Women’s preseason
Waitete women are looking to continue their rich vein of form in the Waikato Rugby Championship as they prepare for their first home game of 2026.
The team in blue are back on the hallowed Rugby Park ground in Te Kūiti on Saturday, where they will take on former premiership side Kihikihi.
Their return home comes off the back of a perfect two-from-two start to the championship season away from home, having beaten Hinuera 17-7 on Anzac weekend before sneaking home 36-33 against Pirongia last week.
Waitete captain Katelin Warren was pleased with the effort.
“We have some very good ball-runners who can run hard, and a structure that allows the work to be shared more between the backs and the forwards. Our scrums stood out to be our best asset in the forward pack,” Warren said.
Kihikihi are on the opposite end of the spectrum having lost close to United Matamata Sports 17-7 in round one before going down 50-0 to Taupiri in a one-sided affair last week.
A couple of early wins has helped Waitete settle into their work, especially with the team coming under the new management of head coach Jason Turner, his off-sider Tipene Wehi and manager Robyn Turner taking over from the experienced Wayne Fraser, who had been with Waitete for three seasons.
With 26 players on the books, Turner said players were bringing their best in a balanced squad of young rookies, like Te Kūiti High School players Brianna Stockman, Kylah Stockman and Shayla Turner, and more experienced heads.
At 22, Warren leads Waitete in her fifth year with the club and is supported by vice-captain Charlie Hill, along with fellow King Country Trailblazers Matewehe King, Kelsi Barnett, Abbe Putaura, Tauvalea Law and Chanelle Macrae as key personnel.
Meanwhile, Waitete was humbled by Taupō Marist 43-7 in the latest round of King Country premier men’s club rugby, the game doubling as a Hetet Shield match.
Waitete return home this weekend to play Taumarunui Eels, while Marist will host Taumarunui Districts in a top-of-the-table clash.
Piopio will also head to Taupō for a mid-table clash against Taupō Sports following their 69-0 loss to Districts last week, while Waitomo has their bye week after going down 62-0 to Eels at Cherry Grove.
