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Mahurangi College First XV is looking to make the final for the second year running after securing a spot in the top half of the North Harbour 1B draw.
The team bagged six wins and one draw in its first seven matches, while conceding just 17 points.
Mahurangi College First XV assistant coach Jon Blyth says the team has played well across the board but will need to remain focused for the top tier round robin.
“Because the format has changed and only the top two make finals, instead of four, there is little room for error,” Jon says.
“We can only afford to lose one game at the most, otherwise we won’t be making the final.”
Under this year’s system, Mahurangi and four other teams, including Westlake Boys High School Second XV, will go through to the top tier where they play each team once.
“We have the advantage that we played the stronger teams away in the first round robin, which means we will play them at home this time.”
Jon says the team’s main strengths have been defensive structures, scrummaging and turnovers at the breakdown.
“Having 10 players return to the squad this year has meant most of our starting line-up are already familiar with the defensive patterns we use. Our forwards are really strong this year and we are getting a lot of ball at scrum time, even when the opposition put in.”
Jon identified lineouts as an area to work on and believes the most clinical team will win the 1B Championship.
Mahurangi’s first close encounter was against Westlake in a 12-12 draw, in which Westlake scored all its points in the first half and Mahurangi in the second.
“That was the first time we hadn’t controlled the tempo for the whole game, so we need to be able to adapt when our opposition sets the tone during the match.”
Although it is a small squad, just two players have missed games due to injury so far.
“We have used our subs effectively this season with all seven going on in every match and having the desired impact. Discipline hasn’t troubled us either, with just two yellow cards in nine matches.”
This will be put to the test when the squad plays three matches in eight days this month, including a mid-week Hauraki Exchange fixture.
