Last updated 16:08, Wednesday, 03 September 2008

“I DON’T think it will be a grudge match of any sort, we can’t afford it to be, there will be some big hits, of course, but I am sure the team will be more switched on,” says David Fatialofa.

Fats, fortunately, is fit and rarin’-to-go for the Leigh play-off fray, having missed the mayhem of Hilton Park three weeks ago. Haven, badly done to, came off second best in what Ged Stokes called a most violent match.

Fats’ warrior spirit for Haven is key up front, allied to the return of extra heavy artillery in the bulk of Marc Jackson and Ryan McDonald.

They’ll fight fire in what’s sure to be another battle in a hostile atmosphere. However, with so much at stake, ferocity must be tempered with discipline and hopefully the ref will see fair play.

The duo weren’t in the Hilton Park cauldron last time round, perhaps as well in the circumstances, as Haven suffered enough with red cards to Scott Teare and the outstanding Graeme Mattinson, whose three-match ban means he can’t play again this season – unless Haven reach the Grand Final.

Big blows but the return of twin enforcers McDonald and Jackson, plus the guile and leadership of Fatialofa, will compensate – Karl Edmondson, a chip off the old Kiwi block, would be more than happy to follow this lot into the trenches. So, too Spencer Miller, a dynamo of boundless energy all season, and the rumbustious Howard Hill, X-factor of the pack, wouldn’t need asking twice. It’s good that Hill, a strong candidate for player of the season, has signed a new two year deal, his years in the backs giving an added creative dimension to the forward play.

But if Whitehaven are to win through the game plan has to fall short of trench warfare.

As Fatialofa says: “Controlled aggression’s going to win the match for us.

“As Ged said, we ended up getting a bit bullied and took a backward step, this time we’ve some good big lads coming back and I don’t think Leigh will do it to us twice.”

When it comes to ability, belief and quality across the pitch, Haven are good enough to come through but there is one imponderable: Discipline.

Says Howard Hill: “Ged’s been getting into our heads, we should be fired up.”

Haven can’t afford to get too hyped up so they lose concentration, and risk retaliation in the face of any intimidation.

Leigh will no doubt try to get Jacko & Co to lose their heads.

Whereas cool heads and controlled aggression will win the day, provided the rest clicks into place.

And it’s behind the scrum where imponderables also lie.

Haven have suffered a body blow with the suspension for one match of Leroy Joe, arising from the early free for all against Widnes. The club insist he was provoked and were trying to have it overturned last night.

Whether it’s at scrum half or loose forward, especially in the absence of Carl Rudd, Leroy has been inspirational.

Likewise Kiwi compatriot Tane Manihera, so step forward the wily 34-year-old to provide both craft and composure, with Gregg McNally, apprentice to Tane’s sorcery, relishing the chance to come up the unexpected.

Young Gregg was ruthlessly targeted by Leigh, along with skipper Gary Broadbent, it can’t be allowed to happen again.

On the opposite side, of course, we have Dennis Moran, supposedly struggling with an injury.

Whether it’s kidology or not remains to be seen but if Haven’s dreadnoughts get on top up front then the mercurial Moran won’t get the chance to derail Haven as he did in a certain cup final last season.

Haven’s warriors have already bettered the Vikings of Widnes and they have it in them to roll over the Centurions of Leigh, but if they need any incentive it is that victory could give them one more home game – that is if Widnes can do for second-placed Halifax on Sky TV tonight.

Then it would be a re-match at The Recre – Haven v Widnes.

Anything can happen and there’s everything to play for.

As Whitehaven’s ebullient chairman Gordon Grace put it to me...... “Just to think, we shouldn’t even be here after all that’s happened this season. Anything now is a bonus. Whatever happens at Leigh, everybody deserves a pat on the back.”

But the last word on this to the admirable Fats: “It was an honour to lead the team out against Widnes, I would love to play at Leigh, I really would.”

It may or may not be his last game before retirement but at least there’s every chance that his Junior Kiwi partner in wizardry (Manihera) will carry on, hopefully Leroy, too.