OBM coach Tom Solomon feels nerves

Catch me if you can: YMP first five-eighth Brian Whaitiri-White takes on Ngatapa utility back Cameron Rowden. Both are in action tomorrow. YMP play a Wairoa Athletic side coached by Whaitiri-White’s grandfather Jimmy Whaitiri. Rowden’s Ngatapa side meet High School Old Boys. Picture by Paul Rickard

NEW OBM coach Tom Solomon says he is more nervous than his players as they prepare for their first game in the 2018 premier rugby championship tomorrow.

Enterprise OBM, who had the bye on the Tiny White Opening Day two weeks ago, play Tapuae at the Oval.

“The players are looking forward to playing, what with the bye in the first round and then no game last week because of Easter,” Solomon said.

“Keith (Henderson, backs coach) and I are probably more nervous.

“We’ve tried to prepare the team as best we can since we started training in February but we’ll find out in this game if we have done enough.”

Poverty Bay first five-eighth Jake Holmes (captain) and front-rower Lance Dickson (vice-captain) will lead the side against a big Tapuea side who pushed reigning Lee Bros Shield champions Earthwork Solutons High School Old Boys hard before losing 37-19 in Wairoa.

Tapuae coach Frank King said he was impressed with his team’s return to the top flight after a nine-year absence.

“Our biggest problem is getting those players who work on Saturdays to travel,” King said.

“But we had 18 players at training on Tuesday, and if we get the same commitment the boys showed against HSOB, we’re confident we can be competitive this season.”

HSOB and Ngatapa plan to build on opening day victoriesHIGH School Old Boys take on Larsawn Ngatapa at the Oval, with both teams determined to add to their opening-day victories (Ngatapa beat YMP 26-25).

Apart from lock Greg Law (out with a broken ankle), Ngatapa player-coach Sione Ngatu will have a full-strength squad available.

“We’re not sure who we will push into the locking position,” assistant coach David McDonald said.

“One thing we are sure about is not wanting to take 25 minutes to start, like we did against YMP.

“HSOB are a well-structured team . . . we can’t afford to give them a 20-point start.”

HSOB coach Jamie Hutana said his team would not be finalised until tomorrow, “due to work commitments”.

Hutana said that having the Easter break had not helped preparations, with “players not turning up to training and no communication”.

“Other clubs have the same issues at the beginning of the season, but as coaches and managers we need to stay positive and put a team out each week,” Hutana said.

“On the positive side, I thought the standard of rugby was good first- up.

“Waikohu had a great second half and look very dangerous.

“YMP and Ngatapa had a ding-dong battle and both teams could have won.

“Athletic impressed and will only get better.

“Tapuae put on a great day and should be proud of their efforts.”