By Angus Hayman

Craig Morrison arrived at Riverview and wasn’t too fussed about last year’s premiership as he is chasing something else.

Not just to win games, but to build a rugby program capable of consistently competing across every age group, every season.

Now, after opening the GPS season with a thrilling 33-31 victory over Shore, Morrison’s Riverview side faces another major examination when it travels to face Joeys this weekend.

The new Riverview coach came across from St Augustine’s, where he helped transform the rugby program into one of the strongest in the NSW’s schoolboy rugby landscape, and said the attraction of coaching at Riverview was impossible to ignore.

“The rugby culture and the history at Riverview is incredible and it’s exciting to be a part of it,” Morrison told Rugby News.

“It’s been a prominent rugby school for decades and that’s the reason why I came here. I wanted to try to have an impact at a school like this.”

While Riverview claimed the GPS premiership last season, Morrison said his focus is on building long-term consistency rather than relying on one strong generation.

“The challenge for us now is to consistently be challenging for and winning titles across all age groups and competitions every season,” he said.

That challenge will be tested quickly against a Joey’s side desperate to bounce back after suffering a heartbreaking 32-31 defeat to Kings after the full-time siren in round one.

Joeys led for large periods of that clash before Kings snatched victory late, meaning the home side entered Saturday highly motivated.

Riverview, meanwhile, survived a shootout of their own against Shore.

The premiers looked dangerous whenever they shifted the ball wide, with fullback Jack Plamondon starring with a hat-trick in the 33-31 win.

Plamondon repeatedly inserted himself around the ball and finished off several attacking movements, including the late match-winning try.

“Jack Plamondon was moved from wing to fullback after finishing last year as the leading try scorer,” Morrison said.

“He’s a real athlete.”

Riverview’s attack showed plenty of promise in round one, particularly through their outside backs. Taj Scarr also impressed in open space as Riverview played with the width and tempo Morrison has been encouraging since arriving at the school.

“We’ll try and play plenty of rugby,” Morrison said.

“We’re not big humans compared to other schools, so I think we need to be skilful, agile, fast and smart.

“We’re trying to play a consistent style across all our teams where we look for space and attack it when we find it.”

But while Riverview impressed with ball in hand, there were still moments Shore exposed through direct forward play and strong set piece pressure. 

The visitors will also need to contain Joey’s fullback Julian Minto, who wasn’t at his brilliant best in round 1 but, you know he won’t be shut down two weeks in a row. 

Morrison acknowledged that as always, Joeys would again be among the competition’s heavyweights.

“Joeys are always in the mix and they finished second last year so they’ll be tough,” he said.

With such a short GPS season, early momentum is crucial.

A second straight win for Riverview would reinforce the belief that the premiers can again challenge despite losing key players from last year’s title-winning squad.

More importantly for Morrison, it would be another step towards creating the consistency he believes defines the strongest rugby programs.