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    • Academy Sevens Squad
      • Wellington Academy Seven’s Squad 2013/2014 The following players have been selected in an extended squad which will play in 3 seven’s tournaments in November, December 2013 and February 2014. We ask clubs/schools to release these players to play for the Academy team. However we will undertake to name the actual playing 12 a week before any tournament. That way non selected players can play for their club if not required by the academy. Wellington Academy members Henry Stowers. Wes Goosen. Josh Robertson-Weepu. Pakaitore Turai. Chase Tiatia. James Blackwell. Sam Mc Nicol. Luke Taualupe. Leni Apisai. Luke Campbell. Wainui Club TBC Club TBC Club TBC Club TBC Club TBC Club TBC Club TBC Club TBC OBU   High Performance Schools Group Jarimar Schuster. Nese Solia. Jarrod Adams. Brendan Mudzekenyedzi. TJ Va’a. Malo Tuitama. Peter Umaga. Alex Fidow. Ben Power. St Pats Silverstream St Pats Silverstream St Pats Silverstream Newlands College Scots College Scots College Scots College Scots College HIBS   Tournaments 30th November. 1/2nd February 2014. 7/8th February 2014. Piri Weepu Seven’s Wainui Ulalei Seven’s Wellington Marist Seven’s Wellington. TBC.   Management Group. Coach. Manager. Trainer. Physio. Clarke Laidlaw Evan Crawford TBC TBC

    • Sevens squad selected
      • The Wellington men's sevens squad for the 2013/14 season has been named, following two rounds of Wellington club sevens. With a new coaching duo on board in Scott Waldrom and Sam Rasch, along with many new faces in the squad, Waldrom said there was a huge focus on giving Wellington sevens a fresh start this year. "Sam and I have worked together for a long time and we're both excited about the potential we have to work with in this year's squad. "We're very impressed with the calibre of players we have, so we've got some pretty high expectations in terms of what we'd like to achieve with those players this year." The team includes Ricoh Wellington Lions squad members Afa Fa'atau, Genesis Mamea, Api Naikatini, Sinoti Sinoti and Ambrose Curtis, along with wider Lions squad members Kayne Hammington and Andrew Wells. Waldrom said Scots College talent Malo Tuitama was also a player to look out for this season. "Although he's in the squad as a development player at the moment, he's a real talent, and we could certainly see him step up throughout the season." Along with sevens development manager, Clark Laidlaw, Waldrom and Rasch are putting a lot of effort into developing sevens rugby in the Wellington region. "We're really looking at turning the sport around in Wellington, and making ourselves a real powerhouse when it comes to sevens rugby," he said. The Wellington team will play four tournaments around the country in the lead up to the National Sevens in Rotorua on January 11-12. The team's first run will be at the Auckland Sevens Tournament on November 23-24. The Wellington men's sevens training squad is James Kusel Hutt Old Boys Marist Isaac O'Connor Marist St Pats Afa Fa'atau Oriental Rongotai Murphy Taramai Upper Hutt Genesis Mamea Wainuiomata Vaea Fifita Wellington Nick Grigg Petone Hayden Schrijvers Upper Hutt Matt Peni Marist St Pats Api Naikatini Northern United Kayne Hammington Upper Hutt Jack Talapa Johnsonville Andrew Wells Marist St Pats James Proctor No Club presently Inoke Rasabale Western Suburbs Tauasosi Tuimavave Poneke Tomasi Alosio Hutt Old Boys Marist Tiwi Davies Avalon Ambrose Curtis Oriental Rongotai Te Wehi Wright Old Boys University Colin Leilua-Toilolo Upper Hutt Sinoti Sinoti Northern United Malo Tuitama Scots College Coaches: Scott Waldrom and Sam Rasch Manager: Dean Simpson Physio: PeteMatheson Trainer: DuncanPearce

    • Ambassador's Sevens Review
      • Written by Steve White Hard work on the training field in recent times turned to fruition this evening at Wakefield Park for Upper Hutt when they were presented with the American Ambassador’s Wellington club Sevens title. Upper Hutt pulled clear in the second half to beat Wainuiomata 40-17 in the Men’s Cup final of the day-long tournament that was played in fine, cool conditions all day on the new Wakefield Park Artificial complex. Playing with patience and composure all day, Upper Hutt’s defence was outstanding, the men in maroon making their tackles, pouncing on turnover ball and making the opposition pay for any lacklustre play. They unleashed a new star too, in Upper Hutt Colts player Colin Leilua-Toilolo who scored a hat trick of tries in the final and was adjudged Upper Hutt’s Player of the Tournament. Leilua-Toilolo scored his first two tries either side of halftime, which proved the match winners for his side against Wainuiomata who were direct and whose ball runners such as Marvin Karawana and John Monu impressed all tournament. Leilua-Tulolo scored to break a 12-12 deadlock and give Upper Hutt a 19-12 lead at halftime and then he crossed for another converted try immediately after the turnaround to extend Upper Hutt’s lead to 26-12. There was no coming back for Wainuiomata after that, and captain Hayden Schrijvers was delighted with his team’s performance all day. “This is the culmination of all our hard work. We’ve worked hard two nights a week and it’s great that it’s all paid off.” Schrijvers complimented everyone involved in the team. “A few young boys were coming into the mix for us as well. This is their first tournament and they really stepped up, guys like Colin Leilua-Toilolo. Also our established players like Kayne Hammington, Joyner Key and Murphy Taramai all played well.” Upper Hutt also beat Northern United 38-7 in the Cup semi- final. Wainuiomata held on to beat a fast-finishing Hutt Old Boys Marist 22-17 in the other Cup semi-final. This is Upper Hutt’s first major Wellington club rugby title since winning the Swindale Shield in 2005. Another feature of the Men’s section was three out of the four Cup semi-finalists being Hutt clubs, in Upper Hutt, Wainuiomata and HOBM. The Upper Hutt and Wainuiomata squad lists for the day were: Upper Hutt: Hayden Schrijvers (captain), Murphy Taramai,  Kayne Hammington, Joyner Key, Josh HuntJordon Simpson-Heft, Richard Wasley, Sam Wasley, Taniela Manu, Colin Leilua-Toilolo, Jared Churchward,  Nacaniela Nasora Wainuiomata: John Monu (captain), John Gregory, Jason Love, Eden Monu, Teru Time, Dion Leolofi, Genesis Mamea, Blaise Tuisila, Marvin Karawana, Uale Mai, Tyler Tane, Matt Jacobs Earlier, defending Men's AA Cup champions Tawa were rocked on their heels when they were forced to forfeit all their points from their very first match of the day against Paremata-Plimmerton for making six substitutions instead of the allowed-for three. The loss by default meant they finished second in their Pool behind Norths and they had to contest the Plate division in the afternoon, which they won by beating Ories by default. The Colts division was won by an impressive Scots College, who continued where they left off from Monday’s Wellington Secondary School Condor tournament and beating the Junior Wellington Axemen 35-5 in the final. Similar to their win over St Pat’s Silverstream in Monday’s final, Wellington kept in touch at halftime, trailing 5-14, but Scots put the afterburners on early in the second spell. Scots had wins over Upper Hutt (1), Poneke and Ories in Pool play and then beat Upper Hutt (2) 38-0 in their semi-final. There was an upset in the very first women’s match of the day, with Ories tipping over favourties and eventual winners Norths 19-15. Norths bounced back from their first-up defeat to win all their remaining matches, defeating Avalon 25-5 in their semi-final. Wainuiomata’s 17-14 win over Ories in the other women’s semi-final was the closest knockout match of the day. The AA Sevens  brought the curtain down on a memorable club season in Wellington.The next event is the Piri Weepu Sevens, coming up in a few weeks. Details coming soon. Photos from the day are available here:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.450741268380334.1073741938.150674251720372&type=1 and here:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.450890351698759.1073741939.150674251720372&type=1 Tournament results (note these are unofficial results only and could be proven inaccurate until verified): Men's Pool Results: Norths 22 - Avalon 12 Paremata-Plimmerton WBD - Tawa (1) LBD OBU 25 - Johnsonville 10 Poneke 28 - Petone 24 Tawa (2) 31 – Ories 1 0 Upper Hutt 31 - Ories (1) 0  Wainuiomata 12 - MSP 7 Tawa (1) 19 - Norths 7  Upper Hutt 24 - Johnsonville 17 Avalon 40 - Paremata-Plimmerton 0 HOBM 19 - Tawa (2) 15 Ories (2) 38 - OBU 14  Norths 41 - Paremata-Plimmerton 5 Wainuiomata 33 - Poneke 10 Tawa (1) 19 - Avalon 14 MSP 24 - Petone 15  Ories (2) 36 v Johnsonville 7 Upper Hutt 24 – OBU 14 HOBM 52  - Ories (1) 0  Men’s Plate Semi-finals: Ories (2) 28 v Tawa (1) 0 and Tawa (2) 26   v Poneke 14 Men’s Cup Semi-finals: Upper Hutt 38 v Norths 7 and Wainuomata 22 - HOBM 17 Men’s Plate final: Tawa (2) beat Ories (2) by default  Men’s Cup final: Upper Hutt 40 v Wainuiomata 17  Colts Pool Results Scots College 22 - Upper Hutt (1) 7 OBU 33 - Poneke 7 Wellington 42 - MSP 0 Norths 15 - Ories 5 HOBM 14 - Avalon 5 Tawa 26 - Upper Hutt (2) 10 Wellington 40 - Upper Hutt (2) 0 Upper Hutt (1) 31 - Ories 0 OBU 26 - Ories 7 Scots College 38 - Poneke 0 HOBM 24 - MSP 12 Scots College 40 - Ories 5 Upper Hutt (1) 34 - OBU 10 Norths 26 - Poneke 12 HOBM 29 - Upper Hutt (2) 15 Wellington 35 - Avalon 0 Colts Semi-finals: Scots College 38 v Upper Hutt (2) 0 Wellington 19 v Upper Hutt (1) 5 Colts final: Scots College 35 v Wellington 5 Women's Pool Results: Ories 19 - Norths 15 Avalon 19 - OBU 0 Wainuiomata 27 - Poneke 10 Ories 55  - Poneke 0 Wainuiomata 24 - Avalon 12 Norths 25 - Wainuiomata 7 OBU 19 - Poneke 5 Norths 29 - OBU 7 Women’s Semi-finals Norths 25 v Avalon 5 Wainuiomata 17 v Ories 14 Women’s Final: Norths 24 v Wainuiomata 5 

    • WRFU American Ambassadors Sevens History
      • The John F Henning Trophy, first presented in 1967 by the US Ambassador of the time is awarded to the premier Wellington club sevens team annually as the winner of the American Ambassador Sevens Tournament. With Rugby Sevens now an Olympic sport, Wellington Rugby has strategically sharpened its focus on this version of the game and in building on the success of the NZ International Sevens Tournament, has the goal of establishing Wellington as the home of Sevens in this country. As such, local club sevens continues to be an important part of the club rugby landscape in Wellington and this year the sevens programme was rescheduled later in October and November to align with the Wellington Men’s representative programme as they strive for success at the National Championships in early January 2014. A warm up Tournament was held at Evans Bay Park on Saturday 19 October, with Tawa, defending American Ambassadors Cup champions, overcoming Poneke in the men’s final. It is not surprising then that Tawa will go in as favourites at the upcoming American Ambassadors Sevens at Wakefield Park – this being the 47th edition of this prestigious Wellington rugby sevens event. They will be challenged, however, by a number of teams in what is expected to be pulsating action on the artificial turf at Wakefield Park, Island Bay. The challengers include traditional Sevens powerhouse, Oriental Rongotai; Marist St Pats, Poneke, Upper Hutt and 2012 champions, Wainuiomata. Mens Entries: Pool A: Tawa 1, Avalon, Norths, Pare-plim Pool B: Upper Hutt, OBU, Johnsonville, Ories 2 Pool C: Tawa 2, Wests, Hutt Old Boys Marist, Ories 1 Pool D: Poneke, Wainuiomata, MSP, Petone Colts Entries: Pool E: Scots College, Norths, OBU Pool F: Upper Hutt 1, Ories, Poneke Pool G: Wellington, Tawa, Hutt Old Boys Marist Pool H: MSP, Upper Hutt, Avalon Womens Entries: Pool I: Norths, Poneke, Avalon Pool J: Ories, Wainuiomata, OBU

    • Ambassadors Sevens This Weekend
      • The John F Henning Trophy, first presented in 1967 by the US Ambassador of the time is awarded to the premier Wellington club sevens team annually as the winner of the American Ambassador Sevens Tournament. With Rugby Sevens now an Olympic sport, Wellington Rugby has strategically sharpened its focus on this version of the game and in building on the success of the NZ International Sevens Tournament, has the goal of establishing Wellington as the home of Sevens in this country. As such, local club sevens continues to be an important part of the club rugby landscape in Wellington and this year the sevens programme was rescheduled later in October and November to align with the Wellington Men’s representative programme as they strive for success at the National Championships in early January 2014. A warm up Tournament was held at Evans Bay Park on Saturday 19 October, with Tawa, defending American Ambassadors Cup champions, overcoming Poneke in the men’s final. It is not surprising then that Tawa will go in as favourites at the upcoming American Ambassadors Sevens at Wakefield Park – this being the 47th edition of this prestigious Wellington rugby sevens event. They will be challenged, however, by a number of teams in what is expected to be pulsating action on the artificial turf at Wakefield Park, Island Bay. The challengers include traditional Sevens powerhouse, Oriental Rongotai; Marist St Pats, Poneke, Upper Hutt and 2012 champions, Wainuiomata. Mens Entries: Pool A: Tawa 1, Avalon, Norths, Pare-plim Pool B: Upper Hutt, OBU, Johnsonville, Ories 2 Pool C: Tawa 2, Wests, Hutt Old Boys Marist, Ories 1 Pool D: Poneke, Wainuiomata, MSP, Petone Colts Entries: Pool E: Scots College, Norths, OBU Pool F: Upper Hutt 1, Ories, Poneke Pool G: Wellington, Tawa, Hutt Old Boys Marist Pool H: MSP, Upper Hutt, Avalon Womens Entries: Pool I: Norths, Poneke, Avalon Pool J: Ories, Wainuiomata, OBU

