Zingari-Richmond flying high

• Published date: 19 April 2024
• Publication title: Sports Tab

Zingari-Richmond are having some sort of start to the season to lay their stake in the ground as the ones to watch this year

The Colours have reversed their fortunes from previous seasons, where they nestled at the bottom of the table, to win their opening three games of the club season.

It has been a remarkable turnaround for the club, and there is a real buzz among its loyal support base.

Coach William Hola has blended his troops, who finished eighth last year, together nicely in his first year at the helm.

But it came down to the values, vision and culture the club wanted to create going forward.

“We put in a lot of hard work in the last couple of months as a club, and as a team, so I think our environment has been conducive and that’s just transferred over to the field,’’ Hola said.

“It’s been challenging, but one of the things we talk about as a team is trying to learn how to win again.’’

They sit second on the table, only just under Southern on points differential.

They have proven to come home with a wet sail, dominating the final quarter of games to sneak through.

That showed Zingari’s character and resilience — even if it had given Hola a couple of ‘‘heart attack’’ moments, he said.

Front-rower Hame Lauaki, who was lured south from Hawke’s Bay, has added great stability up front and already has two...