The Papakura Rugby Club has appointed an all-star cast to take over the reins of their premier side for the 2021 McNamara Cup season.
After a strong start where they pushed the leading sides early, the Papakura club struggled after the resumption of play in the COVID-impacted 2020 season.
They finished the competition at the bottom of the standings.
But they have fired the first major shot ahead of 2021 by securing former Ardmore Marist assistant coach Kerry Petrie, ex-Karaka mentor Pat Flavell and former Counties Manukau Steelers and Chiefs prop Jarrod Firth in an exciting coaching group.
The nucleus of a decent side is there with current Steelers stars Kirisi Kuridrani and Clinton Malolua expected back next season. Add to that the impressive results of their U21 side from 2020 and Papakura could be a force to be reckoned with when club rugby begins next season.
“I have been at Karaka for the last four seasons and I just happened to speak to Kerry about the idea and we have talked about it since,” Flavell told Counties Sports Hub.
“Kerry made an application and it got accepted so here we are.”
It is a big call for Flavell and his fellow coaches to make – leaving a club that was challenging for a McNamara Cup to head to the cellar floor.
But Flavell loves the task in front on him.
“Probably just the challenge of it,” he admitted. “If you look right across the province – there is a pretty impressive coach staff at Karaka and if anything it is probably an overkill.
“So it is about the challenge of Papakura – I have been there before – I was there in 2013 [with Te Kauwhata] and created that whole senior programme over three years to get them up and going.
“I have been there before about trying to develop a club from rock bottom.”
While it will be a case of starting again there is some raw talent to work with from within.
“I think there is a bit to develop that will come through and I don’t think that is just going to happen in 12 months,” Flavell said.
“I think it is about looking at the players they have already got rather than looking outside.
“KP and I have played them enough with Ardmore or Karaka so we have a reasonably good idea of where their strengths and weaknesses are at this point in time.
“KP is talking to players outside the Union possibly and trying to plug up those holes where those weaknesses are.
“They have got some good players at Papakura – there are some pretty talented boys and we have seen that every time we have played them.”
And Flavell believes the club itself is well-placed to help the coaching group achieve success.
“Papakura club itself and what they have together – connections and relationships with gyms and player benefits rather than directly handing them money,” he said.
“They have a couple of club cars so they are well set up and now it is about getting the right group of people together to respect that and the right coaching plan to work with them.”
Meanwhile it is understood former Papakura and Counties Manukau prop Sam Aiono, who was forced into early injury-related retirement this year, has been appointed as head coach of 2019 champions Bombay.
Recent Comments