Can the ‘Blues Brothers’ go back-to-back in 2023?

After setting the bar sky high in 2022, the Central premier rugby team are focussed on staying aloft during the 2023 Tasman Trophy season.

Last year the Blues dropped only one match on their way to a maiden Tasman Trophy title and a clean sweep of local opposition.

Mako veteran and long-time Central player Quentin MacDonald stepped up as the Blues’ player/coach last season, leading from the front as his charges swept all before them. He is back and will have plenty of trusty lieutenants to rely on.

Captain Braden Stewart, after enjoying overdue game time with the Tasman Mako in 2022, is one of the most dynamic and inspirational loose forwards going around the club scene.

Vice-captain Mitch Smith is back, the reliable goal-kicking first five set to guide Central around the paddock once more.

Midfielders Ben Filipo and Nigel Satherley, so effective in partnership, will also return, along with winger Lani Fihaki and halfback Ethan Jones.

Up front Central will be well served, despite losing loosie Olly Lawson, who has gone south to try his luck with Southland and potentially two other key performers from last season’s pack, the versatile Jesse MacDonald and lofty lock Jack Powell, although there is a chance they may be available at some stage.

Prop Jeremy Foley was one of 2022’s big improvers, while lock Matt McCormick, No8 Peni Fihaki plus props Peter and Tino Vakaloa, plus Lockie McCormick are all highly-effective premier players.

Newcomers to the Blues’ ranks are former MBC First XV stand-outs,  loose forward/halfback Jack Kelly and loose forward/lock Wayden Smith.

Quentin has been around long enough to know that there is no point trying to dwell on his side’s past performances.

“It is going to be a completely new year,” he said.

“We knew that there would be plenty of changes from last season’s side … and while it would be great to emulate what happened then, we have a new-look squad.

“Having said that, it is an exciting group of players to be involved with. There are quite a few new guys, including a couple of MBC First XV players … a good mix of youth and experience. It is going to be fun.”

The premier competition is set to kick off at Easter Weekend.

A provisional 2023 Central squad is: Jesse MacDonald, Quentin MacDonald, Tino Vakaloa, Peter Vakaloa, Jeremy Foley, Siate Kivalu, Lockie McCormick, Jack Powell, Matthew McCormick, Braden Stewart (captain), Peni Fihaki, Ethan Jones, Mitch Smith, (vice-captain), Nigel Satherley, Lani Fihaki, Tai Pangai, Gazza Smith, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Ben Filipo, Jack Kelly, Blade Campbell, Mausia Papani, Sione Papani, Diago Phillips, Edan Fitzpatrick, Wayden Smith. Coaches: Quentin MacDonald, Riki Winitana, Hamish McKerrow.