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The Mahurangi College first XV is set to take out the title if their form continues.
The Mahurangi College first XV has made a strong start to the season finishing undefeated in the first round of the 1B North Harbour Championship.
The team is under new management this year with Hamish Cooper, Paul Mackinnon, John Blyth, Chris Martin and captain Sam Warner taking over from Khamal Ganley and Michael Winiana.
Hamish, a Mahurangi College physical education teacher and cricket coach, got involved after wanting a change from the administration side of rugby.
“Coaching is my passion,” he says. “I wanted to get my hands dirty again.”
His backs have been responsible for most of the team’s tries this season.
“I’m pretty pleased with the team’s performance so far although there are still things we need to work on,” he says. “It’s a fun team to be a part of and they have a good team culture.”
Hamish says the young forward pack has stepped up to the plate and he notes the huge impact of number eight Tekiate Teakin.
Bringing a wealth of experience to the set-up is coach Paul Mackinnon.
Paul worked with the Newcastle Falcons academy in England for seven years, the North Harbour academy for three years, New Zealand Rugby in the high performance area for five years and assisted the Mahurangi Premiers for two years.
His job is to oversee the team and organise tactics and defence.
“We are trying to play a fit, fast game this season,” he says.
“We need to learn to be a bit more patient at times, though and need a better kicking game.”
Both Paul and Hamish say the 24-24 draw with Westlake seconds was the most important game of the season so far.
“We are definitely capable of winning this competition,” Paul says.
Captain Sam Warner, who is new to the role, says the belief is there that the team can win.
“It’s just about taking each game week by week and not becoming complacent, as there are some strong sides in the competition looking to do the same,” he says.
Sam says the morale in the side is “awesome” and a real brotherhood has formed.
“It’s exactly what you’d expect when you’ve got a bunch of young, rugby-mad boys proudly playing for their school’s first XV.”
This year, the first and second XV train as one senior squad to try to build the depth in the quality of players available to the first team to cover for injuries.
“The second team players are now used to a high level of play, which is great,” Hamish says.
He believes the toughest tests en route to winning will be Westlake and Rosmini second XVs.
