Pirates Old Boys continue impressive start to season
The 2023 defending premier club rugby champions Pirates Old Boys are going to take some beating in 2024.
Under new head coach Dayna Cunningham, they’ve assembled a strong squad with depth across all positions.
In week one, they picked up a strong win on the road against a tough Eastern Northern Barbarians outfit, while in round two, POB were far too strong for Marist, running out comfortable 45-7 victors at Surrey Park.
While their performance was an improvement from their first-round match, Cunningham knows there is still plenty of room for improvement.
“I thought it was a step up from our performance against the Barbarians. Obviously, the conditions were a lot better and made for better rugby. Overall, we’re pleased with how things are tracking, although there is still plenty more to work on.”
Talented playmaker Kaea Nikora-Balloch, who is playing at fullback again, showed his class with a quality performance, while No 8 Jacob Harrex, who has taken over the captaincy from Isaac Te Tamaki, is leading the side well.
Former Southland Stags flanker Matt James is strong, while Dustin Coveney is another to have hit the ground running.
Marist managed an intercept try through skipper Keanu Kahukura, while their younger players showed plenty of promise. The green-and-blacks will surprise a couple of teams when they are back at full strength.
Cunningham, in his first year in charge of Pirates Old Boys, says he is loving the challenge.
“I wanted to take on a head coaching role. I had been in a mentoring role the past few years, and wanted that added challenge. The on-the-field stuff will mostly take care of itself – I am wanting to work on the off-field side of things, and turn us into the next Woodlands and dominate club rugby like they have.
“I don’t want us to win the title like we did last year, then drift off, I want us to be champions for the next five to 10 years, and it’s about working out how we get that.”
POB have good squad numbers, and while this is handy, Cunningham says it can provide its challenges.
“We have great depth, but at times it can be hard giving players a run. We’re excited at what we have here, and want to carry on the good things.”
One player who often doesn’t get the kudos he deserves is midfielder Jaye Thompson, Cunningham says.
“Jaye often flies under the radar. He is a very good player and can do everything.
He’s a big part of us.”
Cunningham says POB won’t be taking Blues lightly this weekend.
“Billy Andrew will be a big loss, but they are fighters, and we know if we take them lightly, they’ll beat us.”
The Babas held on for a tense 26-24 win over Woodlands, thanks to a dominant first half where they scored three tries and led 19-0 at the break.
An intercept try to Woodlands lock Alex Yallop helped them get back into the contest, and a missed penalty late in the match was all that stood in the way of Woodlands and a second victory.
Star’s outside backs produced an impressive display as they dismantled Blues 48-7 in a match that was marred by a serious injury to standout Blues loose forward Billy Andrew.
The No 8, who looked to be on the Stags’ radar in the coming seasons, is now set for an extended period on the sidelines.
Star travel to Gore to face the Eastern Northern Barbarians, Blues host Pirates Old Boys, while Woodlands head to Miller Street to face Marist.