Big week looming
A former All Black great has helped the Mangonui team prepare for the prestigious Taniwha Shield tournament looming in South Hokianga next week.
Mangonui Taniwha Shield coach Grant Baker noted the squad was joined by former All Black great Bruce Robertson at a weekend camp earlier this month. He said getting Robertson (who played for the All Blacks from 1972-81 and was described by many as New Zealand's greatest ever centre) on board had been an "awesome" experience for all involved.
Robertson's involvement was more evidence of the importance the weight restricted tournament held for all involved, Baker noting many regarded playing in the event as a life-changing experience.
"It's the start of your rugby career, when you start getting looked at by rep coaches."
Further evidence was seen in the way a number of primary school students were carefully monitoring their weight to ensure they stayed under 55kg. The fear of tipping the scales has led to stories in the past of bigger players running in black rubbish bags to sweat off the extra pounds, and eating very carefully in the weeks leading up to the tournament in order to be under the cut-off point for the weigh in on the event's first day.
The determination was evident in one Mangonui player who was 59kg when selected but has since gone down to 54kg, said Baker. "We have really been pushing that aspect. I told them, 'Don't slacken you know you would hate to be 55.1kgs at Tuesday's weigh in'."
Baker - who took the President's XV at last year's Taniwha Shield - was pleased with the Mangonui team's preparations over the past few months since it was named. The side held its final training together last Sunday and none in the team will take part in JMB games this Saturday in order to stay fresh for a gruelling campaign of five back-to-back days of intense rugby competition. The squad was now ready to board the bus which leaves from the Kaitaia RFC clubrooms on Monday at 9am, and will bunk down at Kokohuia Marae (between Opononi and Omapere).
Mangonui are in Pool A with hosts Hokianga, Northern Wairoa, and Whangarei Bears; while Pool B features Bay of Islands, Whangarei Grizzlies, Rodney Otamatea and the Presidents XV.
All the players have been selected from local under-11 and 13 JMB teams and includes six who played Taniwha Shield last year. The Mangonui team from 1 to 22 was, Herewini Pomare, Tyron Toby, Floyd Chadwick, Michael Nelson, Tomislav Baker, Beaud Waitai, Charlie Lorenz (captain), Jay Thomas, Jacob Archer, Mikael Jones Daniela (vice captain), Rihari Pomare, Corey Evans, Rewi Windelborn Rawiri, Thomas Currie, Muru Rudolph, Oliver Hilton Jones, Leighton Harvey, Johney Racina, Dalton Armstrong, Marlon Harris, Hetereke Matthews, Cyrus Broughton; coaches Grant Baker and Brendon Morrissey, trainer Eddie Evans.