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Despite being set back by Covid-19, the club rugby season is shaping up to be a showcase of high-level play.
Both Northland Rugby Union and North Harbour Rugby Union club rugby tournaments are set to begin on June 20.
With international tournaments being cancelled, top players are returning from overseas to play for their home clubs.
Former All Black Rene Ranger is set to return to play for Wellsford RFC after managing to make a quick escape from Colorado right before lockdown began.
Meanwhile, former Northland representative player Heath Colthurst returns to the club from the United Kingdom.
Wellsford has also confirmed that its Mitre 10 Cup-level players, Paddy-Jo Atkins, Matt Wright, Ross Wright and Sean Sweetman, will return.
Manager Mick Sweetman says this year’s squad will mix top level players with young risers such as Sage Walters-Hansen.
“Given the right conditions and not too many injuries, we are hoping the club will have a good year, but we are conscious that other clubs are also in the same position,” he says.
Although it is still subject to confirmation, Wellsford has organised a friendly pre-season game with Silverdale United on June 13 at the Wellsford club grounds in Centennial Park.
“We are quite confident that most of the players have kept up their fitness levels, but a pre-season game will help to ease them into it,” Sweetman says.
On the same day, the club is hoping to host a game between the U18s Kaipara Wolves and Mahurangi College’s 1st XV team.
Meanwhile, Harbour Rugby is considering a shorter club rugby season, consisting of one full round of nine games as well as quarters, semis and finals.
Mahurangi Rugby Club director Haden Kose says arrangements are being made at Harbour for U21 games to follow the premier schedule.
This is anticipated to prove a big benefit for Mahurangi, as the premier side can then boost its bench with young players and U21s will have the chance to play at the top level.
Unfortunately, Mahurangi has lost its overseas signings due to Covid-19, including the “flying forward” Osea Qamasea.
However, the team is pleased to welcome Lloyd Gravatt back to the forward pack after returning from Ireland.
