Both sides agreed they were in a rebuilding phase prior to the season-opening match, with Rau saying his side will attack this season differently to others.
"I definitely think we'll keep growing together, it's a new challenge for us and we know it. We'll be taking it very differently to previous seasons, that's for sure."
Rau said young prop Ramon Moses was a standout in his view, running and tackling hard all day. He also mentioned fellow try scorer Tyson Wihongi and Joachim Edmonds for their efforts.
He added that Wihongi and Edmonds in particular would be expected to step up this season after previously being the young players in the side, something Rau believed was achievable.
The Tigers showed positive signs throughout the match, led by player-coach Tawio Davis playing at an unaccustomed role. Normally a prop, he looked like a natural at centre.
"We will have a couple of boys return this week which will free up to go back to prop - I can't wait," Davis said. "We are going through a bit of a re-building phase - but we have some good talent coming through. It was good to see youngsters Phardray Brown, and Jahdon Palmer play a leading role in the game."
Brown and Palmer backed up from the earlier NorthTec Adam Blair XIII match against the Warriors Development side.
The Hikurangi and Moerewa match was the only one for the weekend, with the remaining teams kicking off next Saturday.
