The Pakuranga Premiers head across the city tomorrow to face top of the table Suburbs and have a new face in the number 10 jersey.

Riley Harrison, who earlier this year received the Mike Garner Memorial Scholarship, has been promoted from the Under 21s to start at first five-eighths.

Premier Coach Boof said Riley has a big future.

“We want to manage Riley’s transition into premier rugby. We didn’t see him in the pre-season because of his representative touch commitments – but he’s a classy young player.

“Tomorrow is a must win game so that comes with some responsibility and pressure but we have good players around him and know has a good kicking game which will be important.”

Riley is one of several young faces in the premiers this year, and Boof said they’ve been a breath of fresh air for the squad.

“The likes of Marc (Holzer), Daren (Uili) and Moses (Hafoka) have been bringing great energy. Their enthusiasm and willingness to learn is lifting the standards across the whole squad.”

Those standards are what played a big part in the win against Marist last weekend. Scores were level at half time, and the premiers went on to score 24 unanswered second half points.

“Looking back at the footage, in the first half we had the right intent but the boys were almost trying too hard. After the break they trusted in the systems a lot more.

“The boys have been putting in some good work on extra fitness and training under fatigue - I think we saw that hard work paying off in the last 30 minutes.

“We aren’t getting ahead of ourselves but it was a good momentum starter for us,” said Boof.

Tomorrow is a different story, coming up against a top-of-the-table Suburbs in what Boof is calling a must win match.

“We are expecting physicality up front and threats at the back. We’ll have to be careful how we exit and how we shut down their back three and their ability to counter attack.”

“We’ve been trying to fine tune a few things in our game plan this week but have had a bit of illness in the squad so have kept things simple.”

Elsewhere, Boof commented on the strong start to the season by the senior teams in action.

“It’s awesome to see some good results. The PD’s have a great culture and really stuck at it to get that win last weekend. The Under 21s have a good test out west tomorrow – they have a bunch of boys that could play for the prems right now and that bodes well for the future of our club. The Panthers have a great coaching team in place and I can only see them going from strength to strength this season.”

The premier team to face Suburbs is;

1.    Sam Beere
2.    Gafatasi Su’a
3.    Sam Crichton
4.    Carter Hackett
5.    Cameron Finefeuiaki
6.    Marc Holzer
7.    Daren Uili
8.    Niukula Osika
9.    Jardyn Tamati
10.    Riley Harrison – debut
11.    Jayden Bell
12.    Pasqualle Dunn – captain
13.    Tane Dunn
14.    Paula Maama
15.    Memphis Ngaruhe

16.    Moses Hafoka
17.    Finbar Simpson
18.    Lisiate Pau’uvale
19.    Jack McGregor
20.    Sione Hifo
21.    Steph Tabaillou
22.    Cameron James
23.    Jamie Shaw
 

Article added: Friday 21 April 2023