outclassed in their defeats. Against the two eventual Meads Cup finalists Thames Valley and South Canterbury the side remained in touch until well into the second half.
West Coast had one of the best scrums in the Heartland Championship and the tall lock pairing of Sam Liebezeit and Ethan Simpson won plenty of good quality lineout ball and scrummaged effectively. The front row of Dan Foord, Troy Tauwhare and Daniel Davis was a powerful one and Trent Lawn and Jesse MacRae kept up the pressure when they came on.
The loose forward trio of Amenatave Tukana, captain Steven Soper and Lewis Jackman worked tirelessly in the open with the debutant Jackman a big improver as the season progressed.
The backline did not match the standard set by the forwards but the individual talent was there. Wing Jacob Lowe looked an exciting prospect in his debut season with pace and an ability to beat a man, scoring a superb try against South Canterbury. Halfback Jarrod Ferguson gave his usual fine service and newcomer Joseph Scott impressed, whether at first five-eighth or second five-eighth, having a standout game against Ngati Porou East Coast.
Loan player Elliot Smith was the top try scorer with five, including three against King Country.
Results 2021
Sat 18 Sep | 2:00 pm | H | Heartland Championship | ![]() |
21 - 28 | Match Center |
Sat 25 Sep | 2:30 pm | A | Heartland Championship | ![]() |
17 - 34 | Match Center |
Sat 02 Oct | 2:30 pm | A | Heartland Championship | ![]() |
34 - 20 | Match Center |
Sat 09 Oct | 2:30 pm | H | Heartland Championship | ![]() |
08 - 27 | Match Center |
Sat 16 Oct | 2:30 pm | A | Heartland Championship | ![]() |
19 - 18 | Match Center |
Sat 23 Oct | 1:00 pm | H | Heartland Championship | ![]() |
39 - 34 | Match Center |
Sat 30 Oct | 2:30 pm | A | Heartland Championship / Rundle Cup | ![]() |
14 - 22 | Match Center |
Sat 06 Nov | 2:30 pm | H | Heartland Championship | ![]() |
19 - 46 | Match Center |