‘A HUGE PRIVILEGE’

LEADER BY EXAMPLE: First five-eighth Tane McGuire, in action against YMP in the Poverty Bay premier club rugby final last year, has been named captain for Waikohu's 2021 season-opening match against OBM at Te Karaka tomorrow afternoon.Herald file picture

Andy Grammer's 2014 hit single Back Home could easily have been written with Waikohu and Te Karaka domain — that nest of country rugby — in mind.

Tomorrow, a year after Covid-19 prevented Tiny White Opening Day being held at TK, the Civil Project Solutions premier grade club rugby season will kick off at the Domain.

“Having Tiny White Opening Day here is a huge privilege for our community,” Waikohu chairperson Trish Fleming said.

“We honour past players and supporters of Whatatutu, Rangatira and Matawai, which form the Waikohu Sports Club.

“Everyone can expect exciting rugby and the manaaki (hospitality) of the haukainga (hosts) with food available.”

Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union chairman Hayden Swann said the union was “looking forward to getting into footy”.

“Having club supporters and rugby lovers watching teams run out brings our community together because rugby is an important part of the fabric of our region.”

Tomorrow's action will involve Farm Vets Young Maori Party v Farmcare High School Old Boys at 1.15pm and GT Shearing Waikohu v Enterprise Cars OBM at 2.45pm, with Gisborne Glass again running a Pick the Score for $100 in reference to the second game in which the New Zealand Community Trust Challenge Cup will be up for grabs.

The greatest individual prize on offer tomorrow is The Tiny White Medal for the Player of the Day — a prestigious honour named after legendary All Black lock and Mayor of Gisborne the late Richard “Tiny” White.

All five participating clubs (Larsawn Ngatapa have the bye on Opening Day) have had good turn-outs to training, which for some began in January.

Brian Leach is back as head coach of YMP, while Stephen Hickey returns with Ngatapa,

Danny Boyle still has the top job at HSOB, Rawiri Broughton is once more player-coach of Lee Brothers Shield holders Waikohu and Clint Pirihi is at the helm for OBM.

The vibe around Poverty Bay rugby is excellent and Leach, a tremendously positive and popular coach in his second year as a mentor to the Bay's oldest active club, spoke to the YMP outfit's hunger.

“The turn-out and commitment so far has been awesome and the boys have been training hard under the guidance of Allan Hogarth.

“For us play-wise this weekend, it's about working to our game plan — identifying space and eliminating errors — while never forgetting to enjoy this first hit-out, to have faith and trust in each other.”

These sentiments apply equally to all.