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Onewhero will look to celebrate their big day this weekend with a crucial McNamara Cup win over Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega in the Counties Power Game of the Week.

The southern-most premier club will celebrate their centenary, which actually came up last year during the COVID lockdown, with a day of festivities up the hill.

Junior rugby, a pre-season U85 match, luncheon, speeches and live music into the night will be a great occasion while their premier side squares-off with long-time rivals Pukekohe from 2.45pm.

Both sides dropped their first round matches prior to the Easter break. Onewhero went down to Karaka at Karaka Sports Complex while Pukekohe were bettered by neighbours Patumahoe.

“The boys were amazing – we were short of numbers in the first week and we had to make some changes to positions,” coach Paolo Bernadi said

“Even though we were down by 20 points at halftime the boys were able to work hard and get a bonus point.”

Those numbers are looking better this week although there are a couple of positions that are a little worrying.

“We are probably a bit short in the front row this week and we lost a couple of our outside backs – one to the judiciary and one to injury,” Bernadi explained.

“We have got a bit more help though so we should be OK.”

He has noticed a real bounce in the step of his players heading into such a big occasion.

“They have elevated their commitment. I have noticed a lift in intensity at training especially from the leadership group. They have been taking charge more at training.

“They want to make sure we bring our best to the game this week to celebrate 100 years of our club’s history.

“We just want to get out onto the field and concentrate on playing well. That is what the boys are focussed on.”

The match will be livestreamed on the Counties Manukau Rugby Facebook page and on Counties Sports Hub’s Facebook page.

Weymouth will host their first premier match in a number of seasons when they tackle Karaka at Laurie Gibbons Field.

In other matches Manurewa Kidd Contracting hosts Waiuku Land & Sea Civil at Mountfort Park, Bombay Super Freight travels up the motorway to face Papakura Thirsty Liquor at Massey Park and Patumahoe Troydon Patumahoe Hotel is at home to Ardmore Marist South Auckland Motors.