The Bull Sharks have returned from the bye with fresh legs, full lungs and a renewed sense of purpose—because the business end of the season starts now.
All three top-grade sides notched wins in their last outings against Sunnybank, but there’s no complacency creeping in.
The coaches all agree, Sunnybank on their own deck are not to be taken lightly.
Colts 1 lost before the bye and have had two weeks to mull over the lapse in focus that allowed Brothers to claim an upset victory.
The Premier Men managed to maintain the rage for a season defining three game block before the bye. They need to ensure the grit that pushed them back into the top four remains a permanent feature of their game.
And the Premier Women want to keep winning and hang on to the top two spot to launch their bid for a fourth consecutive premiership.
There’s also movement at the selection table this week, with several key players returning from injury or representative duty—just in time to fuel the final charge.
Premier Men
Bull Sharks won 52-20
How it was won
We started poorly and it was 12-5 but then the game turned, we scored a try and then scored again off the kick off and then we scored just before half time, we had scored three tries in the space of about five minutes. And then when we scored directly after half time it put the game to bed.
The opposition
They have been an awkward side to play against for most teams. They have had close losses to Easts, they ran Brothers close, so they have been really pushing some pretty good teams. They are athletic and have some gifted players there, but probably their discipline lets them down at times.
Shuffling the magnets
We get George Blake back from the First Nations and Pasifika squad which is great. He played really well for us against Souths.
We are still finding it hard to get our wingers on the park. Hamish Roberts and Deon Evans-Ao Leifi are still under injury clouds.
The challenge
We have to be disciplined and patient. You have to do all the basics right, that’s the way to beat these guys. If you try to play Sunnybank at their own game, they are good enough to hurt you.
The final word
We really set ourselves for the block of games before the bye and we achieved what we set out to do which has put us back in the top four. But sometimes, when you have a week off and you’ve been playing well, you can forget how hard you had to work to make that happen. So, we have got to reset, and maintain that intensity for these last three games.
With Mick Heenan
Colts 1
Last time we met
Bull Sharks won 50-19
We were only up by one try at half time, we stuck to our plan to play deep territory. They weren’t great in terms of their kicking or ability to exit. And they made mistakes in the second half. They were knocking it on, they kicked poorly and that's all we needed.
The opposition
We probably just caught them off guard a little bit last time because they are actually a good side and they had been going quite well up until they played us. We knew that and I think our mental approach to the game was really good and we dealt with them really well. They're the sort of team that quite happily keep playing. They have got dangerous outside backs and they do pretty well looking after the ball.
The focus
It will be the same sort of approach. If anything, we probably need to be a bit more physical because we haven't been in the last couple weeks. So that will be our mindset this weekend.
The Challenge
With these boys, at stages we are seeing a bit of complacency, especially when they have been doing pretty well. It happened before the bye when we lost to Brothers. We are still scoring a lot of points, but when we are conceding that many, that's reflection of your mindset in attitude. That is something we have worked on adjusting these past few days.
Shuffling the magnets
We expect Jonah Rangiwai back from the U20s World Cup. It will be great to get the big Ox out onto the field and that will lift the boys too, they will be pretty excited he’s back.
We might have a change at 8 too. Harry Ole started the season strongly before picking up an injury and he’s been working his way back to full fitness in Colts 2. He’s pretty close I think and it would be good to get a look at him because he’s physical and we need a bit of that.
The final word
It has been a tough week on the track. I have just noticed the boys have been heavy breathing a little bit the past few games, in particular the Souths game. So, we just wanted to hit the lungs a bit and then focus on the rugby the next few weeks. So, we’ve done a bit of running and some body weight stuff just to tune them up.
With Rico Gear
Premier Women
Bull Sharks won 51-19
How it was won
We didn’t play that well to be honest, and we were lucky to win. The Sunnybank side were right in that game.
The opposition
We are in a better place in terms of leadership than we were when we faced them earlier in the season. We were getting wins on our skills and ability, but not really playing the style of game we were training for and that we’ll need in big finals. So, they were shallow wins. But the girls have worked really hard on lifting the standards and that has shown through in the past few weeks.
The focus
We really want to really focus on our discipline in the lead up to the finals. So our senior leaders like Paris have a big role to play.
The challenge
They have really improved their kicking game since we last met them. We are expecting them to try and kick the ball long and play the game in our 22m.
Shuffling the magnets
There will be widespread changes this week. Zoa Hanna won’t play and we lose seven of our up and coming young players to an Aussie youth camp. But I’m confident we will have the depth.
Ones to watch
Ava Wereta comes into number 12, and Lucy Dinnen at No.10 will be important.
With Lawrence Faifua