By GRAHAM REDDAWAY
Otahuhu's new coaching team, Peter Leavai and Patrick Masani, might lack experience at the top level, but they are confident they can start their Gallaher Shield campaign against Suburbs on a winning note today.
Otahuhu were runners-up to Ponsonby last season after successive championship wins.
But instead of
staying with incumbent coach Trevor Snookes, the club chose to start afresh and Leavai and Masani are well aware they will be under extreme pressure to deliver victories.
Suburbs have been less affected by early-season absentees than Otahuhu, who are missing experienced props Kisi Puli and Alani Maka, who are playing in France, Keven Mealamu with the Chiefs and big lock Bradley Mika, who is with the Crusaders.
The Suburbs tight five of Malcolm Holm, Boris Stankovich, Tamato Leupolu, Tom Curtis and Bryce Williams are a formidable force and coach Mark Birtwistle is certain to play to their strengths.
But Birtwistle is hardly likely to neglect the speed and experience of the Suburbs backline. In the three Blues club competition match so far played by Suburbs, the westerners have scored 30 tries in beating Waipu 88-0, North Harbour champions North Shore 28-21 and the Far North 90 Milers 73-0.
Otahuhu's loose forward trio of Robbie Aumatagi, Gareth Palamo and Luke Mealamu, who has returned from Counties, give strength to their defence, but they will have to be in top form against Masili Manu, Eroni Clarke and the brilliant young fullback Sefulu Gaugau.
The match, at Avondale Racecourse, also doubles as a quarter-final in the Blues club competition.
Champions Ponsonby have their first outing in defence of their title on Monday when they travel to play promoted Papatoetoe.
Ponsonby have lost lock Jason Chandler, who has retired, and their skipper, Bevan Leckner, to the United States, but have a strong line-up with the rest of last season's team back in action.
Among Papatoetoe's gains are loose forwards Ronnie Patea, from Roskill Districts, and Pat Vanikolo and Peter Tietie, from Marist.
Grammar Carlton kick off with a difficult job keeping in check Waitemata's speedy backline.
Marist have demonstrated their readiness for the season with an unbeaten run in three Blues club matches. They meet a Waitakere City side who went down narrowly last weekend to Takapuna.
