A new look and youthful Kings’ outfit learnt a few hard truths through the trial season but have come out the other end, a tougher and more resilient rugby side. 

Co-coach Hugh Perrett thinks his side has the most growth in them of any team in the GPS competition this year and seems confident his boys will be in the mix throughout the 2021 season. 

Overview with Hugh Perrett:

“We’re going well now and I think we’re building slowly. We played our best game of the season against Newington on the weekend. It’s still a work in progress and we’ve got plenty of improvement in us but I’m fairly confident it’ll come together,” Perrett told Rugby News. 

“We’ve got a young bunch of boys who are learning what first XV footy is all about. We didn’t set the world on fire through the trials and had a couple of disappointing results. Conceding 50 points against Joeys was really disappointing, the loss to Waverley also wasn’t great. 

“It’s a really young group, we’ve only got a few back from last year and it probably took them a little bit to understand the intensity of first XV rugby and the consistency needed to win at this level. 

“In saying that, we were able to turn it on at times and play some really good footy and our consistency is certainly improving. The intensity really lifted against Newington on the weekend. 

“We’re getting better, but we’re starting from a fair way back compared to some of the other schools. 

“The boys were really pumped after the weekend. Not only because they won but I also think they believed they played to a standard that they can be proud of and that was great to see. 

“Our tackle efficiency was one area we really struggled with early on, but that took a big step forward on the weekend. 

What style of rugby can we expect to see from your side this season?

“Hopefully a winning style, to be honest,” Perrett joked. 

“I think we’ll approach every school differently because there are a number of different styles played in this competition. 

“We’ll attack and play to our strengths and then defend based on what is put in front of us but we’ll do our homework on each school first to decide exactly how we want to play.

“I’d like to think we’re a big effort group and while everyone wants to play positive, attacking rugby, I’d say we want to win and we’ll find a way to try and do that in each game we play.”

2021 Squad:

“We’ve got a young group with only a few returning from last year but we’ve got some exciting young boys pushing through. 

“The boys are super keen and they were really disappointed with a few of the trial losses, so they’ve got the right mindset. I think they were probably a bit shocked by the standard of first XV footy early on, but they’ve got past that now.”

Players to watch:

“Toby Stewart has been going really well, he was man of the match against Newington and is a winger returning from last year,” the coach said. 

“Gus Staniforth is a young kid that is new to the school. He’s been playing halfback to cover an injury for us but his preferred position is fullback and we’ve got him back there now. He’s just a natural footy player and has come down from Bathurst. 

“Richard Penisini is still very young, he might be 16 now but he’s going well at No.8 and he’s starting to hit his straps. 

“Tyrese Lokeni in the centres, he’s still only 15 I think and he’s learning on the run but performing well at the same time. 

“Eddie Arnett has been struggling with a few injuries but we’re hoping he’ll be back for this weekend. He’ll stiffen up our midfield at No.13. He’s got a lot of potential but we’ve just got to keep him on the field. 

“Ben Dufficy is our No.10 and is new to the school. He comes from a rugby league background and has played a little but of rugby. His brother was at Kings a few years ago. He’s quite a smart footy player and is learning quickly.”

Bold prediction for the season ahead: 

“I hate to predict, particularly as a coach,” Perrett laughed. 

“I think Riverview are probably going in to the season as favourites. They’ll be closely followed by Scots and Joeys and I’d like to think we’ll be in the mix there.

“Newington and Shore will also perform and you’ll need to turn up to beat them. 

“If we continue to improve at the rate we are, I think we’ll challenge every team this year and if we can get a bit of luck along the way, then I think we can be in the mix at the end of the year.”