He said they expected Opotiki to be really strong up-front and he wanted his players to simply work on what they had learned during the last few months.
"This is a new-look team for Whaka, so basically I just want them to be patient and get out there and do some of the things they have learnt over the last couple of months," he said.
He said the club has a strong Maori and Pacific base and they wanted to play some good "Maori rugby" this season.
"What I mean [by that] is I want us to play open, fast-running rugby," he said.
Simpkins said Opotiki are a really tough side and the match tomorrow would give him a good gauge of where his team were at.
Simpkins said there was a good atmosphere in the club leading into the season and they wanted to make the Whaka community proud.
"We are a community team. We are playing for all our families."
Meanwhile, next weekend will see Rotorua's two premier clubs, Whaka and Rotoiti, clash at Emery Park.
Rotoiti will no doubt be keeping a close eye on the outcome of tomorrow's match as they prepare for the derby game.
This season will see the introduction of the premier development grade. Each premier club must field a senior development team as well as their first team.
The Whaka versus Opotiki development teams will face off at 1pm followed by the premier game at 2.45pm.
