Mavericks sound warning siren
Te Hiku o te Ika Mavericks 90 Pawarenga Broncos 6 (half time 48-0): Alarm bells sounded for the rest of the competition as news came through of Mavericks completing a demolition job on the otherwise formidable Broncos in the opening round of the Taitokerau Rugby League Premiership at Taipa on Saturday.
One of three new teams on the block, the early money will already be on the Kaitaia side following this performance, the collective adherence to a gruelling but technical pre-season build-up, and a focus on bringing a number of talented players together clearly paying off.
There’s no doubt the Mavericks have plenty of resources at their disposal. Take the likes of Connor O’Sullivan, captain Te Puhi Rudolph along with brother Hollie playing out of the halves, and guest appearances from Hayden Lloyd and Sean Windleborn Rawiri from the Awanui senior club rugby team (and who both featured for Awaz in the thrashing over Te Rarawa at Ahipara the night before).
O’Sullivan was stoked the Mavericks were able to start their debut campaign in convincing fashion and that the result also provided evidence of the side’s intention to bring a whole new level of professionalism to proceedings.
“We’ve been training for two months, lots of training. We gelled really well, everything we’ve done in practice showed on the field,” he said, adding the Broncos put up a “really clean, strong game”.
All involved contributed to the victory but singled out were Tongan prop Xavier Lasike — “powerful runs, had a really big impact,” and second rower Tamahae Waitai, the side’s youngest player.
O’Sullivan expected the opposition to get sharper as the season wore on and other teams shrugged off the notorious Far North lethargy traditionally prevalent at the start of each year. He said the players were taking nothing for granted and the plan was to keep improving and play at 100 per cent every week.
Tries by Connor Sullivan 4, Hayden Lloyd 3 (and 5 conversions), Heremia Davis 2, Isaac Ashley 3, Sean Windleborn Rawiri, Te Puhi Rudolph (and six conversions), Holli Rudolph, Tamahae Waitai 1, Aaron Graham and Dijon Henry.
The match was supposed to curtainraise for the Sharks vs Lions Shark Park in Taipa on Saturday.
Ngati Kahu Sharks 30 Kaikohe Lions 0 (DEFAULT): Last year’s grand finalists only managed to front with nine players so were forced to default the main event of Saturday’s double header at Shark Park. As well as representing somewhat of an anti-climax, the no-show will be of real concern to both the competition organisers and TRL advocates.
Kerikeri Makos 26 Aupouri Repo 30 (HT 18-12): The Repo trailed for nearly the whole match before managing to draw level and then score the matchwinner after winger