The Datsuns are represented in the Beecroft Cherrybrook team!

Hi folks

I wanted to post my congratulations to David for making the Beecroft Cherrybrook team to tour Australia next year.  He's been a strong member of the Datsuns all year and I know I speak on behalf of you all when we wish him all the best as he goes on to represent Pakuranga United on behalf of our team.

Awesome stuff David!!!

To those boys that trialled and missed out, keep your heads up.  You all must have been very close to making the team, and I know that a couple of you will have only just missed out on a spot.  The best thing you can do is to keep working hard, keep improving, keep learning and keep doing your best for the Datsuns and, who knows, you may get a shot at a rep team some time in the future.

See you at training Thursday!

Paul

PS The ARU draw has been amended and we now have an extra scheduled game for 30 August at home v Waiheke.  That should be a great way to finish off the season and will be a measure to see how far we've come.

Medals and Pakuranga U9s tournament

Hi folks

Two things:

Medals

We will be providing medals to the boys to commemorate their first season together as the Datsuns!  They cost $6.50 (which is a special Club discounted price) and are awesome for the boys to receive at prizegiving to remember their season with.

Can I please get the money for these (exact change please as I'm unlikely to hold any and would rather not find change for 10 folks!) by training on Thursday week (ie the 21st).

Pak U9s tournament

The end of season tournament on the 31st of August is being run by our Club for our grade (ie U9 restricted grade 10 a side).  They've costed it at $120 per team which covers the cost of a sausage, drink and players medal for each player.  They're guaranteeing a minimum of 3 games on the day of 10mins each way (15mins each way for finals).

Given the cost I will only enter the team if we can get 12 players (ie $10 per player).  We can get these numbers if we get enough Datsuns as there are a couple of players from other teams looking for a game as their team isn't entering.  Please let me know by Saturday at the latest if you're interested in playing in the tournament as I need to get back to the organisers to confirm, or otherwise, our participation.

Any questions please drop me a line!

Cheers

Paul

PRE GAME NOTES 16th August 2014: AWAY vs College Rifles Bullets

Hi folks

We're AWAY at Shore Road Reserve 2B vs College Rifles Bullets.  We're meeting at the cricket nets at Lloyd Elsmore Park at 9am for a 9:10am sharp departure.

I intend to go via the motorway >Greenlane off ramp> Ascot Ave> Orakei Road>  Shore Road to make it easy to follow for those that need to car train there.  Here's a map to the ground:

http://www.wises.co.nz/l/shore+road/

If you're going direct to the ground please confirm with me so I know not to wait for you at Lloyd Elsmore.

We have raffle ticket money due back on Saturday, it can be dropped off directly at the rugby club on Saturday (or during the day tomorrow) or I can help you get the money there if needs be.

See you tonight and on Saturday morning!

Paul

go... go... Datsuns... GO!!!

PRE GAME NOTES 9 August 2014: HOME v Eden Gold

Hi folks

Tomorrow's game is at Elm Park 1a vs Eden Gold.  Meeting time is 9:40am.

Here's looking forward to building on last week's great work and getting to sing the victory song this week!

See you tomorrow.

Paul

PRE GAME NOTES: 26th July 2014 HOME vs Suburbs Cougars

Hi folks

Better late than never, but honestly, better early than late, so apologies for the late posting.

We're at HOME on Elm Park 1a vs Suburbs Cougars.  We'll meet at the ground at 9:40am ready to play some Datsuns' footy!

See you there.

Paul

PS Don't forget to get your raffle ticket money in.  It can be deposited at the rugby club shop between 8am and 1pm.

PPS To any of you trialling for the Cherry Brook team, best of luck at the pre trial practice on Sunday.

PRE GAME NOTES: 19th July 2014 AWAY vs Papatoetoe Mustangs

Hi folks

Just to confirm the details of my earlier email:

Meet AT THE GROUND ie Papatoetoe at 9:40am ready to go.  The grounds are easy enough to find as they're at the sports complex on the Manukau side of Hunter's Plaza on Great South Road.  The entrance to the rugby club is around the back of the sports complex (ie on the opposite side of the park from Great South Road).

See the map on this link.

It's been a month since we sang the victory song so lets have everyone come along ready to play some strong footy and put the Papatoetoe team ON THE GROUND!!!

See you Saturday!

go... go... Datsuns GO!!!

