Nate Miller. File picture by Paul Rickard
Six teams are set to contest this year’s Gisborne Tairawhiti rugby league competition, which kicks off at Awapuni Stadium tomorrow, and clubs say they have boosted their stocks with young talent.
The competition features the return of the Manutuke Mustangs after an absence of 10 years and they’re expected to include several YMP rugby union players.
Their first game is against the Ngatapa Stags, who are themselves likely to have rugby players featuring in their squad.
Paikea Whalers, the 2017 and 2018 champions, and last year’s beaten finalists the Seeka Falcons are again expected to be in the mix come finals time.
Paikea player-coach Daniel Taituha said the Whalers were building slowly ahead of the season opening.
They play the Turanga Panthers first up.
“We’ve got a strong core of experienced players that we have been able to depend on over the years but, unfortunately, have lost a few of our young stars,” Taituha said.
However, some young players were returning for their second year in the Whalers’ colours, he said.
“We have a few new players to the club, both young and old, and we’re all excited to see how they go. Everyone’s keen.
“It looks like it’s going to be an awesome season, as all the clubs are looking strong.”
The Seeka Falcons will play against the Waengapu Stallions, who have been something of a bogey team for them in past seasons.
The Falcons have picked up Nesta Turnbull, who was the Stallions captain in recent seasons.
However, the loss of loose forward Nate Miller is keenly felt by the club. He died in a forestry accident near Tolaga Bay in February.
Falcons coach George Tanirau said players were passionate about honouring Miller’s contribution.
“The boys who knew him well are dedicating the season to Nate.”
Tanirau said training sessions had attracted good turnouts and the players were brushing up on their skills.
Manutuke coach Rana Wharehinga said the Mustangs’ return sprang out of discussions that started as far back as Labour Weekend last year.
“A few boys approached me to get a team together,” he said.
“It’s looking pretty promising.”
Turanga Panthers coach Peter Fox said playing the champion Whalers would give them a good gauge of how they measured up.
“There’s no better way to see where you’re at.”
The Panthers, one of the region’s traditional clubs, returned to the competition in 2018 after a few years away.
Gisborne Tairawhiti Rugby League chairwoman Wanita Tuwairua-Brown said it was awesome to have both the Panthers and Mustangs back.
“I’m sure with the old-school clubs returning, passionate support from their whanau will return as well,” she said.
“There will be a lot of different faces in teams this year, which makes it interesting.”
Waengapu Stallions assistant coach and captain Dylan Williams said they had attracted some new players.
The club wanted to get families more involved and help the sport to grow in Tairawhiti.
Standoff Matthew Marino and centre or fullback Rico Walters were among their key players.
Ngatapa Stags manager Johni Ingram said the team would focus on the basics, such as completing their sets of six tackles.
Anthony Karauria, who has lately got into bodybuilding, will coach the side.
They weren’t in the competition just to make up the numbers and would be pushing for wins, Ingram said.
“We can topple those top guns.”
Week 1 draw —
11.30am: Manutuke Mustangs v Ngatapa Stags.
1pm: Paikea Whalers v Turanga Panthers.
2.30pm: Seeka Falcons v Waengapu Stallions.