League: Clash of the titans in season opener

Ngongotaha will do battle with Pikiao in round one this weekend, a game all the players are looking forward to. Photo / Stephen Parker

Rotorua's two best rugby league clubs will meet in round one of the new Bay of Plenty Coastline premier competition.

Round one gets under way tomorrow across all three grades - premier, division one and reserve grade.

Perhaps the match of the round, in the premier grade, will be the Rotorua derby between defending Bay of Plenty District champions Pikiao and cross-town rivals Ngongotaha at Puketawhero Park.

New Ngongotaha coach Rob Kemp said most of the players knew each other, from both teams, and his players were really looking forward to the match.

"Not only that, but Pikiao are the reigning premiers and that is enough motivation to go out and put in a good effort."

He said they had been preparing well during the pre-season.

"It has been very good actually. We have had good numbers and good attitudes and that is about all you can ask for.

"The core of the group has stayed together and there are a lot of new faces this year and a lot of competition for spots. The boys are making it pretty hard for me to pick the top 17."

Unfortunately, Ngongotaha have lost their captain from last year Raureti Grace, who is playing for Pikiao this season.

Kemp said their goal this year was to make the semifinals. "The goal would be to make the top four and then it is anyone's from there."

Kemp said this was his first year coaching at senior premier level and he coached the Ngongotaha under-18 team last year. He has also had experience coaching age group sides in Australia.

In the other premier matches this weekend, heavyweights Pacific host Mangakino at Memorial Park in Tokoroa and Taupo host Otumoetai in a tough match at Hickling Park.

At the end of last year, and following months of consultation, it was decided senior teams from Coastline (Tauranga and Whakatane region) and the Bay of Plenty District (Taupo, Rotorua and Tokoroa region) would combine to establish the new Bay of Plenty Coastline competitions.

Kemp said it was great for rugby league in the region to have the Otumoetai Eels joining the premier competition this year. "They have got a big catchment to choose their players from so they should be a good side. But I guess they have got that unknown tag attached to them." Kemp said he was looking forward to playing a game under the new lights at Puketawhero Park this year.

Bay of Plenty Coastline draw tomorrow

Premier (games start at 2.30pm): Pikiao v Ngongotaha, Puketawhero Park; Pacific v Mangakino, Memorial Park; Taupo v Otumoetai, Hickling Park.

Division One (1pm): Putauaki v Whakatane, Tarawera Park; Putaruru v Tauhara, Glenshea Park; Papamoa v Forestland, Gordon Spratt Reserve.

Reserve grade (12.45pm): Pikiao v Central, Puketawhero Park; Pacific v Reporoa, Memorial Park; Taupo v Otumoetai, Hickling Park.