Bay teams kick off rugby season

File photo.

The 2018 Baywide Club rugby competition kicks off across the Bay of Plenty today.

The 2018 season will be launched across social media following the success of last year's season launch. The video focuses on the jerseys of our Bay of Plenty Rugby Clubs and Referees.

Bay of Plenty Rugby Union Operations Manager Neil Alton highlights the excitement of the 2018 Baywide Club Rugby Premier Competition.

'It is great to be able to kick off another year of rugby this weekend. The structure of the competition provides a meaningful first round for the 12 teams, but because there are only eight places in the second round the competition heats up as teams tussle for the premiership title come July,” says Neil.

Round one of the competition sees six games happening throughout the Bay of Plenty. All games kick off at 2.45pm. Ngongotaha moving into the Premier Division will have a stern first challenge facing 2017 Premier Two Champions Arataki.

Both sides have returning coaches and will be encouraging their sides to kick the competition off with a positive performance.

'Our main focus is to perform week in, week out and make the top eight following the first round,” says Arataki Head Coach Billy Russell.

'We have a good mixture of young players and experience, with a collection of great developing players; Paea Lavaka, Bailey Williams and the Van Der Heyden brothers.”

The team ended the 2017 season as winners of the Baywide Premier 2 Competition.

Players coming into the side include Anothony Tuhoro, Lenoard Finau, Liam Van der Heyden, Bailey Williams, Levi Rahui, John Collier, Jacob Foster-Hall, Aiman Fariz, Huriwaka Brady, Players not returning to the side: Reece Macdonald (Te Puna), Henry Stowers (Wellington)

Ngongotaha Head Coach Jodie Wharekura says their team on the other hand enters the season with a high level of competitiveness.

Ngonotaha finished fourth in Baywide Premier 2 Competition last year and are looking forward to overcoming this.

'As a team we have been training well to prepare for the rigours of Baywide premier rugby. Our motivation to be competitive this year is very high.

'With that we have retained the bulk of last year's squad and management team so we are looking to build on the momentum that we generated in last year's very successful season.

'The club is excited for what the future holds, as we have a number of young guys fresh out of high school to represent our Development side.”

Players coming into the side include Slade King, Alby King, Semisi Paea, Cain McKenzie, Tamihana Coxhead, Raymond Tamati, Byron Kennedy and Tame King while those not returning include John Ririnui, Tute Grant and Masiu Vainikolo. Te Puna returns under head coach Aidan Kuka and will prove a strong challenge for 2017 Baywide Premier 1 Runners Up Rotoiti.

Following a strong pre-season Te Puna secured the Gilly Bidois Trophy with a positive 33-20 victory over Rangataua and a comprehensive 49-5 win over Morrinsville. However Rotoiti too have posted strong pre-season results.

Last weekend they retained the Tai Mitchell Shield with a 44-10 win over Ngongotaha, with previous wins over Kahukura and Waikite. Both sides will be looking to continue their winning form this weekend.

Te Puna Head Coach Aidan Kuka says their plan of attack is careful and meticulous.

'We will take it stage by stage, with our first goal being to qualify for top eight. If we achieve that, we will be going all out to make that top four. We will work the rest out from then on.

'We have managed to retain the bulk of our squad from last year. We have picked up some experienced players that will add to the youth we already have.

'Te Aihe Toma will captain the side and Kaydin Budd will be his deputy. Reece Macdonald will add a steady figure to the backline and Zane Kapeli and Dan Baxter will take a no non-sense approach up front.”

Te Puna were seventh in the Baywide Premier 1 Competition.

Players coming into the side include Zane Kapeli, Reece Macdonald, Etonia Waqa, Jayjay Su'emai, Gordie Lloyd, Connor Woodman, Tana Tuhakaraina, Ryan Tuhakaraina, Sharman Johnson and Les McIlroy; while those not returning include Elijah Nicholas and Tavana Lutui.

Rotoiti Head Coach Richie Francis says the team is confident.

'After finishing as runners ups in last year's Baywide competition we have retained most of last year's squad.