PRE GAME NOTES 5 July 2014: GAME CANCELLED

UPDATE: The Club has just confirmed ALL rugby U11s down has been cancelled by the ARU for tomorrow due to the state of the fields (curse you rain, you make the grass grow, you make mud, you kill the grass - make up you blimmin' mind!).

Soo, have a GREAT SCHOOL HOLIDAYS!!! I'm away so we will not have a practice on the middle Thursday, our next practice will be Thursday 17th July, our next game AWAY vs Papatoetoe.

Hold fire folks.  This game is currently listed as CANCELLED on the fixtures website.  NZ Rugby draws website.  All games listed for this round are listed as cancelled, with only games at College Rifles ground being listed as on (they have an artificial surface), so it may be rain has destroyed all the grounds for this round.  Let's hope not!

I'll update here as soon as more details come to hand.

If the game goes ahead it was scheduled for Elm Park at a 9:40am meet time vs College Rifle Sappers.

Team photos Tuesday!

Hi folks

Don't forget we have team photos on Tuesday 1st July at 7pm, down at the PURC clubrooms.  As everyone will have their jerseys from the weekend's Prem Honour Guard, please make sure you bring them along for the photo.

If you can't make it for any reason, and haven't already contacted me, please let me know tomorrow, otherwise I'll see you all there.

Cheers,

Paul

PRE GAME NOTES: HOME vs Ponsonby City

Hi folks

A big day tomorrow.  A game at home on field 2B vs Ponsonby City.  We've got 9 players tomorrow (fingers crossed you're better Joshua!) so a big game will be needed from everyone!  Meet at the field at 9:40am ready to go.

After that we've got our team lunch at the Club for all those who can make it.  There is footy on at 1pm, plus the Club are putting on some activities for the afternoon's focal point (see below).  It should make for a nice slow build in to the day's climax:

Cheering the Ranga on to the field!  Just a reminder that all the players can hold on to their jerseys for this week so they can be in Club colours as we cheer the Prems on to Bell Park (we gather at 2:30) for a huge game.  The Club are putting on a bouncy castle, are creating some face painting masterpieces (I'm guessing Dulux 40 seasons in green and orange - that's what I'd do!) and there is even mention of slushies!!!

Let's hope the weather gets what it needs to get done in short order tonight and the day dawn's beautiful and dry ready for a big day at the Pak Rugby Club.

go... go... Datsuns... GO!!!

TRAINING IS ON! 26 June 2014

Confirming that the grounds are open and training is on tonight.

Hope to see you all there!

Paul

PRE GAME NOTES 21 June 2014: AWAY vs Carlton Green

Hi folks

Confirming our game this Saturday is AWAY at May Road Reserve 1A (aka War Memorial Park) vs Carlton Green.  As we've played at this ground previously, can we all meet AT THE GROUND (ie May Road Reserve) at 9:40am.  Clink on the link below for a map:

May Road Reserve / War Memorial Park

As we've had to cancel training this week, please, please, please make an effort to be at the ground on time so all the boys are changed and ready to warm up by 9:40am.  We'll need the full time to ensure the lads get their heads focused and ready to go.

See you all there.

Paul

go... Go... DATSUNS GO!!!

Training cancelled tonight!!! (19 June)

Rain, rain, go away
We, the Datsuns, want to PLAY
Come again another day
Preferrably Saturday afternoons to Wednesdays.

TEAM LUNCH / PREMIER HONOUR GUARD 28th June 2014

Hi folks

The Premiers are again fighting to make the finals of the Alan McEvoy Shield - the top trophy in Auckland Club rugby - and have asked for our help!!!

On the 28th of June the Premiers play against University at home on Bell Park and have asked if we could join in and form an honour guard for the team as they run out on to the field in their quest for Club glory! Kick off for these games is usually 2:45pm so I suspect we'd be needed at around 2:30pm.

That weekend we have a home game against Ponsonby City at Lloyd Elsmore Park 2B.  As we haven't had a team get together yet, it looks like a fantastic opportunity to play a game, have a team post game nosh up at the Club, and then get out and cheer the Mighty Ranga on to Bell Park as part of the Guard of Honour!

Usually the Club ask that the players wear their Club Jerseys so that there is a sea of green and orange for the Prems as they run out, so for that week the team can take their own jersey home.

We'll get more details in the next week or so, so please have a think and let me know who is keen for the lunch.  Irrespective, we'll definitely get out and support the Prems and show how loud Datsuns can be!!!

