Tohis plan a return to the top

After two frustrating seasons, the Waitohi premier rugby team are on the comeback trail.

Unable to taste success in either the Marlborough sub-union or Tasman Trophy competitions in 2021 and 2022, the Picton-based crew aim to bounce back in true Tohis’ fashion this year, hoping to make their mark in both competitions.

Leading the way will be player/coach Tim O’Malley. The former Mako utility back returns after a couple of seasons playing abroad and has picked up the coaching reins.

He will have no shortage of help with what he describes as “local legends” Jimmy Giles, Stefan Roguski, Matthew Burgess, Jason Hebberd, Mike Hillgrove, Tom Looms and Tonga Taumoefolau making up the coaching and management group.

As with most of the Marlborough clubs there has been a considerable turnover of players, but Tim is confident there will be no shortage of top-class talent available.

He expects the seasoned duo of Taine Cragg-Love and Dylan Burns to provide leadership up front, both having experienced several Tasman Trophy campaigns and providing invaluable leadership among a forward mix possessing potential and physicality.

The Tohis will have what Tim describes as “huge depth at number nine” with former MBC stand-outs Bray Taumoefolau and Ryan McLeod, plus Karlos Tautari, all able to perform the halfback’s role superbly at this level. Fortunately for the selectors they are all adept in other positions as well.

Out wider there is no shortage of attacking flair. Leading the way will be Kyren Taumoefolau, who impressed for the Tongan Sevens side during the recent HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

O’Malley will again be a general in the backline, alongside other experienced operators such as the electric Gannon Karena, versatile Dylan McManaway, goalkicking ace Cory Bovey and the elusive Tiare Tautari.

Among several new arrivals is Campbell Hart, the new deputy principal at Queen Charlotte College. The powerhouse loose forward, able to play six or eight with equal aplomb, represented Whanganui from 2016-21 and was part of the side which took out the Lochore Cup in 2021. He was chosen in the New Zealand Heartland side in 2018-19 and 2021.

Another addition is backline player Paddy Kerr-Smith, who has come to the Picton club from Awatere.

Tim said a large group of players had been coming together over the last two months to prepare for the forthcoming season and was blunt when describing their attitude. “The group is full of good buggers who have been working hard at training and having fun doing it,” he explained.

“There is a great feel around the team and around the town … but we will sorely miss the lovely late Di Ivamy who did more for this team over the last 20 years than can be expressed.

“She is a truly-loved woman held in the highest regard down at the Tohis and you can be sure that we will have her in our thoughts throughout the season.”

Thanks to a late influx of numbers Waitohi look likely to field a competitive division two team, plus junior sides from under-6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13/14.