Rays Keep Eys On Real Prize   25 Aug 2015

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Rays Keep Eys On Real Prize

Counties Manukau Stingrays coach Rod Ratu remains philosophical, when looking back on his team’s 2014 NZRL Premiership campaign.

Probably the form team throughout the competition, the South Aucklanders scored more points than their rivals, conceded less and had their noses ahead in a three-way countback for regular-season honours, finishing with a 5-1 record.

But in the days leading up to the grand final, Ratu saw his efforts turn to dust, as both the Stingrays and Akarana Falcons were ruled to have fielded ineligible players and lost their spots in the title showdown.

That has to cut any coach to the core, but as he approaches his second stint at the helm, Ratu finds plenty of positives among the debris.

Counties Manukau get their 2015 premiership account under way against Wai-Coa-Bay Stallions on Sunday, the feature match of a season-opening tripleheader at Papakura’s Massey Park.

“We achieve probably 99% of our objectives last season,” reflects Ratu. “The other 1%, we had no control over.

“We re-established the label and brought a bit of essence back into the Stingrays jersey. We found boys who wanted to play for the zone, first and foremost.

“Probably 70-80% of them were debutants, young boys still involved with the NYC programme, combined with some steady old boys.”

Ratu was proud of those that stepped up from Sharman Cup, the Auckland Rugby League second tier, to compete at national level.

He was satisfied that his side had produced an attractive brand of football that realised an average of 50 points a game.

But perhaps the best indication of the Stingrays’ success, ironically, is the number of players that have not returned this season.

“About 70% of our players have moved on to what I’d consider bigger and better things.

“Some are playing NYC or NSW Cup, some have gone overseas, but they’re playing at a higher level and that’s a great measure of our success.”

Some, like top tryscorer Eko Malu and 2014 Fox Memorial Player of the Year Dion Snell, have simply shifted to stronger clubs within the ARL competition and will likely line up for the Akarana Falcons against their old team this season.

But Ratu, the NZ 18s coach, still has plenty of young (and old) talent to choose from and nurture within his catchment.

Two of his age-group charges - Mangere East prop Ezra Tuli and Manurewa Marlins wing/fullback Rory Marshall-Barton - seem destined to make their premiership debuts this weekend.

Tuli was Most Valuable Player of the national trial in Rotorua and was already proven himself against older, more experienced men in the country’s toughest club competition.

This is the changing face of the national competition, which has become a chance for youngsters, already blessed with the athleticism and skill to succeed, to learn the tricks of their trade from more seasoned campaigners.

Ratu sees his opponents this week in the same light, albeit spread across a much wider geographical area. Remember, the Stallions got their first taste of finals action, after the Stingrays and Falcons were relegated, so they'll be keen to return to the big stage.

"They have a big playing field there, from Waikato to Coastline, and certainly have the potential for a good team," says Ratu. "How they do that is the challenge.

"If they can pull together those boys, they will be very competitive."

2015 NZRL NATIONAL PREMIERSHIP

Triple Feature
Sunday, August 30
Massey Park, Papakura

11.30am
Akarana Falcons v Wellington Orcas
Referee — Adam Burns
Touch — Kena Waikai & Lance Bullen

1.15pm
Central Vipers v Northern Swords
Referee — Noel Woods
Touch — Jason Wilson & Lance Bullen

3pm
Counties Manukau Stingrays v Wai-Coa-Bay Stallions
Referee — Antz Akavai
Touch — Chris McMillan & Jason Wilson

ends

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