PRE GAME NOTES 14 June 2014: HOME vs Carlton Gold

Hi de ho campers!

This week we're at HOME vs Carlton Gold, but we've got a venue change to Elm Park 1a.  We'll meet at 9:40am ready to go.

For those that don't know, Elm Park is on Gossamer Drive next to Elm Park School (on the left hand side driving away from the Pakuranga Highway).  The full season draw is now up on NZ Rugby Draws.  If you look through, we have home games at both Elm Park and Lloyd Elsmore over the rest of the season.

See you all there!

go.... go.... Datsuns... GO!!!

COACHING SPOT: Cleaning out at the ruck

Hi folks

Here is a short coaching site video from Rugby Coaching Drills on cleaning out at the ruck where the first player to the ruck is cleaning out by themselves.  It has some great tips on body position (ie nice and low, then, using your legs, drive the opposition player off the ball!), and even has an exercise tip at the start to help get better and stronger when cleaning out!:

Ruck clean out drill courtesy of Rugby Coaching Drills

Here is some footage of the Chiefs v Blues pre season game from 14 February this year.  Having watched the 'duck and clean' technique video above, watch for how the players will use this technique while binding on to their teammates as they get to the breakdown.

As you watch, see how cleaning out at the ruck leads to tries for the teams (the second try is a great example where a clean out leads to a big gap for the Chiefs to score - it looks a little like our last try vs the Hoops!):

2014 pre season Chiefs v Blues 14 February 2014

In the second try (from 0:32), notice:

 - how the first two/three players to the ruck bind on as they get to the ruck (ie not binding together a long way out from the ruck), get nice and low, then use leg drive to clean out the Blues players (at 0:38);

 - the next player plays half back and passes the ball (at 0:41);

 - there is a player standing to the side of the ruck (and behind the ball so the pass can go backwards, and who has his hands up ready to take the pass!); and

 - the pass and the runner means the Chiefs have a big space to run into, rather than running into a whole team of Blues players waiting to tackle them, and sets up a try.

Try cleaning out your Mum or Dad or your big brother / sister a couple of times a week!  Make sure you ask them first.... and tell 'em it's for the Datsuns!

go... go... Datsuns... GO!!!

PRE GAME NOTES 7 June 2014: AWAY vs Waitemata Titans (and sneaky post game review vs Ponsonby Hoops)

Hi folks

Our game this week is AWAY to the Waitemata Titans at Waitemata Park 3B.

We will be meeting at the carpark opposite the cricket nets in Lloyd Elsmore Park (same spot as last away game) at 8:50am looking to leave by 9am SHARP (or sooner if we're all there in time).  If you are not able to make it on time, please let me know as we won't wait!

A map to the ground can be found here:

http://www.aucklandrugby.co.nz/Club/Waitemata.aspx

The Titans were a bunch of mythological Greek giants that became the first pantheon of Greek Gods.  They were overthrown by a younger team of Greek Gods.  A little known fact is the main reason the Titans were defeated was that the younger Gods were all driving DATSUNS!!!  You can't deny history - lets see if we can sing our victory song this weekend!

As for the POST GAME REVIEW of our match against Ponsonby Hoops last weekend, it looks like it was the day for the Ponsonby Club as they managed to sneak a last gasp win against our mighty RANGA Premiers.  Still, the Hoops only managed to score 3 tries in total against us (a fantastic defensive effort!), and with only a little more extra time we might have managed to sneak a draw.  The Datsuns worked hard, drove hard and finished the stronger side.  This week gives us a chance to put some learned lessons into play!

See you all tomorrow and go... go... DATSUNS GO!!!!
And as we'll be saying tomorrow night go... go... ALL BLACKS GO!!!

Fundraising can be... erm... fun raising money for our Club and team!!

Hi folks

We're in fundraising mode for the Rugby Club, and it's time to do yourselves a favor and get some bulk rolls of cling film, baking paper, tin foil and wipes.

Here is a link to the Club's forms page - the 'Gladwrap Order Form' link has a document that shows the products and can be used for placing your order:

Pak rugby forms - select the 'Gladwrap Order Form' link

We've had these rolls ourselves in the house, and it's definitely convenient not having to worry about finding you've just run out of these half way through your cooking / baking.  As an idea of how much wrap this is, we wrap school lunches daily in cling wrap along with stuff that goes into the fridge and it takes us about 18 months to go through a roll.

