Good things take time, teams discover after shaky start

Whangarei and Districts Rugby League found it often takes time to iron out any wrinkles when the 2009 season got under way last weekend to a somewhat crinkled start.
A referee failed to show for the Kaikohe and Moerewa match last Saturday, raising questions about whether the association had enough officials to take charge of four games per week for 14 round-robin matches, and three rounds of finals.
However, new Whangarei and Districts Rugby League president Sonny Hohepa assured the association and the Northern Advocate there were enough willing referees for the season ahead.
"There were a few guys away at the V8s in Hamilton last weekend, which is why there were not the usual number available," he said.
"As for the Kaikohe-Moerewa game, there was a lack of communication between the clubs and referees about where the referee was supposed to come from."
There were seven referees available this season, three located in the Bay of Islands and four in Whangarei, Hohepa said.
A former referee himself, the president said he would come out of retirement to fill in if needed, "but only as a last resort".
"The first round is about getting clubs back into the rugby league mould and to blow the rust out. The competition will really get under way from now on in."
Teams had been waiting on the Whangarei and Districts draw, but it was finalised on Tuesday.
The first couple of weeks sees teams staying close to home, with minimal travel to games.
The big match-up on Saturday is between last season's premiers Takahiwai, and Hikurangi, who last weekend thumped competition newcomers City Knights 118-6.
Manager Jim Lees said Hikurangi had seven new players this year and their mix of youth and experience - with players such as Steve and Joe Rau returning to the squad - should make them highly competitive.
Wingers Sintel Causer and Hone Karena were dangerous against a gobsmacked City Knights, scoring five and a hat-trick respectively, but it will be a different story against Takahiwai, who were victorious in their round one encounter against Portland 62-14.
Takahiwai have lost key players Dean Tuhoro and Kane Freeman offshore, along with Damien Murray who has retired, and Kopu Duvall. With eight new faces in the squad, coach Mark Freeman said it was like starting all over again.
But it is a strong side with talented youngsters who would combine well with the hub of last year's team, he said.
After both losing by massive margins last weekend, Portland and City Knights go head-to-head at Otangarei on Saturday.
The Bay Slayers meet Moerewa at home also on Saturday, after their impressive 60-34 win last weekend over Wairoa, while the Wairoa side travel to play the 2008 runner-ups Kaikohe at home, seeking redemption for their loss. All games kick off at 2.30pm.