Eastman Warriors preparing for decisive homestand

After an uncharacteristic start to the season, the Eastman Warriors have battled back to their winning ways in advance of a three-game August homestand.

The team defeated the then-undefeated Winnipeg Assassins squad in a 48-45 barn-burner July 16, setting the team back on track in the Premier division.

The Warriors are the league’s two-time defending champions, going undefeated the last two seasons, but stumbled out of the gate, dropping their first three games of the season.

With star back and reigning senior player of the year Jale Kaukirewa playing in B.C. this year, the Warriors have transitioned from a high-flying back/winger driven attack, to a more balanced approach, with the team’s forwards playing a much bigger role compared to previous years.

Coach Darian Brown said the team’s change in style has taken some getting used to by the players.

“Each year your team is going to have a different look to it,” Brown said,.

“We were definitely backs driven over the last few years… I think especially in the first couple games, we were very rushed in our ball play and not just taking our time. We’ve got good, solid forwards, let’s just take our time, recycle the ball… pound them with our forwards.”

The Assassins have continued their upward trajectory, after appearing in the finals last year, they’re off to the best start of any team in the division.

“If you were to graph your year, you want to see that graph continually going on the incline,” Brown said.

“Whatever that day of that championship game is, that’s our end goal. We’re continually climbing to that last step.”

The Premier division playoffs have re-structured this year, where the four teams will play a double-elimination bracket.

Eastman’s win over the Assassins was all the more impressive, as the team only had two substitutes to work with that night.

“I’d say besides the two championship games, (we had) probably one of the best games I’ve seen our team play,” Brown said, praising the team for a heroic final stand to win the game on defense.

“Especially from a grit point of view. It was just ‘don’t give up.’”

With the Wasps vastly improving this year as well, this is the most parity the Premier Division of Manitoba Rugby has seen since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eastman’s homestand kicks off Aug. 7 as they take on the Wasps.

The Assassins and Warriors are starting a new tradition this year, where the winner of the regular season series takes home a “Spirit Shield” trophy. That will be on the line at A.D. Penner Aug. 14.

The club’s new women’s team is set to play an exhibition match Aug. 2 in Winnipeg.