Plus, this year, the Club are giving us $3 per roll sold ($1 per pack of wipes) to go towards an end of season function for the Datsuns.

These are value for money, and if you use these things regularly you can save money:

Example - Select baking paper 15m roll from a major supermarket chain rhyming with fountown is $6 = $48 for 120m (which is the length of the fundraising roll) for a saving of $18.

Sure, it takes a while to use, but it doesn't go off, and if it's something you use you get decent value in the long run, as well as helping out the Club and getting the Datsuns a some sweet, end of season party pingas (tm).

The orders are placed at the Club's merchandise shop from 8am - 1pm on Saturday.  Orders must be made before 4th July and the product is expected to be delivered 11th July.

If you have any questions please let me know.  If you can, please help the Club, help yourselves, and help out the Datsuns end of season!

PRE GAME NOTES 31st May 2014: HOME vs Ponsonby Hoops

Hi folks

The good news is our draw is already up for the next two weeks!

The BETTER news is that we have a home game this week!!

THE BEST news is that our home game is being played at HOME!!!

So we will be playing Ponsonby Hoops at Lloyd Elsmore Park on field 2B.  I'm not 100% sure which field 2B is, but I suspect it is the field on the hockey stadium side of the rugby club, right next to the secondary car park.  The grounds are all labelled so hopefully it won't be too difficult to find.

We will commence warm ups at 9:45am, so please make sure you're at the ground in time to get changed and ready to go.  I expect this game will require a significant step up from our games so far if we want to stay competitive, so we'll need to make sure we're properly prepared.

Summary:

Where:  Lloyd Elsmore Park 2B
When: 9:45am
Against: Ponsonby Hoops

COACHING SPOT - The Tackle

Hi de ho Datsuns

I'm going to try to put in interesting videos every now and then to give all you Datsuns machines extra tune up opportunities - or to put it another way - to work on things away from the training nights that you can put into practice at training and during games.

First up, we always need to work on our tackle technique.  If the All Blacks work on their tackle technique (which they do) then so can Datsuns!  Here is a video and a small bit of reading courtesy of 'The Coaching Toolbox' demonstrating awesome tackle technique. Think about each step in the tackle and how you are able to improve your tackling ability to get our opposition ON THE GROUND!!!  Also, from now on I will also answer to "Phil".

http://www.coachingtoolbox.co.nz/rugbysmart/tackling/

Pak Great Whites vs Datsuns: POST GAME WRAP

Home and away, closer each day.  That is to say, playing away at Lloyd Elsmore is obviously closer than playing at home in Mt Roskill... anyhow, I digress.

The Datsuns this week showed that they have more than just one gear (ie fast) - their second gear is faster.  A wonderful game of rugby was played on Saturday, but in the end, the Datsuns were able to pull out the victory song again this week, with a final result of 15 - 4.  A scoreline like that might suggest that our opposition are on a steep learning curve - and to an extent that is true - but given we played them four weeks ago (for a 7 - 4 win) we have a basis for comparison.  The reality is the Great Whites had improved in a lot of areas from the team they were when we played a month ago, the difference is that the Datsuns have developed a great deal as well in that time.

We had some stand out performances on Saturday, but the most notable was the improvement of everyone in the team.  It isn't unfair to say that six or seven of our players had their best games of the season, and the rest didn't miss their best by much.  Our backs did most of the scoring with Kodi, Tyreese, Jaimee, David and Ryeden all adding to the tally, although the forwards added some ink with Alexis (if Julian Savea is the "Bus", does that make Alexis the "Mini-bus"?).  The best and most impressive thing about the tries we scored is that we got to score them because our forwards were doing an outstanding job of cleaning out the opposition.  So on behalf of the try scorers (and coaches and supporters), I'd like to say a MASSIVE thank you to Joshua, Adam, Sam, Jorden and John for ALL lifting their games this week and making life tough for our opponents.

A few highlights from the game:

 - David's seven tries are a new team record for a game, and came in a number of ways and many times off the back of the team efforts (with the odd one out of his bag of tricks).  It wouldn't be fair though to forget a couple of try saving cover defence tackles which helped keep snuff out some of their best scoring chances.

 - Adam's barn storming run down the middle of the park.  It looks like that's becoming his signature move, although I suspect some huge tackles and ruck clean outs may be coming to a game near you soon!

 - Jorden attacking the line and coming up just short.  You showed improvement this week Jorden - keep working hard and getting involved and those short hard runs will turn into long hard runs!

