New coach joins Tukapa

Will Johnston

There are changes in the Tukapa camp this year.

Not only will the defending champion of the CMK Taranaki premier club rugby competition contend with two-full rounds, it also welcomes a new coach.

Former Ponsonby and Auckland U85kg coach Nathan Lawrence will join Ben Siffleet at the helm. Lawrence moved to Taranaki with his wife and children ready to take on the task.

Planning is already underway for the season ahead, which starts on Easter weekend.

The coaching group will have plenty of confidence after Tukapa went through last year’s shortened season unbeaten before it claimed the title against Inglewood, 33-29, at TET Stadium in August.

According to Siffleet, the condensed season suited the team.

“I think last year we got the rewards for the effort that the players put in over the lockdown,” he said.

“When we came back together the boys were fit and ready to go from week one.”

For this season, Siffleet said the team was slowly coming together for the regular two-round format.

“It’s a bit of a mixed bag at this early stage in the pre-season with lots of boys still playing cricket, golf and enjoying the summer.

“The boys are training and building nicely,” he added.

He confirmed the squad is ‘much the same as last year with no recruits yet.

Last year's squad was stacked with talent last year and included Taranaki reps Mitchell Crosswell, Jayson Potroz, Lukas Halls and Jacob Ratumitavuki-Kneepekens. There were plenty of quality club players, who aided Tukapa to its 17th title.

While Ratumitavuki-Kneepkens has joined the Blues squad for Super Rugby Aotearoa and might not be around much, others will have chances.

“There will be opportunities in early rounds for players to put their hand up,” Siffleet said.

While no goals are in place yet, Siffleet said all teams hoped to be in the mix for a top-four finish.

“Then anything can happen.”