Freyberg revival ready for next level
The revival is well and truly under way at Freyberg, now they want to go to the next level.
Freyberg has been building a new team and a new culture under coach Potene Paewai, who is in his second year at the rugby club.
Thanks to an influx of youngsters and Manawatu¯ academy players, they have the cattle to compete with the top sides, but availabilities have troubled them this year.
Paewai has been working on creating an environment where people want to keep coming back.
He says they have been competitive, now he would like to start getting wins.
‘‘I think all of that will come, we’ve just got to be patient and bring these young fellas through with the help of the senior fellas ... I do believe with the players in the group they are capable of being a top-four team.
‘‘We just need to get everyone on the paddock.’’
Freys are without a win after five games, but the days of copping big losses every week are long gone.
This year they have a senior A squad of about 30 and even with 13 players unavailable for their 35-14 loss to Kia Toa last week, they still have a full team.
‘‘The wairua (spirit) is still going strong. In previous years we might have had a drop-off in numbers once we had the losses, but the numbers at training have been amazing.’’
The Hurricanes under-20 commitments are over now, so they get centre Chance Malu and prop Joseph Gavigan back this week, but hooker Raymond Tuputupu (neck) and prop Feleti Sae-ta’ufo’ou (shoulder) are being rested.
Flanker Lawrence Liuvaie is back from suspension, while halfback Potene Rolls-paewai, first fiveeighth Carson Hepi and wing Varcon King are back after being away last weekend at the touch nationals in Christchurch, where Manawatu¯ Black finished seventh and Manawatu¯ White 13th.
Big prop Darius Mafile’o has a knee injury and could be out for a while and young lock Connor Robertson has a broken finger.
Freyberg play Old Boys-marist at the Ob-marist at the Arena today in a game that won’t be easy for Freyberg.
Ob-marist were short on front rowers earlier in the season, but are starting to get men back from injury, including new Manawatu¯ Turbos prop Harry Allan.
Allan is on limited minutes as he returns from a knee injury, but can play 40 minutes this week. He was impressive at scrum time last weekend in their 17-all draw with Te Kawau.
In other games, a heavyweight clash between second-placed Varsity and third-placed College Old Boys at Massey University should be one of the matches of the round.
Both sides have been short on troops recently, but Varsity accounted for Feilding Old Boys
roua 23-14 last week, while College were beaten 58-34 by Feilding.
Kia Toa had their first win last week, but will have to work hard if they want a second when they host
Feilding at Bill Brown Park.
Kias have improved the past couple of weeks and if they want a chance they need their forwards to take on Feilding, who are unbeaten and looking hard to stop.
Te Kawau will want to keep their good form going against Feilding Old Boys-o¯roua at Rongotea.
Te Kawau are fourth and after drawing against Ob-marist last week, will fancy a win.
The Stags have only one win and will need to start getting results if the y want to stay in touch with the top four.
In the women’s competition,
Bush get their first hit out of the season after the bye last week when they host Varsity at Pahı¯atua.
Whanganui Metro will be out to bounce back from an 83-0 loss to Kia Toa lastweek but have another hard game against Feilding Old Boysroua at Johnston Park.
Fob-o¯roua, who beat Varsity 22-15 last week, are likely to be without young gun No 8 Kaipo OlsenBaker, who picked up a potential serious knee injury last weekend.
Kia Toa have the bye.
‘‘The wairua (spirit) is still going strong . . . the numbers at training have been amazing.’’
Potene Paewai Freyberg coach