Champions aim for back-to-back titles at Touch Nationals in Rotorua

Going into this weekend's Touch Nationals in Rotorua as defending champions puts a big target on your back, but the Counties Manukau Open Women are not letting that stop them.

Last year, Counties won the women's open titles, while Auckland claimed top honours in both the men's and the mixed open grades.

The Counties women took no prisoners during pool play on day one, beating Manawatu 10-3, Auckland 11-1 and Thames Valley 12-2.

Their captain Jean Waaka said, going in as defending champs, it was important to bring fresh ideas rather than rely on what had worked in the past.

"Most definitely, being the defending champions sets the bar of where we need to grow the game a little bit more, people are trying to knock you off your ranking - we definitely have that pressure.

"We try to introduce new, fresh things and tweak the things that have worked for us. The introduction of new players certainly helps and adds some different styles to our flavour."

She has been playing at national tournaments for more than 15 years, but looked forward to each as much as the last.

"I'm still hanging around and trying to run with the young ones. I love it, I wouldn't be anywhere else this weekend, that's how I know I'm in the right place.

"It's so cool for our sport, especially the females, a lot more teams are starting to enter. It's a good breeding ground for our sport."