Defending the Northern Region title is on minds of the Rotorua men's open weight team this weekend.
Having won the title last year in fanatic style, the mission now is to defend it, which is always a challenge in itself, according to spokesman Mike Naera.
He said
the hardest challenge for the team would be knocking over Kio Kio and Hastings Western Suburbs first, before they start thinking ahead to the celebrations. The Kio Kio club put up a great challenge two weeks ago at the Taranaki Champs, held in Rotorua.
"We were lucky to win that tornament. They gave us a run for our money. We know that they will be training just as hard as we have been so we need to have our wits about us," Naera said.
The other major contender is Hastings Western Suburbs. This team is actually a middleweight team, but they have always said "pulling in the top grade keeps the big boys honest".
This team are the dark horse and they have a chance to reach the podium.
Rotorua coach David Peehikuru has been on his side's tail lately, encouraging the boys to keep focused and not to take their eyes off the goal with the New ZEaland championships in July.
* Rotorua men's team: Mike Naera, Paul Agnew, Brian Gillies, David Peehikuru (coach/puller), Bill Greenbank, Liz Peehikuru (skip), Dale McGregor (Reserve).
