Larsawn Ngatapa will be up against last year’s runners-up GT Shearing Waikohu on Ground 1.
HSOB have a tough opening challenge against defending champions East Coast Farm Vets YMP on Ground 2.
Last year, YMP were a dominant force across the Gisborne sporting codes, winning the premier netball and premier men’s and women’s hockey crowns, and ending a 13-year premier rugby title drought with a dramatic 28-24 win over Waikohu in the Lee Bros Shield final.
They will be looking to continue their momentum from winning the Ngatapa 15s tournament two weeks ago and a 79-34 pre-season victory over Whakatāne Marist.
YMP coach Kahu Tamatea said his team were “very excited” about tomorrow.
“We’re looking forward to giving some debutants an opportunity to shine in the black and white (jersey),” Tamatea said.
“Hohepa Hakopa, Silas Brown and Jesse Rye are young, exciting kids who are making their debuts this week.
“We are also welcoming back excitement-machine Nathan Rangihuna, who has returned from the Navy.”
The Webber Shield is up for grabs between OBM and Pirates and OBM coach Dillon Doleman-Tuhou said his team were looking forward to it.
“As a team we will be looking to get better each week,” he said. “Players have high expectations of each other, which is good to see, and they want to grow as a team.”
Pirates coach Anthony Kiwara says the club is still in the process of rebuilding and had tapped the shoulders of players from their Senior 1 squad who were runners-up in their competition in 2022.
“This year the boys are taking a big step up from last year,” he said.
“They’re going pretty well. The 15s was a good hit-out for the boys for a start.
“We had a game against Nuhaka (a 22-14 loss) last weekend and got in the 80 minutes, so that was good.”
It’s a new season, with new challenges under a new coach for Waikohu.
Tane McGuire has taken up the role and it will be a one-match-at-a-time approach.
Club stalwart Geoff Pari said they are looking forward to Tiny White Day and “seeing all the teams and their whānau represented”.
They were under no illusions about their the challenge Ngatapa posed on their home ground.
“It’s going to be a tough first-up match.”
No team feels the importance and nostalgia of Tiny White Day more than High School Old Boys.
All Black legend White was an intricate part of the club and coach Wayne Ensor speaks about his inspiration every year within the team and management.
“A lot of the old ones, particularly in management, knew Tiny and he was a really good bugger,” Ensor said.
“He is an icon of our club so the Tiny White Day means something special for us.
“We never play it without Tiny in the back of our mind and what he did for our team and for me as a coach.
“It was amazing the time he would give up. We are really focused on this game and I think the boys buy into that.”
Ngatapa co-coach Guy Allan — coaching alongside Kohi Waihi and Heith Hawea — said the new season had rolled around quickly.
“It’s a fresh start for the club in the premier grade — a lot of new faces. We have younger players coming though and a new coaching staff.
“We are excited about the season and hoping for a good attendance. The boys are raring to go.
“It’s always a pleasure to host out there. We are lucky to have the facilities and the grounds that we have.
“We are looking forward to the day.”
NGATAPA: Ben Johnson, Tane Ruru, Jacob Storey, Knox Ranitu, Jack Twigley (vc), Lepani Nadriva, James Law, Khian Westrupp, Archie Harding, Ricardo Patricio, Kairos Brooking-McClutchie, Nashwen Mouton, Filimone Drua, Manaia Ngata (c), Alex Bristow. Reserves: Ihaia Kerr, Campbell Chrisp, Sam Hudson, Haeora King, Dan Law, Angus Chapman, Benito Barry, Kailata Tupa.
YMP: Hayze Nepia, Shayde Skudder (c), Hohepa Hakopa, Rocky Monika, Jason Tuhoe, Shy Wyllie, Seth Lundon, Isaiah Leach, Ra Broughton (VC), Kelvin Smith, Genesis Bartlett-Tamatea, Mitch Purvis, Te Peehi Fairlie, Matt Rutene, Andrew Tauatevalu. Reserves: Nehe Papuni, Waiti Tamatea, Jess Rye, Te Irirangi Maxwell, Silas Brown, Nathan Rangihuna, Stephen Blake.
OBM: Lance Dickson, Ngahiwi Manuel, Blake Beard, Harawira Kahukura, Jacob Cook, Jordan Kingi, Keanu Taumata, Rikki Terekia (c), Atunaisa Rokotuiwei, Te Aho Morice, Joe Teikicidre, George Hooper, Solomoni Rosari, Tuks Dee, Brayden Grant. Reserves: Myles Lardelli-Muir Tawa, Jayme Barnett/Gabe Tekani, David mohi, Josh Charles, Mike Fox, Jordan Christie, Semisi Maumau.
Pirates: Toshio Paongo, Moui Paongo, Kelepi Tamale, Pat Kaliopasi (C), Viliami Mosaati, Setefano Tolu, Moeaki Mosaati, Siope Puikana, Fereti Paulo, Andrew Tau, Kulisitofa Tatafu, Alifereti Senivou, Ale Paulo, Mosese Bulicakau, Ulaiasi Seru. Reserves: Joe Keiaho, Jesse Sweeney, Paula Tatafu, Akuila Volo, Lepani Nadriva, 21 TBC, 22. TBC.
WAIKOHU: TBC
HSOB: TBC
