ANDOVER Rugby Club coach Andy Waite says his side face a “tough away game” this weekend as they prepare to visit mid-table side Warlingham.

The All Blacks face the long trip up to London on Saturday hoping to replicate the kind of display that helped them to a 27-18 win against their upcoming hosts earlier this season.

However Waite believes his side will face a tougher game when they visit Hamsey Green.

He said: “We had a disappointing result in our last game before Christmas and now we come back after the break to face a tough away game.

“We already beat them earlier this season however the conditions will be different in this game.

“When you play teams like Warlingham away they are a completely different animal to how they are when you play them at home.”

The match will be an even bigger ask for the All Blacks, who will be without several key players when they make the trip up to London this Saturday.

Waite said: “We go into the game with a full front line but we have injuries, particularly in the backs.

“Tom Waite is out with an ankle injury and he will be out for two to three weeks and Alex Kane is out with a rib injury for up to three weeks.

“Both of them are big losses but hopefully they will both be back to their bests soon.

“Callum Staff is also unavailable but we have got Ed Williams coming back in which is a boost.

“There will be a lot of change but we still hope to go there and give them a run for their money.”

A positive result for Andover could move them further away from fellow relegation rivals Weybridge Vandals, who face a home tie against Old Reigatian on Saturday.

However if results go against the All Blacks, Vandals, currently sitting second from bottom, could potentially go level on points with Andover.

Despite this, Waite believes his side are good enough to avoid the drop.

He said: “I don’t believe we are in any danger. Despite having five points deducted (for fielding an unregistered player) we are still clear of both Weybridge Vandals and Basingstoke and we still have to play both of them at home.

“With the injuries and unavailability we have had and the point deduction I think we are doing well to be where we are.

“We want to be higher and are hoping for a mid table finish but I think we have already proved we are good enough to be at this level.”

Following this weekend’s game, Andover will host local rivals Winchester in the league.

Winchester are currently up in third place but Andover will be confident particularly with their strength at home.