"I have to keep structured and try not to do anything fancy. Club rugby is a lot different to school rugby ... I'm just getting the hang of it."
"We've got a few guys missing because of injuries and other commitments but we've still got a good team," McClutchie said.
He regarded leadership and game organisation as his major work ons.
"It can be tough telling 36-year-olds what to do. It's important I stick to the basics and don't get too big headed.
While he has heard the Hastings outfit has been working hard, McClutchie said he was confident his team could compete with their neighbours.
"Both teams will go in with the same mindset. It will just be a case of who turns up on the day."
McClutchie has just as much knowledge on Hastings halfback Folau Fakatava, another of his old HBHS teammates, as Toala. He said it was crucial the Tamatea defenders don't come up too quick on Fakatava and they need to respect his footwork.
McClutchie has set cracking the Magpies Mitre 10 Cup squad as his main goal for the season and he said he is eagerly awaiting the first pre-season outing against Tasman on May 2.
His Tamatea coach Matt Marsh agreed McClutchie's form will be watched with interest today but it was important his forwards gained parity against the highly fancied Hastings engine room.
"I know our old heads Henare [Harris] and Hamiora [Rowlands] will help us do that he said, referring to his respective starting No 8 and blindside flanker who have been playing at premier level for 17 seasons.
While Harris and Rowlands will certainly add experience and glue to Tamatea's defensive systems, as well as discipline and intelligence to their attack, Hastings should still win by 17.
Three weeks ago there was plenty of talk suggesting defending champions and Hawke's Bay Challenge Shield holders WIT Napier Old Boys Marist's clash against Taradale Rugby and Sports at Park Island was going to be the feature round five battle.
Most pundits expected both teams to be unbeaten at this stage of the season and few expected Taradale to collect consecutive losses against MAC and Napier Technical in their last two outings.
However this is the reason Taradale have the potential to push their hosts. They are too good a side to have had two losses and they will be eager to make amends.
Despite this fact NOBM should still win by 11 and post their 39th consecutive victory in Nash Cup and Maddison Trophy outings.
If Altherm Window Systems Napier Technical can maintain the intensity displayed in last week's win against Taradale they could beat Northfuels Central by 21 at Whitmore Park.
Progressive Meats Havelock North were always going to start as favourites against Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports at Anderson Park and their task will be easier if key Pirate forwards, lock Damien Scott and prop Pouri Rakete-Stones, opt out to stay injury-free in the countdown to their New Zealand Universities team's departure to Japan and Singapore on Monday. If this pair play the visitors could stay within 20 but if they don't the villagers could romp in by 26 or more.
The closest game of the round is likely to be played at Flaxmere Park where MAC should sneak in by six when they host K9 Petfoods Clive.
