The Central Coast Rugby Union season kicks off on Saturday, April 5, with eight teams set to play in Premier 1 following the amalgamation of the Gosford and Kariong clubs.
The newly amalgamated club will be known as the Mountain Devils and will field teams in the Premier 1, Premier 2, President’s Cup and Women’s competitions.
The team will be coached by ex-Wallaby Peter Kay, who comes to the club with a huge reputation.
He played one test for the Wallabies, and also played prop for 20 years in the Sydney Shute Shield Premier competition.
Kay played against England in 1988, and also played 12 games for the NSW Waratahs.
The Mountain Devils play their first game at home, at the Gosford Showground, against Woy Woy on April 5 in the WLG Premier 1 competition.
They have been training for quite a while and have had two quite good trial matches – but it all comes to a head on Saturday.
Like Gosford and Kariong last year, Woy Woy also had a very tough year in 2024 and are hoping to turn things around this year.
A huge amount of effort has been put into this off season and Woy Woy will be primed ready to go this Saturday with new head coach Stu Formston ensuring the team is fit for this first game of the season.
The Lakes and The Bay will also play as the one club this year, although still maintaining their own identities.
They will meet Lake Macquarie at Walters Park, Boolaroo, on Saturday.
The Premier 1 team will be coached by Paul Wilson and Iliesa Cama.
Lake Macquarie are at home and this is a huge plus for them but coach Neil McDonald will have prepared them for the many unknowns surrounding their newly merged opposition.
The Match of the Day on April 5 will see the Razorbacks meeting Avoca Beach at Ourimbah Rugby Park in what should prove an exciting clash.
These two teams were finalists last year and two of the dominant teams throughout the season.
The Razorbacks are at home which is a huge plus in any opening round match and this may be the only difference between these two teams.
Head coach for the Razorbacks is Nick Meyer, while Brett Cunningham will be the 1st XV coach.
The Avoca Beach coaching team comprises Mitch Magrath, Mitch Jacobs and Fionn Henderson.
In the fourth game of the opening round, home team Terrigal will take on visitors Warnervale at The Haven.
Both teams have some changes in their coaching staff this year.
Terrigal will be coached by Jonathon Bell, an experienced coach who has been at the helm of the Terrigal 1st XV for several years.
Warnervale will have 1st XV Coach Mathew Piukala in charge this year.
Terrigal are the reigning Premiers and will be keen to repeat the dose this year but Warnervale could well cause a hiccup to their plans on Saturday.
All teams will be keen to get on the paddock as they aim to reach Grand Final Day on August 30.
Saturday will also see the commencement of the Central Coast Women’s 12s competition, which will once again be 12-a-side rugby. There will be eight teams playing this year.
Be the first to comment on "Rugby season kicks off on Saturday"