The Pakuranga Premiers will complete their pre-season this weekend hosting Takapuna at the club.

Playing in the semi-finals of the inaugural Wider Auckland Club Knock Out competition last weekend, the premiers went down 24-34 to a strong North Shore team.

Premier coach Grant Henson said there were lessons to learn from the pre-season loss.

“The big one is around turning up ready to play rugby and not in casual mode. That is something the team is aware of and need to improve on.

“In terms of rugby we need to respect our moments. We were trying too hard to make things happen that weren’t on in certain parts of the game on Saturday.

Tomorrow’s match brings a close to the pre-season with Pakuranga hosting Grammar TEC in the first round of the Auckland club competition next weekend. This season we will host Grammar TEC, Waitakere, Manukau, East Tamaki, College Rifles and Ponsonby.

Tomorrow's match kicks off at 11.30am on Field 2, and will be followed by the Under 85kg Panthers playing Admore Marist. The Premier Development team play their final pre-season match away to Waitemata tomorrow.

Article added: Friday 24 March 2023