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