'We have had a good pre-season with positive performances in the local Central Bay of Plenty banner round, which puts us in good stead for the 2018 competition.” The team were runners up in the Baywide Premier 1 Competition.

The new season sees most of the team retained, with three players joining the side including Steve Edwards, Tamati Rhind and Te Hata Wilbore. Only Siegfried Fisi'ihoi (France), is not returning.

Tauranga Sports under the new coaching team of Head Coach Euan Mackintosh and Assistant Coach Culum Retallick faces a stern challenge against longstanding rivals Rangataua.

The Papaka will be under the new guidance of Nathan Olsen for the 2018 season. Traditionally fielding a fierce Rangataua pack, Tauranga Sports will be calling on new talent Jeriah Mua, Leroy Carter and Emoni Narawa following the loss of experienced campaigner Keepa Mewett. Rangataua will draw on their experience to outplay Tauranga's youthful talent.

Rangataua coach Nathan Olsen was unavailable for comment when contacted.

Rangataua have continued to develop since their historic win over Mount Maunganui Sports in 2016 for the Baywide Club Rugby Premier title.

Following a close loss to their rivals Mount Maunganui Sports last weekend the Papaka will be looking to give their home crowd something to celebrate following the referees final whistle.

'To date we have had great numbers to pre-season training,” says Tauranga Sports Head Coach Euan Mackintosh.

'As a result we had a very encouraging pre-season hit outs against Hamilton Old Boys with two narrow defeats.

'Again we are happy to see some familiar faces from previous years; we have a number new additions which will boost both squads.

'We are sad to see Keepa Mewett leave us to pursue his professional rugby career in Japan, he will be a huge loss to us both on and off the field but we wish him all the best.”

Whakatane Marist will host Whakarewarewa to kick off the 2018 Baywide Club Rugby Competition.

Whakarewarewa's Joe Savage will this year be joined by Peter Smith aka Boxer at the helm, where Whakatane Marist will be continued to be coached under Craig Edwards and Alamoti Te Pou.

Both coaching combinations will be looking for their sides to rebuild on last year's performance and secure their position in the top eight for the second round of the competition.

Whakatane Marist Coach Alamoti Te Pou says the team is also taking on the season with careful planning.

'Total focus at the moment on making the top eight in the first round and we will reassess our goals once that goal is achieved.

'Over the off season our key focus has been fitness then going into the pre-season we have moved to getting our structures in place so we can achieve our goal of reaching the top eight.

'This Saturday will be a challenge for us but we will be focusing on improving and developing on last season first and foremost.”

Whakarewarewa Head Coach Peter Smith says they are glad to have made the divison.

'We have a number of young fellas that we are looking to develop this year. So development will be a key focus alongside building a good team culture and team environment to get the best out of the boys.

'We have a few experienced boys so we are hoping to get the balance between the keen young fellas that are coming through and our experienced players'.

'We are looking forward to the challenge and the season ahead nevertheless.”

Defending Baywide Premier Club Rugby Champions Mount Maunganui will see a new coach Reuben Parkinson at the helm this season.

In their second challenge of the year the side will be looking to make it two from two following a 29-22 victory over Rangataua over the weekend in their deferred match.

However following a number of positive performances from Paroa in 2017 they will be hoping to upset the defending champions and post a victory to kick their season off under head coach Mike Smith.

Mount Maunganui Head Coach Reuben Parkinson, was unavailable to comment when commented however Manager John Wok says the team is aiming to go back-to-back.

'The first thing for us is to make top eight, from there in the second round to make top four and then work from there into the finals. We will be working to progress and get better each game.”

Paroa Head Coach Eddie Sykes says they will be aiming for top eight.

'Every year we try to be the best team within Eastern Bay of Plenty first and foremost. Our other goal is to crack the illusive top eight which has eluded us over the last couple of years.

To achieve these things it will take a whole lot of skill development, hard work on and off the field and increased belief in our abilities and aspirations.

