Rugby: Ponies eye eighth title on trot

File photo / Paul Estcourt

The Auckland premier club rugby season kicks off today and, once again, the perennial question is who can stop Ponsonby?

There are 15 rounds of the Alan McEvoy Memorial Trophy to be played out before the Gallaher Shield play-offs, and Ponies are gunning for their eighth championship on the trot. Should they accomplish that feat, they would tie for the national club record.

But early indications are that the competition may be more even than it has been for some seasons.

Grammar-Carlton lost their recent stranglehold on the Waka Nathan Challenge Cup for pre-season competition. That title was taken last weekend by Pakuranga, 2010 Gallaher Shield semifinalists, who beat a resurgent Papatoetoe 20-17.

Papatoetoe are an interesting proposition, having gained a whole host of players from Otahuhu, including veteran lock and former Manu Samoa rep Sika Poching.

So Papatoetoe's clash with Otahuhu at Sturges Park today may just have some extra spice to it.

Pakuranga have assembled some sparky talent headed by utility back and former Auckland and NZ Sevens rep Jarek Goebel, not to mention speedster Jonah Tuitoga.

And Marist, after missing playoffs in 2010, have started 2011 by winning the second tier Pollard Cup, thanks to a 44-17 hiding of Waitemata last weekend.

The Gallaher Shield final is on August 13.