Napier have a new coach and all the confidence a change of face brings.
Napier Boys’ High School will have a new First XV coach this season. DANIEL RICHARDSON spoke to the incoming Dion Whaitiri about what he will bring to the job.
Afour years taking the Second XV at Napier Boys’ High School, Dion Whaitiri feels ready for the next step.
At the end of last year’s rugby season the history and social studies teacher was summoned to Napier principal Ross Brown’s office. Brown then told Whaitiri he would be the new coach of the school’s First XV because long- time supremo Del Whyte was changing roles.
Whyte and his coaching unit have moved to looking after the seconds and they have essentially swapped with Whaitiri and Co who will now take the school’s top side.
“I’ve always wanted to have a crack and I got called in to the principal’s office and here I am ... It’s good being called in for those reasons,” Whaitiri says. fter spending
“With the seconds we always travelled and watched the First XV, particularly in the Super 8 competition. So, as a coach that’s always aspired to be the First XV coach, that sort of puts you in good stead; you sort of know what you are getting yourself into. So I have a fair idea of what each of the teams bring to the competition.”
Last year’s season was a success for Napier as they finished second in the Super 8 competition and made the Hurricanes final for the national Top Four before they were beaten 22- 15 by Wellington College.
From the wider squad that won six from seven in the Super 8 - their only defeat came at the hands of eventual champions Hamilton Boys’ High School 34- 10.
Napier have retained around 13 players for this season. Notably, they have lost Hurricanes Under 18 representative Vinny Guildford, New Zealand Secondary Schools fullback Sam McNicol, midfielder Shae Tucker, lock Liua Tupuola and outside back Ollie Penno.
Captain Michael Buckley has also finished school but Whaitiri will be able to call upon some strong performers from last year’s group who will be going around again.
First- five Caleb Makene is returning this year for his third season of First XV rugby and is growing into a dominant figure.
“I would say much of the success of this team will probably depend on the experience of Caleb Makene,” Whaitiri says.
Makene won’t be alone in the backline though with Year 11 Bailyn Sullivan likely to move into the midfield after making his debut for the First XV last year as an outside back.
It’s rare for a player to earn selection in the First XV as a Year 10 but Sullivan is a special talent, while loose forward Jack Winson and front- rowers Hadlee HayHorton and Logan Ede will be some other key figures.
Whaitiri will also have a few familiar faces in his First XV squad this season, having coached some of them last year.
“I think most coaches who coach second teams always want to have a chance at coaching at the top level because some of the players that you had as Second XV players, they’re doing their thing now and if I look at last year’s team, I think there were four or five Year 11 students that were called up from the seconds because the First XV last year had a few injuries.”
As always, Napier’s game against Palmerston North Boys’ High School will
be hotly contested when Napier defend the Polson Banner, which they have held for the past two years.
“That’s our marquee game,” Whaitiri says. “We always like to make sure we hold on to that banner.”
Whaitiri will be assisted by Brett Payne, who served as his right- hand man when they coached the Second XV, while Napier old boy Dan Sommerville will also be involved. Payne will take the backs and Sommerville, who looked after the Hawke’s Bay Under 20 side last year, will monitor certain aspects of the forward pack.
Whaitiri says he wants to stamp his own mark on the First XV. He will be in control of the forwards and is preaching patience from his side.
“As the forwards coach this year, I’ll be making sure that our foundation work is right there,” he says.
“If you have to go to war and go to work, we’ve got the players to hold on to it and finish off. We can do it phase one or phase 12, as long as we get over the chalk, I’ll be happy.”
As for what opposition sides could expect from Napier this year, Whaitiri says: “Napier will be exciting to watch. You’ll know that they won’t die trying. They’ll play an expansive game but do the basics really well.”
Having served his apprenticeship, Whaitiri is eager for the season to get underway. “I’m obviously excited. I just can’t wait to get in to it and start working with them.”