Rugby: Revenge is on the menu for Whakarewarewa

It will be old versus new when Rotoiti attempt to go back-to-back champions for this year's grand final banner championship.

Last year Kevin Lee was coach of Whakarewarewa and he had to watch as Wayne Ormond's Rotoiti side came to Puarenga Park and took the Tai Mitchell Shield and banner off Whaka in a 25-12 thriller.

This year, however, Lee finds himself in charge of Rotoiti and will take on new Whaka coach Maurice Stone when the red and blacks travel to Emery Park, Rotoiti, to try and take revenge for last year's loss.

It won't be an easy task for Lee with his team yet to play a match in the pre-season Rotorua-based competition.

Rotoiti earned the right to defend the title after Ngongotaha defaulted last weekend. Conversely, Whaka, had a good, solid hit-out against Waikite, beating the yellow and black side 36-7.

What Rotoiti will have going for them in tomorrow's match is the unknown factor. Lee had the chance to watch Whaka play last weekend and knows the strengths and weaknesses of the experienced players in the red and black side.

He will know centre Doug Edwards is a stalwart in the midfield and dangerous both on attack and defence. He will know captain Dave Marinkovich is a leader who expects his players to give everything for the red and black jersey for the entire 80 minutes. He will also be aware of the danger the loose forward trio posse - like openside flanker Liam Coleman, who always puts his body on the line, or No 8 Pomare Pirini, who is dynamic off the back of the scrum, while blindside flanker George Heta's defence is like a brick wall - dependable and hard to break.

Although Whaka coach Stone has only had the team for one match it appears he has brought excitement to the side who at times struggled last season. They showed Whaka are a team to watch out for this season.

However, Rotoiti are a proud side and will be wanting to send a message to the other premier sides.