    • Club 7s
      • Tawa, Western Suburbs and Northern United took out the three trophies up for grabs at today’s WRFU Open Club Sevens tournament held at Evans Bay Park this afternoon. Tawa won the Men’s Cup final, Wests the Colts final and Norths the Women’s final in the tournament played in warm, sunny conditions on the main field and on the adjacent St Pat’s artificial field. Defending Wellington club Men’s champions Tawa were pushed all the way in both their semi-final and final, edging out a well-drilled Upper Hutt 1 team 7-5 in the Cup semi-final and then recovering from a man down in the sin-bin to defeat an impressive Poneke 19-10 in the final after leading just 7-0 at halftime and Poneke in the ascendancy. After a difficult week off the field, Western Suburbs ran away to beat the Junior Wellington Axemen 38-18 in the Colts division final. Fielding a team featuring Wellington College stars Wesley Goosen, Leni Apasai  and Nelson Asofa-Solomona and others, Wests were strong all afternoon. The Wests Men’s team also made the Men’s Plate final, losing to Avalon 17-15 in a thriller. Wests led 15-10 deep into the match, but a neat solo try and conversion in front of the posts with the last act of the match gave Avalon victory. The Northern United Women’s team overcame Wainuiomata 25-12  in the Women’s final. The second of two WRFU Sevens tournaments, the American Ambassador’s tournament, is being held in a fortnight. The Tawa and Poneke squad lists were: Tawa: Joketani Koroi; Taniella Korori; Alfred Pelenise; Tui Camo; Dukai Coka; Jeff Makapelu; Callum Bryce; George Tilsely; Timoci Serawalu; Randall Bishop; Sam Blair; Ben Pehi. Poneke: Greg Foe; Presley Tufaga; Nemani Waka; Faresa Tasele; Daryl Betham; Nick Grigg; James Solomon; Simon Tevita; Jared Curtis; Sam Tui; Michael Fifita Results: Pool Results Men’s Wests 22 - Johnsonville 17 Norths 31 - MSP 5 Avalon 26 -Poneke 19 Tawa 41 - Upper Hutt (1) 7 Tawa 22 - OBU 17 Wainuiomata 28 - Johnsonville 24 Upper Hutt (2) 36 - Norths 5 Ories 12 - Avalon 5 MSP 22 - Upper Hutt (2) 17 OBU 22 - Upper Hutt (1) 12 Ories  33- Poneke 26 Wainuiomata 24  - Wests 19 Men’s Pool winners: Wainuiomata (Pool A); MSP (Pool B); Tawa (Pool C); Poneke (Pool D) Colts Wellington 38 - Poneke 0 Wests 29 - MSP 7 Upper Hutt 38 - Norths 0 Wests 28 - Wellington 24 Poneke 33 - Norths 21 MSP 22 - Upper Hutt 0 Wests 56 - Norths 5 Wellington 19 - Upper Hutt 19 Colts Pool winners: Wests (Pool E); Wellington (Pool F) Women’s Wainuiomata 38 - Poneke 0 Norths 32 - OBU 5 OBU 22 - Poneke 0 Norths 26 - Wainuiomata 12 Wainuiomata 33 - OBU 0 Norths 37 - Poneke 0 Women’s Pool winner Norths Men’s Quarterfinals Upper Hutt (2) 22 - Wainuiomata 21 Poneke 26 - Old Boys University 17 MSP beat Johnsonville (by 4 tries to 3) Tawa 26 - Ories 5 Men’s Cup semi-finals Tawa 7 - Upper Hutt (1) Poneke 29 - MSP 17 Women’s semi-finals Norths 22 - Poneke 5 Wainuiomata 27 v 5 Colts semi-finals Wellington 15 - MSP 10 Wests 38 - Upper Hutt 17 Men’s Plate semi-finals Wests beat Upper Hutt Avalon 27 -  Upper Hutt (2) 7 Men’s Plate final Avalon 17 - Wests 15  (HT: Wests 10-5) Women’s final Norths 25 - Wainuiomata  12 Colts final Wests 38 - Wellington 18 (HT: 21-5) Cup final Tawa 19 - Poneke 10

    • Wellington Pride, U18s and U20s wind up seasons tomorrow
      • Above: The Wellington U20s packing down against Manawatu last weekend. They are away in Auckland tomorrow for their final game of the season The Wellington Pride, U18s and U20s wind up their 2013 representative seasons tomorrow with away matches in Christchurch, Blenheim and Auckland respectively. The Wellington Pride and Wellington U18s are playing in ITM Cup semi-final curtain-raisers. The Pride meet Canterbury in the seventh and final round of the Women’s NPC at Rugby Park in Christchurch ahead of the Premiership playoff between Canterbury and Auckland, while the U18s meet the Tasman U18s at Landsdowne Park in Blenheim in the curtain-raiser to the Tasman versus Southland Championship semi-final. The Wellington U20s will look to end their busy season on a high against the Auckland U20s at Mt Wellington War Memorial in Auckland. With their defeat to Auckland last week, the Pride dropped out of final contention in the Women’s NPC, but they can still play a key spoiling role against the top-of-the-table Canterbury who will want to maintain their winning momentum going into next week’s final against either Auckland or Otago. If the Pride earn their third win of the season and other results go their way they can finish as high as fourth in the eight team competition. Coach Fili Liua’ana said the Pride are looking to finish their final match for 2013 on a positive note after losing to Auckland last week. “Last week the focus wasn’t there and we didn’t play to our game plan, or our strengths. It’s a matter of getting back on track and doing those things well.” Liua’ana said the team still had a lot to play for, including the JJ Stewart Trophy which is held by Canterbury. “That’s another incentive for us going down there. It would be great to win that and have it sitting in the cupboard for summer.” The JJ Stewart Trophy is the Ranfurly Shield of women’s rugby, and changed hands for the first time ever when Otago shocked Auckland. Canterbury then beat Otago and took up the road to Christchurch. Playing the curtain raiser was also a great opportunity, he said, especially for the younger players in his squad. “What a great opportunity for girls’ rugby in general. I know our players are looking forward to being part of that and for some of our younger ones, it’s a great occasion.” The Wellington U18s and the Wellington U20s are both out to put the disappointment of last weekend’s Hurricanes region final defeats behind them. The U18s lost to Hawke’s Bay U18 11-24 and the U20s met a 15-17 to Manawatu. The Lion Cubs meet the Tasman U18s who are coming together for this one-off game against Wellington after recently competing in the South Island-wide U18 tournament as two separate teams, Nelson Bays and Marlborough who finished fifth and sixth respectively in the 12-team competition. The majority of the Tasman U18s have been selected from the Marlborough Boys’ High School and Nelson College First XVs who met in the South Island Press Cup final in Blenheim in August. The Junior Lions will face a tough test against the Auckland U20s, in a contest that promises to be explosive and fast-paced from the get-go, such is the Auckland way. Previous matches in recent seasons between these age-grade sides have been nothing short of frenetic with several high scoring results. The Auckland U20s have so far won seven from eight of their matches, their only loss being a 13-19 defeat to Canterbury U21 last week in Christchurch. Along the way they have beaten Northland U20 (twice), Hawke’s Bay U20 (33-22), Waikato U20 (34-22), BoP U20 (46-10),  Counties Manukau U20 (8-7) and North Harbour U20 (25-24). Teamlists (subject to change): Wellington Pride: 1. Muteremoana Aiatu (captain); 2. Sharleen Fagalilo; 3. Patsy Schwalger; 4. Jackie Patea; 5. Joanah Ngan-Woo; 6. Carol Sio; 7. Kirsten Stewart; 8. Aimee Sutorius; 9. Acacia Claridge; 10. Elizabeth Goulden; 11. Brenda Collins; 12. Vaine Marsters; 13. Fa’asua Makisi; 14. Lekah Leti; 15. Kauna Lopa RESERVES: 16. Tina Kelemete; 17. Noeleen Nonu; 18. Maryanne Leota; 19. Miriam Ready; 20. Mena Tuma’ai; 21. Pauline Pilia’e; 22.  Katarina Simpkins Wellington U20s (24 players): 1. Donald Brighouse; 2. James O’Reilly; 3. Etimani Sului; 4. Zac Power; 5. Taamilo Va’a; 6. Gabriel Papuni; 7. James Prescott; 8. Cameron Ross; 9. Luke Campbell; 10. Ken Kapeli; 11. Sosi Tuimavavave; 12. Jackson Garden-Bachop; 13. Aukuso Tuitavia; 14. Andrew Ellis; 15. Andrew Wells. RESERVES: 16. Zeke Sopoaga; 17. Adam Stewart; 18. Nick Harrison; 19. Jordie Maxey; 20. Tyler Tane; 21. Ivan Vaisagote; 22. Luese Moemai; 23. Eduan Struwig; 24. Faamanatua Mativa Wellington U18s: 1. Andrew Mamea; 2. Tony Coburn; 3. Anthony Mamea; 4. Lui Okeamoa Luammanu; 5. Vern Sosefo; 6. Peter Pili; 7. Sam Dawson; 8. Henry Stowers (captain); 9. Luke Coulston; 10. George Boyhan; 11. Aleks Noble-Campbell; 12. Francis Tanuvasa; 13. Malo Tuitama; 14. Jarrod Adams; 15. Fereti Soloa. RESERVES: 16. Lewis Ngatai; 17. Joel Hintz; 18. Sam Wasley; 19. Josh Robertson-Weepu; 20. Varani Komaisavai 21. Chase Tiatia; 22. TJ Va’a

    • Pride look for big finish
      • They may be taking on the big guns this week, but the Wellington Pride are determined to finish on a high. The women’s rugby team face top-of-the-table Canterbury on Saturday, in what is the curtain raiser to the Canterbury men’s ITM Cup semi-final against Auckland in Christchurch. After suffering a 46-0 loss to second-placed Auckland last week, coach Fili Liua’ana said the Pride were back on track and looking to finish their final match for 2013 on a positive note. “Last week the focus wasn’t there and we didn’t play to our game plan, or our strengths. It’s a matter of getting back on track and doing those things well.” Liua’ana said the team still had a lot to play for, including the JJ Stewart Trophy which is held by Canterbury. “That’s another incentive for us going down there. It would be great to win that and have it sitting in the cupboard for summer.” Playing the curtain raiser was also a great opportunity, he said, especially for the younger players in his squad. “What a great opportunity for girls’ rugby in general. I know our players are looking forward to being part of that and for some of our younger ones, it’s a great occasion.” Liua’ana knows the Canterbury team pose a tough assignment, but is confident his team can put together a good result. The match kicks off at 11.30am at AMI Stadium, before the men run on at 2.05pm. The Pride team to face Canterbury is; 1. Muteremoana Aiatu (c) 2. Sharleen Fagalilo 3. Patsy Schwalger 4. Jackie Patea 5. Joanah Ngan-Woo 6. Carol Sio 7. Kirsten Stewart 8. Aimee Sutorius 9. Acacia Claridge 10. Elizabeth Goulden 11. Brenda Collins 12. Vaine Marsters 13. Fa’asua Makisi 14. Lekah Leti 15. Kauna Lopa 16. Tina Kelemete 17. Noeleen Nonu 18. Maryanne Leota 19. Miriam Ready 20. Mena Tuma’ai 21. Pauline Pilia’e 22. Katarina Simpkins

