Kick-off for club rugby supremacy
The men’s Stuff Tasman Trophy club rugby competition gets underway this weekend with eight premier teams – five from Nelson Bays and three from Marlborough – contesting for the region’s most prestigious title.
Central are the defending trophy holders and will be keen for a repeat.
The senior women’s Stuff Tasman Trophy continues with round 5 with the top two sides, Kahurangi and Marist, facing off at Sports Park Motueka. Wairau Wahine will host Waimea OB at Awarua Park.
Central v Nelson
Central player / coach Quentin MacDonald will be a quietly confident man knowing his team have won the last two trophies they have contested – the 2022 Stuff Tasman Trophy and the 2023 Marlborough SRU cup.
His side plays an attractive blend of quality backline rugby behind a very good forward pack, but it’s the team’s defensive system on which their recent success has been built.
Players for Central who have played well so far this year are flanker Wayden Smith, midfielders Nigel Satherly and Ben Filipo, while prop Jeremy Foley, Lock Matt McCormick, loosie Braden Stewart and the koro himself, MacDonald at hooker, are always ever reliable.
After a handful of disappointing seasons, Nelson is on their way back this year under coach Gary Stevens. He has used the Nelson Bays sub-union rounds to build the depth around his starting XV and closed with an emphatic win over Waimea Old Boys.
Nelson has a willing forward pack, with stalwart Chris Kerslake still going strong, but it’s Nelson’s halves, Graham Urquhart at 9 and Divan Lourens at first five, and impressive centre-fullback Mataroa Maui who are giving their side belief and releasing their power runners outside.
The game is on Lansdowne Park, Blenheim at kicks off at 3pm.
Prediction: Central but they will need to be willing for the full 80 minutes.
Kahurangi v Stoke
This is a mouth-watering match up to be played as the 3pm finale to Huia’s Club Day at Sports Park Motueka. Stoke got the better of the Nelson Bays round 2 match up, coming away with what was termed a minor upset based on the previous season.
Kahurangi coach Brendon Smith will be concerned his charges haven’t played any rugby for the last two weekends. However he has an experienced side, especially in the forwards where hooker Josh Te Hira, and backrowers Manu Parkin, Setelaki Baker and Willis Scott continue to shine. Halfback Louie Chapman and centre Mike Wells provide the guidance out wide.
Stoke coach Joe Kirker has been happy with the form of his flanker Bailey Orlowski, prop Matt Graham-Williams, back rowers Taya Brown and Tevita Koloamatagi up front while inside backs Corey McKay and Taine Robinson are running the cutter well.
Prediction: Kahurangi forwards get them up in a close one at home.
Moutere v Waimea Old Boys This is an intriguing match with both sides looking for a first win in 2023. Moutere has the added incentive of it being their Club Day and no doubt there will be a tribe of Magpies of all ages at Awarua Park, Spring Creek.
Moutere are back in the Tasman Trophy after a couple of seasons on the sidelines, and coach Jeremy Clark has put together a very young and enthusiastic team, led by veteran half Ben Finau, that is going to get better as they learn to stay in the fight for the full 80 minutes.
Waimea Old Boys under coach Scott McKenzie has found wins hard to come by in recent times, and the club will face a stern test in heading over the Whangamoas.
Lock Lee McBrydie is always an inspiration, while prop Joel Levale, flanker Jeen Salton and the versatile inside back Codey Grimes will be whole-hearted.
Prediction: The large and vocal Spring Creek crowd who have been coming out to support their local lads should just get Moutere home in this one.
Marist v Waitohi
Like Moutere, Waitohi are back in the Tasman Trophy after a season away. Player-coach Tim O’Malley and the local Picton supporters have done a great job rebuilding the club. That said, they will find an away game against Marist at Trafalgar Park a stiff test for their first game back.
For O’Malley’s side, his number eight Campbell Hart has been a massive influence alongside lock Dylan Burns and flanker Taine Cragg-Love, while first-five Corey Bovey, O’Malley himself at 12 and fullback Patrick SmithKerr will steer them around the park.
Marist has been impressive in going undefeated so far and will continue to look to their set piece to dictate terms and provide the foundation for some excellent backs.
Co-coaches Seta Sauira and Con Barrell have worked hard with a fairly settled team list and the side is well lead by senior forwards Jake Wetere and Caleb Havili, supported by hooker Dylan Irvine, and back rowers Tom Thornalley and Manase Taufa.
The backline runs good lines with Cleve Barrell figuring prominently alongside the evergreen Liam Boshoff in midfield and speedsters Nic and Timi Sauira out wide.
Prediction: Marist to prevail on their Club Unity Day and to celebrate 100 Premier games for Sam Briggs and Cleve Barrell.
WOMENS RUGBY
Kahurangi v Marist
These two top teams get to go head-to-head at the earlier time of 12.45pm at Sports Park Motueka to enable Marist to get home to celebrate their Club Unity Day. Matches between these two sides are always too close to call and should be another exciting contest.
Wairau Wahine v Waimea OB Both sides are struggling for squad depth but will put on a willing contest at Awarua Park as a prelude to the men’s game on Club Day.