FULL STEAM: King Country Rams winger Chedyn Mani looks to beat his New Zealand Harlequins opposite during a clash at Island Reserve in Ōtorohanga last weekend. Photo: Dan Tasker
The King Country Rams are ready to buck whatever’s in front of them out of the way as the Heartland Championship gets under way this weekend.
A victory against Taranaki Māori a fortnight ago in Te Kūiti was a good start to Aarin Dunster’s reign as head coach, while the side, which features a host of new faces from 2022, also knocked over the New Zealand Harlequins team at Island Reserve in Ōtorohanga last Saturday.
King Country Rams returnee Josevata Malimole wreaked havoc at Rugby Park with his running game as he proved a key figure in their 54-36 victory over the Taranaki Māori outfit, while against the New Zealand Harlequins outfit the 35-17 triumph saw inside back pairing Kieron Rollinson and Cam Robinson shine.
Coach Aarin Dunster said the two matches were good hit outs ahead of the season opener this weekend.
“We’re happy with how things are going. We’ve got the style of rugby we want to be playing and the guys seem to be picking up on that well.
“There’s still plenty to work on but ahead of this weekend we’re tracking in the right direction.”
Dunster said he hoped to welcome some personnel back for this weekend’s trip to Greymouth in what is a winnable first round match as West Coast were near the bottom of the table last season.
“I think most of the guys should be available. We’re trying not to go down the loan player or player of origin route too much this season and focus on local talent, however we do have a couple of outside players coming in.”
One of the loan players is Quinn Collard, who returns this season having played first five for the Rams in 2022.
It’s likely he will line up there again this season but the Hamilton Marist playmaker spent much of the club season playing second fiddle to Bay of Plenty Steamers first five Wharenui Hawera, so he’s itching to get out on the park and direct play.
Dunster said Collard was a great player to have back in the mix for 2023.
“He was outstanding last year and it’s great having him in the side again, while Tamaki Kopa is another we’re excited to see in action.”
Dunster, who represented the province on more than 100 occasions, said they had a lock lined up from outside the region.
“Like most places we’re struggling in the second row.”
It’s a squad Dunster continues to tinker with, but he’s excited at what has transpired so far and hopes for a good outcome this weekend.
“It won’t be easy. West Coast are a tough outfit, and we know what they’ll bring, It’s not a style of rugby we want to play but if we can limit our errors and focus on how we want to play and get caught up in their style then we should be fine.
“We’ve got a great bunch of guys here who are all buying in to what we are trying to do.”
Malimole is a winger with plenty of flair and they’re looking at giving him a crack in the 13 jumper, while Kopa is a strong loose forward, who will be playing in his favoured spot for the Rams, after spending most of the club season in the midfield for Waitete.
Another player to keep an eye on is Irish prop Ben Popplewell, who might be short in stature but gets round the park superbly and is a strong ball carrier and scrummager.
Jaide Barlow, Waitomo’s only player in the squad had an outstanding club season and alongside Karney Dunster, Kaleb Foote, Sisa Vosaki and Kopa are five formidable loose forwards, who will be expected to lead from the front and provide exciting competition among the squad.
Winger Zach Wickham-Darlington has his club season ruined by injury and was outstanding in the trial match before being forced off with concussion, if he’s available for this weekend expect him to be one of the first on the team sheet for the trip to Greymouth.
Players like Zayn Tipping, Kane Tamou, Liam Rowlands, Reeve Satherley are all key figures back from last season.
In round two they have their first of four home matches with South Canterbury the defending champions visiting Owen Delany Park in Taupō.
Week three sees The Rams head to Taumarunui where they will host Whanganui at the Domain, before a road trip in week four to face Thames Valley, a three-week stretch which sees them face their fellow Meads Cup semifinalists from 2022.
Masterton awaits in week five of the competition where they will face Wairarapa Bush, before Horowhenua Kapiti come to Te Kūiti’s Rugby Park in round six.
The penultimate round sees them travel to the East Coast before a return to Taupō in the final round where they battle Buller.