 - John played his best game of the season.  He was a defensive beast creating chaos and cutting down the opposition here, there and everywhere.  Keep up the outstanding effort John!

 - Alexis continued to be a destructive menace at the tackle and ruck, making a number of his trademark surging runs out of the break down area.  His 126m run for one of the last (or the last?) score of the match showed he can do it on both sides of the ball.  126m is the official estimate and no correspondence will be entered into.

 - Joshua is one of the politest boys you could ever meet.  Fortunately we're slowly getting some angry into him that he takes into the dark places forwards inhabit.  He's learning that he can still be polite while he's knocking oppostion forwards out of the way and made some really effective plays on Saturday.  Keep up the great effort Joshua and helping out your team!

 - Kodi aka "the Flash".  I'm still not sure if the world didn't turn on to x2 speed for that blistering, arcing run down the left touch line for his debut try of the season.  A great chasing game and some big tackles from our speed machine.

 - Tyreese aka "the Calculator" aka "Calc" aka "Rowdy" did what he does best with a number of strong, hard runs straight up the field and a number of strong, hard tackles to knock over his opponents.

 - Ryeden continues to develop his game, and Saturday saw it go to another level.  His accurate kicking from restarts (well chased by the Datsuns to make full use of the kicks), a well taken try and his passing made for a strong all round game from our pivot.  Ryeden's pass to put away David for one of his try's was a stand out highlight from the match.

 - Jaimee is talking more on the field to his team mates, and he's communicating using only his shoulders and the ground with our opposition.  Always working hard on defense and running hard on attack with another brace of tries, he had another strong game on Saturday.  Great work Jaimee!

 - Sam had a career best game on Saturday.  His work to get to the breakdown always meant our opposition had limited options, he had a number of tackle assists and even managed a strong run.  The highlight though had to be his kick chasing - despite being outside of the top few in the team for speed, he showed that determination means a lot, often getting to the ball in the first couple of players in the team.  Keep up the effort Sammy!

 - The Datsuns.  Keep improving that way lads and we're going to be a headache for a lot of the teams we play the rest of the season.  See you all at practice on Thursday! (on time, eh coach).

Game summary:

Pak Great Whites 4 - Datsuns 15
Tries to: Alexis (3), Kodi, Tyreese, Jaimee (2), David (7), Ryeden
Player of the day:  David
Tackler of the day: Jaimee
Sportsperson of the day: Sam

go... go... Datsuns... GO!!!

PRE GAME NOTES 24th May 2014: AWAY (but HOME) vs Pakuranga Great Whites

Hi folks

It's been a dodgy week for coach so apologies for the lack of updates and information.

Our game is ON this morning on Lloyd Elsmore Park field 1B (the same field we played the Great Whites last time, next to the hockey fields).  Please be at the ground, ready to go, at 9:45am.

I'll be coaching U5s from around 8:30 so if you need to get hold of me this morning please do so before then otherwise I'm unlikely to have my phone on me until around 9:30am.

See you all soon, and go... go.. DATSUNS GO!

Paul

PRE GAME NOTES 17th May 2014: HOME (but AWAY) v Waitakere Rangers

Hi folks

Our first home game is going to be played AWAY at May Road Reserve vs Waitakere Rangers.

For all games played away from our home grounds, we will meet at the car parks beside the cricket nets in Lloyd Elsmore Park (about 50m away from the Howick Historic Village turn into the PURC club rooms).

We will meet at 9:05am at the cricket nets , intending to leave at 9:15am sharp (or earlier if everyone is there earlier).  Please make sure you text or phone (no email) if you are going to be later than 9:15am as we won't wait - we need to make sure the boys are able to be properly prepared for the game, and parking at May Road is at a premium so we'll likely end up with a short walk to the ground.

I will be on the PURC fields from 8:15am as I help coach my youngest son's U5s team, so if I don't answer my phone immediately it is because I'm turning 4 year olds into rugby playing behemoths.  If you do need to contact me, please try to do so by 8:15am, or again from about 9am - or you can try and find me on the 'sandpit' area at the rugby club.

Here's looking forward to another great day for the Datsuns (and I'll make sure, if we're so lucky, that we rock out our victory song/chant).

go... go... Datsuns... GO!!!