    • Wellington U18, U20 sides miss out in finals; Wellington Development finish season on a high
      • There were defeats to two of Wellington’s three sides this afternoon at Arena Manawatu in Palmerston on Finals Day of the Hurricanes Youth Council competition. The Wellington U20s missed out to the Manawatu U20s 15-17 and the Wellington U18s lost to the Hawke’s Bay U18s 11-24 in their finals, while the Wellington Centurions beat the Wairarapa Bush U18s 20-3 in their U18B division final. In the two other representative matches today, the Wellington Pride went down 0-46 to the Auckland Storm in the Women’s NPC and the Wellington Development side enjoyed a 50-10 lakeside win against Bay of Plenty Development. The Pride were up against a motivated Storm side who led them 17-0 at halftime and racked up their four-try bonus point just after the interval. The Wellington Development side scored seven tries against their Bay of Plenty opposition at Taupo, with seven different players crossing the line. They led 22-5 at halftime. Whetu Henry, Shahn Eru, Pau Halafihi, Simon Tevita, Nick Grigg, Jeff Makapelu and Hamish Buick all crossed the whitewash, while first five-eighth Brandyn Laursen kicked five of six conversions and kicked a penalty. They also did it down on Personnel, with just four travelling reserves and at least a couple of players playing out of position for some of the game. Thus concludes the Wellington Development XVs season. The Wellington U18s and the U20s were both guilty of making numerous handling mistakes and turning the ball over far too often in what were difficult, blustery conditions. The U18s trailed 6-9 late in the first half, before two quick tries to Hawke’s Bay gave them a 21-6 lead at the turnaround and ultimately won them the match. Hawke’s Bay repelled several Wellington raids throughout the second half, before extending their advantage to 24-6 with a fourth penalty. Wellington finally hit back, through wing Aleks Noble-Campbell, but it was too little too late and a second Hawke’s Bay team had a win over a Wellington one inside two days. There was a grandstand finish on the main field inside FMG Stadium where the Wellington U20s scored an 82nd minute try through replacement prop Jacob Tauituave to close up the deficit to 15-17. With the last play of the match, first five-eighth Jackson Garden-Bachop had the chance to level up the scores with his conversion about 15 metres in from touch and thus share the title but pushed his kick wide in the strong wind. Manawatu had previously scored two tries and come back from a 0-10 deficit to lead 14-10 midway through the second half, both tries created from the constant pressure they were able to create at the breakdown and Wellington’s distinct lack of patience and ball control. Manawatu first five-eighth Otere Black, whose sinbinning with five minutes to play could have proved costly, extended their lead to 17-10 on 66 minutes leaving Wellington having to play catch-up rugby into the wind. Earlier, Wellington centre Aukuso Tuitavia flashed in to score the opening try in just the 5th minute. Second five-eighth Tyler Tane extended Wellington’s lead to 10-0 with a well-struck penalty on 15 minutes. The rest of the first half was hotly contested, but both sides were guilty of conceding numerous penalties and aside from two long-range Tane penalty misses Wellington never really looked like scoring again despite dominating territory. Dominating Manawatu’s lineout ball, Wellington went wide early in the second half to wings Sosi Tuiamavavae and Andrew Ellis and fullback Andrew Wells and looked like breaking through on at least three occasions. Manawatu kept Wellington out on each occasion and used the wind for territory, leading to their fullback Michael Gattshe breaking through to score the first of their two tries. Over on the far field, The Wellington Centurions side completed back-to-back wins over Wairarapa Bush to win the U18B title. The Centurions scored four unconverted tries and won 20-3. Captain and No. 8 Sam Wasley scored two tries. They led 15-0 at halftime. Scores: Wellington Development XV 50 (Whetu Henry, Shahn Eru, Pau Halafihi, Simon Tevita, Nick Grigg, Jeff Makapelu, Hamish Buick tries; Brandyn Laursen 5 con, pen; Hamish Buick con) beat Bay of Plenty Development 10. HT: 22-5 Women’s NPC Round 6: Wellington Pride 0 lost to the Auckland Storm 0-46. Ht: Auckland 17-0 Hurricanes YC U20A Final: Wellington U20 15 (Aukuso Tuitavia; Jacob Tautiave tries; Tyler Tane con, pen) lost to Manawatu U20 17. Ht: Wellington 10-0 Hurricanes YC U18A Final: Wellington U18 11 (Aleks Noble-Campbell try; Josh Robertson-Weepu 2 pen) lost to Hawke’s Bay U18 24 Hurricanes YC U18B Final: Wellington U18 Centurions 20 (Sam Wasley 2, Keanu Moran, Tua Vaai tries) beat Wairarapa Bush U18 3

    • Hurricanes Finals Day tomorrow
      • Above: Right wing Fereti Soloa scored a hat-trick of tries for the Wellington U18s last Saturday at Westpac Stadium. The U18s are one of three Wellington teams playing in Palmerston North tomorrow on Hurricanes Youth Council Finals Day. Matches tomorrow at a glance: Hurricanes U18 and U20 finals in Palmerston North: U20 Division A final: Wellington v Manawatu, 1.00 pm U18 Division A final: Wellington v Hawke’s Bay, 1.30 pm U18 Division B final: Wellington Centurions v Wairarapa Bush, 1.30 pm Women's NPC Round 6: Wellington Pride v Auckland Storm at Auckland, 12.30 pm Non-competition Development match: Wellington Development v Bay of Plenty Development at Taupo, 2.00 pm The representative rugby focus turns to Palmerston North tomorrow for the Hurricanes Youth Council U20 and U18 Finals Day - with three Wellington representative teams in action. The Wellington U18s and Centurions will contest the U18 division A and B finals and the Wellington U20s will play in the U20 division A final on the main ground at FMG Stadium. In the U18A final, the Wellington side plays Hawke’s Bay, whom they beat 31-20  in pool play three weeks ago. Wellington warmed up for this final with a 62-0 romp over Manawatu at Westpac Stadium last Saturday, while Hawke’s Bay tipped over Taranaki 44-35 in the other match. Taranaki defeated Wellington 25-17 in the previous round, so this final promises to be close. In the U18B final, being played at the same time on an adjacent field, the U18 Centurions play Wairarapa Bush. This is a replay of last week’s final pool game won by the Centurions 34-0. The Centurions will want to keep their line intact for the fourth consecutive week following previous wins over Wanganui 65-0 and Horowhenua Kapiti 51-0. The U20s are also unbeaten in their section, beating Manawatu 36-19, Taranaki 17-8 and Hawke’s Bay 25-23, and they meet home side Manawatu in their final. Since losing to Wellington, Manawatu took the scalps of Hawke’s Bay 31-26 and Taranaki 31-12. The other Hurricanes age grade final to decide the winner of the U20B division is in Wanganui between the home side and Poverty Bay. The final Hurricanes Youth Council U18 and U20 points tables were: U18A: Wellington 10; Hawke’s Bay 10; Taranaki 9; Manawatu 0 U18B: Wellington Centurions 15; Wairarapa-Bush 10; Wanganui 5; Horowhenua-Kapiti 0 U20A: Wellington 13; Manawatu 10; Hawke’s Bay 8; Taranaki 0 U20B: Wanganui 14; Poverty Bay 9; Horowhenua-Kapiti 6 The Wellington Development and Wellington Pride sides are also heading north for their matches. The Wellington Development side meets their Bay of Plenty counterparts on neutral soil at Owen Delaney Park in Taupo, while the Wellington Pride travels to Auckland for their round six Women’s NPC encounter. The Wellington Development side, coming off a 37-33 win over Canterbury Development in their last match a fortnight ago, plays a BoP Development team that finished sixth of seven teams in the recently completed Northern Region Men’s B competition. BoP headed just the Auckland Juniors in this seven match round-robin competition, who they beat 46-21 a fortnight ago. Last Saturday they almost stopped second placed finisher Counties Manukau B (losing 25-31). Other defeats in recent weeks have been to Waikato B (10-33), Northland B (31-38), Taranaki B (19-58), competition winners Auckland B (24-29) and North Harbour B (5-27). The Wellington Pride will step on to Western Springs Stadium to face the home side the Auckland Storm realistically needing a bonus point win to keep their Women’s NPC chances alive. In Auckland, the Pride face the team that has won the Women’s NPC every year since the competition’s inception in 1999 except 2006 when the Pride took the honours. Auckland are stacked with power and pace and are the benchmark team despite suffering a rare loss to Otago recently and being in the unaccustomed position of second on the points table. Coached by former Black Fern Anna Richards and with 13 Black Fern internationals, the Storm will be highly motivated to see off Wellington’s challenge and clinch a final berth in a fortnight. Teamlists for Saturday (subject to change): Wellington Development (playing XV): 1. Donal McNamara; 2. Eugene Smith; 3. Whetu Henry; 4. Vaea Fifita; 5. James Wall; 6. Isaac O’Connor; 7. Pau Halafihi; 8. Presley Tufaga; 9. Simon Tevita; 10. Brandyn Laursen; 11. Hayden Whelan; 12. Nick Grigg; 13. Marvin Karawana; 14. James Kusel; 15. Tau Mamea Wellington Pride: 1. Muteremoana Aiatu (Captain); 2. Patsy Schwalger; 3. Tina Kelemete; 4. Jackie Patea; 5. Sanita Levave; 6. Carol Sio; 7. Aimee Sutorius; 8. Miriam Ready; 9. Agnes Dean; 10. Lizzie Gouldon; 11. Brenda Collins; 12. Vaine Marsters; 13. Maryann Collins; 14. Lekah Leti; 15. Katarina Simpkins. RESERVES: 16. Raylene Lolo; 17. Sharleen Fagalilo; 18. Maryanne Leota; 19. Joanah Ngan-Woo; 20. Acacia Claridge; 21. Fa’asua Makisi, 22. Kauna Lopa Wellington U20s: 1. Donald Brighouse; 2. Zeke Sopoaga; 3. Etimani Sului; 4. Zac Power; 5. Taamilo V’a; 6. James O’Reilly; 7. Gabriel Papuni; 8. Cameron Ross; 9. Luke Campbell; 10. Jackson Garden-Bachop; 11. Andrew Ellis; 12. Tyler Tane; 13. Aukuso Tuitavia; 14. Sosi Tuimavavae; 15. Andrew Wells. RESERVES: 16. Adam Stewart; 17. Joshua To’omaga; 18. Nick Harrison; 19. James Prescott; 20. Issac Marriner; 21. Colin Leilua-Toilolo; 22. Tuga Mativa Wellington U18s: 1. Joel Hintz; 2. Lewis Ngatai; 3. Anthony Mamea; 4. Lui Okeamoa-Luamanu; 5. James Blackwell; 6. Jack Ross; 7. Sam Dawson; 8. Henry Stowers (Captain); 9. TJ Va’a; 10. Chase Tiatia; 11. Aleks Noble-Campbell; 12. William Tufui; 13. Francis Tanuvasa; 14. Fereti Soloa; 15. Josh Robertson-Weepu. RESERVES: 16. Tony Coburn; 17. Andrew Mamea; 18. Vern Sofeso; 19. Peter Pili; 20. Jarrod Adams; 21. George Boyhan; 22. Luke Coulston Wellington U18 Centurions: 1. Hezron Nuru; 2. Jordan Leuluali; 3. Tua Vaai; 4. Anthony Pettett; 5. James Zino; 6. John Tufele; 7. Thomas Kimber; 8. Sam Wasley; 9. Simon Malu; 10. Logan Henry; 11. Keanu Moran; 12. Troy Mehr; 13. Raysharn Edmonds-Lama; 14. Reid McCashin; 15. Jesse Weenink. RESERVES: 16. Richard Guttenbeil; 17. Izach Frankli; 18. Quaid Martin-Laumatia; 19; Benhami Liua’ana; 20. Josh Svensen; 21. Fredrich Keil; 22. TBC

    • Wins for Wellington Pride, U20s and U18s
      • Above: Wellington Pride hooker Sharleen Fagalilo scores one of her two first half tries in today’s fifth round Women’s NPC match, won 42-29 by the Pride. By Steven White and Adam Julian The Wellington U18s and U20s booked their places in next week’s Hurricanes Youth Council U18 and U20 division A finals with contrasting wins today. The Wellington U18s beat the Manawatu U18s 62-0 in a one-sided performance at Westpac Stadium, while the Wellington U20s pipped their Hawke’s Bay counterparts 25-23 at Porirua Park. The Wellington Under 18’s rebounded from a poor performance last Saturday to thrash the Manawatu Under 18’s 62-0 in an ITM Cup curtain raiser at the Westpac Stadium. Wellington burst out of the gate to lead 38-0 at halftime and added four tries in a scrappy second-half. The Wellington forwards completely overwhelmed their smaller opponents. Wellington secured at least three tightheads and employed their heavier ball runners effectively. Captain Henry Stowers scored three tries with a powerhouse performance and the Mamea twins, Anthony and Andrew, from the bench, were often a nightmare for the Manawatu defence.   In the backs the halfback and first-five combination of Luke Coulston and Chase Tiatia made a noticeable difference from last week’s pair. Coulston’s pass was sharp and accurate while Tiatia’s incisive running game and tricky passing created far more room for a fast and powerful Wellington backline to flourish. Fereti Soloa on the wing was perhaps Wellington’s best back. He snatched a 90-meter intercept in the first-half and always looked likely when he touched the ball. Earlier in the day, the Wellington U20s trailed defending champions Hawke’s Bay 3-6 at halftime. In a stop-start first 40 minutes, Wellington scored through a lone Tyler Tane penalty. The Junior Lions struck after halftime with two quick tries, to outside backs Sosi Tuimavavae and Aukuso Tuitava to take a 13-6 lead. Hawke’s Bay responded with a converted try and it was 13-13 after 57 minutes. Wellington scored again through replacement front rower Jacob Taituave, converted by Tane, to lead 20-13. But once more Hawke’s Bay closed the gap, kicking a penalty to close the gap to 20-16. Wellington Fullback Andrew Wells scored with under 10 minutes left, giving Wellington a 25-16 lead. Once more, the Bay came back and scored a converted try and they trailed by two points. The home side held on though, reversing a 17-23 loss to Hawke’s Bay in last year’s U20 final. In other matches, the Wellington Centurions defeated Wairarapa Bush U18 34-0 in the Hurricanes region U18 B division and the Wellington Samoan Schools side beat the Wanganui U20s 21-17 in the Hurricanes region U20 B division. Wellington Under U18: 62 (Fereti Sola 3, Henry Stowers 3, Chase Tiatia, William Tufui, Sam Dawson, Peter Pili; Josh Robertson-Weepu 4 con; Fereti Sola 2 con) beat Manawatu Under 18: 0. HT: 38-0 Wellington U20: 25 (Sosi Tuimavavae, Aukuso Tuitava, Jacob Tautiave, Andrew Wells  tries; Tyler Tane con, pen) beat Hawke's Bay 20 HT: 3-6. Wellington Pride v Counties Manukau Heat The Wellington Pride sealed an exciting fifth round Women’s NPC match, by scoring a converted try on fulltime to beat Counties Manukau 42-29 at the Petone Recreation Ground this afternoon. The runaway try at the end was some relief, after Counties Manukau had scored two quickfire tries late in the match to close the deficit to 35-29. This was after the Pride had wrestled control early in the second half, once again through their hard working forward pack, and halfback Anges Dean had scored what proved to be the winning try after her opposite Tuala Lealuaiialii was sinbinned in front of her line. Up to that point, Dean’s try was Wellington’s sixth try of the match, taking them to a 35-15 lead with 20 minutes remaining. Fast forwarding to the frantic final couple of minutes at the end and with Wellington holding a 6-point lead, the home side could have been left ruing the 16 points that first five-eighth Lizzie Goulden had missed. After banging them over from all angles last week, Goulden had missed five conversions and two first half penalties. The Pride had led 15-10 at halftime, on the back of three unconverted tries, including a first half double to hooker Sharlene Fagalilo. Ironically two of these tries came directly after Goulden penalty misses. Her first attempt hit the bar, Counties Manukau failed to clear in a hurry and instead won a defensive scrum. Picking up from last week, Wellington won a tighthead, the forwards drove for the line and captain Muteremoana Aiatu came up with the opening try. Counties Manukau briefly re-took the lead when their first five-eighth Arihiana Marino wrong footed Wellington flanker Aimee Sutorius and darted through a hole in centre field for a seven-pointer, before some good running by Pride hooker Fagalilo and centre Mary Anne Collins led to a second penalty attempt. This time Goulden missed left and the Heat went deep with their 22 re-start. But only as far as Collins who produced a powerful Jerry-like burst back up into the 22, leading to a try to Fagalilo that evened up the ledger at 10-10. Next the Pride launched a free-flowing attack. Swinging the ball across one side of the field and back the other way, wing Lekah Leti was just cut down going for a try. But the Pride won a free-kick from the ensuing Counties Manukau defensive scrum and hooker Fagalilo crashed over for her brace. The second half was just as entertaining, with three further players completing braces for the match. Aiatu, replacement fullback Katarina Simpkins (for the Pride) and openside flanker Aroha Savage (for the Heat) each scored two tries. Now playing with the breeze at their backs, Goulden kicked a penalty and the Pride went ahead 18-10. The Pride then scored their bonus point try through captain Aiatu, off a lineout drive in the corner, and their fifth when replacement fullback Katarina scorched into the backline from an attacking scrum to make it 28-10. Counties Manukau quickly re-grouped and came back with a try to Savage. But the Pride extended their lead to 20 points when halfback Dean darted through. However, the Heat weren’t cooked. Reduced to 14 players, they scored twice through their two best players, Savage and blindside flanker Rawinia Everitt, and trailed 29-35 with time almost up. They pressed again, but the Pride won a relieving penalty and cleared for touch. The Heat got their hands on the ball one last time from near halfway and went to launch a long-range assault. The ball spilled free in midfield and Simpkins sprinted away to score the Pride’s last try. Goulden saved her best until last, nailing the sideline conversion, and the Pride had a 42-29 win in the bank. Their last two games are against Auckland and then Canterbury, so with another improved performance they can trouble those teams. Women’s NPC Round 5: Wellington Pride 42 (Sharleen Fagalilo 2; Muteremoana Aiatu 2; Katarina Simkins 2; Agnes Dean tries; Lizzie Goulden pen, 2 con) beat Counties Manukau Heat 29 (Aroha Savage 2, Rawinia Everitt, Arihiana Marino tries; Marino pen, 3 con). HT: Wellington 15-10

