Old may be part of the name of Old Mission Beach Athletic Club, but things are pretty new at OMBAC this Pacific Rugby Premiership season.

They have to be. OMBAC has a solid relationship with the San Diego Legion Major League Rugby, and that has meant several players have garnered interest from the pro club.

Follow FloRugby's Coverage Of The PRP All Season Long

"I fully support it," said head coach Tai Tuisamoa. "It's good to have that relationship there. It makes it harder for us because they are choosing our best players. But then, all of the PRP teams have to deal with it."

What this presents, adds Tuisamoa, is an exciting challenge of developing new players. He has a solid roster of 30 with which to attack the first weekend of the PRP. 

Some are relatively new: San Diego State grad Nick Lupian has shown much promise at center. Tai Te'o is an openside with more of a football background who has developed nicely.

"His work ethic is amazing," said Tuisamoa.

Jacob Nelson has moved to San Diego from San Francisco (where he played for SFGG) and will be captain, while Damian Fatongia is a leader in the backline, and flyhalf Michael Dillon - who led the 2018 PRP in points scored - is a crucial piece of the puzzle.

"The leadership on the team that helps me tremendously," added Tuisamoa.

And it better, as Tuisamoa himself, who was one of the top try-scorers in the league last year, has hung up his boots and won't play - he will only coach.

"I am done, for sure," said the coach. "My body was done, and at some point it becomes too much."

It became a bit too much in 2018. OMBAC won the first seven games of the season to take control at 7-0. But there were little chinks in the armor nonetheless, and that seventh victory, a tight 39-33 decision over Life West, perhaps hid some problems.

OMBAC finished the regular season with three straight losses, still qualified for the final, but lost that game, too.

"We had injuries, and some things we didn't get done," said Tuisamoa. "We were really clicking but we were fighting through those injuries, and they began to take their toll. In the final against Belmont Shore - Belmont is a well-coached team but we led at halftime. Then things fell apart.

"It's funny how it works. You start off strong, but you lose a game or two, and it's hard to bounce back."

It's a lesson the club learned the hard way last year, and will be cautious of how momentum shifts this season.