REALITY CHECK: HOBM reflect on their first-up Jubilee Cup loss last week.
History is against Hutt Old Boys Marist winning the Jubilee Cup, but new coach Justin Wilson thinks a loss in the first round is just the wake up the team needs.
Both times the club has won the Swindale Shield, as it did again this year, they have failed to maintain that form and also become Jubilee Cup winners.
A new club record could be set, and Wilson thinks his team has a good chance of being crowned Wellington club rugby champions.
“We’ve got a great mix of youth and experience and the atmosphere in the team is really good,” says Wilson, who is in his first season as premier coach.
A feature of the side is the talented backline including younger players such as Brandon Laursen, Glen Walters and Taleta Tupuola who are mixed in with the experience of 100-game veterans Captain Nick Risdon and Alexis Time.
Walters was a standout in the Swindale Shield, topping the individual points scoring in the competition with 117 points.
“It’s about the guys understanding that when you’re at the front of the line, there’s always somebody wanting to get in front of you. I think that pressure is a good thing, so hopefully the boys stand up to achieve the final goal,” says Wilson.
The first round of the Jubilee Cup competition last week saw HOBM unable to continue their impressive run of form in a tough and physical contest, losing to Marist St Pats 28-11.
Coach Wilson remains positive after the loss, and says it will make his team even more determined to live up to expectations and make the top four in the Jubilee Cup competition.
“We’ve done really well to get to where we are, but today is a reality check,” he said immediately after the loss.
“Hopefully it will make the guys work a little bit harder at training this week and in the upcoming games,” says Wilson.
HOBM last won the Jubilee Cup in 2007 and has made the top four twice since then.
Wilson says the team set themselves some pretty hefty goals at the start of the season so most of the pressure to perform is coming from belief within the squad.
“We’ve worked hard to achieve high standards so far this season, and this round is no different.”
“If we’re accurate and executing our game than I think we will make it to the top four,” says Wilson.
The opportunity to play finals rugby is the goal as according to Wilson “anything can happen from there.”
HOBM plays Petone at 3pm on Saturday at Hutt Recreation Ground in the second round of the Jubilee Cup and Hurricanes team member Jeremy Thrush will be back in the squad.