NEW ROLE: A neck injury has forced Carl Carmichael, with the ball, to retire from rugby and coach. He is the head coach of Piopio for the 2023 King Country Rugby season.
LIGHT on numbers – that’s the easiest way to sum up the feeling of most North King Country teams as their rugby season begins this weekend.
Waitomo, Piopio, Waitete, Taumarunui Eels, Bush United and Taumarunui Districts are all light on personnel, while Kio Kio United have gone from not entering in January to having two sides to take to the field, albeit in different competitions.
This weekend, the competition sees all 10 sides facing off in Taupō as part of a special mental health awareness round, something most of the clubs supported.
Piopio Rugby Club fell short in the final last year, losing to Taupō Sports. They have welcomed in former Taumarunui Eels hardman Carl Carmichael as head coach but are down on numbers.
“We’re pretty light on numbers. A few of the older guys have retired and others have moved away. We will get a team out on the field this weekend but we’re doing bloody well.”
Carmichael said they would have to be on song defensively as Tongariro would pose a stiff challenge.
“We will have to defend strongly if they don’t, we will get punished.”
He said number 8 Kaleb Foote would again be one to lead the way for the side, while Stefan Turner returns after a season off.
“Kaleb showed his class last year for the Rams and making the New Zealand Heartland squad. He is going to be a key performer for us again this season.”
Brother Lachlan Foote will be another key performer and was unlucky to miss out on the King Country side in 2022.
Kio Kio, a small rural club in the North King Country, were looking at pulling out of the competition in January, however, they now have good numbers and are ready for the season.
President Donald Street said they had assembled a squad and were ready for the season to begin this weekend.
“Our coaches have been fabulous. They’ve really gone out and gathered players. It’s been an awesome response.”
The club even has an under-85kg team that is playing in a Waikato competition.
Jeff Peek has taken the reins and is being joined by Mike Newson, Bruce Ahlers and Chappie Albert.
Three players to look out for are halfback Lockie van der Pasch, who will shape as a key player, prop Ben Hetet, who has come across from Ōtorohanga, and blockbusting number 8 Tala Moli.
They haven’t won since 2019 and hope this year they may be able to register a victory.
Waitomo are being coached by Ollie Kay, who is taking a step back from playing to coach the side.
“It’s too hard to do both. I am looking forward to giving the coaching a good crack. It takes up a bit of time but I want to make sure I do a good job.”
They had two preseason matches against Pirongia and Ōhaupō respectively, and Kay said there was plenty of potential.
Talented halfback Liam Wano has moved on, which the club was somewhat disappointed with, however, they’ve reeled in Vavao Afemai, a halfback who played for Samoa at the 2015 World Cup, and at 31 he will still have plenty to offer.
James Hamilton and Sean Wanden are another two players to look out for, while Jaide Barlow is another exciting talent.
Waitomo hopes King Country Rams midfielder Joe Perawiti may be available for the back half of the competition.
They face Taupō Marist first up, a team they have faced in the first round for the past few seasons.
“It’s always a good battle and hopefully we can get one back on them.”
Taumarunui Eels, who fell in the semifinals last year to Piopio, were forming a solid squad and would feature a new captain in 2023.
Mr Fixit as he’s known among his club side, Hamu Dunster will lead the team from first five, a position he is moving to this year, having played in the forwards two years ago and the midfield last year.
King Country Rams prop Mike Bryant will be his deputy alongside fullback Joshua Cooper.
Eels coach Rob Sherson said they had a reasonably settled squad but like most were limited on players.
“We had a good pre-season with Whangamata; we went up there and they really looked after us.”
Deek Mahu has jumped on board as a coach to help Sherson and the latter said he was looking forward to working with him.
“It’s an extra set of eyes for the team and someone different to learn off and listen from.”
They weren’t sold on travelling to Taupō for the first round of games and said it would be more worthwhile later in the season.
This weekend they face Bush United, a side that Sherson believes will be tricky.
Taumarunui Districts have lost a lot of players but also had a few join.
Coach Matt Lord said it should be a good competition this year.
“We’ve lost a few boys, a couple have gone to Taupō and big Dennis (Andrews-Peters) has gone to Melville to have a crack up there, and good on him. He’s a good kid and while he is young should give it a go.”
“This weekend in Taupō will be a good chance to see everybody in action and catch up afterwards. At the end of the day, that’s what it is all about.”
He was excited to see Styris Harland in action this year, while Anaru Etana, Nathaniel Smith and Leveson Gower would all shape as key performers for the team.
They face Kio Kio United first up and the goal is simple.
“Hopefully we can go to Taupō and get a victory. That’s our focus. We’re trying not to look too far ahead and taking it game by game.”
Waitete coach Donny Karaitiana said they were light on numbers and had lost a few players from last year.
He welcomed the return of the Kopa brothers Tamaki and Ngamira from Ōtorohanga, while Carlos Karaitiana and Jared Crosland will lead the team this year.
“They will definitely help. We are a bit light in a few positions but I think all the clubs are the same.”
He’s joined in the coaching ranks by Baven Brown and Craig Bell, with Josh Ostern returning in a mentoring and playing capacity as well.
One new player to look out for is exciting back Diego Rangi, who has moved from Taupō, looking for more of a chance, while Sam Burn, Jared Crossland and tight forward Sam Wilson are others expected to lead the way for Waitete.
They face defending champions Taupō Sports first up in what will be a difficult assignment.
For Bush United, expect King Country Rams winger Zach Wickham-Darlington and David Tutaki to lead the way, with Karly Karauna. Another to watch is recruit Delane Bell.
