Rugby: Whaka wallop Opotiki

Whakarewarewa captain Doug Edwards scores his team's second try during a 48-0 win over Opotiki on Saturday. Photo/Stephen Parker

The Baywide premier rugby season couldn't have started better for local club Whakarewarewa, who smashed Opotiki 48-0 in front of a bumper home crowd.

New Whaka fullback Whaimotu Craft-Chemis scored a hat-trick for the club while captain Doug Edwards also found his way over the tryline on Saturday at Puarenga Park.

The Baywide premier rugby season is not set to start until this weekend but Opotiki and Whaka agreed to move their fixture forward.

Whaka coach Ngarimu Simpkins said his team's discipline was excellent on Saturday.

Whaka only gave away six penalties during the match while Opotiki conceded 13 penalties and had two men sent to the sin bin, Dean Elmiger and Joe Duffy.

"The most pleasing thing about the game was our discipline," Simpkins said.

"Our penalty count was low. We didn't want to give away any easy penalties and I think that reflected on the no tries scored [in defence]."

Simpkins said the local support was excellent.

"There was a lot of people down there and the support was absolutely enormous.

"After the game [our supporters] were even patting the boys on the back and it seemed like the days of old."

Craft-Chemis was a standout player for Whaka, running 80m to score two of his three tries.

"He is a real find for us this year," Simpkins said.

"There is no substitute for speed."

Despite the large winning margin, Whaka only led 15-0 at half time.

Te Rangi Fraser kicked a penalty to get things rolling for the home side before Leighton Simpkins scored the first try of the season for Whaka, while Elmiger was in the sin bin.

Captain Edwards scored the team's second try before the break. After half time, the flood gates opened with Craft-Chemis picking up a hat-trick while Akira Mako and substitute Connor Hohepa also scored.

Whaka's second match of the season will be against Rotoiti at Emery Park this Saturday, marking the first Rotorua derby match of the season.

Whakarewarewa 48 (Whaimotu Craft-Chemis 3, Leighton Simpkins, Doug Edwards, Akira Mako, Connor Hohepa tries; Te Rangi Fraser 5 cons, pen) defeated Opotiki 0.