    • Wellington Junior Rugby Forum
      • WELLINGTON JUNIOR RUGBY FORUM   WHEN: Wednesday 16 October, 6pm - 7.30pm WHERE: Johnsonville RFC, Helston Road, Johnsonville   The Junior Rugby Advisory Team (JRAT), having further advanced the findings of the Junior Rugby Review, would like to share with the junior rugby community the proposed developments for the future of Wellington Junior Rugby. This includes the Governance model, operations and the delivery of junior rugby in the region. Your feedback on these recommendations will be most welcome.   Should you wish to attend please RSVP to Mata Stote-Blandy at mata@wrfu.co.nz or phone her at the WRFU on 04-389 0020   Kind regards,   Kevin Wilson Chairman, Junior Rugby Advisory Team  Will Caccia-Birch WRFU Manager, Amateur Rugby

    • Review Sat 28 Sept
      • Above: Wellington Pride fullback Katarina Simpkins scoring early in the second half as part of her side's 49-3 win over Taranaki today at the Petone Recreation Ground. UPDATED: There were wins today for the Wellington Development side over Canterbury Development, for the Wellington Pride over Taranaki Women and for the Wellington U20s over the Taranaki U20s, while the Wellington U18s missed out to their Taranaki counterparts. Wellington Development defeated Canterbury 37-33, the Wellington Pride beat Taranaki 49-3, Wellington U20 defeated Taranaki U20 17-10 and Wellington U18 lost to Taranaki U18 17-25. The Wellington Development XV came back from a 16-20 halftime deficit to beat Canterbury Development four tries to three in their match on neutral soil at Renwick, near Blenheim. Four individual players scored Wellington’s tries, with No.8 Ian Kennedy, left wing James Kusel, fullback Hayden Whelan and replacement wing Jeff Makapulu all crossing the line. First five-eighth Brandyn Laursen converted all four tries and kicked three first half penalties for a 17-point return. Kennedy scored Wellington’s only try of the first half, while all three seven-pointers in the second half were scored by outside backs to seal a strong all-round performance for the Wellington side. Wellington now has a week off before meeting the Bay of Plenty Development side in Taupo in a fortnight. The Wellington U20s won in extremely difficult conditions in Inglewood, south of New Plymouth. In driving rain and wind, the U20s kicked three first half penalties through the boot of second five-eighth Tyler Tane and led 9-3 at halftime. Tane kicked a fourth penalty in the second half and right wing Andrew Ellis scored a decisive try to see off the home side, giving the U20s a 17-10 win. Forward power and the boot of first five-eighth Lizzie Gouldon carried the Wellington Pride to a 49-3 victory over Taranaki in blustery conditions at the Petone Recreation Ground. The Pride’s strong set-pieces were the cornerstone of their opening competition win against winless Taranaki who had no few answers for the Pride’s physical, direct style of play as the Pride won six tries to nil. Gouldon’s kicking off the tee was top drawer, the pivot kicking five penalties and two conversions for 19 points, while her kicking in play with the wind pinned Taranaki back inside their own 22 on several occasions. It all started up front where the scrum was dominant throughout and the lineouts supplied a steady stream of attacking ball for the forwards and midfield backs to increasingly pick holes in the defensive line. Captain and loosehead prop Muteremoana Aiatu led from the front, while lock Jackie Patea was outstanding and No. 8 Aimee Sutorius and starting hooker Patsy Schwalger both also had big games. After an opening exchange of penalties, the Pride’s scrum provided for the opening try. The Pride pushed Taranaki off their own ball and went wide to right wing Helena Lawrence who scored a neat try in the corner. The second try came after a turnover near halfway and a raking touchfinder into the same corner by Gouldon. Nabbing Taranaki’s lineout ball, the Pride went wide and Sutorious scored from a subsequent lineout drive on the far side. Gouldon’s sideline conversion put the Pride ahead 21-3 after half an hour. Gouldon kicked her third penalty of the first half on 40 minutes and the Pride led 24-3 at the turnaround.This was followed by another Gouldon penalty, extending the lead to 27-3, before fullback Katarina Simpkins ran scored after another attacking scrum for the first of four second half tries. With a Taranaki player down in the sin-bin, weight of numbers sent replacement hooker Sharleen Fagalilo over for the Pride’s bonus point try.Constant pressure then led to two quickfire tries late in the match to skipper Aiatu and left wing Brenda Collins to complete a comfortable win. All of the last three tries were scored in the same grandstand corner of the field. The Pride’s next match is at home next Saturday against the Counties Manukau Heat. Ill-discipline and the committed play at the breakdowns by the visitors cost the Wellington U18s victory against their Taranaki U18s at Ngatitoa Domain. Led by Francis Douglas Memorial College No. 8 Blake Barrett and marshaled by his FDMC teammate and halfback Logan Crowley, the fired up Taranaki loose forwards were all over Wellington like a rash, leading to two Wellington forwards being sin-binned for separate incidents. Taranaki exploited the 13-man Wellington side by scoring two tries, which extended their lead from 7-0 to 19-0.  Wellington came back to score a seven-pointer before the break and trailed 7-19 at halftime. Wellington scored two further tries in the second half, but New Plymouth Boys’ High School first five-eighth Daniel Waite closed out the contest by kicking two monster penalties with the wind at his back. For Wellington, captain Henry Stowers had another strong game and scored a try, while another of Wellington’s try scorers, replacement back and St Pat’s Silverstream’s Chase Tiatia had a big impact off the bench. The U18s who have now had a win and a loss in the Hurricanes U18 competition, play their final round-robin match next weekend at Westpac Stadium against Manawatu. The 5.15 pm match will be the curtain-raiser to the Ricoh Wellington Lions versus Auckland ITM Cup match. Scores: Women’s NPC Round 4. Wellington Pride 49 (Mutremoana Aiatu, Aimee Sutorius, Brenda Collins, Helena Lawrence, Katarina Simpkins, Sharleen Fagalilo tries; Lizzie Gouldon 5 pen, 2 con) beat Taranaki 3 (Kate Broadmore pen) HT: 24-3 At Renwick: Wellington Development XV 37 (Ian Kennedy, James Kusel, Jeff Makapelu, Hayden Whelan tries; Brandyn Laursen 3 pen, 4 con) beat Canterbury Development XV 33 (Scorers TBC). HT: 16-20 Hurricanes U20 competition: Wellington U20 17 (Andrew Ellis try; Tyler Tane 4 pens) beat Taranaki U20 10 (Scorers TBC). HT:9-3. Hurricanes U18 competition: Wellington U18s 17 (Henry Stowers, William Tufui, Chase Tiatia tries; Josh Robertson-Weepu conversion) lost to Taranaki U18s 25 (Scorers TBC). HT: 7-19. Hurricanes U18B competition: Wellington Centurions 51 beat Horowhenua Kapiti U18 0. Hurricanes U20B competition: Wellington U18 Samoans 20 beat Horowhenua Kapiti U20 16

    • Pride vs Taranaki
      • This weekend’s Pride match in Wellington will see the women take on a winless Taranaki side in round four of the Women’s Provincial Championship. Winless themselves, the Pride came ever so close to a victory last weekend when they lost 23-22 to Waikato in Te Awamutu. Coach Fili Liua’ana said the one-point loss was frustrating, but his team had shown they’ve got the goods to compete at NPC level. “Unfortunately that’s the way the game goes. The girls played really well, but unfortunately we made a few errors, and we made them at the wrong time.” Liua’ana said over the past few weeks the team had developed far more than he had expected. “The girls have a tonne of talent and skill and it’s just a matter of them gelling together as a team now. They’ve shown that in patches, and it’s really good to watch, but with a bit more time they’ll be able to gel that little bit more.” Liua’ana said the match against Teriyaki was one they were targeting, but he had no doubt Teriyaki would be doing exactly the same. “They’re a bit like us, they’re getting better with time. They have some really nice players and we can’t go into it thinking it’s going to be easy. They’ll want the win just as much as us.”   The match kicks off at the Petone Recreation Grounds at 12.30pm. Wellington Pride Katarina Simpkins, Helena Lawrence, Maryann Collins, Faasua Makisi, Brenda Collins, Elizabeth Goulden, Kauna Kopa, Aimee Sutorius, Kirsten Stewart, Carol Sio, Sanita Levave, Jackie Patea, Noeleen Nonu, Patsy Schwalger, Muteremoana Aiatu (captain). Reserves: Sharleen Fagalilo, Raylene Lolo, Joanah Ngan-Woo, Mary-Anne Leota, Acacia Claridge, Timena Tuma’ai, Ruby Finau.   Taranaki Aleisha Henry, Ahleah Paul-Kaponga, Lyn Smith, Badinee Munro-Smith, Chelsea Aim, Brooke Sim, Kate Broadmore, Neesha Barrett (captain), Marika Allen, Jessica Lampe, Ditte van Vliet, Victoria McCullough, Zora Boettcher, Tasha Hintz, Leah Barnard. Reserves:  Natalie Jones, Sarah Fairless, Megan Cloke, Nina Poletti, Marissa Clough, Georgia Marshall, Jacinta Harrison.

