Rotoiti keep opposition try-less

CLUB RUGBY: Rotoiti's Lorni Fisiihoi (left) gets away from Kahukura's Te Rake Felise during a match at Kuirau Park yesterday. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

A new-look Rotoiti team are still to concede a try in the Central Bay of Plenty local round, as they build towards the Baywide premier grade in a month's time.

The five-week Central Bay competition, which includes Rotorua's top six rugby clubs, is a chance for teams to test themselves before the Baywide premier and first division competitions, which start on May 2.

Premier side Rotoiti faced off against first division side Kahukura yesterday afternoon at Kuirau Park winning 52-9. A week earlier they defeated first division team Ngongotaha 85-0.

New coach Dave McLean, who has played and coached for Waikite in the past, said he was pleased with how they were playing.

"I knew we were in for a tough game and we had to come with our A game to play Kahukura, because they are an ex-premier team. So we didn't take them lightly and trained on Tuesday and Wednesday to come down prepared," he said.

"I am very pleased with the way the forwards are going and especially the backs as well. We are very clinical in what we are doing and it all comes down to training well."

Kahukura put up a good fight during the first half but were unable to keep up with Rotoiti as the match wore on.

Rotoiti have had some big changes to their roster during the off-season, including changing one Bay of Plenty Steamer for another.

Jesse Acton has left to play for Tauranga Sports while fellow Steamer Siegfried Fisiihoi has returned to Rotoiti.

Fisiihoi, who is coming back from injury, was a big part of Whakarewarewa's run to the Baywide grand final last year and will play alongside his brother Lorni Fisiihoi this season, who is also at Rotoiti.

Among their other big signings are former Whaka winger Chanse Perham and former Manawatu Turbos halfback Papa Wharewera.

Wharewera and Perham were both in good form yesterday causing all kinds of problems for Kahukura. "We have done a bit of recruiting over the Christmas period and just looked at where we needed to fix up areas," McLean said.

Fortunately, they have managed to hold on to star player and Steamer Joe Royal. Royal and Siegfried were both watching from the sidelines during yesterday's match.

In the other Central Bay of Plenty matches, Whakarewarewa beat Marist St Michael's 57-0 on Thursday night and Waikite beat Ngongotaha 59-13 yesterday.

- Kahukura 9 (Petelo Kelemete 3 pen) lost to Rotoiti 52 (Chanse Perham 2, Brady Hodge, Zac Hohneck, Corey Masters, penalty try, Matthew Landers, Lionel Skipworth tries; Whakataki Cunningham 6 con).