Waiheke vs Datsuns Game 1 POST GAME WRAP

With 21 people and one ghost, the trip to Waiheke was as much about the team as it was about the rugby.  It was a great day out and I'd like to thank all the Waiheke parents and team for their wonderful hosting, and to thank all our own parents for looking out for the lads and keeping them (mostly) on the straight and narrow during our sea voyage!

As for the match:

After the Waiheke pre game tactic of making most of their opposition run over the biggest hill in the area to tire them out, our boys looked to be more energized than tuckered.  We started the game extremely well with a series of hard drives off the ruck to power up field and get the initial score in the match.  Feeling like this rugby lark was pretty straight forward, we soon learned that playing a team having their first match of the season meant they'd take some time to warm up.  About 30 seconds as it turned out.  A decent length kickoff was caught by someone we can only assume to be Jeff Wilsons second cousin, who then set off on a huge, arcing run, around the Datsun's defence, and over for a try to level it up.  Game on!

As it turned out, we had no need to worry ourselves, as the Datsuns machine kicked back into gear and kept putting the Waiheke lads on the ground, driving them off the ball, and running hard, straight and looking for support.  The final score of 9 - 2 (official) or 10 - 2 (unofficial "Calculator" tally) showed that the Datsuns will be a tough nut for our opposition to crack in the upcoming games.

For the forwards, John, Alexis, Sam and Joshua were always hunting around the breakdown, with Alexis driving up the guts a number of times, with his forward-y cohorts there to back him up.  We got pinged a couple of times for playing the ball off our feet and for not entering the ruck correctly and for that I'm sure Richie McCaw himself would be proud, although coach notes that we're going to work on that.  Our utility men of Adam and Jorden both aquitted themselves admirably whilst in their forwards stint. Adam made a breakout play that lead to an offload and consequent try, whilst Jorden put his body on the line and got his first war wound doing his best for the Datsuns and getting us the pill!

The backs were el fuego (spanish for 'on fire'), with all the boys putting in big and important tackles in defence, stopping the white jersey'd tide, and running hard when in possession of the ball and always looking for good options to offload to their support.  Ryeden and David were the engine room for the simple, direct Datsuns game plan.  Jaimee and Tyreese both set the standard for their season with stand out performances, both highlighted by hard, straight running, hard running support, hard tackling and generally being hard Datsuns rugby players!

Well done, Datsuns!  Let's try and keep the season rolling just the same next weekend!  Although with all the chocolate and biscuits and icecreams and lollies and sausages you boys put away after the game and on the ferry trip back home you'd better have been running 5km runs every night since!

Game summary:
Waiheke 2 - Datsuns 9 / 10
Tries to: Alexis (2), Ryedyn, Jaimee (2), Tyreese (4)
Player of the day: Tyreese
Tackler of the day: Jaimee
Sportsperson of the day: Jorden

go... go.. Datsuns.. GO!

Victory chant: It's not Shakespeare, but it'll do the job

Now we're in the regular season proper, it's time we sorted out a victory chant if we're lucky enough to get over the line against our opponents, so:

Datsuns, Datsuns, we are driven,
Datsuns, Datsuns, that's a given,
Datsuns, Datsuns, always bring it,
Datsuns, Datsuns, hear us sing it!

Others tried to put us down,
So we put them ON THE GROUND!
We are fast and young and keen
The greatest EVER rugby team!

(quietly) go.. go.. Datsuns, go..
go.. go.. Datsuns, go
(getting louder) Go.. Go.. Datsuns, GO
GO! GO! DATSUNS GO!
goooooooooOOOOOOOOO DATSUNS!!!

Let's hope we get a chance to hear this soon and often!

Waiheke trip details - UPDATED 9/5/14 at 10am

UPDATE:  Travelling numbers are now confirmed and booked.
UPDATE:  Final schedule now confirmed

Here are the current, up to date details of the Waiheke trip:

7:40am Meet at the Sealink ferry terminal, Half Moon Bay.

8:00am Ferry departs Half Moon Bay - team pre game meeting en route.

9:00am Arrive at Waiheke.  Waiheke team parents to collect us and deliver us to the ground.

9:20ish - 10:35am-ish. Get stuck in, tackle, regain feet, drive, steal pill, fend, weave, achieve victory and other ancilliary team goals before cutting and running to the ferry.  The prize giving will be held on the ferry on the return trip.

11:00am  Ferry departs Waiheke
This differs from the Club email as we have had a chat with the Waiheke folks.  This remains subject to final confirmation but is when we're planning to leave and we're able to manage the game so we finish in time to make the 11:00am sailing.