    • Rep Teams this Weekend
      • Above: Wellington U18 captain and No. 8 Henry Stowers leading from the front in last weekend's match against Hawke's Bay  Matches this weekend at a glance Women’s NPC: Wellington Pride v Taranaki, Petone Recreation Ground, 12.30 pm Hurricanes U18 competition: Wellington U18 v Taranaki U18 Ngatitoa Domain, 1.00 pm Wellington Development XV v Canterbury Development XV in Renwick, near Blenheim, 1.00 pm Hurricanes U20 competition: Wellington U20 v Taranaki U20 in Inglewood, 1.00 pm Hurricanes U18 B competition: Wellington Centurions v Horowhenua Kapiti U18 Levin Hurricanes U20 B competition: Wellington Samoans U18 v Horowhena-Kapiti U20 in Levin, 2.30 pm Three of Wellington teams are up against their Taranaki counterparts and the Wellington Development side is meeting the Canterbury Development side in representative rugby matches tomorrow.  The Wellington U18s and Wellington U20s are both chasing their second straight wins in their Hurricanes region competitions when they meet Taranaki teams at Ngatitoa Domain and Inglewood respectively. Last week the Wellington U18s defeated Hawke’s Bay 31-20 and the U20s beat Manawatu 36-19, while the Taranaki U18s beat Manawatu 23-8 and the Taranaki U20s lost to Hawke’s Bay 18-54. Wellington teams are also lining up in the B divisions of these Hurricanes region competitions. The Wellington Centurions, who beat Wanganui 65-0 last Saturday, meet Horowhenua-Kapiti in Levin, while the Wellington Samoans U18s play the Horowhenua-Kapiti U20s, also in Levin. The Wellington Pride are hunting their first win of the Women’s NPC in their round four clash at the Petone Recreation Ground against Taranaki, who are also winless thus far. The Pride, who lost to Otago (17-21) and Manawatu (12-25) in the opening fortnight of women’s NPC matches, were unlucky not to register their opening win of the competition last Sunday against Waikato (22-23). Leading at halftime, and again late in the match, they conceded a penalty and missed out at the death. The squad’s depth will also be tested in this match, with several first choice players expected to be sidelined through either injury or unavailability. Taranaki have lost their first three games, to Manawatu (12-49), Canterbury (12-92) and Otago (10-42). The Canterbury game aside, Taranaki have been more competitive than the scorelines suggest. Last week at Yarrow Stadium they only trailed by 10-13 early in the second half before Otago pulled clear. Ories skipper and tighthead prop Whetu Henry captains the Wellington Development side against Canterbury at Renwick near Blenheim at 1.00 pm. The Development’s engine room features seven of eight members of the pack with Wellington Lions experience, including Api Naikatini returning from injury at lock, Tawa captain Taniela Korori partnering Henry at prop and flanker Adam Hill who was harshly red carded for the Lions against Canterbury’s top side last Saturday. The only member of the pack without ITM Cup experience is No. 8 Ian Kennedy, whose brother Ross is a former Lion and Hurricane and now resides in Canterbury. The Wellington side can expect a high-tempo, expansive game from the Cantabrians as past Development  or ‘B’ fixtures between these sides have proven. There’s been several high scoring clashes between the two  Development teams in this corresponding game, one example being in 2009 when Robert Fruean scored four tries and led Wellington to a big win over Canterbury in his final match for Wellington before moving south to join his new red and black teammates. Some teamlists for matches on 28 September (subject to change): Wellington Development: 1. Taniela Koroi; 2. Eugene Smith; 3. Whetu Henry (captain); 4. Api Naikatini; 5. Vaea Fifita; 6. Pau Halafihi; 7. Adam Hill; 8. Ian Kennedy; 9. Simon Tevita; 10. Brandyn Laursen; 11. James Kusel; 12. Nick Grigg; 13. Marvin Karawana; 14. Paulo Aukuso; 15. Hayden Whelan RESERVES: 16. Donal McNamara; 17. Lotu Nuku; 18. Issac O’Connor; 19. James Wall; 20. Shahn Eru; 21. Jono Boyd; 22. Jeff Makapelu Wellington Pride 1. Muteremoana Aiatu (captain); 2. Patsy Schwalger; 3. Noeleen Nonu; 4. Jackie Patea; 5. Sanita Levavae; 6. Carol Sio; 7. Kirstin Stewart; 8. Aimee Sutorius; 9.Kauna Kopa; 10. Elizabeth Goulden; 11. Brenda Collins; 12.Faasua Makisi; 13. Maryann Collins; 14. Helena Lawrence; 15. Katarina Simpkins RESERVES: 16. Sharleen Fagalilo; 17. Raylene Lolo; 18. Joanah Ngan-Woo; 19. Mary-Anne Leota; 20.Accacia Claridge; 21. Lekah Leti; 22. Ruby Finau Wellington U20 1. Donald Brighouse; 2. Zeke Sopoaga; 3. Adam Stewart; 4. Zac Power; 5. Taamilo Va’a; 6. Gabe Papuni; 7. James Prescott; 8. Dylan Hayes; 9. Luke Campbell; 10. Jackson Garden-Bachop; 11. Andrew Ellis; 12. Tyler Tane; 13. Aukoso Tuitavia; 14. Sosi Tuimavavave; 15. Andrew Wells RESERVES: 16. James O’Reilly; 17. Eti Sului; 18. Nick Harrison; 19. Joshua To’omaga; 20. Issac Marriner; 21. Faamanatuga Mativa; 22. Ken Kapeli Wellington U18 1. Andrew Mamea; 2. Tony Coburn; 3. Anthony Mamea; 4. Lui Okeamoa-Luamanu; 5. James Blackwell; 6. Peter Pili; 7. Sam Dawson; 8. Henry Stowers (captain); 9. TJ Va’a; 10. George Boyhan; 11. Varani Komaisavai; 12. William Tufui; 13. Francis Tanuvasa; 14. Aleks Noble-Campbell; 15. Josh Robertson-Weepu RESERVES: 16. Lewis Ngatai; 17. Hezron Neru; 18. Jack Ross; 19. Jason Monton; 20. Chase Tiatia; 21. Jarrod Adams; 22. Luke Coulston

    • Calling all female athletes
      • The Wellington Rugby Union is on the hunt for female sevens hopefuls as it looks to launch its 2013 women’s sevens programme. The union will hold its second talent identification day on Saturday October 12 at Newtown’s Rugby League Park, and is inviting all female athletes – with rugby experience or not. Sevens development manager Clark Laidlaw said the aim of the day was to give women the opportunity to have a crack at sevens. ‘’We are looking for not only rugby players, but any girls with the raw athletic ability who would like to have a go,” he said. A number of those in the current New Zealand Women’s Sevens Squad weren’t rugby players 18 months ago, yet are now considered world-class athletes in the sevens world, he said. The push for women to hone their sevens skills comes as New Zealand prepare for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, where sevens rugby will make its Olympic debut. This year’s Wellington Sevens programme aims to build a base of female sevens players, who will compete at national tournaments later in the year. After the initial talent identification day there will be six training sessions for a selected group of players. That group will train every Tuesday and Thursday, beginning Tuesday October 15 at 6pm. The October 12 session will run from 10am to 2pm, and is only open to those born in 1997 or before. To register contact; Lesley.McKenzie@wrfu.co.nz Registrations close October 7.

    • Wins for U18s and U20s, Pride pipped by a point
      • Above: Midfielder Nick Grigg sailing to the first of his two tries in the wet at Ngatitoa Domain on Saturday for the Wellington Development XV against Wellington Maori. UPDATED SUNDAY: The Wellington U18s and the Wellington U20s both opened their Hurricanes region competitions with away wins on Saturday, while the Wellington Pride missed out to Waikato in their rescheduled Women's NPC clash on Sunday. The Wellington Pride lost 22-23 to Waikato after conceding a very late penalty and a yellow card that cost them the game.   The Wellington U18s opened their title defence by  defeating the Hawke’s Bay U18s 31-20 in Napier and the Wellington U20s overcame the Manawatu U20s 36-19 in Palmerston North. The Wellington U18s scored five tries in their win over Hawke’s Bay. Recently selected New Zealand Barbarians player and Naenae College right wing Fereti Soloa, scored a brace, while Scots College halfback TJ Va’a, St Pat’s Town replacement outside back Aleks Noble-Campbell and Wainuiomata club Henry Stowers also scored tries. Wellington led 19-7 at halftime. First five-eighth Jackson Garden-Bachop scored two tries and second five-eighth Tyler Tane kicked 16 points for the U20s in their win over Manawatu. Tane kicked three first half penalties to put Wellington ahead 14-3 at halftime and they stayed ahead throughout the second half. At Cooks Gardens in Wanganui, the Wellington U18 Centurions side defeated the home side 65-0 in their opening match of the Hurricanes region U18 B competition. Also in Wanganui, the Wellington U16 Development side beat the Wanganui U16s 66-10 in their Hurricanes U16 B division competition opener.  The Women’s NPC match between the Wellington Pride has been deferred to Sunday, owing to the Wellington Pride’s flight to Hamilton amongst the lightning storms last night being cancelled. The Pride flew to Auckland at 5.00 pm today and then bussed to Hamilton. The Wellington Development side flew to a big win over the Wellington Maori side in wet and gusty conditions at Ngatitoa Domain, outscoring the opposition 11 tries to two and winning 71-15. After conceding the first points through a penalty to Maori fullback Randall Bishop, the Development side scored four tries into the wind before halftime to lead 26-10 at the turnaround. Second five-eighth Nick Grigg, halfback Simon Tevita, left wing James Kusel and No. 8 Presley Tufaga crossed in the first half and first five-eighth Hamish Buick added three of the conversions. A player down in midfield owing to a high tackle and a yellow card, the Maori then conceded a soft try straight after halftime when Grigg scooped up a dropped ball and galloped away to score his brace under the posts. Further tries to tighthead prop Whetu Henry, who has played for the Maori in recent weeks, left wing James Kusel, after a break by Tevita, and a second to Tufaga advanced the score to 52-10 with about 20 minutes still to play. Left wing Brandyn Laursen scored in the corner to push the lead out to 57-10, before the Maori were rewarded for their best period of the match with their second try after a strong build-up. But two late tries, to replacement forward Matt Mulaney and to right wing Hayden Whelan, gave the Development team a comfortable win. The Wellington Development XV faces the Canterbury Development squad in their next match in a week’s time, while the Maori have completed their representative programme for the year. The Wellington Maori Colts missed out to Wairarapa Bush B 7-44 in the playoff for third and fourth in the RDO Cup on Finals Day in Levin. Wanganui B beat Horowhenua-Kapiti B in the final. Scores Wellington U18 31 (Fereti Soloa 2, TJ Va’a, Henry Stowers, Aleks Noble-Campbell tries; Josh Robertson-Weepu 3 con) beat Hawke’s Bay U18 20. HT: 19-7 Wellington U18 Centurions beat Wanganui U18 65-0 Wellington U16 Development  beat Wanganui U16 66-10 Wellington U20s (Jackson Garden-Bachop 2, Sosi Tuimavavae, Andrew Ellis tries; Tyler Tane 4 pen, 2 con) beat Manawatu U20s 36-19. HT: 13-3 Wellington Development XV 71 (Nick Grigg 2, James Kusel 2, Presley Tufaga 2, Simon Tevita, Brandyn Laursen, Hayden Whelan, Whetu Henry, Matt Mulaney tries; Hamish Buick 8 con) beat Wellington Maori 15 (John Monu, Kenny Anderson tries; Randall Bishop pen, con). HT: 26-10. At Levin. RDO Cup playoff for third and fourth: Wellington Maori Colts 7 lost to Wairarapa Bush B 44 Women’s NPC in Te Awamutu (Sunday): Wellington Pride 22 (Brenda Collins, Aimee Sutorious, Katarina Simpkins tries; Simpkins 2 con, pen) lost to  Waikato 23

    • 15 September: National honours for Wellington First XV players
      • Fereti Soloa(Naenae College),Malo Tuitama(Scots College) andJames Blackwell(Welington College) have been selected in the NZ Barbarian Secondary Schools team andWesley GoosenandLeni Apisai(both Wellington College) have made the New Zealand Schools team. Wellington coachesEarl Va’a(NZ Schools) andDarren Larsen(Barbarians) are assistant coaches of the respective teams.  The NZ Schools tour Australia at the end of September and play Schoolboy Tests against Fiji and Australia and a match against Australia A. The Barbarians meet an Auckland Rugby schools selection.

    • Hurricanes region age grade competitions kicking off on Saturday
      • UPDATED: The Wellington U18s and Wellington 20s sides kick off their respective four-week Hurricanes age-grade competitions tomorrow against their rivals from the Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki and Manawatu provinces. The two competitions take the form of three-match round robin series, leading up to Finals Day in Palmerston on 12 October where first plays second and third meets fourth. The two Wellington teams start their show on the road. The U18s travel to Napier to play the Hawke’s Bay U18s and the U20s meet the Manawatu U20s in Palmerston North. Both Wellington teams made last year’s finals, with the Wellington U18s beating Manawatu 24-16 to take the championship and the Wellington U20s missing out in a nail biting final to Hawke’s Bay 17-20, after also previously going down to the Junior Magpies 27-37 in round-robin play. In the final, Hawke’s Bay scoring the title winning try in the 81st minute. Hawke’s Bay had spent the previous several minutes hot on attack launching a series of pick and goes and they crossed the whitewash just as it seemed that Wellington’s herculean defence might have done enough to hold them off. In their other two round-robin matches last year, Wellington beat Taranaki U20 46-20 at Westpac Stadium and defeated Manawatu U20 50-0. The Wellington U20s have had two good recent wins  leading into this year’s U20 competition, running in 41-18 winners over an understrength Wellington Maori side and then beating Manawatu Maori 52-19. Hawke’s Bay have recently played four pre-competition games against other provinces, losing heavily to  Waikato (as did Wellington in their first match of the season), losing narrowly to Auckland, beating Poverty Bay and convincingly defeating Manawatu. The Wellington Centurions U18 team, who last year competed in the main U18 competition in the absence of a Hawke’s Bay side, will play competition matches against their counterparts from Wanganui, Horowhenua Kapiti and Wairarapa Bush. Again, all roads lead to Palmerston North on 12 October for Finals Day. The Centurions meet Wanganui U18 away first-up tomorrow. In the Women’s NPC, the Wellington Pride travel to Te Awamutu to face Waikato Women in a crunch third round Women’s NPC fixture. With two losses so far, the Pride really need to win this match or their chances of making the Women’s NPC final could quickly slip away, pending other results. Waikato have opened their season with a 16-15 win over Counties Manukau and a 27-15 loss to Otago. Both those encounters were away matches. The feature clash of the third round of Women’s NPC matches is the battle of the weather patterns between unbeaten teams the Auckland Storm and the Manawatu Cyclones. With the Ricoh Wellington Lions taking on the Canterbury Lambs in a top-of-the-table ITM Cup clash at Westpac Stadium at 5.35 pm, the curtain-raiser starts at 12.30 pm and is at Ngatitoa Domain.This is the match between the Wellington Development  XV and the Wellington Maori sides. For the Development XV, who had last weekend off, this clash is in preparation for next week’s hoped-for friendly against the Canterbury Development XV in Renwick near Blenheim. For the Maori, who beat Canterbury Maori 52-51 last week, this is their last scheduled match of the season. This game is followed at 2.30 pm by a three-way clash between the Wellington Samoan Schools, a Northern United combined side and the Welligton U16As. The U16 A and U16 Development sides are playing in the Hurricanes region U16 tournament in Ruatoria all next week. The U16 Development side is playing its tournament opener away against Wanganui on Saturday.   The Wellington Maori Colts side also plays its last match of the four-week RDO competition on Finals Day at the Levin Domain, meeting Wairarapa Bush B in the playoff for third and fourth. Wanganui  B and Horowhenua Kapiti B play off in the title decider. In a club game on Saturday, the Oriental Rongotai and Hutt Old Boys Marist Academies meet at Te Whaea at 3.00 pm. Matches tomorrow at a glance: ITM Cup: Ricoh Wellington Lions v Canterbury at Westpac Stadium at 5.35 pm Wellington U20 v Taranaki U20 in Inglewood at 1.00 pm Wellington U18 v Hawke’s Bay in Napier Wellington U18 Centurions v Wanganui U18 in Wanganui Wellington Maori v Wellington Development at Ngatitoa Domain at 12.30 pm Wellington Samoan Schools v Norths Combined v Wellington U16A at Ngatitoa Domain at 2.30 pm Wellington Maori Colts v Wairarapa Bush B at Levin Domain at 11.00 am U16 Development v Wanganui in Wanganui (Hurricanes U16 tournament competition game) Sunday: Hutt Valley Secondary Schools Sevens tournament, Riverside Park (near Fraser Park) 9.00 am - 3.00 pm   Some Teamlists for 21 September:   Wellington U20s 1. Donald Brighouse; 2. James O’Reilly (captain); 3. Eti Sului; 4. Zac Power; 5. Taamilo Va’a; 6. Cameron Ross; 7. Gabe Pauni;  8. Dylan Hayes; 9. Luke Campbell; 10. Jackson Garden-Bachop; 11. Andrew Ellis; 12. Tyler Tane; 13. Aukuso Tuitavia; 14. Soso Tuimavavae; 15. Andrew Wells. RESERVES: Zeke Sopoaga; 17. Adam Stewart; 18. Nick Harrison; 19. James Prescott; 20. Issac Marriner; 21. Tuga Mativa; 22. Siaosi Lealiifano Wellington U18s 1. Gerard Faitotoa; 2. Lewis Ngatai; 3. Anthony Mamea; 4.Jack Ross; 5.Lui Okeamoa Luamanu; 6. Peter Pili; 7. Sam Dawson; 8. Henry Stowers (captain); 9.TJ Va’a; 10.  Chase Tiatia; 11. Varani Komaisavai; 12. William Tufui; 13. Troy Mohr; 14. Fereti Soloa; 15. Josh Robertson-Weepu . RESERVES: 16. Tony Coburn; 17. Joel Hintz; 18. James Zinol 19. Jarrod Adams; 20. Aleks Noble-Campbell; 21. George Boyhan; 22. Luke Coulston Wellington Pride 1. Muteremoana Aiatu (captain); 2. Patsy Schwalger; 3. Tina Kelemete; 4. Jackie Patea;  5. Sanita Levave; 6. Carol Sio; 7. Aimee Sutorius; 8. Miriam Ready; 9. Agnes Dean; 10. Vaine Marsters; 11. Jessika Akavi; 12. Pauline Piliae; 13. Maryann Collins; 14. Brenda Collins; 15. Katarina Simpkins. RESERVES: 16. Sharleen Fagalilo; 17. Noeleen Nonu; 18. Joanah Ngan-Woo; 19. Kirsten Stewart;  20. Acacia Claridge; 21. Kauna Lopa; 22. Elizabeth Goulden Wellington Maori 1. Ryan Nepia; 2. Jo Hopkins; 3. Kenny Andersonl 4. Ara Nikora; 5. Richard Wasley; 6. Ainsley Mei; 7. Steve Aki; 8. Tane McMillian-Parata; 9. Campbell Woodmass; 10. John Monu; 11. Jason Love; 12. Eden Monu; 13. Deina Morete/Daley Harper; 14. Mike Williams; 15. Randall Bishop. RESERVES: 16. Doug Jones; 17. Andrew Burne; 18. Gene Lutton; 19. Manasah Winera; 20. Jamie Norman; 21. Eamon Tawhiwirangi; 22. Harper/Morete; 23. Taylor Henry; 24. TK Pak.

