Rugby: New-look Volcanix side eager to conquer NPC

Luka Connor will line up in the forwards for the Bay of Plenty Volcanix tomorrow. Photo / Ben Fraser

The Bay of Plenty Volcanix will try and get off to an explosive start this season when they travel to Manawatu in the Women's National Provincial Championship.

The Volcanix will get their 2015 campaign under way against Manawatu tomorrow in Palmerston North during round one of the competition.

Women's rugby has been on the up in the Bay of Plenty in recent years, with the biggest milestone being the return of a Bay team to the provincial competition last season.

The Bay had a tough run last year - losing every game - but have named a new-look side this year. Only eight players in the squad of 24 have represented the Bay before at this level.

Bay No 8 Luka Connor, who played for the team last season, is only 18 but is one of the more experienced players in the side.

"For most girls, it is a lot different going into NPC level. Some are finding it hard and getting used to it but, this week, everyone has been starting to click," Connor said. "The new ones will just have to step up and the older ones will just have to show them the way."

Connor said they hoped to get their first win tomorrow since rejoining the provincial competition.

"Hopefully, we can do better than last year," she said. "We are still hunting for our first win so hopefully we can do it this weekend."

She said they would look to play a forwards-orientated game tomorrow at Arena Manawatu.

Connor is one of six players in the team from Rotorua's Waikite Rugby Club who went undefeated in the Baywide women's club competition earlier this year.

The Volcanix will fly to Palmerston North, play their game and fly home all in one day tomorrow.

•The Volcanix v Manawatu women's match starts at 12pm tomorrow. It is being shown live on Sky Sports.