The novelty is over now – they are two pure Tasman Tanning Premier teams fighting to make the playoffs as the second round of the competition gets underway on Saturday.

A lot of water has passed under and over the bridge in the month since the first Rangitikei derby game in Premier in over 10 years – when Marton held off Tāmata Hauhā Rātana 10-7 at the Pa.

The freshly recruited Marton team under coach Shane Ratima and including Steelform Whanganui incumbent skipper Dane Whale have been the surprise package of the competition, currently in fourth with a 2-1-2 record after a succession of games being won and lost in the last minutes.

Rātana (1-4) have had a harder transition back to the top grade, but are well aware in a six-team competition it just takes a couple of result reversals from the first round for them to secure a Top 4 slot to really magnify their 100 th anniversary season.

But that has to start right from Saturday at Marton Park, of which Ratima is well aware - pointing out his return to head coaching at the request of Whale has led to a few more grey hairs with all the tight finishes.

“Rātana, we’re not taking them lightly – to tip up Taihape a few weeks ago, and held Border to a lower total.

“We’ve got to own just what we need to do well.

“I’m pretty happy with the way things are tracking and one thing I’m confident about is we’re going to get better.

“There’s no lack of belief, we just lack the trust in each other and the process at vital times.”

With so many shift workers in the squad, Ratima and his able assistant Max Ramiroz also have a time getting continuity at training with not everyone available at once.

“I am quite enjoying the grass coaching, the stuff I don’t enjoy is chasing after people.

“I do that for a job and don’t want to do it for fun either.”

While Whale runs the plays, it is some of the unsung veterans who are working hard to keep things ticking over with a young squad of raw talent.

From the previous Premier era, lock Alex Mulipola commands respect.

“For a guy who went out and just levelled people on a week by week basis – he’s impressed me out ofsight with his tackle height,” said Ratima.

With Heartland rugby experience, midfielder Lote Telea Lote loves having his home club back in Premier,as doe his utility back brother Faleseu Talea Lote.

“I really see what they do - it’s not just play on the field, it’s the they conduct themselves around the
rest of the team.

With his speed and strength, live wire winger/halfback Dakuitoga Natuquata can’t stay out of the action – it was his two tries which had Marton leading second-placed Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau with time up last weekend, but also his wild attempt to kick the ball out that landed for them to steal the match with a try.

“It was unfortunate that everything good was done off what he created, but it put a stain on the good stuff,” said Ratima.

“People hang off him at their peril – he’s been doing it all first round.”

Rātana would love to get back the final few minutes of their opening game where they pounded Marton’s line and reserve back Cory Chant followed up an attacking kick to score, only to be pulled back by a earlier fumble.

“We had our moments with them out at Rātana,” said stalwart Cornell Mason, who is helping incumbent Whanganui flanker Jamie Hughes in his inaugural captain/coach role.

“There was opportunity, we could have won that game with a few penalties.”

“In games, the last 10-15 minutes, we tend to lose our puff a bit.

“We’re definitely going over there for points, if we want to have a shot at this competition.”

Having been part of successful McCarthy’s Transport Ruapehu and Byford’s Readimix Taihape teams in Premier, it has not been an easy adjustment for Hughes returning to his home club –  having to build the squad up to the top grade standard on the run.

“He’s been a real good asset for us,” said Mason.

“It’s there for the taking but those young boys just got to have confidence.

“Hopefully we let our backline alight. Anything’s possible.”

From halfback Kane Tamou to fullback Cody Hemi, and all in between including midfielders Mitai Hemi and Lafo Takiari, Rātana have plenty of representative level experience.

Being back in the more physically demanding Premier has also created a lot of attrition – Mason grateful they have two squads with the Tāmata Hauhā Rātana Brotherhood providing a lot of injury cover.

“We’ve gone through some players – we’ve been through 35-37 players.”

Mason also tips his hat to Whānau like John Ririnui and Akira Mako – City College old boys who left to seek their fortunes playing in Rotorua as part of the Bay of Plenty development programme – and have now returned home to the Pa.

“One hundred years, being back in Premier, it’s kaupapa – results will slowly come.”

In the other fixtures, Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist will look for both redemption and the Whanganui
Rugby Challenge Shield when they host Taihape at Spriggens Park – having just been stopped right on the tryline in their 24-17 loss at Memorial Park in the first round.

Kaierau will make what could be an intimidating trip to Dallison Park to meet Waverley Harvesting
Border in their top of the table clash, with the hosts expected to have trained very hard this week after their upset Shield loss to Taihape.

By Jared Smith
Photo Credit Marton Rugby & Sports Club

Tasman Tanning Premier Draw, May 18, 2:35pm kickoffs:

Border vs Kaierau, Dallison Park
Marton vs Ratana, Marton Park
Marist vs Taihape, Spriggens Park