Waitete fullback Baven Brown Jnr (right) fends off Taumarunui Districts lock Leyton Wahapa on the way to the try-line.
Easter presents the perfect backdrop for Waitete and Waitomo to resurrect their seasons under lights in Te Kuiti tonight.
Waitete captain Ryan Joyes (left) and Waitomo captain Dylan Coull. Photo: Dan Tasker
Both teams kicked off their respective King Country premier club rugby seasons off with losses on Saturday, Waitete going down at home to Taumarunui Districts 26-10, while Waitomo was soundly beaten by Piopio 57-7 at the Rukuhia Domain.
King Country News 2 April 2026
Improved discipline will be key for Waitete, after conceding penalties at crucial moments to swing momentum Districts’ way in a game the Blue Bellies got away on them.
For captain Ryan Joyes, a win in tonight’s local ‘fight under lights’ against the green-and-black of Waitomo will be essential for building momentum early in the season.
“Getting a result is crucial, just to get some confidence moving forward as well. Piopio had a good win against them, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be like that for us,” Joyes said.
“One or two boys have come over to us from Waitomo, so they’ll be itching to have a crack at them. There’ll certainly be some niggle like there always is.”
Waitomo will be clear outsiders to take the Easter treats tonight, a winless 2025 still lingering in the memory for last year’s wooden-spooners.
Easter rugby comes to Te Kuiti tonight as Waitete host Waitomo under lights in round two action of King Country premier club rugby. Pictured are Waitete captain Ryan Joyes (left) and Waitomo captain Dylan Coull. Photo: Dan Tasker
New Waitomo captain Dylan Coull knows the odds aren’t great, but he’s confident Waitomo is tracking in the right direction.
“We have a lot of new faces in there. We missed out on a pre-season game this year, so Saturday was our first hit-out as a full team. It’s just keeping everyone turning up and building on what we’ve got,” Coull said.
“A local derby’s always good for a bit of niggle, so just looking forward to playing, especially on Thursday night, it’s always bloody good under lights,” he said.
Easter round kicks off at 7pm today, with four games on offer for rugby fans across the province including the Waitete v Waitomo clash.
Off the back of their workman-like performance against Waitomo, Piopio hit the road to take on Taumarunui Eels this week. The Eels had a first-up win against Taupo Sports 27-10 at Cherry Grove.
Defending champs Tongariro United lost the Hetet Shield after dropping their opening match against Taupo Marist 47-17, so there will be plenty of motivation for them against Districts at home in Turangi this week.
Marist will look to stay undefeated in the cross-town rivalry against Taupo Sports as the “away” team at Owen Delany Park.
Waitete fullback Baven Brown Jnr (right) fends off Taumarunui Districts lock Leyton Wahapa on the way to the try-line. Districts won the game 26-10. Photo: Laura Adams
