Rugby: Clubs prepare for the season

Whakarewarewa will begin their 2014 season on Saturday against Opotiki.

Whakarewarewa Rugby Community Sports club are only days away from starting their new campaign.

The Baywide premier rugby season is not set to start until March 29, but Whaka will begin their season early when they host Opotiki this Saturday at Puarenga Park.

New Whaka head coach Ngarimu Simpkins, who has coached rugby in Gisborne during recent years, said his team had prepared well for the 2014 season.

"It has been pretty exciting. We have had around 38 strong, young rugby players attend trainings since late January," he said.

Whaka have already played a couple of pre-season matches including a 38-3 win over Clive Rugby Club from Hawke's Bay.

"The boys are really challenging themselves and I am excited to see what they can do [against Opotiki]."

He said they wanted to build a good culture in the club this year and help players work towards higher honours.

"We would like to put our hands up to the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union to say we have some talented players on this side of Rotorua."

Their first match of the season will kick off at 2.45pm on Saturday.

Pikiao Rugby League Club head coach Doug Unuwai said his team were also looking forward to the season ahead, after finishing runners-up last season in the Bay of Plenty premier grade.

He said the club were in a really strong position and would be able to field three senior teams this year, with two in reserve grade and one in premier grade.

"At each [pre-season] game we have had every man and his dog turning up."

Unuwai said the players can't wait to get started, with the first premier match scheduled for Saturday, March 29 against Ngongotaha.

"What a way to start our local competition. Ngongotaha will be a bit of a dark horse this year, I have heard through the grapevine they have some new players coming through."

Unuwai said they would have one last hit out before the season starts during a nine-a-side tournament at Puketawhero Park this Saturday.

"I'm hoping it will be a nice hot day to really test the fitness."

New Rotorua United head coach Rich Barter, who has coached at the club in the past, said he was really pleased with the attitude of his players leading into the 2014 football season. "Everyone is clearly really excited about the season and wants it to be a good year for the club," Barter said.

He said in terms of expectations he wanted to bring a good culture back to Rotorua United.

"People will be expecting us to go up.

"But the most important thing for us, I think, is to bring back a good community to the club and be playing for something we believe in," he said.

"I want us to come out of [this season] where we have all improved and everyone has enjoyed it."

Barter said he had named an 18-man squad to represent the club in Federation 2 this season.

The club have played one pre-season match so far.

Check page 20 for season start dates for winter sports in Rotorua.