Silverware is in the eye of the Tigers after last season's grand finalists aim to take the next step in the men's statewide competition.
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The Launceston Rugby Club's season opener will be a real test of those credentials as they travel to Devonport to face the reigning premiers at the Bulls' home ground.
The Bulls claimed the Tasmanian Rugby premiership division grand final with a comfortable 39-27 victory.
The Tigers have brought back a settled squad from their grand final run last year with several of their players, including Isaac Anderson, Joe Brady, Callum Lyall, Tom Kendell, Robbie Peters, TJ Pieters, John Dunbar, Iese Alatimu, Tom Scarfe, Simione Tokomaata and Fineasi Palei all featured in the Northern representative side in the North v South series.
Our number one and really, our only goal is to actually win the trophy
- Callum Lyall on Launceston's ambitions for the season
Launceston halfback Pieters was named best on ground in the opening game.
There will be a familiar face drawing up the plays this season for the Tigers with Jai Maluga taking control of the side after a terrific debut season as coach last year.
Lyall is captaining the Tigers' men's side this season and believes they have what it takes to get their hands on the grand prize.
"The aim for this year is definitely to take out the whole competition, we came so close by making the final and then unfortunately losing," he said.
"Our number one and really, our only goal is to actually win the trophy."
The Tigers' pre-season has already proven productive with the club claiming Broughton Cup 10-a-side tournament which was held at Devonport.
Launceston overcame Taroona in the final but the side is more than eager for the statewide competition to get started this weekend.
"There's a lot of boys that have been training the house down, I think as a squad we've all sort of bonded together and helped pick each other up which has set the standard early," Lyall said.
"We've definitely got a few players coming into the first grade side to look forward to this season.
"I think the boys have been chomping at the bit to run out on the field, we had a pre-season tournament and some of us played in the North v South game a few weekends ago but it is nice to finally get going."
It has been a case of evolution rather than revolution for the Launceston side with a lot of effort being made to make tweaks to improve on last year's grand final finish.
"Our preparation has been really strong this year, we've made sure that we started by focusing more on what we didn't have last season," Lyall said.
"Making sure that we're nice and tactile and we've got stronger hands and just having a focus on learning the game plan early rather than bits at a time."
The second game of the North v South series, which will take place in Hobart, has also been announced with the game to take place on June 4.
The Northern side, which featured players from Launceston, Devonport and Burnie, delivered an attacking masterclass in the opening match as they accounted for the Southern side 67-7 at Royal Park.
Launceston women's side return
When the Launceston Rugby Club's women's side takes the field in Hobart this weekend, it will represent an important milestone.
It will mark the first time since 2017 that the club will be entering a women's team into the state competition. The Tamar Valley Vixens Rugby Club came under the Tigers' banner during the off-season.
The Vixens were the first all-female rugby club in Tasmania and tasted silverware in 2019 when they claimed the premiership in the statewide competition.
The Tigers' squad features several players in the Northern representative side from the North v South series including Naomi Caucau, Lalene Down, Rhiannon James and Kara North and will be coached by Terry Marsden.
James will captain the squad and said it was exciting to be part of the club's return to women's rugby.
"They've been so welcoming since we've joined the club, we've always had a brother-sister relationship but it is good to make it official," she said.
"We didn't start as early as the boys, most of us were still playing touch footy so we've been going for about three months now, working on our fitness and skills for the new girls as well as working on gelling as a team."
The women will head down for their opening matches with a triple-header for the sevens tournament against Eastern Suburbs, University and Taroona.
Key player North is one to watch off the wing for a Launceston squad that is a mixture of seasoned talent and newcomers to the game.
"We've got some veterans like Kara North coming back for her sixth season, she's a gun and really fast off the wing," James said.
"We're excited to get out and play, I think we're all pretty nervous but that first tackle is going to feel so good."
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