12:00pm Victory/hard luck dance on the docks at Half Moon Bay.

Costs:

Adult $23 return
Child $14 return
Transport to Onetangi Sports Ground provided by Waiheke parents. (AWESOME!).

The fee for the entire team and entourage needs to be paid in one lump sum at the Ferry ticket office, so can you please arrange to have the correct cash available to make this as easy as possible on the morning.

Anyone requiring change will be charged a fee of the exact amount of their change and it will be applied to the Datsuns' team post game chocolate fund.

PRE GAME NOTES 10th May 2014: The first overseas trip for the Datsuns!

Hi folks

The ARU have posted the draw for the first round of games here (from the "Grade" list, select "Under 9 Restricted" then hit the "Go" button and the draw should appear) and (assuming there are no updates - which does happen from time to time) we're off on a seafaring adventure to the wilds of Waiheke Island!

First:

Then:

Then:

...erm... I mean then:

I've done this trip before, a couple of years ago, and for those who haven't had the chance yet, it's an awesome, awesome trip and a lot of fun for the team and families!  I'll get the details together and post them so we know how, where, when and some other answers to 'w' questions.

Our game is scheduled for 10:15am, and checking the sailing times it looks most likely we'll need to catch the 8am sailing, but again I'll confirm those details with the rugby club in the morning.

If you have any questions let me know, and we'll see you all at training!

Cheers

Paul

Datsuns vs Pak Great Whites POST GAME WRAP

The sun shone down warm and bright, the cold and wind held off for another week, and the Datsuns played their first full pre season game - and played with some style!

We showed we will be a team that can score tries!  We ran out three debutants - and each and everyone of them showed that they help make the Datsuns better.  Well done Adam, Joshua and Jorden - you all put in tackles - some of them really important as the opposition were threatening to break out - and you were always working hard in support.  Keep working hard and improving like that each week and you'll all be hard tackling, hard running machines before too long!

John, Sam and Alexis were all work horses out there, making sure they were always sniffing around the tackle area, offering support, and starting to clear out those pesky opposition players so the good guys retain the ball, and leaving a lot of sweat out on the paddock.  Kodi was always putting pressure on the opposition from kickoffs, chasing the ball hard and generally making a menace of himself at breakdowns.  Well done guys!

Our try scorers for the day were Ryeden, Tyreese, David and Jamie.  When you ran, you all ran hard and (mostly) straight - and you knew when to pin your ears back for the corner, or when to change pace and step.  More importantly, you were all making big tackles, chasing down the opposition when they had the ball and putting pressure on them, and getting stuck in at the rucks and mauls.  Keep up the hard work fellas - a great game from you all.

Our work on's for training this week will be our passing and how we operate at the breakdown.  For passing we'll be working on speeding up our hands so we pass better, and how to draw and pass.  For the breakdown, we'll work on learning what we need to do when the ball is on the ground, and how to get hold of the ball so we can have Datsuns charging on down the field, ball in hand, and looking to score some tries!

Finally, thank you to Simon for diving in the deep end and reffing your first game (ever!) for the Datsuns. Also thanks to Colin for managing the subs and keeping the boys rolling on the field.  And as always a big thanks to all the parents for supporting the team whether it's helping out on a tackle bag or chucking out cones or dragging water bottles around - every little bit helps and and it is really appreciated.

See you all at training on Thursday - until then....

go... go... DATSUNS GO!!!

Cheers

Paul

Hold on.. not quite.. how 'bout this one?:

Much better!  Looking tough and fast.

PRE GAME NOTES 3rd May 2014

Hi folks

We are playing at the Pakuranga Rugby Club this Saturday on field 1a vs Pakuranga Great Whites.

Please make sure you're at the field READY TO GO at 9:30am.

We need to get through our warm ups and give the forwards and backs a chance to work through some of their game tasks and need the whole team there together to do this effectively.  This will be the first time our players have played without a coach on the field so the pre game warm up is vitally important - as it will be every week.

Here's looking forward to a fantastic morning of Datsuns rugby!

go.. go.. Datsuns GO!!!

Cheers

Paul

Welcome!

Welcome to the blog of the U9 Datsuns rugby team, playing out of Pakuranga United Rugby Club (GO THE RANGA!).

Here is where we update our season, post notices and generally go nuts about everything Datsuns. :-)

go... go... Datsuns GO!