WAIKATO: LAST YEAR’S SEMI-FINALISTS Waikato celebrate 100 years as a union in 2021, and what better way to commemorate this feat than by winning the NPC Premiership title. New head coach Ross Filipo would dearly love to mark his debut season with something special. “What an exciting challenge for me as a young coach. It is a significant place the union is moving into this year. I want to make sure the 100 years that have gone beforehand are recognised and acknowledged in the right way. “Obviously for us as a team, the best way we can do that is to have the best season out on the field and try to play finals footy, with the ultimate goal to win the Premiership.” The Mooloos have a well-balanced squad with some fine, young talent rubbing shoulders with Waikato legend Liam Messam. Filipo says the 37-year-old’s playing record speaks for itself. “He is committed to maintaining the highest standards he can. Our young men in the group get to see real life professionalism in front of their eyes. Having guys like him in our environment is critical. It is another pathway for us as coaches to help players accelerate their learning.” Another veteran, loosie Adam Thomson, has moved into a coaching role with the team; he is in charge of the lineouts. At the younger end of the scale, there is talent to burn with prop Ollie Norris and blindside flanker Samipeni Finau, who both made an impact for the Chiefs this year. “Ollie played exceptionally well for the Chiefs and has gone from strength to strength every
FLETCHER SMITH makes a clean break against Tasman.
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