The McNamara Cup season is just over a month away and we examine each club’s chances and what their biggest question mark might be.
The 2021 season promises to be a tightly fought affair with the teams looking closer than ever on paper.
Will the loss of key players and arrival of new coach change things at Bombay?
Bombay has been the dominant force in the McNamara Cup over the past few years. They etched their name onto the cup in 2014-2017 and again in 2019 in a dynasty based around an experienced core and superb coaching by Jeff Marr and Paul Wheeler. But there has been a changing of the guard up the hill this off-season. Former Steelers prop Sam Aiono takes over the reigns as coach while the core of that championship-run is looking slightly thinner in 2021. They have been able to re-tool around that core before though so don’t count them out of being there again on finals day.
Will we see first half Waiuku or second half?
Waiuku have been easy-beats in the first half of the competition over the past few seasons before storming home in the second round, looking capable of winning it all had they not fallen behind early. Injuries have certainly played a part and they got off to a much better start in last season’s COVID-halted campaign, upsetting defending champs Bombay in the first match of the season and looking capable of playing semi-final footy for the most part. They need to ensure they aren’t playing catch up from the early weeks if they are to be playoff contenders.
Will Reon Graham lead Patumahoe back to the playoffs?
Graham returns as Patumahoe coach in 2021 after skipping the lost 2020 season and will immediately give the club confidence they can return to the semi-finals again. His previous reign with Patumahoe was hugely consistent and they punched well above their weight for a number of seasons. But the 2020 season wasn’t kind to Patumahoe and they plummeted down the table to a worrying eighth before the season was halted. An unbeaten campaign by their U21 side and return of injured stars could help them rebound if Graham and co-coach Kaino Kaino can find that magic again.
Is this finally the year for Karaka?
So often the bridesmaids, is 2021 finally the year Karaka gets to win the McNamara Cup? They have proven to be guns during the regular season but have somehow managed to avoid getting it right in the big dance. Karaka looked impressive in the ruined 2020 season and should start the year as finals favourites once more. Will favourite son and current coach Craig Hill find a way to get the monkey off his side’s back? The talent is clearly there but the longer the drought continues the more of a hurdle it becomes.
How motivated is Ardmore Marist?
Even more so than Karaka, Ardmore Marist has been the dominant side in the McNamara Cup round robin stage over the past few years but despite that dominance they have only a 2018 title to show for their run of success. COVID messed up their chances of adding a second title to Doug Sanft’s resume so the question remains how desperate will they be to right that wrong in 2021? Their depth is second-to-none but could that become an issue as players scrap for minutes in the top side? Will that desire for a premiership out-weigh personal need? We’ll know by the end of July.
Will rep players carry Papakura to a winning record?
For years now everyone has expected Papakura to be the big improvers each season but for whatever reason that just hasn’t been the case. The signs were promising early in 2020 before they fell away and the wheels fell off. With new coaches and improved playing numbers and the return of rep stars Clinton Malolua and Kirisi Kuridrani there is renewed optimism that Papakura could make a run at the semi-finals in 2021. Talking to rival coaches, they expect Papakura to deliver this year and it seems they certainly have the ability but will that translate into reality?
Can Manurewa take that extra step?
No club has won more McNamara Cups than Manurewa but their title drought dates back to the last century. Under coach Jeremy Clark, Manurewa has become an annual title contender but they have fallen over in the semi-finals in recent years. On paper they look more than capable of breaking that title drought but they will need to have their big game players deliver in the big games. Clark is highly thought of and they may well be a dark horse this season, assuming they can get a solid 80-minute performance in the semis.
Is Weymouth up for the fight?
Weymouth returns to the top grade on the back of getting dispensation to play. They were only confirmed at the 11th hour and will be on a hiding to nothing trying to tackle clubs that are seasoned premier performers. But the journey to premiership success needs to start somewhere and Weymouth has a core group of passionate people on and off the park to help them achieve. The key will be staying strong in the grind this season and continuing to improve bit by bit. It won’t be easy but it is great seeing them back in the top grade again.
Will Pukekohe add the size and fire power to go to the next level?
Pukekohe has steadily improved under the coaching of former professional player Sean Polwart and could be ready to make a big statement this year. With a fairly young and small side the past few seasons, Polwart has instilled some fight, particularly without the ball. But if they are to go from the mid-pack to being title contenders they will need their game breakers to be fit and healthy while they could do with a little more size in certain positions. You get the feeling they aren’t far off if they can find one or two key players.
Will centenary celebrations inspire Onewhero?
The COVID outbreak ruined everyone’s 2020 plans but for Onewhero that derailed their centenary celebrations. Club bosses have pushed those festivities back to 2021 but the question is will that inspire them to better things or could it be a distraction? It is understood a few players and members were “hanging in there for the centenary” so by pushing it back a season that could mean it could go either way. When they got it right in 2020, Onewhero looked a capable side but they need to do it more regularly to be a chance of making the semis.
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