Wins at Bell Park tomorrow would achieve a few things – extending the unbeaten start to the season for our Premier Development and Premier teams, as well as defending the challenge trophies they currently hold.

We’ve also got the Presidents at home for the first time this season, while the Under 85kg Black Panthers have a special match up at University and our Under 21 Cannons are across the estuary at Marist.

Another week and another host of changes in the premier starting line up as both injury, illness and rotation keeps selection fresh.

Most notably Hurricanes prop Tevita Mafelio is in town and will start at tighthead prop. He joins Lotu Finau who returns after a concussion and Jerry Samania in the front row. Cruiz Overend and Harlyn Saunoa return to the starting line up on the wings while Andre Dunn and Paulo Wallwork-Tuala combine in the premier midfield for the first time.

Sam Crichton is set to play in his blazer game when he comes off the bench.

Premier Coach Boof said the premier and premier development teams are motivated to maintain their unbeaten records.

“We want to win all our games at home. We are wary that we have been that polished at home in recent years. We love this place and want to build a fortness. The games tomorrow are about putting another brick in that wall to be tougher and tougher to beat at home.

“We know that Puketepapa will be smarting after last week. They’ll come back with a bit of venom – we’ve talked about that.”

The Presidents opened their season with a big win last week and host Papatoetoe tomorrow at home. They’ve made two changes to the starting line up and will look to put together another strong performance.

The Panthers travel across to University to face the Squids in the inaugural Tom Heeringa Memorial Cup. It will be more than the rugby tomorrow as both teams remember a friend, who played for both sides, who left us far too soon. Logan Kinnear comes out of retirement to play his 176th match for the team, to honour his mate Tom.

Also on the line for the Panthers is the Speight’s Shield.

Lastly the Under 21s will play top-of-the-table Marist away tomorrow. It’s been a tough run of matches for the Cannons who have proved to be within a whisker of the competitions top teams, they’ll be hoping to get the dub tomorrow.

The Premier team tomorrow is:
1.    Tevita Mafelio
2.    Lotu Finau
3.    Jerry Samania
4.    Sanele Williams
5.    Reynhardt Schutte
6.    Setefano Leavasa
7.    Marc Holzer
8.    Sione Takai - captain
9.    George Sims
10.    Riley Harrison
11.    Cruiz Overend
12.    Andrew Dunn
13.    Paulo Wallwork-Tuala
14.    Harlyn Saunoa
15.    Paula Maama

16.    Moses Hafoka
17.    Finbar Simpson
18.    Sam Crichton
19.    Jack McGregor
20.    Niukula Osika
21.    Steph Tabaillou
22.    Michaile van Wyk
23.    Ezekiel Wye

Article added: Friday 10 May 2024