Nucleus of senior squad on board for another season
The nucleus of last year’s senior squad has returned for the upcoming season. As with most seasons, a couple of players have gone overseas or to other unions, however we have also welcomed back some old faces to the squad. The sideline faithful will also see a couple of new faces from out of town join the Red Machine this year.
Across the grades our players have been training since November, with many of them involved with the Marist St Pats 7’s programme. This has built really good vibe amongst the wider group with morale riding high.
Throughout the offseason our players have also been fortunate enough to work with former New Zealand rugby league and Samoa rugby union international turned personal trainer, Henry Fa’afili. His guidance and expertise have prepared our players with excellent fitness levels as the season approaches.
Premier coaches Ross Bond and Brendan Reidy will be pleased with what they have seen over the past three weekends with our senior squad enjoying a return to the Spillane preseason tournament where they won their two matches to take home the Ham Cumming Cup. Other preseason matches against 2013 Manawatu club champions Kia Toa and traditional rivals Petone have allowed the squad to further test combinations against quality opposition.
The club has also embraced a really positive young group who have arrived from Hawkes Bay with a number of players from the region involved with the Colts, joining a core number of players who represented MSP in the under 21 grade last season.
All in all it has been a positive offseason for players and coaches who are excited for their first regular season action against Norths at Porirua Park on 29 March. Go the Red Machine!
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