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Training has started in earnest at the Mahurangi Rugby Club where the Premier team is feeling confident of turning around its fortunes this season.
The team has had only one win in the past 42 regular season games of rugby, but Premier coach Amasio Valence, assisted by Aquila Mata, believe things are about to change.
Commonwealth Games Sevens gold medalist Valence and Fijian test player Mata are into their second year of a three-year coaching contract with the club.
Valence says there is a good vibe about the team this year.
“Last year was about getting to know the players, getting the culture right and building on what was already in place,” he says. “We want the team feeling like a team on and off the field.”
Valence says the Premiers suffered last season from a lack of locks, props
and loose forwards.
Coach Amasio Valence is bedding down the work he did with the team last year.
Fitness coach Andrew Devine.
“We’re in a much better position this year with a good number of guys to fill those positions. Our goal is to just keep improving.”
Premier’s manager Bruce Stubbs says the team is in a building phase and the aim is to bring home some silverware next year.
Last year’s captain and all round standout player, Puppy Farrell, has confirmed he will be back this season. Number 8 Callam Ventor is returning after a couple of seasons with Marist and hooker Raymond Beamish is also back after injury.
Valence says two, maybe four, Fijian players will join the team including winger Osea Qamasea.
Meanwhile, sports and fitness professional Andrew Devine is drilling Premiers, Under 85kgs and Under 21 players in some pre-season fitness sessions.
Devine says he is starting with a three step programme to build fitness and speed so the players can execute the game plans put in place by the coaches.
Mahurangi will meet Te Awamutu in a warm-up match at Navy on February 16.
The annual Warkworth versus Wellsford clash is tentatively set down for Friday, March 8, at Mahurangi, with the first match of the season starting on March 30.
Valence says he hopes locals will come out and support the Mahurangi team.
“The better the support, the better the team plays,” he says.
New players are welcome to join the pre-season training sessions, which are being held on Monday and Wednesday evenings, from 6.15pm, until the touch season finishes in mid-March.
