Wellington, NZ - Nathan Nukunuku encourages young Black Sox to step up after experience departs
 Black Sox captain Nathan Nukunuku wants his young squad to step up after a raft of experienced players left the team.
Take nothing for granted.
That is the message Black Sox softball captain Nathan Nukunuku has for his players as the buildup toward next year's world championships in Whitehorse, Canada begins.
Nukunuku, who this weekend is playing for Auckland United in the Poneke-Kilbirnie Classic tournament at Hataitai Park, used a recent camp to let the squad members, 12 of who were rookies, know what is expected from them.
It was the first time the squad had been together since the Black Sox silver medal finish at last year's would championship in Saskatoon, Canada.
"One of the things I impressed on them was the fact they are Black Sox squad members and what is expected of them now," Nukunuku said.
"We do have a young inexperienced side. There is not a lot of test caps there and from that last camp I would say by myself I would have more international caps than the rest of them put together.
"A lot of legends have gone before them so the boys have to step up and understand that they are it now."
This weekend though Nukunuku's attention is on helping the Auckland United side win the Poneke-Kilbirnie Classic for the first time since the tournament began in 2012.
The side finished the round-robin section with three wins from their four games to qualify top of their section and ahead of second-placed Miramar.
In the other section Hutt Valley Marist have lead the way. That side won three of their four games to finish top with Central Vikings second and still in title contention.
While the teams competing in the final will not be known until Monday morning, one thing that is known is that defending champions Poneke-Kilbirnie will not be there.
That side has had a weekend they would much rather forget winning just one of their four games.
 - Stuff
