All hands to the pump

LEADING BY EXAMPLE: High School Old Boys No.8 Tamanui Hill takes on the Waikohu defence in premier club rugby last year. Hill will lead HSOB as they try to recapture the form of their 'three-peat' years — 2015 to 2017 — this season. Picture by Paul Rickard

High School Old Boys won the Lee Brothers Shield in 2015, '16 and '17 — the last side to “three-peat”.

And people dedicated to returning their premier rugby team to glory have put their hands up.

Danny Boyle is the new head coach, Wade Owen is assistant coach and Wayne Ensor will help as required.

Jonathan Poole and John Phelps are managers, Adam Cranston is the trainer and Moira Johnston is the physiotherapist.

“We've got a lot of leaders, guys who've been there and done that,” Boyle said.

“But I've got the experience, the time and the passion to help guide the boys. I want to give back to HSOB.”

Boyle played for the blue-and-whites from 1984 to 1999, first under Richard Peck and finally, Guy Middleton.

“We got together in January and blew the cobwebs out against Uawa in a pre-season game up there . . . both sides tried things,” Boyle said.

“We've got a very intelligent group who can execute a range of different game-plans, but just as importantly the fire to want to be there, is there.”

Boyle, 54, expects some margin between the fittest members of his squad and those still striving for fitness.

Contract Consultants HSOB have guns to fire. They'll be led by strongman No.8 and 2019 Poverty Bay Heartland captain Tamanui Hill. Corey Reihana, Hayden Stuart and Korey Love are skilful in the backs; Will Hocquard is quick between the ears and can cover spots 12 to 15.

HSOB have four options at halfback — Willie Haenga, Scott Tallott, George Halley and Sam Middleton — for game-plans requiring quick service and high rugby IQ for a more tactical approach.

Players new to the area this season will include prop James Jenkins.

While skipper Hill is not of a mind to force the pace early, he also knows HSOB want to work hard.

“The boys have been motivating each other,” he said.

“First training session is this Tuesday, and we're pumped up.”

Boyle — captain in 1978 of the first East Coast team to win the Trust Bank under-14 championship — has coached HSOB before. He and Henry Maxwell coached them in the mid-2000s.

“We at HSOB are like every other club,” Boyle said.

“We work hard, we enjoy each other's company, and we all like to get out there on Saturday and do the business.”