Round 6 - Changing the Narrative

I was going to write you a full preview today but stuff it. This is my newsletter so I'm allowed to just talk about my Poua.

Long time readers will have been with me on this journey. Seeing our franchise limp out the gate at the launch of Aupiki. Seeing new faces churn through the team sheet and coaching lineup. Seeing talent emerge and then promptly move elsewhere. We have waited five seasons to be where we are now. In the conversation heading into the final next week.

At the beginning of this week, I reached out to the Hurricanes because I wanted to talk to the man who has triggered the Poua rise. This morning, I sat down with Poua head coach, Hayden Triggs to talk about how he and his team are "changing the narrative."

"I did a bit of Moneyball" is how Triggs puts it, when he speaks about assembling his Poua squad this season. With the turnover high and much of the talent pool already committed elsewhere, Triggs turned to statistics to reveal the diamonds in the rough.

Top carriers and top tacklers from across the FPC were on his radar. Those that were high on rugby IQ but low on exposure. Triggs took advantage of his position in the New Zealand U20 camps to build a connection with emerging talent. From here he assembled this group of battlers and believers, introducing them to their theme for the season. Togther, they were going to 'shock the system'.

"Our coaching group came in with some pretty outlandish ideas." admits Triggs "As we got through things, got some reps in, we knew we had to tailor it to the profile of our team."

With twenty Aupiki debutantes this season, Triggs and his team had their work cut out for them. Getting a feel for his new team took a couple of rounds to get right. A opening blow out to the Blues was followed by an agonising three point loss to Matatū.

"The set piece wasn't ideal." says Triggs, understated as ever. "If you don't have set piece, attack is pointless."

The Poua had lost 16 of their line outs in the opening two rounds. While their scrum saw their number eight scrambling to peel before it went too far backwards. The team wasn't meeting the standard they had set for themselves. They needed to find a fix, and fast.

"If I'm going to ask players and coaches to look in the mirror, I'm the first person doing it."

Laying the challenge down to his group, Triggs also reviewed their coaching systems. Ensuring structure of the week, sessions and messaging was having the desired impact. That's the gift of Aupiki this season though. While the competition is still short, the weeks are now long.

Having the squad assembled full time is a game changer for the franchise. The Poua have always had the fewest contracted Black Ferns meaning that up until now, most of their squad were burning the candle at both ends.

"Being a part of their partial week structure last year was actually mind blowing." says Triggs "If I use Te Rau (Te Rauoriwa Gapper), right? She used to fly back to Christchurch with her kids and family, run the household and then we expect them to perform on Saturday."

In that setting, it was tough to ask a player for more. When many were already pushing themselves and their whānau to the limit. Triggs is conscious of the demands that have been made on the veterans of his team. Part of getting this franchise back on track has been honouring their sacrifice.

"I'm a player-driven coach, players come first." explains Triggs "With Iri (Iritana Hohaia) and what she's done for this team, what she's endured more importantly, I wanted to respect that."

That meant raising eyebrows and naming last year's World Cup halfback at fullback instead. Injuries cut this experiment short but made sure that Hohaia was still on the roster and match fit, ready to step back into pivot for her team. Her chemistry with bestie Renee Holmes at 10, just one of the many flashes of brilliance this season.

Tomorrow, they'll play Manawa at home at Maidstone Park. A victory there will keep their hopes alive. If Matatū win their match too, the Poua will be headed to Christchurch for their first finals appearance in the franchise's history.

Triggs said wanted to change the narrative but if it all goes well, he will start to control the narrative too.

"As a club, we are fixated on the now but also aware of the future." he explains "We're already working hard around succession in particular but I want some of my elite players back."

It's no secret that there are plenty of players across the Aupiki competition who call this part of the country home. Looking beyond this season, that's the impact Triggs and his team want to have. Creating a programme that is a magnet for those that want to level up.

"I want to create something where they can get better—and feel connected to this place again."

That's Triggs' vision for his Poua. To play for their people, play for each other. Play for the future of the game.

With you,

Alice

PS. If you live in Wellington, I expect to see you sideline as we #PACKTHEPARK
Kick off is 12.20pm and entry is free at Maidstone Park