SHOWCASE ’23

Mako halfback returning after a couple of seasons at Renwick. His leadership, motivation and guidance will be invaluable.

The Magpies have also secured the services of brothers Monu Moli and Sekope Lopeti-Moli, both former outstanding MBC First XV players, who are on the fringe of NPC selection.

A group of talented MBC players will also front up, including loosie Charles Tupoutoa, midfielder Jake Pacey, a surname synonymous with Moutere rugby, winger Senetenari Ponesi, plus former college standouts Max Morris and Clyde Paewai.

Division two promises exciting fare

Renwick. They will play each other twice, with play expected to start on April 15, leading into semis on July 22 and a final on July 29. As was the case last year, with less players involved in premier play the standard in division two is expected to lift.

Division two proved a very popular grade last season, offering a more “grassroots” brand of rugby which attracted large numbers of supporters weekly to cheer on their favourites and support their traditional clubs.

First XV

The Marlborough Boys’ College

First XV face a reduced season when they kick off their Miles Toyota Championship campaign on May 12.

The annual competition has been revamped for 2023, the number of round-robin matches to be played reduced from 13 to nine. The competition has been split into premiership and championship sections, with 10 teams participating in each. Promotion/ relegation will take place at the end of the season. The Falcons will again be coached by Tonga Taumoefolau.

Love will show the way. Plenty is expected behind the scrum with players such as Tongan Sevens rep Kyren Taumoefolau, Karlos Tatauri, Corey Bovey and Gannon Karena to call on.

Moutere will go into the season as an untried combination, under the stewardship of coach Jeremy Clark.

The former Wellington Rugby Academy player has no illusions about the magnitude of the job ahead as the club tries to resurrect its flagship side.

“We have to deal with trying to grow a new culture,” said Jeremy.

“At the end of last season there was not much left of our senior club, so in some ways this is a rebirth.”

One of the more experienced operators the coaching team will call on is Ben Finau, the former

All three premier outfits will field a side in an eight-team Marlborough division two championship. The Motorworld Marlborough division two title will be contested by Waitohi, last year’s champions who beat Central at Endeavour Park in a thrilling wet-weather final last year, Moutere, Awatere, Pelorus, Marlborough Boys’ College Old Boys, Central, Scott Construction Harlequins and