The Pakuranga Premier Development team have been one of the most successful teams in recent Ranga history, champions twice in the last 10 years and several final and semi finals appearances in that time too. 

They add another chapter to that story tomorrow when they face Grammar TEC in the Premier Development Final for the George Nicholson Cup. 

The side won their semi finals against old foes Ponsonby in dramatic fashion, with Cam James knocking over a game winning penalty on full time. 

“If you watch the footage closely Cam actually knocks the ball out of one of the forwards hands who was about to take a quick tap,” said Coach Duncan McGrory. 

“Cam is a smart fella so we knew that after missing a penalty in the first half, where the wind died on him, that he would take his time and adjust. Cam has made a few clutch decisions this season that has got us across the line.” 

With the win secured, the team has been in a good frame of mind heading into the final. 

“ We have been working on some changes so GTec don’t know exactly what we will bring to them on Saturday.”  

“The great thing this season is that we have been training as a Premier squad, so the intensity at training is very competitive and at times over and above what the boys will face on the weekend.” 

Duncan said the support from the wider club in the lead up to the final has been amazing. 

“It would be easy for the PD’s to be forgotten with the Premiers playing in the Gallaher Shield final, but in every message, we have had from International rugby players, past and present, club patrons, junior club players and all of the supporters we have got a mention.” 

While the PDs have won a number of titles, they aren’t often afforded the opportunity to play their final at Eden Park. 

“We only found out on the Thursday night, last week, that the game was going to be on Eden Park. I debated on telling the lads because we didn’t want to distract away from the semi-final against Ponies. In the end we let them know so there was that extra carrot to play for. They were obviously excited and to be fair we spoke about it more on the Friday and Saturday before the semi. This week it hasn’t really been a focus.” 

There are only two changes to the run on team from last week’s semi, with Marc Holzer starting at flanker and Ezekiel Wye coming onto the wing. 

1. LEPANI TUIFAGALELE
2. BYRON THOMAS (VC)
3. MERCY TIA
4. JACK MCGREGOR
5. REYNHARDT SCHUTTE
6. PAULA FATAFEHI
7. MARC HOLZER
8. MARCELLE TAUSINGA
9. FEA PUAMOTO
10. CAMERON JAMES (C)
11. EZEKIEL WYE
12. ANDRE DUNN
13. JOHN TAUMOEPEAU
14. ANTONIO TUPOU
15.CALEB NYANTACHI 

16.OLIVER MILLER
17. TALAIA SATIU
18. LISIATE PAU’UVALE
19. MOSESE WAQABACA
20. IVAN BAKER
21. GERALD VAN WYK
22. WAISEA SENIQAI
23. CHARLES GIBSON

Article added: Friday 26 July 2024