TIME TO CELEBRATE: Timisoara Saracens head coach Grainger Heikell (left) and assistant coach Sosene Anesi with the Cupa Regelui (Kings Cup). Picture supplied
WITH two trophies safely locked away in the silverware cabinet, Grainger Heikell is targeting two more for his Timisoara Saracens team.
The former Poverty Bay Heartland coach — in his second season with the Romanian-based team — has already guided Timisoara to victory in the inaugural Cupa Regelui (King’s Cup) and retention of the Romania Cup.
“It’s been a long, tough season and somewhat disrupted due to the World Cup, but so far it’s been reasonably successful,” Heikell said.
“We still have some key goals to achieve in the next six to eight weeks, before our season comes to an end.
“This year we’re involved in four competitions, all of which we aimed to win.”
Heikell said the Superliga competition and the European Challenge Cup qualifying tournament were next on the list.
The Superliga started in March and is due to finish in December.
“This competition is traditionally a tough one to win, but the boys are keen to take this title after we lost in the semifinal last year,” said Heikell, who had eight players at the World Cup with Romania and one with Fiji.
“The Superliga paused in June to allow a national squad of 50 players to assemble and prepare for the Rugby World Cup.
“Competition resumed following the world cup and we’ve qualified in first position, losing just one game and playing attractive rugby, with our semifinal to be played on November 29.
“The winners advance to the final, which is scheduled for December 5.”
Heikell said one of the highlights was beating 2014 Superliga champions Baia Mare on their home ground — the first time they had been beaten at home in seven seasons.
“The final is scheduled for Baia Mare’s home ground. Assuming we win our semifinal, we have another massive challenge ahead, whoever we play.”
The Cupa Regelui competition ran from July to September.
“It was a newly introduced competition and trophy this year, brought in to be played while all the national players were away on world cup duty and to give the remaining players a competition in which to play.
“With 12 of our players selected in the initial 50-man squad we were considerably depleted, although four of that squad returned during the early stages of Kings Cup competition.
“A lot of the Romanian national squad are based abroad, France and the UK predominantly. We had more players away than any other team in the competition, with the next most-affected club losing four players.
“This was a real opportunity for the supposed second-stringers to make a statement and prove their worth, and we went through pool play unbeaten and won our semifinal.”
In the final, Timisoara Saracens beat Baia Mare 20-18, three tries to one, to become the inaugural holders of the Cupa Regelui.
“It was a fantastic result for the team and the boys filling the places of the national players and has helped build some depth and real competition for places within the team.”
Heikell said his Rugby World Cup players came back from London in a good frame of mind.
“Some were a bit more fatigued than others, as some played all the games and others had limited time on the field.”
Added impetus to World Cup playersThe team’s success in winning two trophies while the international players were away seemed to give the world cup players added motivation to do their bit to pick up some silverware themselves, Heikell said.
“Unfortunately our Fijian player, Manasa Saulo, was suspended during the world cup, meaning his season is over.”
Heikell said the club and the players were delighted to retain the Romania Cup.
“It’s prestigious as it is the oldest trophy up for grabs on the Romanian rugby scene and no team had won it two years in a row for a long time, I believe for 15 years or more.
“This gave the boys added motivation to play well and defy recent history. With world cup players still away, the competition was abbreviated and by virtue of our earlier results we qualified directly for the playoffs and then earned a place in the final by beating CSM Bucharest in the semifinal.
“The final was in the beautiful city of Iasi, but it is (on the eastern border, next to Moldova) about as far away as you can get from Timisoara and required a 15-hour bus journey — not the ideal preparation for a final.”
Despite a 26-12 penalty count, three yellow cards, one red card and two disallowed tries against Timisoara, they beat Steaua Bucharest 17-14 in extra time.
After years of frustration, Timisoara Saracens were being given the opportunity to represent Romania in the European Challenge Cup qualifying tournament.
“It’s an exciting opportunity for the club and players but also a big challenge,” Heikell said.
“The goal is to qualify for the 2016/2017 European Challenge Cup. If we qualify, we go up against all the top teams across Europe including those from England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, France and Italy.
“However, we’ve got some tough games and, we hope, playoffs to negotiate our way through before we can even think about such things.”
The tournament comprises eight teams split into two pools of four. Timisoara must top their pool to progress to playoffs in April and meet either Enisei-STM (Russia) or Calvisano (Italy) for a place in the 2016/2017 European Challenge Cup.
The eight teams taking part are: Timisoara Saracens (Romania), Rovigo Delta SRL (Italy), Mogliano (Italy), Fiamme Oro (Italy), GD Direito (Portugal), Valladolid RAC (Spain), RG Heidelberg (Germany), Royal Kituro (Belgium).
“We play Valladolid RAC this weekend in Spain, Rovigo Delta SRL on December 12 in Timisoara, Fiamme Oro, a week later in Timisoara, and RG Heidelberg in Germany on January 16,” Heikell said.
“The next six to eight weeks will be tough and challenging, with a semifinal, we hope a final and four EPCR (European Professional Club Rugby) matches to negotiate after an already long and arduous year.
“But we wouldn’t have it any other way, as this is what we love, and it will be incredible for the team and club if we achieve all our goals.”
Heikell is in the last year of his contract but said he was too busy preparing the team to think about re-signing.
“I am enjoying my role here and expect I will stay on to complete these goals we have set if I am required.
“Getting through to the European Challenge Cup is a big attraction, but we need to focus on one step at a time and be the best we can on each of those steps.”
Heikell said his Romanian was “limited, to say the least”.
“I hope to make a better effort in my remaining time here.”
The former Poverty Bay captain and hooker enjoyed a six-day break following the Kings Cup win.
“I went to the Romania-versus-Canada game in Leicester, which was exciting from a Romanian point of view. Their win made for a great atmosphere and celebrations.
“Following that, I travelled to Exeter to take in the Namibia-versus-Georgia match to see David Philander (former Poverty Bay player, whom Heikell coached) in action. Luckily I was able to catch up with him after the match for a quick chat.
“Then it was up to Newcastle for the All Blacks’ last pool match, against Tonga.
“The rugby was great but so, too, was catching up with some good friends with Gisborne connections.”
In Leicester he met up with Brendon and Kathryn Hart to see a Romania match, and in London he met Mike and Anne Torrie, who were also attending the world cup.
Heikell also caught up with Gisborne’s Mark Solomann, Grant Walsh, Laurie Potter, Matanuku Mahuika and “their crew” of All Black supporters to travel from London to Newcastle.
“I also ran into Graeme Torrie, Andrew Wilton and Kim Harris following the match.
“It was only a short stint at the Rugby World Cup but great to be part of it, experience it first-hand and catch up with some Kiwi friends.
“I guess I’m probably lucky I had only limited time as I don’t know that I could have survived the duration of the tournament based on those six days.”