FULL STRETCH: Ōtorohanga Golds lock Josh Coffin will be a key figure for the side in 2023. Here he reaches for a lineout against Morrinsville.
THERE’S a sense of excitement coming from the Ōtorohanga Rugby Club this year.
Like all rugby clubs, there are new faces on board, however, numbers seem reasonably good and there’s a feeling in the air that they’re stronger on the paddock than last year.
The players seem fitter, faster and stronger and that bodes well for the season.
A few players have moved on and will be missed, such as props Jonas Pomare and Taipari Quinn, both talented players who have a bright future. However, a couple of Fijians have arrived to account for their departure.
Golds coach Hutana Coffin said they were excited to get under way this weekend.
“We’ve had a couple of good pre-season hit outs against Waitete and Melville and the boys seem ready to get stuck in this weekend.”
Coffin said their opening round contest against Hautapu would be an exciting one.
“We’ve never beaten them before and they are a heavyweight in the Waikato Premier Competition, so we’re hoping we can finally get one over them and pick up a win.
“It would be a good way for the guys to start the season.”
Hautapu will be a strong team and Coffin expects them to bring plenty of potency on attack and firepower up front for the contest.
A bonus for Ōtorohanga is the likes of Luke Jacobson, Mitch Jacobson, Ayden Johnstone and others should all be missing due to Super Rugby commitments.
“They will be a hard challenge first up but the boys have been training well and we’re excited to get out on the park and face them.”
Like the Golds last year, Hautapu missed out on the top four in 2022, so that will be driving the teams to do better this year.
Coffin said they had welcomed some exciting new players on board and he felt there was a good mix of talent in the club.
“We have pretty good depth. There’s going to be guys who miss out on our 23 and line up for the Blues but that’s what we want, we want everyone out there playing and performing well.
“Every week will be a new week and a chance for players to force their way into the Golds side; it’s good healthy competition for the team.”
Last year, the Golds were hampered by injuries to key players in key positions and that made things difficult when they came up against the stronger sides.
Expect the Coffins in the side to lead the way; lock Josh was a real standout last year at lineout time and with ball in hand, Hutana ran strongly in the midfield, as did Kauri Coffin, and the same will be expected of them this year, while Jacob Coffin was tough as nails on the flank.
Ryan McNeil will be expected to provide good service for Te Amo Wilbore, who is one of the more experienced players in the side, while Te Kapa Crown will provide plenty of pace out wide.
Their new Fijians should also add plenty of flair and there will be three Clapcott siblings in the team this season, making for exciting viewing when they and the Coffins take to the field together.
Coffin said it was exciting to see all three teams at Island Reserve to start the season.
“It’s great for the club to have our women’s team, Blues and Golds sides, playing at home in the opening weekend.”
The Blues and women kick off at 1pm, while the Golds are at 2.45pm.
Following Hautapu, the Golds, who are followed by the Blues, face Melville on Easter Friday, before another away trip to Memorial Park in Cambridge where they will play University of Waikato Rugby Club, before hosting Hamilton Old Boys at Island Reserve.
The Ōtorohanga women’s side, who made the semifinals of the competition in 2022, have again assembled a strong squad and will be hoping to start the season with a win.
Sina Hetet will be one to watch, while another one to look out for is speedster Hannah Brough.
They will be hoping to kick start their campaign with a win over Southern United.
