"I'm confident the boys can make the final for the second consecutive year. You shouldn't be playing if you don't believe you can make the final," Peni said.
He was quick to reply when quizzed on the secrets to his increased fitness levels this season.
"I take the dog for regular runs and there is plenty of walking involved when I'm duck shooting. I also play a bit of indoor netball when I can."
A truck driver for the Bin Hire Company, Peni has heard talk suggesting Clive will be hard to beat when all of their first-string backs are available at the same time. A backline featuring the likes of Bronson Hokianga, Tiaan Falcon, Tianua Poto, Sasa Tofilau, Jonah Lowe, J J Taulagi and Charlton Karauria.
"It might be this week," Peni revealed.
"It's a huge game for us ... Havelock North on their turf. If we beat them we're in the top four."
"Traditonally our club's premier side has always been known for having strong forward packs. Now we've got all these speedsters with the x factor. All us forwards have to do is feed them the ball."
Considering Peni was a late starter in rugby, he has made rapid progress. He played hockey until his year 11 studies began at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori O Te Ara Hou in Napier.
Rugby players at the school had the opportunity to play for St John's College and he had three years in their 1st XV.
"When I was younger, mum used to give me plenty of tips and tell me about all the little things I did wrong ... all in good humour," Peni recalled.
Once he was selected for the Clive premier team he was able to receive tuition from club stalwarts Alex Tuhi and Nathan Bruce.
"People often ask me about the toughest prop I have marked. I tell them it was always Nathan when we had opposed scrummaging at training ... he has a big head and such a strong neck."
Bruce and Tuhi have every right to be proud of the boxes Peni has ticked in recent seasons.
Best & fairest
Clive v MAC:
3, Kereama Peni (Clive); 2, Solomone Funaki (MAC); 1, J J Taulagi (Clive).
Taradale v NOBM:
3, Nathan Tweedy (Taradale); 2, Matt Gardner (NOBM); 1, Joe Apikotoa (Taradale).
Hastings v Havelock North:
3, Paulo Nu'u (Hastings); 2, Jason Long (Hastings); 1, Adam Bradey (Havelock).
Tamatea v Pirate:
3, Kianu Kereru-Symes (Tamatea); 2, Ted Symes (Pirate); 1, Mason Kean (Tamatea).
Central v Napier Technical:
3, Jason Cutbush (Central); 2, Trei Nepe-Apatu (Central); 1, James Hughes (Tech).
Leaderboard:
14 points: Chris Johnston (NOBM). 9: Johnny Ika (MAC), Mason Kean (Tamatea), Pouri Rakete-Stones (Pirate). 8: Solomone Funaki (MAC), Aleki Vuki (Hastings), Tom Parsons (Central). 7: Ben Hamelink, Danny Toala, Timo Vaiusu (all Hastings), Ricky Hayes, Hannon Brighouse (both NOBM), Lincoln McClutchie (Tamatea), Fa'alemiga Selesele (MAC). 6: Jason Long (Hastings), Michael Buckley (NOBM), J J Taulagi (Clive), Kianu Kereru-Symes (Tamatea), Mark Braidwood (Tech).
