After four straight years of WRFU Senior competition playoffs appearances, the Tāmata Hauhā Rātana side is not lowering their goals now they are the second-tier squad of the club from the Pa.

The centenary season for Rātana is looking bright with the club having two men’s teams for the first time in over a decade - returning to Tasman Tanning Premier after the self-relegation of their sole squad in 2020.

The new Premier side can call on roughly 40 of the best players, while no less than 45 are registered or verbalised commitment to the 2024 Senior team under new coach Joshua Brown.

Originally from Wellington with his partner coming home to Rātana, Brown has taken over responsibility for developing player resources in the Senior group, with veteran player Raymond Lee-Mason the manager and club legend Isaac Fonotoe acting as team facilitator to keep things humming.

It was tough start against their fellow Rangitikei club who are in the same boat, narrowly losing 12-7 to JJ Walters Asphalt Marton at the Pa, but Rātana rebounded with a 22-10 win over Border at Dallison Park last Saturday.

Key for Brown is building the culture within his section of the club – the side consisting of many younger players coming home from other clubs, and some of the old guard who have answered the call to help get them seasoned.

“It’s been a huge success in itself, just having the Rātana team move into the Premiership,” he said.

“Bit of a journey and challenge in the timeframe – a bit of ‘yah’ and ‘nah’ [to play].

“There’s senior-Senior players, still moving around with their hearts in it, but the body’s been through the wars.”

With good training turnouts, an issue in seasons past, Brown is confident that by playing to their strengths, there are games they can target to be in the post-season once again.

“We really wanted to make a stamp that we’re not a made up, get-together team.

“We don’t take [the competition] lightly. We don’t look at ourselves as Senior B’s, we’re Premier Reserves.”

Helping guide the team are veteran players like first-five Bernard Matthews and forward Chubby Jaz Koro, both of whom played overseas.

Brown likes the prospects of Manaaki Hamahona, a former Whanganui age grade representative who played hooker at school, but is adapting to the blindside flanker role.

“He’s really grasping it and loving it.”

It will be a real test for the squad in the Pa this Saturday when they take on perennial competition
favourites Kelso Hunterville, in the battle of second vs fifth on the table.

By Jared Smith

The Senior draw, April 27 th , 1pm kickoffs unless noted (times subject to change):

Marist Knights vs Border, City College
Marist Celtic vs Counties, Spriggens Park
Utiku Old Boys vs Kaierau, Memorial Park
Ruapehu vs Pirates, Rochfort Park
Rātana vs Hunterville, Rātana Pa
Taihape vs Marton, Memorial Park