Coaching trio set to give club rugby a boost

Rotorua rugby appears to be set for a boost with an influx of new and talented coaches as three former Steamers take up coaching.

Wayne Ormond, John Moore and Charlie Hubbard are set to take up the role of head coach at Rotoiti, St Michaels and Kahukura respectively as Bay of Plenty club rugby kicks off tomorrow, with the traditional pre-season banner rounds.

The coaches have boosted the enthusiasm at their clubs, especially Rotoiti, where it is understood player numbers are on the increase.

Last year's banner winner, Whakarewarewa, have the bye and go straight through to play the winner of the Ngongotaha versus St Michaels match.

It's a home game for St Michaels, with Moore - a 50-game veteran for the Steamers - keen to get a good start to his coaching career with the club.

But Ngongotaha will be like every team in the banner round - after their first win of the season.

Hubbard's Kahukura side are down to host Waikite, who had a disappointing finish to last season and will be looking to improve.

But it was uncertain as this story went to press if Kahukura would have the field ready and there was some speculation the game might be played at Waikite.

Ormond's Rotoiti side will have to wait another week before he gives his side a run, with Reporoa defaulting because they had too many injuries. Reporoa go straight to the Matt Wilson Trophy semis and play either the loser of Waikite versus Kahukura or Ngongotaha versus St Michaels.

All tomorrow's games kick off at 2.30pm.