TAPUAE make their return to the Poverty Bay premier division after a nine-year absence when they play reigning Lee Bros Shield champions High School Old Boys at Wairoa tomorrow.
“They’ll be fired up for it — home advantage and hosting the Tiny White Opening Day,” said HSOB coach Jamie Hutana, whose side are chasing a fourth successive title.
Tapuae coach Wayne Hema countered in similar vein.
“They’ve been one of the strongest clubs for a while now . . . it’s a tough opener for us but it’s also a good chance to see where we are and what we need to work on.
“Unfortunately for us the works are still running night shifts, which means until they stop, we will be without some players.
“But the boys are keen to be back in the premier division. It’s a better competition than senior ones, which Tapuae won last year.
“We’ve had a core of players training since before Christmas and they will form the basis of the side.
“Evan Carroll has moved back from Rotorua and will captain the team from first or second five-eighth.
Hema will also look to the experienced Andre Mitchell (No.8) for leadership.
Hutana’s side have been boosted by a number of our rep players returning to training this week after concerns over unavailable players.
YMP ready for Ngatapa clash YMP coach Steve Smith says his side have not forgotten last season’s opening day loss to Larsawn Ngatapa — their opponents tomorrow.
“We turned down the chance to kick a penalty to go in front late in the game, then Ngatapa won it with a penalty on the stroke of fulltime,” said Smith.
The Magpies have been strengthened by three players from Pirates, who pulled out of this year’s competition — Rob Broughton, Rocky Monika and Jacob Leaf.
“All three are good signings and have fitted in well with the culture of the club.
“Apart from Tio Ria, who has gone to OBM, we’ve kept most of last year’s squad, including senior players Eru Wharerau, Reihana Wyllie, Willis Tamatea, Chayse Skudder and Brian Whaitiri-White.
“It gives us good competition for starting places.”
YMP have been training since early February and beat Tapuae in a pre-season friendly.
“That’s a change from last year when we started in January. In hindsight, that may have been too early.”
Athletic under no illusions about last year's runners-up WaikohuAthletic’s new coach Jimmy Whaitiri is under no illusions about the task facing his side when they meet last season’s runners-up Waikohu.
“They’re a group of players who have been together for a number of years and know each other well,” Whaitiri said.
“I hear they have retained most of last year’s squad and I’m sure they have their structures and systems set in place, whereas we’re still coming to terms with ours.”
At last season’s opening day, Waikohu beat Pirates 31-22 with an expansive style of rugby that they continued throughout the season.
It was rewarded, with the men from Te Karaka winning the first and second rounds before going down to HSOB in the final.
Former Poverty Bay forward Jason Tuapawa has taken over the coaching reins from Tahi Hiroki and is unlikely to change Waikohu’s approach to the game.