Auckland Tuatara coach Aaron Young got plenty to take away from his side’s first pre-season hit-out against the Franklin Bulls in Pukekohe on Sunday.
The Bulls, who ran with their full Sal’s NBL roster, won the game convincingly as Young opted to use a much younger and inexperienced line-up.
Returning amateurs Charlie Dalton and Tom Beattie were impressive as they battled hard against the likes of Bulls stars Jayden Bezzant, Tyrell Harrison, Isaac Davidson, former Tuatara player Dan Fotu as well as new imports Jamaal Brantley and Rickey McGill.
“Charlie and Tom brought plenty of energy and I was pleased with the way they both performed against high quality opposition,” Young said.
Guard Reuben Fitzgerald and youngster Will Leger were others to impress – the latter exiting the game early with an ankle injury.
“Hopefully Will’s not too bad – he won’t play in Friday’s return game against the Bulls but we will see how he pulls up.
“He’s been great in training and looked at home against NBL regulars.”
The Tuatara will face the Bulls again in a closed doors match on Friday with the Sal’s NBL set to begin the following week.
Skipper Rob Loe was in attendance on Sunday but did not play as he enjoys a bit of freshening up after a Grand Final run with the Breakers in the Australian NBL.
Breakers teammate Cam Gliddon, Australian Jarrad Weeks and Tall Blacks star Reuben Te Rangi all arrive this week.