Matchwinner Renata's kicking with confidence
29th September 2009 11:38AM
By EVAN PEGDEN - Waikato Times
Trent Renata has kicked a dropped goal in a tight match before but never to decide it.
But after last Friday night's Air New Zealand Cup match-winner for Waikato against Taranaki at New Plymouth's Yarrow Stadium the 21-year-old now has the confidence to back himself in the future, having also kicked one in the past for New Zealand against Australia in the World Under-19 Championship.
"The boys had faith in me to do that and I'm happy that I could follow through and do that," Renata said yesterday of his crucial kick against Taranaki.
"We needed that win, we really needed that win, so to come out and do that for the team, I was pretty pleased."
But while he agreed it was good to know in the back of his mind that he had done it before under pressure, the young first five-eighth is hoping he is not called on too often to do it in future.
"But as the season goes on and we need to get in the semis, maybe dropped goals could be a way to go really.
"In our last four games - we've got three at home and one away - we're going to need wins and if it really comes down to that I suppose a drop kick is always an option," Renata said.
But it is doubtful Renata will be kicking any this week.
With Waikato's next game at Waikato Stadium on Thursday night against North Harbour he is in a race against time to get his shoulder right after injuring it 10 minutes into the second half in New Plymouth.
"With the short turnaround I'll be pushing to get my shoulder right but we'll see how it goes.
"I've got a scan this afternoon.
"While I was out on the field my shoulder was a bit shot and probably when I was lining up for the dropped goal I was probably more focused on actually catching the ball - that was the hardest part about it. I had to lift my arm to catch it and my arm was pinching at the back of the shoulder."
Renata has taken his chances since Sam Christie also suffered a shoulder injury and if he cannot play this week a likely scenario, with Christie still not right, is moving Callum Bruce from second-five to first and bringing Jackson Willison in at 12, Willison having returned from a broken wrist off the bench last week.
Waikato backs coach Scott McLeod said Renata was a young man who was growing, learning and executing well under pressure for the team. He was one of several players under an injury cloud, with others including Sosene Anesi and Alesana Muliaina, meaning a busy week for medical staff.
Waikato have All Blacks Brendon Leonard and Aled de Malmanche available this week.
Meanwhile, North Harbour second-five Andrew Mailei was to appear before the New Zealand Rugby Union judiciary today after being sent off for a dangerous tackle against Counties-Manukau at Albany last Friday.
