The Premier preseason kicked into action over the weekend with a camp and opening hit out.

The Premier Group ventured down State Highway 1 to Onewhero Rugby Club for an old fashion camp, bunking down in the club rooms on Friday and Saturday night.

Saturday saw the first match of the season, the four-quarter fixture against Counties club Papakura.

Premier head Coach Boof said all in all the match provided a good start point for the 2024 campaign.

“We are training a new shape that we want to play, and the players haven’t quite grasped it yet, but we think with a few tweaks we’ll have it down pat in a few weeks.

“We put a variation of combinations on the field, our set piece was dominant and our maul was strong which is pleasing. Playing the new shape, we didn’t quite nail some of those passes that would score us points but we were happy with what we saw” Boof said. “Defensively we have a long way to go and some players showed typical off season rust when it comes to contact.”

Plenty of players got game time as coaches tested combinations and new players to the Premier squad.

School leavers Harlyn Saunoa, Cruiz Overend, Vili Havili and Lotu Finau all had strong showings. While new faces Paula Fatafehi (Northland), Steven Leavasa (2022 Steeler), Anthony Bolton (Sacred Heart), Oscar Andreas-Cowley (Otago), Kirk MacGregor (Rugby League), Mercy Tia, Sean Carter and Tremain Little (North Harbour) looked at home in the green and orange hoops. There was also a welcomed return of utility prop Sesimani Tupou and midfielder Paris Saifoloi to the fold after a couple of years away with work commitments.

Papakura did sneak the win though Pakuranga supporters will suggest a missed knock on led to the winning play.

This week the team will face Counties opposition again in round one of the John Spiers wider Auckland competition. Traveling to Mountford Park to play Counties club champs, Manurewa at 130pm. The U21 Cannons will kick-off the curtain-raiser in their first match of the preseason at 12pm.

Article added: Tuesday 05 March 2024