Mahu Premiers coach – Defeat just a step towards rebuilding team culture

Injury and Covid have taken their toll on the Mahurangi Rugby Premier side, but coach Nick Makea remains positive that the team is building itself back to be a winning side.

Mahurangi went down to Kumeu 52-12 in a home game on April 30. Their fourth loss in a row.

Makea says a weakness in the team at present is the lack of backs. This meant forwards had to take the field as backs in the game against Kumeu.

“We could also do with some height in the line-up,” Makea says. “The forward pack is strong, particularly in the scrums, but we need more height to be truly competitive in the line-outs.

“At the end of the day, this is where the senior club is at, at the moment. My job is to turn it around but that can’t happen in five weeks.

“We’re working on changing the culture and having certain standards for fitness and training.

“But what the club really needs is more players. This will bring more energy and create change. We want to get to the point where we have got so many players you have to earn your place in the team.”

But Makea dismisses any suggestion that the club should look at buying players.

“We want Mahurangi to be a club for local players, people who live and work in the area, who will be loyal to the side and take a certain amount of pride in playing for the local team.”

Meanwhile, Mahurangi’s U85 also had a tough day on the home paddock, going down to Massey 36-7.

It was a hard fought encounter with no quarter given or asked for on either side.
Coach Paul Mackinnon was satisfied with his team’s performance.

“They’re a very young team, propped up by some experienced campaigners,” Mackinnon says. “Mahurangi competed well in only their second game, versus a very experienced Massey side overall.”

This experience eventually won out, with Massey scoring three tries in the final 10 minutes, although Mahurangi kept fighting to the end and finished the game almost across the Massey line.

“The spirit of the U85’s is really good with plenty of support from family and friends, ensuring a good clubhouse vibe after the game each week.”