Tigers to put words into action

Premier netball and rugby league get underway on Saturday with plenty of interest in the future fortune of the Upper Hutt-based sides.

Off-season the attention was on the rugby league Tigers who, along with Petone, looked headed for a forced relegation as the WRL moved to a competition with only six sides.

Weeks later the ‘‘decision’’was reversed and the Tigers will take their place in the top flight again with an opening home game against the Porirua Vikings.

The club will field premier and reserve sides in 2015.

Coach Tyrone Paikea will name a 17-man team tomorrow night for the opener but he believes his young squad might be a couple of games away from being settled.

‘‘The core of last season’s side is back and that’s good but there will be opportunities for players in a season where we will be looking to rebuild, not just this year, but the ones to follow.’’

The WRL’s off- field machinations meant the traditional pre-season tournament

did not go ahead but Tigers are coming off full squad games against St George and Te Aroha.

‘‘They were of value but we’ve still got a bit of work to do in gelling the side,’’ Paikea said.

‘‘We will continue training as a whole entity and one thing I want all season is a real continuity between the two teams.’’

The return of experienced heads in Daniel Misa and Steve Mailangi is encouraging.

Misa will be in the second row and part of what shapes as a goodsized pack.

The promising B J Bampton and Siasi Sina will be expected contributors to the forward effort.

Denzil Guth will again be the key to the side’s attack and Jordan Smith, a fullback utility, also returns.

‘‘ I’m looking forward to the season,’’ Paikea said.

‘‘We have this home game firstup and I’m looking for a win and getting the all important momentum, getting a good start,’’ Paikea said. ‘‘ We’ll be trying to build up the reputation that Whakatiki had too.’’

The Upper Hutt Tigers play the Porirua Vikings, Whakatiki Park, Saturday (2.30pm)