The weather was rather fresh and it got pretty wet during the second half, so perhaps we should not read too much into some of the results.
But Green Island’s 18-10 win over Dunedin at Kettle Park and Zingari-Richmond’s 20-18 win over Harbour at Watson Park suggest the competition is going to be awfully tight this season.
Taieri edged University 27-26 at Peter Johnstone Park thanks to a late penalty from Highlanders back-up first five Cameron Millar.
And Alhambra-Union were more competitive than their 38-7 loss to Southern at Bathgate Park indicates. Their set piece held up pretty well.
AU host Kaikorai tomorrow. The Demons had a bye in the opening round.
Perhaps the most notable observation from the first week is the progress Zingari-Richmond have made.
They have a big forward pack, which was perfectly suited to the conditions they struck against Harbour at Watson Park.
They had a big pack last year as well but struggled out wide. They look more organised in that department so far.
The Colours host Taieri this weekend. It is Past Players Day at the club, so it should be a good occasion at Montecillo.
They will be without veteran No 8 Mika Mafi. He injured his shoulder in the opening exchanges and is unlikely to be spotted until the second round gets under way in May.
Another player who will not be seen until deep in the season is massive prop Israel Otunuku. He has embraced an opportunity to play in Portugal but is expected back in June.
Long-serving Harbour manager Grant Innes is set to bring up 500 games for the premiers this season. All going well, he will reach the milestone on May 25 when the Hawks host University.
There are a couple of points to note here.
Firstly, it is his 27th season as manager of the Hawks, which is an extraordinary effort. He has tried to retire before. In 2017, when he brought up 400 games, he told the Otago Daily Times he would retire at the end of the year.
That did not happen. He is still on the bags and still talking about retiring. We’ll believe it when it happens, Grant.
And secondly, he was manager of University A for 58 games back in the 1990s, so bringing up 500 against his old club will add another layer of meaning.
