They have started well but need to switch back on after halftime, execute their second-half plan and see the job through.
The Weka have the finishing power in fullback Wiremu Erkell, utility Cohen Loffler and wingers Josaia Bosaka Tikicidre, Quaydon Chaffey-Kora, Angus Chapman and Matt Proffit.
Their set-piece play is working well, the lineout drive is a strength and a weapon, but they need to generate front-foot ball and get over the advantage line.
No one will know how good this crew could be until that happens.
Bay head coach Paoraian Manuel-Harman took the good from the latest loss that has them sitting 10th on the 12-team table on one point.
“We did our homework and we prepared really well … the lads gave us what we wanted in the first half, but in the second half we conceded too many penalties and, with two yellow cards, it’s pretty hard to stop a strong side like Whanganui.”
Despite the 28-point difference, which gave Whanganui their 19th consecutive win over Weka since 2005, the home team were made to work for the bonus-point win that retained their second place on the table headed by South Canterbury.
“Poverty Bay came out firing, gave us a physical beating and defended really well across the field for long periods,” Whanganui coach Ross Williams said.
“It took our lads a long time to break them down. Ill-discipline allowed us good field position and finally we were able to come over top of them in the second half.”
Bay captain Keanu Taumata, in his 50th game for the Weka, won the toss on a cool day and chose to play with the wind before a crowd of 600.
Poverty Bay struck the first blow with a try in the opening five minutes to blindside flanker Felekoni Luau after a lineout and 10 phases of play.
In the 15th minute, Waikato referee Ben Woolerton yellow-carded Weka tighthead prop Salesi Niuvao. Whanganui No 6 Ofa Tauatevalu tapped from the penalty and charged over for the try.
A 19th-minute penalty kick from 40m out by Weka first five Tayler Adams put them 8-5 ahead, but four minutes later, from a lineout, No 8 Ekenasio Fiso went on a tear to the posts and fullback Juan Tantrum converted for 12-8.
Five minutes before halftime, the visitors scored a try to make the hosts blush. Hooker Ngahiwi Manuel, in his blazer 30th game, found Luau at a lineout 5m from the right corner. The Weka sucked defenders into a vacuum over four phases, Adams threw a dummy that left Whanganui winger Beniamino Vota and skipper Doug Horrocks standing still, and he scored the try which he converted for 15-12.
Manuel was shown a yellow card in the 39th minute and three minutes later, right winger Alekisio Vakarorogo scored in the corner – his 51st try for Whanganui, which put them 17-15 up at halftime.
In the second half, Weka reserve props Franco Ludwig and Xavier Tamanui-Nepia made their debut at Heartland level.
But it was a half which Whanganui dominated, with a second try to Vakarorogo in the 48th minute, followed by five-pointers to hooker Jack Yarrall (52nd), Tantrum (67th) and centre Sakaraia Soqonakalou (78th).
The Weka face North Otago in Gisborne in week four of the competition.
Whanganui 43 (Aleki Vakarorogo 2, Ofa Tauatevalu, Ekenasio Fiso, Jack Yarrall, Juan Tantrum, Sakaraia Soqonakalou tries; Tantrum 4 con) Poverty Bay Weka 15 (Felekoni Luau, Tayler Adams tries; Adams pen, con). HT: Whanganui 17 Poverty Bay 15.
Other Heartland results: Ngāti Porou East Coast Kaupoi 17 Mid-Canterbury 57, North Otago 32 King Country 31, South Canterbury 73 Buller 10, Wairarapa Bush 46 Horowhenua Kāpiti 31, West Coast 35 Thames Valley 15.