    • Media Release - Pride v Waikato
      • A solid effort against a Manawatu side packed with talent last week has made the Wellington Pride that much hungrier for a win on Saturday. The Pride head to Te Awamutu this weekend to face Waikato, after going down 25-12 to Manawatu last Saturday. Waikato has both a win and a loss behind them in this year’s National Provincial Championship, the latter coming at the hands of Otago in Dunedin, when they lost 27-15.  The Wellington women played Otago in the first round of competition and only just went down, 21-17. Tina Kelemete comes into the front row for the Pride this weekend, replacing Noeleen Nonu who will come off the bench, while second five-eighth Pauline Piliae also grabs a spot in the starting the line-up. The Pride team to face Waikato is as follows; 1. Muteremoana Aiatu (c) 2. Patsy Schwalger 3. Tina Kelemete 4. Jackie Patea 5. Sanita Levave 6. Carol Sio 7. Aimee Sutorius 8. Miriam Ready 9. Agnes Dean 10. Vaine Marsters 11. Jessika Akavi 12. Pauline Piliae 13. Maryann Collins 14. Brenda Collins 15. Katarina Simpkins   16. Sharleen Fagalilo 17. Noeleen Nonu 18. Joanah Ngan-Woo 19. Kirsten Stewart 20. Acacia Claridge 21. Kauna Lopa 22. Elizabeth Goulden   For more information contact: Hannah Fleming 0212450986

    • First home game for the Wellington Pride this weekend
      • Written by Steve White The Wellington Pride play the first of three matches at home at the Petone Recreation Ground on Saturday when they take on the Manawatu Cyclones in Round Two of the Women’s NPC competition. The new-look Wellington Pride side started their Women’s NPC campaign last week with a narrow loss to the Otago Spirit in Dunedin, so they are eager to open their account against their nearest neighbour Manawatu who won convincingly first-up over Taranaki in their competition opener in Palmerston North. After conceding a try from a chip and chase in the opening exchanges, the Pride fought back to close the margin up to three points by halftime, but Otago stayed ahead to win 21-17. Manawatu and Taranaki were locked up at 5-5 at the end of the first half in their match, but Manawatu sailed home with a strong wind at their backs to win 49-12. The Pride went into their first round encounter with no fewer than eight players making their Women’s NPC debuts. These players were offset by a core of established players led by former Black Fern prop and captain Muteremoana Aiatu, flanker Aimee Sutorius and Black Ferns lock Jackie Patea in the forwards and Mary-Ann Collins and Katarina Simpkins in the backs. The nucleus of this team goes into this match against Manawatu, with the possibility of a couple of injury-enforced changes in the backs. Several players in the Manawatu side will also be familiar to Wellington’s players and supporters. Former Pride players Rebecca Mahoney, Huia Paul, Samantha McIntosh and Tatiana Tafatu could all be lining up against them. Former Black Fern and first five-eighth Mahoney ran the Pride’s cutter on a number of occasions up until the end of last year before her Wairarapa club side Eketahuna shifted its allegiance from the Wellington to the Manawatu club competition. Some other key players for the visitors include Black Ferns, prop Ruth McKay and fullback Selicia Winiata, and hard running midfielder Chrystal Mayes. The Pride and the Cyclones have already met once, in a recent pre-season match, with the Pride scoring four unconverted tries and winning 20-15. Last year Manawatu finished fifth out of seven teams, just ahead of Wellington. In their competition match last season, Manawatu ran out 43-31 winners in Palmerston North. Wellington has won three of their last five Women’s NPC matches that were played between 2007-2012 , last beating them 55-8 in Wellington two years ago. As part of other girls and female games at the Petone Rec on Saturday include a brand new team in action, the Rugbygirl Wellington Whirlwind, comprising 30 girls aged 10-13 up against their Manawatu counterparts in their return fixture after they met for the first time in Palmerston North last week, their game kicks off at 12.00pm on Petone Rec 1. Additionally, the Wellington Secondary Schoolgirls XV play the Manawatu Schoolgirls, kicking off at 12.30pm on Petone Rec 4. WELLINGTON PRIDE 1. Muteremoana Aiatu © 2. Patsy Schwalger 3. Noeleen Nonu 4. Jackie Patea 5. Sanita Levave 6. Carol Sio 7. Aimee Sutorius 8. Miriam Ready 9. Acacia Claridge 10. Vaine Marsters 11. Jessika Akavi 12. Fa’asua Makisi 13. Maryann Collins  14. Brenda Collins 15. Katarina Simpkins RESERVES:   16. Sharleen Fagalilo 17. Tina Kelemete 18. Joanah Ngan-Woo 19. Kirstin Stewart 20. Agnes Deans 21. Kauna Lopa 22. Elizabeth Goulden COACH: Fili Liua’ana COACH: Joe Tawhara MANAGER: Rebecca Liua’ana PHYSIO: Nick Naylor

    • Weather affecting 7s training and U15 Trials
      • 7’s training All nominated 7’s players training has been moved to ASB Centre tonight - starts 7.00pm U15 Trials This is to confirm that the U15 trials to be held at Wakefield Park, Island Bay tonight has been called off. Could you please pass onto your players invited to trial that are attached The Trials will now be run on Monday 16th September at St Pats Town Astroturf with the same times as planned for today

    • Wins for Wellington Development and Wellington U20s; close losses for Pride and Wellington College
      • Above: Tauasosi Tuimavave  on the burst for the Wellington U20s today. He scored two tries and had a direct hand in two more. Updated: The Wellington Development side enjoyed the biggest win of the afternoon in today’s representative and College First XV matches involving Wellington teams. In Feilding, the Wellington Development side cantered to a 71-5 win over Manawatu Maori. At Porirua Park, the Wellington U20s defeated Wellington Maori 41-18, warming up for a busy stretch of matches against inter-provincial opposition by outscoring the Maori seven tries to three and turning an early deficit into a 34-8 lead early in the second half. In Dunedin, the Wellington Pride missed out to Otago in the first round of the women’s NPC, going down 17-21 after being behind 10-13 at the break. The Pride scored three tries, to wings Brenda Collinsand  Jessika Akavai and lock Jackie Pate, while a yellow card to openside flanker Kirstin Stewart was a key moment of the match. In Rotorua, Wellington College fought gallantly before going down 16-28 to hot shots Hamilton Boys’ High School in their National Top Four semi-final and Moascar Cup challenge match. The halftime score was 13-13, but Hamilton were too slick in the second half and the Waikato school faces St Kent’$ of Auckland in next week’s final. In the early game at Porirua Park, the Wellington U16 Development team defeated a Norths Invitational side 26-12. At Waikanae, the Horowhenua Kapiti B team beat the Wellington Maori Colts 64-10 in round two of the RDO Cup competition, involving the Maori Colts and the Heartland Development teams. The Wellington Samoans Secondary Schools defeated a Horowhenua Kapiti side 38-0. The Wellington U20s won their match against the Wellington Maori team with a three-try burst just before and just after halftime. Against their bigger opponents the U20s struggled for rhythm early and conceded seven first half penalties at the breakdown alone. But a positive gameplan, spearheaded by five-eighths Aviata Silago and Jackson Garden-Bachop and left wing Tauaosi Tuimavavae and fullback Andrew Wells, paid off. Playing with the advantage of a gusty wind at their backs, the U20s were leading 17-8 before the game’s most dangerous attacker, Tuimaavae, sliced through four defenders to put them ahead 24-8 at the break. Straight after halftime, hard working lock Zac Power finished off a long-range movement and a break by Wells, and two minutes later Tuimavavae ran back a clearing kick and scored another 50 metre try which he converted to put the U20s ahead 34-8. After making numerous changes  -including an all-new front row to replace James O’Reilly (Wellington Lions), Donald Brighouse (NZ U20s) and Eti Sului (NZ Secondary Schools), the U20s then had to defend well throughout the middle stages of the second half as the Maori muscled up and mounted a comeback, scoring twice to close the deficit to 34-18. But a late try finished off by Wells sealed the result. The Wellington U20s have a busy stretch of games against other provinces coming up, with matches against Tasman (next week) and Auckland and against Manawatu, Taranaki and Hawke’s Bay in the Hurrricanes U20 tournament.

    • U18 Centurions Team Announced
      • The Wellington Rugby Under 18 Centurions team has been announced for 2013. Training will start this Saturday at Petone – all players should have been contacted by Team Management. Centurions U18 team fixtures: 14 September 2013: Warm-up game v Taranaki (away) 21 September 2013: TBC 28 September 2013: TBC 5 October 2013: TBC 12 October 2013: Final – between the top two teams from pool games Bishop Viard Salio Siaunuua Wellington RC Jesse Weenik St Pats Stream Reid McCashin Rongotai College Fa'avae Tema Wellington College Pepesana Patafilo St Pats Stream Troy Mohr Tawa College Rayshan Edmonds-Lama HIBS Logan Henry OBU Simon Malu Wests Te Ara Henderson HOBM John Tufele HIBS Sam Wasley Wellington College Greg Morgan Poneke/Wellington HS Thomas Kimber Wellington College Ben Tuiomanufili Marist St Pats James Zino St Pats Town Quaid Martin-Laumatia Wainuiomata RFC Andrew Mamea Tawa College Hezron Neru Newlands College Richard Guttenbeil Norths Tua Vaai Wainuiomata High School Jordan Leuluai

    • 2013 Under 18 Team Announced
      • The Wellington Rugby Under 18 team has been announced for 2013. Training will start this Saturday at Petone – for more information please contact WRFU Rugby Services Administrator - Frances Duffin 027 699 6513.   Fixture list 2013: Saturday 14th September vs Manawatu – Otaki (Pre Season) Saturday 21st September vs Hawkes Bay – Napier Saturday 28th September vs Taranaki – Wellington venue TBC Saturday 5th October vs Manawatu – Wellington venue TBC Saturday 12th October – Hurricanes Youth Council FINALS – Palmerston North Saturday 19th October vs Tasman – Renwick   Wellington Rugby U18 Team 2013: Bishop Viard Gerard Faitotoa Hutt Valley High School Francis Tanuvasa MSP George Boyman Naenae College William Tufui Naenae College Fereti Soloa Petone RFC Jack Ross Porirua College Peter Pili Scots College TJ Va'a Scots College Malo Tuitama Scots College Varani Komaisavai St Bernards College Jason Monton St Pats Stream Lewis Ngatai St Pats Stream Vern Sosefo St Pats Stream Lui Okeamoa Luamanu St Pats Stream Joel Hintz St Pats Stream Josh Robertson-Weepu St Pats Stream Chase Tiatia St Pats Stream Luke Coulston St Pats Stream Jarrod Adams St Pats Town Aleks Noble-Campbell Tawa RFC Tony Coburn Wainuiomata RFC Henry Stowers Wainuiomata RFC Anthony Mamea Wellington College James Blackwell Wellington College Leni Apisai Wellington College Wesley Goosen Wellington RC Sam Dawson       Not considered for selection due to injury     HVHS Victor Knight St Pats Stream Jack McCormack St Pats Stream Nic Mannix St Pats Stream Delano Morkel Wellington College Pakaitore Turia Wellington College Luke Tau'alupe Wellington College Ryan Saunders

