Sponsored: Tohis plan to go all the way

Peter Jones

After two frustrating final defeats, the Waitohi senior A rugby team have their sights set on success in 2025.

The Tohis were shaded by the Renwick ‘Green Machine’ in consecutive championship-deciders, at home and away, so are keen to turn the tables on their rivals this time around.

Waitohi senior A head coach Mike Hillgrove, who is also coach of the Queen Charlotte College under 15 girls’ side, feels his side are stronger than last season.

They have lost No8 Connor Hillgrove to Australia but have picked up some former players with considerable pedigree.

They include multi-talented utility back Dylan McManaway, Andre Hebberd, who played premier rugby at Moutere last season, and veteran Jimmy Giles, who can be relied on to step into whichever position the team requires.

Dylan Burns has been a standout in recent campaigns and is back to bolster the lock/loosie ranks while the Karena brothers – Kenneth, Gannon and Willy – are also versatile performers.

Youngsters such as centre Mason Larrington and French winger Oliver Viau, plus vice-captain Tiare Tautari will bring considerable flair to the equation.

Mike admits the fact they narrowly came up short in recent times is, “one of our drivers for the season”.

“We obviously want to win the comp but we are also focussed on putting in a big effort against Renwick during the round robin games, just to get one back on them for the last couple of years. It’s a good rivalry to have and kind of drives the young fellas.

“The [senior A] competition is going a different way now from what that grade used to be. It has basically gone from being a bunch of old hands just trying to retire from rugby and still hang out with their mates, to a really good competition with a lot of young talent on show every week.”

He says the Picton-based club is in a good place overall.

Waitohi will field an under-14 side which “has good numbers and is looking strong”, under coach Jason Hebberd, plus the junior section will produce teams at U6, U8, U9, U10, U12 and U14 level this year.

The Waitohi senior A side: Keelan Hillgrove, Luke Bergman, Liam Dodd, Vance Polk, Logan Godsiff, Jack Quinn, Willy Karena, Dylan Burns, Jarmyn Lee, Andre Hebberd, Mike Tino, Jimmy Giles, Campbell Hart (assistant coach), Arlyn Bull, Troy Marshall, Dylan McManaway, Tiare Tautari, Mason Larrington, Finley Neeilson, Ben Millington, Fergus Lane, Oliver Viau, Thomas Sommerville-Smith, Veuki Taumoefolau, Kenneth Karena, Gannon Karena.

The competition begins on May 3, with Waitohi drawn against Harlequins away.