By Regan Harrison, AUT Journalism Student The Pakuranga Jaguars Rugby League Club’s Premier side have had a challenging start to their 2025 season with four losses in a row. Despite the slow start, the team’s morale is high in their first year after a major revamp, bringing in new coaches and players, specifically younger ones. The Jaguars, whose home ground is at Ti Rakau Park, have introduced a new head coach this season in Gary Kingi, who’d previously had a role within the team. They’re taking full advantage of this revamp and are implementing a new culture to the side, after finishing seventh in the Sharman Cup competition, winning three matches. “The culture of the team was a little bit lacklustre, so we did a big overhaul,” Kingi says. “That was probably the main goal. For example, connection was one of the goals they all came up with.” The Jaguars are confident in the talent within their squad, despite the tough start to the new season. Kingi says the team’s strengths are their speed, skill and mobility. But he acknowledges there’s still work to be done, particularly around decision-making and game awareness. “Just our team IQ, I think,” he says. “You know, we don’t have a lot of experience in our team. Lots of new young boys coming through.” Kingi says these areas of growth are all part of a long-term process, with the team focused on building toward a stronger finish this season. They’re aiming for the finals, and making real progress in 2026. Reflecting on the environment within the club’s senior sides, club manager Rawinia Mana says: “It’s great this year – they’ve had a bit of a turnaround. “Just with new and younger players coming in. There’s a different vibe around the seniors this year.” On another front, after a heartbreaking finals loss last year, the Jaguars under-18 girls side are confident in their 2025 campaign, despite a slow start and key player losses, with rep talent and injured players now returning. They face the Mangere East Hawks Rugby League Queenz this weekend, aiming to reignite their finals hopes and take control of their 2025 campaign after opening the season with one win from three matches. Rokeni Tofaeono, who manages the under-18 girls team, highlights the squad’s main focus areas and says low training numbers have made building team chemistry the biggest challenge. “We’ve got a good core of individuals. Combination – we need to build combination.” People keen to follow the club’s season can do so via its ‘Pakuranga Jaguars Rugby League’ Facebook page and they’re also keen to hear from potential new players. The club’s Premier side, who are currently in seventh position in the Sharman Cup, play the Glenora Bears away at Harold Moody Park at 2.30pm this Saturday, June 14.