    • Wellington Pride starting Women’s NPC this weekend
      • This weekend the Wellington Pride join seven other provinces from around the country at the starting gates for an expanded Women’s NPC competition. This year eight teams will be playing in the Women’s NPC, with Hawke’s Bay dropping out but Taranaki and Counties Manukau joining the fray as new contenders. Seven weeks of round robin play will culminate in the top two teams playing in the final on Saturday 26 October. The final is the curtain-raiser to the Men’s ITM Cup Premiership final. The Auckland Storm will once again be favourites. Last year the Storm beat Canterbury 38-12 in the final to register their 13th win in the past 14 seasons. The Pride have been the only team to take the title off Auckland in this time, winning in 2006. The Pride also made the final two years ago, missing out to the Aucklanders at the last hurdle. The Pride’s first assignment this Saturday is a trip to Dunedin to play Otago who won four from six games last year including a hard fought 8-7 win over Wellington in the opening round in appalling conditions, and finished third. Coaches Joe Tawhara and Fili Liua’ana, both experienced Senior men’s players and men’s and women’s coaches out of the Oriental-Rongotai club, have taken over the reins from Damian Rapira-Davies, who this year has been coaching at St Pat’s College Town. Former Black Ferns prop Muteremoana Aiatu, who earlier this year led Northern United to the Wellington Women’s club title, is the Pride’s captain this year. With a new coaching team and several young up and coming players, the Pride are entering the Women’s NPC with their feet firmly on the ground. Tawhara said that this season is part one of a three-year plan of rebuilding the Pride after they finished sixth out of seven teams last year following the loss to retirement and to other provinces of a number of players. “We are all very excited about the upcoming campaign,” said Tawhara, “our goals are very much about implementing our systems accurately, being competitive and working hard to improve our player skill and knowledge each week. Initially we have a three year plan, and this is the first year of hopefully rebuilding a competitive and successful NPC Pride team.” Tawhara said this year’s competition will be difficult. “We are starting from scratch and very much down the pecking order, with Auckland, Waikato, Canterbury, Otago and Manawatu all having good programmes in place with talented footballers. If you are serious about  being competitive and winning you can't afford to single one team out. We have to prepare for each encounter on their own merits.” Tawhara said that the Pride have a number of key players with sound experience, including captain  Aiatu, stalwart  Amiee Sutoriuos, Mary-Anne Collins (Manu- Sina) and Jackie Patea (Current Black Fern). However they recently lost the services of Mel Bosman (Current Black Fern) to work commitments. Losing key front rower Bosman was a blow said Tawhara. But he added that the team have a sound leadership group that everyone respects and that they have placed a significant importance on team unity and cohesion. Several players will make their representative debuts this year for the Pride, making the step up from club rugby, and the coaches and management have faith that will all perform well and continue to develop. “We selected the squad on merit, and it would be fair to say that there are disappointed individuals who were part of the mix in the past. But as coaches we attended as many games as possible, and also had a number of spotters at different club games, and our only instruction really was to find players that stood out and put their hands up and pretty much picked themselves. "There were many questions asked about non-selection of past players, but at the end of the day  if  they didn't stand out to us then they weren't selected. “We named 46 girls to trial and that process was very beneficial. The final squad that includes an extended development squad, ensures we have a good mix of players from all teams across the Wellington competition, including a number school girls." The Pride have already played two pre-season games - and won them both. In the first game they beat Taranaki by 40 points in Bulls, a match that was a lot more competitive than the score suggests. Last Saturday they defeated a combative, skilful Manawatu 20-15 in Otaki. Manawatu were ahead for long periods and pushed the Pride hard. “We approached that game by trying to improve on the things against Taranaki that didn't go very well,” said Tawhara, we made some gains in certain areas but we have still got plenty to work on. Tawhara said that Otago away this Saturday will be difficult. “We understand from previous years that they are experienced, well drilled and with good systems. Of course we want to win, but we really need to focus on what we want to achieve on the field, and if we win our ball, execute our systems well and are accurate, then we every have opportunity of doing well.” The following Saturday, 14 September, the Pride play the first of three home round-robin fixtures at the Petone Recreation ground, hosting Manawatu. Other home matches are against Taranaki on 28 September and Counties Manukau on 5 October.   Women’s NPC coverage To view the full women’s NPC draw visit http://www.clubrugby.co.nz/national/ (choose the ‘Select Competitions’ menu to view the Women’s NPC). Teams for the first round named at the end of this week. As well as the new full Draws & Results and points table section, Club Rugby will bring stories, news and updates throughout the competition on our home page and our Wellington and Taranaki websites.   The Wellington Pride’s Women’s NPC squad is: Noeleen Nonu (Oriental Rongotai) Sharlene Fagalilo (Old Boys University) Patsy Schwalger (Norths) Muteremoana Aiatu (Norths) Tina Kelemete (Norths) Raylene Lolo (Oriental Rongotai) Jackie Patea (Wainuiomata) Sanita Levave (Norths) Joanah Ngan-Woo (Oriental Rongotai) Carol Sio (Avalon) Kirstin Stewart (Oriental Rongotai) Miriam  Ready (Oriental Rongotai) Mary-Anne Leota (Oriental Rongotai) Aimee Sutorius (Norths) Acacia Claridge (Wainuiomata) Agnes Dean (Norths) Vaine Marsters (Norths) Lekah Leti (Norths) Mary-Ann Collins (Wainuiomata) Brenda Collins (Norths) Katarina Simpkins (Avalon) Kauna Lopa (Oriental Rongotai) Elizabeth Goulden (Oriental Rongotai) Pauline Piliae (Old Boys University) Helena Lawrence (MSP-Poneke) Jessika Akavi (Norths) Development players: Mena Tuma’ai (Oriental Rongotai) Rachel Tuma’ai (Oriental Rongotai) Tuese Lewis (Wainuiomata) Fai Wright (Oriental Rongotai) Fa’asua Makisi (Oriental Rongotai) Sieni Samau (Wainuiomata) Ruby Finau (Avalon) Lilian Mapu (Old Boys University) Georgia Daals (Old Boys University) Sharna Burt (Norths) Geneva Webber (Avalon)

    • The First Multicultural Rugby Festival in New Zealand Driven by a Vision
      • The Pōneke Football Club’s vision to grow the first All Black and Black Fern from migrant communities who is not from the South Pacific, Europe or South Africa has drawn incredible support from the Multicultural communities of the Greater Wellington region. A vibrant, noisy, colourful celebration of rugby as a way of binding communities in New Zealand together is being held at Pōneke Football Club, Kilbirnie Park, on the afternoon of Sunday 8 September (15 September a reserve day). “Our communities are very excited to become part of New Zealand’s national game. All migrants (even recent ones) love the All Blacks, the Black Ferns, the Hurricanes, the Lions and the Pride, but this is a chance to get off the couch and play the game too. We are grateful to the Poneke Football Club for hosting this inaugural event ” said Pancha Narayanan, President of the Upper Hutt Multicultural Council who is one of the drivers of this event. “By 2020, 1 in 5 New Zealanders will be non‐European and non‐Polynesian”. “There is no better way of integrating into New Zealand society than joining a rugby club, and we’re doing our bit by working with the three Multicultural Councils across the Wellington region to organise what will become an annual Multicultural Rugby Festival at Pōneke” says Kevin Jenkins, Chairman of the Pōneke Football Club. “We’re confident that once they get a taste of rugby by playing touch, they’ll be keen to sign up for full rugby next year”. “Pōneke has a long history of welcoming players and supporters from migrant communities. In the early 1900s the Italian Calcinai family was one of the pillars of Pōneke, producing an All Black and many rep players. After WW2, Pōneke recruited new Greek migrants, one of whom become President of Pōneke”. “Fast forward to 2013 and, as well as All Black Dane Coles, Pōneke fielded players originally from South Africa (Hurricane Reggie Goodes), Japan, China, Korea, India, Thailand, Somalia, Ethiopia, Nigeria, USA, France, as well as the UK and of course the Pacific Islands”. “Rugby offers grades to suit everyone. The U85kg grade is attractive to many migrants because it’s very fast, skilful, and matches their physical dimensions”. Junior rugby is also weight graded so there is a team for kids of all shapes, sizes and abilities. “We want men, women and children from every community to come and play rugby at Pōneke”. The Multicultural Council of Wellington, Lower Hutt Multicultural Council, Upper Hutt Multicultural Council, The New Zealand Federation of Multicultural Councils, The Anbe Sivam Trust, The Settling‐In Programme of the Ministry of Social Development, The Office of Ethnic Affairs, the New Zealand Police and the Wellington City Council have come together to support this festive event and also to field men’s, women’s and children’s teams. Teams from more recent migrant communities, as well as other communities who have not traditionally played rugby, will play touch. To encourage the visitors for the day, Pōneke teams will play several demonstration games of 7s – men, women and under 13 junior players. The day kicks off at 12.30pm, with awards and a bite to eat for participants from 4.00pm. There will be music and ethnic food available throughout the day. Entries are still open, but already there are teams from Upper Hutt, Porirua, Lower Hutt, Wellington, a Muslim team, a Filipino team, as well as teams from NZ Police, the and WCC . “Pōneke will be the home of the first ethnic All Black, and the first ethnic Black Fern” said Kevin Jenkins, Chairman of the Pōneke Football Club. For details on how to enter, or when to come along and enjoy the day, see the flyer attached. For entries, email PMCR2013@gmail.com For more information:    Poneke Multicultural Rugby Pancha Narayanan President Upper Hutt Multicultural Council pancha@xtra.co.nz 021 726 242 Kevin Jenkins Chairman Pōneke Football Club kevin.jenkins@martinjenkins.co.nz 021 397 615  

    • Club and college finals wins today for MSP, Petone, Upper Hutt and Wellington College
      • Above: the victorious Petone Brotherhood team after winning the Senior 3 Johnsonville Centennium Cup, beating the Hutt Old Boys Marist Barbarians 16-5. Updated: Finals wins for Marist St. Pat’s, Petone and Upper Hutt and Wellington College and some more hotly contested representative matches in and around Wellington a bit further afield in club, college and representative rugby today. Wellington College defeated Napier Boys’ High School 22-15  in the final of the Hurricanes region First XV competition at FMG Stadium in Palmerston North. Wellington College led 8-7 at halftime after Napier BHS had rocked them by scoring an early length of the field try to centre Caleb Makene. Wellington College regrouped and got ahead 22-10 with about 10 minutes to play to seal the win. For Wellington College, No. 8 Nelson Asofa-Solomona, hooker Leni Apisai and lock James Blackwell had big games, while for Napier openside flanker and captain Michael Buckley was prominent. Wellington College now contest next week’s Top Four tournament in Rotorua, where they play the winner of the Chiefs region final that is being played tomorrow between Hamilton BHS and Tauranga Boys HS. If they were win that then the final would in Wellington in a fortnight. There were three club finals today to bring the curtain down on the 2013 15-a-side season. The  Marist St Pat’s Blues defeated the Tawa Titans 16-3 in the U85 kg Division 1 final at Lyndhurst Park. MSP scored a runaway try at the end to second five-eighth Jared Hammington, converted by fullback Mark Houghton, to seal their fourth straight Paul Potiki Shield final win. Hammington’s try was some relief for MSP and their vocal supporters, after enduring a tense period of play with Tawa hammering away at their line under their posts from a series of 5-metre scrums. Keeping it tight, Tawa searched for the seven-pointer that would have won them the game but inspirational defence kept them out. In a game dominated by several big defensive plays, the boot had been on the other foot late in the first half with MSP up 6-3 and dominating both territory and possession and Tawa prop Geoff Brotherway cooling off in the sin-bin. MSP couldn’t break through and Houghton settled for his third penalty to give MSP a 9-3 lead at the break. The run of play remained tense and willing throughout the second half, both sides again creating opportunities but unable to capitalise. Tawa went close to scoring in the clubrooms corner after an impressive lineout drive and then MSP missed a penalty that would have extended their lead. It came down to the final five minutes. Tawa were awarded a penalty and went for a lineout. Twice MSP held them off, including a would-be try scorer being held up over the line. It then came down to a scrum under their posts but again they kept them out. Chancing their arm in the dying moments, MSP midfielder Hammington pounced on a dropped Tawa ball and sprinted 60 metres to score the winner. The Petone Brotherhood overcame the Hutt Old Boys Marist Barbarians in a grueling forwards struggle by 16-5 at the Hutt Recreation Ground after leading 10-5 at halftime to win the Senior 3 Johnsonville Centennium Cup. The Upper Hutt J8s defeated Paremata-Plimmerton 27-14 to claim the Reserve Grade Division 2 competition. In representative rugby, the Wellington Pride grabbed their second straight pre-season win ahead of the start of next week’s Women’s NPC. They scored four unconverted tries to beat the Manawatu Cyclones 20-15 in Otaki, after scores had been locked at 5-5 at halftime. The Pride start their Women’s NPC campaign next week in Dunedin against Otago. Across in Masterton, the Wellington Maori Colts missed out 3-44 to the Wairarapa Bush Colts in their first round RDO Cup match.Closer to home, there were two representative matches played, at Helston Park and Porirua Park. At Helston Park, the match between the Wellington Samoans and Wellington Maori teams was stopped for almost 45 minutes after Maori lock Jamie Norman took a head knock in a tackle and stayed down. An ambulance was called and Norman was taken to hospital, where CT scans had him a stable condition as of late Saturday afternoon. The injury occurred as the Wellington Samoans, with a moderate wind behind them, were looking at building their 11-0 lead at the time, just out from halftime. Wing Site Timu had scored the game’s only try up to that point, chasing up a kick and scoring off a mistake at the back by Maori fullback Randall Bishop. First five-eighth Fa’atonu Fili had also kicked two penalties. The Samoans had broken the line several times, with Fili, halfback Simon Tevita and second five-eighth Isaiah Petelo all dangerous. Following the long injury break, the Maori started the second spell strongly and scored to close the gap to 11-5. But the Samoans pulled clear over the final 25 minutes, with Petelo scoring two tries. Up the motorway at Porirua Park, the Wellington Development XV were too strong for the Wellington U20s, winning 48-26. The Development side scored eight tries, including a double to Petone midfielder Nick Grigg who had a strong game. The Wellington U20s scored two late tries to close the gap up. There was also more rugby at Porirua Park, where the Wellington Samoa Secondary Schools MOTU tournament finals day was held and a combined Norths side took on Horowhenua Kapiti U18. Details to come. Scoreboards At Palmerston North: Hurricanes First XV final. Wellington College 22 (Wesley Goosen, Matthew Eathorne, Leni Apisai tries; Pakaitore Turia 2 con, 1 pen) beat Napier Boys’ High School: 15 (Caleb Makene, Jack Smith-Ballingall tries; Ethan Bradey 1 con, 1 pen). HT: 8-7 At Lyndhurst Park: Paul Potiki Shield U85 kg Division 1 club final. Marist St Pat’s Blues 16 (Jared Hammington try; Mark Houghton 3 pen; con) beat Tawa Titans 3 (Darcy Po penalty). HT: 9-3. At the Hutt Rec: Johnsonville Centeniumm Cup Senior 3 club final. Petone Brotherhood 16 beat the Hutt Old Boys Marist Barbarians 16-5 At Maidstone Park: Reserve Grade Division 2 club final. Upper Hutt J8’s beat Paremata-Plimmerton 27-14 At Otaki (Women's NPC preseason): Wellington Pride 20 (Mary-Anne Collins, Katarina Simpkins, Aimee Sutorius, Jessika Akavi tries) beat Manawatu 15. HT: 5-5 At Porirua Park: Wellington Development 48 (Nick Grigg 2, Matt Mullany, Whetu Henry, Mateaki Kafatolu, Andrew McWhirter, Shahn Eru, Issac O’Connor tries; Brandyn Laursen 2 con; Hamish Buick 2 con) beat Wellington U20s 26. HT: 17-5 At Helston Park: Wellington Samoans 38 (Isaiah Petelo 2, Pago Haimi, Site Timu, Kalim Kelemete tries; Fa’atonu Fili 3 pen, 2 con) beat Wellington Maori 15 (Manasseh Winerra 2, TJ Fermanis tries). HT: 11-0.

