Ohakune Raetihi rugby plans

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 630, 2 April 1996, Page 16

Ohakune Raetihi rugby plans

Ohakune Karioi and Raetihi rugby clubs have this year elected to form combined sides to hopefully compete in the premier and senior first competition. Following is a release from the clubs, prepared by Karl Christensen, explaining the situation: The clubs have formed a joint steering committee comprised of seven elected members. Their job is to liaise between the clubs' committees and monitor the running of the combined sides.

Selection of the teams will be decided during the first three domestic rounds. The selectors are Lachlan Harding and Brett Journeaux. The joint committee will also decide on the coach for the "A" team after the third game. The third game selection policy will allow the coach and players three weeks to ready themselves for the combined competition. The two coaches in the running for the top job are Noel Akapita and Wayne Te Huia, who are the current Ohakune Karioi and Raetihi coaches respectively. We must stress the importance of those players not initially selected for the "A" team to stay and compete in the senior first competition which has a promotion relegation round with the top team going up to the Premiers and the bottom team of the Premier being relegated to senior first. The coach of the A team will also have the right to move players to and from the "A" team as he sees fit. This season will be a stressful one for both clubs and possibly the forerunner to full amalgamation. Footnote: The top three teams from the Wanganui Rangitikei competition and the top two from northern automatically qualify for the premier competition and one other team will be selected by the Wanganui management/ fixture committee to fill the 6th place in the premier competition.