Rugby: Whaka still have sights on goals

The Baywide rugby title may be out of reach for Whakarewarewa head coach Maurice Stone snr but the first-time premier coach says he and the team still have plenty to build towards.

When Stone took over the job at the start of the season he had a team that looked in need of a fresh start. And, it appeared, he gave the side exactly that, winning the pre-season Banner Round and the Geyserland (Tai Mitchell) Shield.

The side played with flair and excitement and looked capable of scoring from anywhere. Gone were the frailties of the past at scrum and lineout time, in its place a pack which at times dominated other teams.

However, fast-forward to Round 14, gone is the Tai Mitchell Shield and so, too, the team's dreams of winning the championship.

"Obviously, we've still got goals [for the rest of the season]. Most of these boys will be back next season. So we still want to be looking at game plans and structures and stuff like that," Stone said. "To take through to the following season.

"So there is still plenty to work on. There is a lot of things we need to iron out in our own camp."

Stone said he had learned a lot by being at the helm of a passionate club such as Whaka.

"It's my first season, it's been a real learning curve for myself as much as the team and, I think, looking forward there is plenty for me to work on."

A losing streak for any coach is a bitter pill to swallow. For Stone it's been made even harder when it seems to have coincided with the loss of his son to a shoulder injury, first five-eighth Maurice Stone jnr.

"At training we asked the question, why we were going wrong? And I think there was a bit of direction going missing from first-five."

However, the coach is quick to add it's a team game and you need all your players playing at their peak, week in and week out.

Although the side suffered their sixth straight loss against Te Puke at the weekend, Stone's team never gave up. Something he was proud of.

Stone has every right to be proud of his team, sure they haven't come away with the success they have been striving for but the club's playing talent has X-factor written all over it.

The red and blacks will be looking to break their losing streak when they take on Rangataua at Puarenga Park on Saturday. Kickoff is at 2.45pm.