WAIKATO

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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COACH: ROSS FILIPO CO-CAPTAINS: AYDEN JOHNSTONE, FLETCHER SMITH HOME GROUND: FMG STADIUM WAIKATO, HAMILTON WEBSITE: www.mooloo.co.nz EMAIL: admin@mooloo.co.nz TICKETS: www.flicket.co.nz ADDRESS:

PO BOX 9507, HAMILTON

PHONE: 07 839 5675 TAB ODDS: WAIKATO $8.00

week. The more games he has had, the better he has become,” says Filipo. “Samipeni, exactly the same. These guys are now maturing into really good and significant leaders in our group. “The maturity levels of this team have been raised a lot since last season. It is exciting to see the evolution of our players over the course of 12 months.” Filipo says midfielder Quinn Tupaea, 22, who made his All Blacks debut against Tonga this year, is an inspiration to all the younger players coming through the union’s development system. “He did a fantastic job working on his game and has been rewarded. A lot of our other young men can see there is a clear pathway if they really commit to development and challenge themselves.” All top rugby sides have a quality first-five driving the team around the park. In Waikato’s case that man is Fletcher Smith.

The 26-year-old somehow missed a Super Rugby contract this year but has been outstanding for Waikato since moving north from Otago in 2018. A big season from him could well have those centenary wine corks popping at the end of the NPC.

QUINN TUPAEA was a star for Waikato in 2020.

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