    • U85kg final
      • Above: The MSP Blues and Tawa Titans teams in action when they met back in June at Te Whaea in the decider of the first round JC Bowl, which MSP won 16-12. Photo courtesy of MSP Rugby. To the fair-weather supporter, one thing that has seemingly been a given all season has been that the MSP Blues will march to another Paul Potiki Shield U85 kg Division 1 title. After all, the Blues have been the dominant team of this grade for the last few seasons and indeed the most consistent performing team across all of Wellington Senior rugby in this time. That is, until they were beaten 14-11 by the Tawa Titans in the final round-robin match of the competition two weeks ago. The consequence of that win was that Tawa qualified top and will host this Saturday’s final at Lyndhurst Park.   Will the MSP Blues be upstaged again in Saturday’s final? After all, this is a Tawa team they are playing, holders of the Swindale Shield, Jubilee Cup, Ed Chaney Cup and several other interclub and challenge trophies. The word is that members are donning sunglasses when heading upstairs to their clubrooms, such is the glint of metal in their eyes from their trophy cabinet. In one of three finals on Saturday to bring the curtain down an eventful and exciting year of 15-a-side Wellington club rugby - the others being the Senior 3 final between the HOBM Barbarians and Petone and the Reserve Grade Division 2 final between the Upper Hutt J8s and the Paremata-Plimmerton Punters -  this final could be, as the home side’s name suggests, a titanic match. In the scarlet corner, or in this case the Blues corner, is MSP. Three-time defending Paul Potiki Shield champions and winners of eight of the past nine combined U85 kg Division 1 titles going back to the first round JC Bowl competition in 2009.  They are the only team to play in all six Division 1 finals played in the last eight years (no finals were played in 2006 and 2008). MSP also ended the regular season as the inaugural holders of the Centurions RFC Cup. In June the Blues beat Tawa 16-12 to claim their fifth JC Bowl title in a row, winning all nine games of the first round by a average margin of almost 50 points. They then won their opening five second round matches before being stopped by Tawa two weeks ago. This loss was their first defeat in over two years, ending a 36 game winning streak. In the red, yellow and blue corner is Tawa, a side based on unity and club and team spirit. Tawa have never won the Paul Potiki Shield, but were  beaten finalists by MSP last year, 6-26, and joint winners of the JC Bowl in 2000 and 2001 and first round runners-up in 2006, 2010 and this season. Several players have been playing for this Tawa team for at least a decade, such as captain David Tye since 2000, No. 8 Sam Butters since 1999, and top try scorer Simon Penny since 2002.   First five-eighth Gene Johnston has played several seasons in this grade as well as playingfor the Tawa Premier side between 2007 and 2009. Coach David Fa’atafa is a former Tawa Premier front rower, while Fa’atafa and 14 players in the squad are ex Tawa College students. In last week’s semi-finals, MSP responded to their loss to Tawa by beating Eastbourne 61-5 at home at Evans Bay Park, while Tawa defeated the OBU Onslow Spartans 25-5. Heading into the final, the Blues have scored 780 points in 17 games this season (45.88 points per game) including 119 tries and have topped 50 points in 10 games this season. The team has only conceded 57 points in total including having their line crossed only three times all year. Midfielder Jared Hammington leads the Blues’ try scoring with 14 followed by wingers Todd Young and Will Jurie with 11 tries each. Fullback (and Wellington Firebirds cricketer) Mark Houghton is a prolific goal kicker with 175 points in the season so far (including 4 tries) from 14 games played. Tawa have won 15 of 16 competition games all season, and have scored 434 points and conceded 114. Their top try scorer is blindside flanker Simon Penny with 12 tries and their top points scorer is left wing Joe Denyer with 93 points. MSP captain and first five-eighth David Rice said that the Blues are highly motivated to win on Saturday. “Winning this weekend is everything to our team.  Having lost to Tawa recently it reminded each and every one of us just how much we hate losing. The Poneke Dogs of War won the Paul Potiki Shield four years on the trot a few years back and we now have a chance to match that impressive record on Saturday, said Rice.”The final is being played on Tawa’s patch, but Rice said the Blues will have plenty of support. “MSP is a proud rugby club that would rarely experience a year without one of its sides taking out a championship trophy. We know there will be a number of club members making the short trip to Lyndhurst Park to come and support us and we look forward to going out there in front of them and playing a competitive and exciting game worthy of a final.” Rice said that Tawa will be a tough challenge. “Tawa have always been one of the top teams in the grade for as long as I can remember.  However, 2013 has been the year where they have proven that they are genuine title contenders, deservedly beating us in the last game of the second round a few weeks ago.  They are a side that thrive on the physical stuff and love getting stuck in at the breakdown.  We know that we need every guy out there, from 1 through to 15 to be ready for a tough battle that will last for the full 80 minutes if we want to successfully defend the Paul Potiki Shield.” Tawa Titans captain and lock David Tye said that winning the final would be special achievement for his team for the Tawa club. “As a club Tawa has had our most successful season winning the Swindale Shield, Jubilee Cup, Ed Chaney Cup and Colts Division 2 final, so winning this weekend would cap off our club’s historical season and as a team to have been able to make a contribution to such a year would be very special,” said Tye. “From a team perspective a win would be the reward for years of hard work by past and present players and coaches who have gone so close on many occasions but fallen at the final hurdle, to finally ‘knock the b##tard off’ and be able to share the victory with them would be something special!”   Tye said that the strength of the Tawa Titans is their team spirit. “Unlike a lot of teams who just turn up on a Saturday and try to build camaraderie the Titans are built around a bunch of guys who are childhood friends, flatmates, brothers, cousins, and school mates who just happen to have had just enough talent to cobble together a team which has been competitive in Division 1 for a few years now. “So on Saturday that is what our supporters expect, for us to show up and play an uncompromising and smart brand of rugby where we turn up for each other time and time again and don't take a backwards step, where every point the opposition gets is as hard earned as the ones we score...hopefully that is what we can deliver this.” Tye added that the Blues are to be hugely respected for what they have achieved. “The MSP Blues are the benchmark, they have been for at least the past three seasons and although they provided the majority of the 2012 Wellington 85's side their success has been largely built around teamwork and being frustratingly clinical in most aspects of their play rather than relying on just one or two star players to make the difference. “We managed to exploit a couple of weaknesses in beating them 14-11 two weeks ago but they are too good of a team not to have identified these and fixed them so we will probably just focus on our own game and attempt to better their strengths rather than exploit any perceived weaknesses.”   About the Paul Potiki Shield The Paul Potiki Shield was presented by the Poneke club for competition in the newly created 85 kg Restricted grade in 1996. Ories stalwart Tony O’Brien was responsible for establishing the grade, with the aim to “to bring enjoyment back into rugby for the skinny, smaller bloke.” Paul Potiki was a Poneke stalwart, a former member of the 22nd Infantry Battalion in WW2, taxi driver and a well known Wellington identity. Paul Potiki Shield winners 1996-2012: 1996 Paremata Plimmerton 1997 Upper Hutt 1998 HOBM 1999 Upper Hutt 2000 Old Boys University 2001 Upper Hutt 2002 Johnsonville 2003 Poneke Dogs of War 2004 Johnsonville 2005 Poneke Dogs of War 2006 Poneke Dogs of War 2007 Poneke Dogs of War 2008 Poneke Dogs of War 2009 Wellington 2010 Marist St Pat’s Blues 2011 Marist St Pat’s Blues 2012 Marist St Pat’s Blues   Match Details What: Paul Potiki Shield U85 kg Division 1 final, MSP Blues v Tawa Titans Where: Lyndhurst Park, Tawa When: Saturday 31 August at 2.30 pm Coverage: Club Rugby will cover the final as part of our club and representative rugby round-up on Saturday evening; Tawa RFC will be live streaming the match for Tawa TV and MSP and Holden Bros. Media will be producing a highlights video on Saturday night.

    • Representative Rugby
      • In Taupo, the Wellington U20s went down 10-41 to their Waikato counterparts after trailing 3-22 at the break. At Lyndhurst Park in Tawa, the Wellington Samoans scorched to a 28-27 victory over the Wellington Development XV. The Wellington Development side out scored their Wellington Samoan counterparts four tries to three, but the kicking and general play of Fa’ataonu Fili proved decisive. Fili added 13 points with his boot and his kicking in general play was key. So were two intercept tries that the Samoans scored, one in each half. Both tries took the wind out of the Development team’s sails after periods of pressure. For the Wellington Development side, lock James Wall scored a try off a lovely run by left wing Ambrose Curtis, who is returning from a long stint out injured. Curtis himself scored a try, as did his Ories teammate and fullback Hayden Whelan and Wellington lock Vaea Fifita. At Helston Park in Johnsonville, the Wellington Maori side came back at the end to beat Manawatu Maori 39-31 in an exciting, if loose match. Both sides were guilty of opening up  gaping holes in their defences at times, but it was the Wellington Maori team’s dominance up front and powerful scrum that won the day over their more expansive and bigger Manawatu backs. Trailing 27-31 with only several minutes remaining, Wellington finally capitalised on a strong period of ascendancy when flanker turned No. 8 TJ Fermanis crossed for the match winner. His club teammate and fullback Randall Bishop added the extras to put Wellington in front by three, before Upper Hutt lock Jamie Norman stormed through to score at the end to give Wellington a 39-31 win. Previously, Manawatu had stunned Wellington just after halftime by running in two tries in a few minutes to turn a 12-20 halftime deficit into a 24-20 lead. Wellington then scored a try to starting No. 8 Tane McMillan-Parata from Paremata-Plimmerton, but Manwatu replied immediately with their third try of the second half to take the lead into the fourth quarter when the pattern of the game settled down again and Wellington probed for a winner. Wellington had scored tries at the start and the finish of the first half,  through Ories prop Whetu Henry and Wainuiomata left wing Jason Love who flew away to score after a break by Norths centre Daley Harper. Representative scoreboards: Wellington Samoans 28 (Simon Tevita, Faresa Tasele, Johnny Teleaga tries; Fa’atonu Fili 2 con, 3 pen) beat Wellington Development 27 (James Wall, Ambrose Curtis, Hayden Whelan, Vaea Fifita tries; Hamish Buick 2 con, pen). HT: 11-8 Wellington Maori 39 (Whetu Henry, Jason Love, Tane McMillan-Parata, TJ Fermanis, Jamie Norman tries; Randall Bishop 4 con, 2 pen) beat Manawatu Maori 31(scorers not available). HT: 20-12 Waikato U20 41 (scorers not known) beat Wellington U20 10 (Jackson Garden-Bachop try; Sosi Tuimavavae con; Garden-Bachop penalty). HT: 22-3.

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