We're a very young and small squad who will be creative in attack and defence and aim to bring a clear point of difference to other sides.”

The team features plenty of new additions including Charles Napa'a (Ponsonby), Dan Pearce (Marist St Michael's), Beau Barry (England), Kaue Kaue (Scotland), Ahurei Young (Australia), Selwyn Loamanu (Papatoetoe) Nogi Merito (Australia), Pete Mannington (Galatea), Luke Dunn, Blake Bockman, Josh Ranapia, Josh Kururangi, Gene Wharewera, Jonty Nathan, Kelly Downes and Kody Taia (Paroa Dev).

Those not returning are Fano Funaki, Kevin Waterson, John Dyer, Ariki Henry, Louis Mitchell, Maru Henry, Cass Jobe, Kurt Baker, Kent Abbot and Maia Westrupp.

Greerton Marist will welcome the support of their home crowd when they host Te Puke Sports to kick off their season.

Both sides will be taking the field under new coaches with Ryan Dunnett taking the reins for Greerton Marist and Matt Wallis leading the helm for Te Puke Sports.

To add to the excitement there have been a number of player movements for both teams. Greerton Marist will be without experienced lock Troy Callander and the illusive Monty Ioane, but have retained a number of experienced individuals.

Te Puke Sports have lost a nucleus of experienced players' including Alex Thrupp, Hayden Anderson and Tim Bond. It will be a tough battle and will test both sides.

'We have had an interesting pre-season but I am happy with the progress and there have been some challenges but hey that's coaching,” says Greerton Marist Head Coach Ryan Dunnett.

'Our first game, as it seems to be almost a traditional first round fixture against Te Puke Sports will be a tough encounter and it will show me and the team where we need to be. It can be anyone's to take but we need to start well.”

Te Puke Sports Head Coach Matt Wallis says pre-season games have set them up well.

'We have had a collection of pre-season games so far with some positive results across the board. Looking ahead to the season, we will be aiming for the top eight and then go from there. But it starts this weekend with Greerton Marist. They are always a competitive and determined side and it is likely they will be no different this weekend, but the Pirates will be up for the challenge.”

Winners of the Baywide Premier Club Competition:

1990 – Waikite

1991 – Eastern Pirates

1992 – Whakatane Marist

1993 – Mt Maunganui

1994 – Eastern Pirates

1995 – Whakatane Marist

1996 – Waikite

1997 – Ngongotaha

1998 – Ngongotaha

1999 – Tauranga Sports

2000 – Waikite

2002 – Whakarewarewa

2003 – Tauranga Sports

2004 – Whakatane Marist

2005 – Mt Maunganui

2006 – Whakarewarewa

2007 – Tauranga Sports

2008 – Tauranga Sports

2009 – Tauranga Sports

2010 – Tauranga Sports

2011 – Te Puke Sports

2012 – Te Puke Sports

2013 – Tauranga Sports

2014 – Mt Maunganui Sports

2015 – Tauranga Sports

2016 – Rangataua

2017 – Mount Maunganui Sports

2018 Baywide Club Rugby Draws: Click here

2018 Baywide Club Rugby Video: Click here (note this will be available at 6.00pm)

Baywide Premier Club Rugby Draw: Saturday 24 March Premier Kick-off:

2.45pm Development Kick-off: 1.00pm

Ngongotaha v Arataki at Ngongotaha Domain

Te Puna v Rotoiti at Maramatanga Park

Rangataua v Tauranga Sports at Te Ariki Park

Whakatane Marist v Whakarewarewa at Rugby Park

Mount Maunganui Sports v Paroa at Blake Park

Greerton Marist v Te Puke Sports at Greerton Park

Baywide Division One Draw:

Saturday 24 March Kick-off: 2.45pm

Papamoa v Ruatoki at Gordon Spratt Reserve

Waimana v Te Teko at Waimana Domain

Waikite v Marist St Michael's at Bellvue Road

Poroporo v Kahukura at Poroporo Domain

Opotiki v Murupara at Princess Street Reserve

Rangiuru v Judea at Centennial Park

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