The expansion to having two teams at the club for the first time in 11 years has not changed the mission parameters for JJ Walters Asphalt Marton in the WRFU Senior Championship.

An influx of talent from Steelform Whanganui captain Dane Whale on down, including a number of players from the Manawatu competition and returning locals from the WRFU’s Metro clubs, has seen a predominately new squad raised to compete in Tasman Tanning Premier.

But beneath them is a steady Senior team, coached by Glenn Weitenburg for his sophomore season, and they made a strong start on Saturday with a 12-7 win in the Pa against Rātana Seniors in the wettest of the conditions for the three derby games at the ground.

Even as the official ‘B’ team of the club now, Weitenburg feels they can improve on 2023’s 5-6 record, where they won their last four games to finish two points shy of eighth spot, which under this season’s format is a quarterfinal berth.

“It was important to make a good start, because if we promise previous years trends, we know it’s going to finish strong.

“Our squad has pretty much stayed the same, probably lost a couple of guys that have gone up, but to be fair that’s it.

“If anything, we may have a stronger squad, because of Premier things are happening.

“The biggest challenge is finding how it all sits [between the teams].”

Key men are veteran forwards like skipper Mark Jones, Afano Tuika and Andy Walker, who scored both tries against Rātana, along with centre Jake Karaynidis from the club’s last Premier era.

Promise is expected from the likes of first-five Mathew Ihaaka as well as youngsters Montahi Rakatairi and David Mulipola.

Weitenburg feels this weekend’s home game against the Forest 360 Marist Knights will be the true test of their current strength, with the new-look Knights finishing fifth last year and tipped to be  bolters in 2024.

Of the teams that did make the 2023 Top 4 playoffs, Gemini Pepper Construction Kaierau will be
thoughtful on their trip to meet Kelso Hunterville after a very narrow 11-5 home win over the Border
Seniors.

Having gone to Cooks Gardens for the first time in this competition last year, 2023’s runnersup Utiku Old Boys will be feeling confident on their second away game to meet Black Bull Liquor Pirates, after a tough but comfortable 32-14 win over McCrea Scanning Counties.

By Jared Smith

Week 2 Senior draw, Saturday April 20, 1pm kickoffs unless noted (times subject to change):

Hunterville v Kaierau, Hunterville Domain (2pm)
Counties v Ruapehu, Macnab Domain (2pm)
Border v Ratana, Dallison Park
Marton v Marist Knights, Marton Park
Pirates v Utiku, Spriggens Park
Marist Celtic v Taihape, City College