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Above: The HOBM Eagles warm up ahead of one of their games on Saturday – they went on to win the Men’s tournament. Photos by Andy McArthur HERE
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There are two more weekends of rugby to come in the Wellington region for the rest of 2019. Despite no presence at the just completed American Ambassador’s WRFU sevens series, indications are that this coming Saturday’s Piri Weepu Invitational 7s tournament is going ahead at Wise Park, Wainuiomata. More details to come.
The following weekend is the first of the representative tournaments, the WRFU-hosted warm-up tournament, which was at Rongotai College last year. This is followed by the the away Counties Manukau 7s tournament and the Central Region 7s in Levin, building up to the Sevens Nationals in Tauranga in mid-December.
Presumably Wellington men’s and women’s sevens team selections are imminent.
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Both Northern United teams made slow starts to Saturday’s second and final leg of the American Ambassador’s series played in their own territory at Onepoto Park. The Norths women defaulted their first game owing to a lack of numbers early in the day, while their men lost to Ories 19-5, which could have cost them a place in the final and the series title.
Norths met HOBM in the semi-final, which in effect was a virtual final for the American Ambassador’s Cup. After some confusion at the end as to the exact fulltime score, HOBM were awarded the win 19-17, thus winning the series with the final to spare as Norths were now on 33 series points and HOBM 34 (later finishing on 37 when they beat Ories in the final).
This was HOBM’s first American Ambassador’s title since 2014, when they won it on Evans Bay Park. Interesting, that day they beat Poneke (21-17) in the quarter-final, MSP (19-17) in their semi-final and Wainuiomata (35-21) in the final. Of note, Lise Soloa, Fereti Soloa, Chase Tiatia and Sheridan Rangihuna were all in the Eagles team that last won in 2014 and also in this year’s winning team.
This was Old Boys University’s Women’s first title. They won both tournaments.
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Playing numbers continue to be a big worry, with most teams significantly stretched. By the end of the day something of a player bartering market was in use, particularly in the women’s competition where loan players were traded between the teams. In the men’s competition, such players as Toby Robson (Poneke) and Peniasi Tokakece (Tawa) were called to action to play.
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The Bowl final on Saturday saw Tawa beat Petone 29-7. A Petone player kicked Tawa’s last conversion.
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Job advertisement:
The Tawa rugby football Club is seeking applications for the role of Game Development Officer.
The TRFC has a proud tradition of success in wellington club rugby and is looking for a person to continue the club’s development.
The successful candidate will have:
Outstanding leadership and people skills
Talent identification skills
Great knowledge around they requirements of the modern-day rugby player and coach
Ideally the candidate will be an experienced coach or player with a good appreciation of the technical and tactical aspects of the game of rugby.
This is a full time role and the candidate will be required to work with the Tawa Rugby Club’s players, coaches and administrators as well as WRFU staff and other clubs’ GDOs.
Applicants should forward their CV to Dave Banks, chairman by email to dave@montagenz.co.nz. A copy of the job description is available on request.
Applications close on 20 November 2019
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NCEA exams have started around the country.
What about the least educated All Blacks team? The all-time one would be coached by Fred Allen, who never went to secondary school.
Or the most qualified All Blacks team? Lawyers, doctors, Rhodes Scholars would all be in the mix.
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2019 National Sport Club Survey Seminar
In October, the New Zealand Amateur Sport Association Inc. undertook a nationwide on-line survey to learn more about the current state of Sports Clubs in New Zealand, in partnership with the Sport Leadership & Management Department at Auckland University of Technology (AUT).
The survey received responses from more than 750 clubs across 75 sports, representing all corners of New Zealand
The Association would like to invite you, or a representative of your Club, to attend a 90 minute seminar where we will discuss some of the key outcomes arising from the survey.
Attendees will leave with some ideas that we hope will help their Club succeed in 2020 and beyond.
The seminar is being held on Monday 18 November, 5.00pm – 6.30pm, Sport Wellington, L1, 223 Thorndon Quay.
If you would like to register to attend , please contact office@asa.org.nz to reserve your place.
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A number of Wellington Club rugby players playing around the world. Here are two examples:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4kammzpf3W/
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The Super Rugby squads are revealed this week.
Aaron Cruden to the Chiefs – who will be first five-eighth for the Hurricanes?
Any surprise picks?
Below: Murphy Taramai is looking forward to returning home:
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Big salary cap scandal in the UK at present involving champions Saracens. Will they be sacked from the competition?
Read more HERE
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Some sevens qualification tournaments ahead of the Japan Olympics next August. In Fiji, the Australian men and Fijian women won the Oceania qualifying tournament, Kenya won their first African sevens title since 2015 to qualify, while China won their own women’s qualifying tournament in Asia. The Asian men’s qualifiers are coming up.
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Below: The Dominion Post Monday morning after another busy weekend of sport – Football Times?
