The Eastern Bay men’s club rugby competition has a slightly different look in 2026.

After dominating in 2025, Ōpōtiki are testing themselves in the Baywide competition, while Tihirau Victory Club (TVC) from Whangaparāoa have joined the Eastern Bay competition.

They are joined in the premier division by Tāneatua, Poroporo, Te Teko, Whakatāne Marist, Rūātoki and Paroa.

The seven-team competition will be competitive with little separating most of the teams.

Paroa have a strong young squad and shape as the team to beat.

Coach Brett Wharewera said they had assembled a good squad with some new players and some experienced ones.

“I love our Eastern Bay competition, and the boys are definitely excited and feeling well prepared,” he said. “The Rose Bowl gave us a good platform to build on, but we know the Eastern Bay season will be another step up. The focus now is staying consistent, working hard for each other, and improving each week.”

As for key players, Wharewera has a team full of them, but some have really stood up in preseason.

“I can’t go past Kurt Baker, the ultimate leader for our team,” Wharewera said. “Ben Moir and Harley Turner have also had great preseasons. We’ve got some young forwards, Wairanaki Williams at lock and Jose Rika at flanker. And our backline is looking pretty exciting, too. I think Mason Raynes will be a kid to watch.”

Paroa host Rūātoki first up in a clash at Lawson Park.

Te Teko are coached by Don Te Maipi and Tui Mika this year and have assembled a solid squad.

Te Maipi said while preseason was tough, they were ready to go this weekend.

“We had two warm-up games and although they were a bit of a struggle, we’ve had good numbers.”

He said some key personnel had returned including Bailey Williams, Ruben and Cayless Chisholm, and Paraina Davies. Another player expected to add plenty to the team was Nephi Sanerive.

“Nephi will add a lot for us. He was outstanding in our game against Paroa.”

They also welcome loose forward Hato Paora, whose family have moved to the region.

Te Maipi said it was great seeing TVC involved this year.

“A few of the boys that used to play for us are playing for them, so it will certainly add to the banter when we play.”

Rūātoki have assembled a settled squad with one major acquisition this season in Beaudein Waaka, who be a key figure in guiding them around the paddock. His combination with Nelly Wera-Cook will be exciting.

Jacob Wera-Cook has also moved from Paroa to the small rural side.

Coach Mark Pouwhare said they hoped to provide some stern challenges.

“We are looking okay for the year. We only have one team this year, so we should have good numbers. We have a young backline with some speed out wide. We have Beaudin Waaka back playing for us, so someone like him with his experience is going to be exciting for the players around him.”

Pouwhare is looking forward to having TVC involved.

“I think it will be great for our competition. A new team adds excitement, and they are the East Coast champs, so they aren’t going to be easy, especially down there.”

Tāneatua coach Mark Camburn is hoping to be competitive this season.

“We’ve had good numbers at training but still establishing who will hold some key positions,” he said.

“Young players such as Cade Coxon and Kai Moses, among others, have been stepping up the last couple of weeks.”

He said TVC would bring a different perspective.

“EBOP teams play a particular style, and they will play slightly differently, which will be something players have to adjust to. It is exciting to have them join the competition and great that we could cater for them considering the difficulties and uncertainty with State Highway 35.”

Whakatāne Marist have assembled a solid squad, coached by Hamuera Hudson and Matt Te Pou.

They lost some players to Whakare-warewa and Ōpōtiki who wanted to play at a higher level, but overall Hudson said they were happy with their squad.

While he’s taken on the coaching role, Hudson will still be a key figure on the field, as will veteran Steve Mapu.

“The coaching will be something a bit new and will challenge me, but I’m excited by it,” Hudson said.

They face Tāneatua first up in what should be an entertaining battle.

Poroporo are another team who have a new coach this year with Christian Kora taking the helm.

Raymond Phillips and Dylan Maui are captaining a side that has plenty of numbers.

Kora said they were heading in the right direction following a busy preseason.

“The games went as expected. We knew the first two games, Matatā and Waikite, would be rocky having implemented big changes two weeks prior to the first preseason game.

“Having an even amount of new and experienced players mixing and mingling was a good challenge and the boys performed well,” he said.

“Not often do we get the pleasure of playing Waikite; we were also privileged to host Ngongotahā and Kahukura to a three-way match at home last weekend.”

Kora said they enjoyed the experience of playing the Central Bay sides and felt it put them in good shape ahead of their opener against Te Teko this weekend at Poroporo.

In the senior reserve grade, Te Teko were close to pulling their B team but have found enough players and will face Poroporo, who will want to start the season in style.

Edgecumbe have lost a few players but also welcome some new faces and hope to be competitive as they look forward to celebrating their centenary in August.

Craig Sinkinson said their goal was to play some good rugby.

“We just want to be competitive and enjoy ourselves.”

They played Papamoa in a preseason game and despite getting beaten, showed some positive signs.

Paroa B will again be solid and should have reasonable numbers, while Waimana were strong last year and much of the same can be expected from them this year, including some attractive running rugby.

Matatā will be competitive and have set themselves the goal of winning the senior reserve competition again. They’ve gained a couple of players, while also losing a couple but should be a challenging outfit under the astute guidance of George Playle.

Waimana have the bye first up, while Paroa B host Rūātoki B, Poroporo B face Te Teko B and Edgecumbe battle Matatā.