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The Best Of The Hutt Valley High School First XV

Hutt Valley High School (HVHS) opened in 1926. The First XV rugby team has fashioned a reputation for playing quality rugby. Its true numbers have plummeted at times and results have been unsatisfactory. However, HVHS is responsible for producing some of the finest schoolboy teams and players in the Capital.

This overview is a summation of some of those teams. It’s far from a definitive record of the First XV., but the information taken from school magazines with further acknowledgments at the bottom is sure to rouse passion in the black and white jersey.

1945

Captain: Jim Fitzgerald

Coach: Mr. F.S. Ramson

Played: 12

Won: 12

Notes

The First XV, 3A, 3B, 4A and 5B were all unbeaten in a season badly affected by poor weather conditions and a shortage of numbers due to World War.

Highlights included interschool victories over Horowhenua College (3-0) and Wellington College (11-6).

HVHS won the ‘Tournament’ for the first time in Masterton, beating Scots College (21-0) and Wairarapa College (22-3).

The 1945 First XV was the first undefeated team in the history of the college.

HVHS 1945 First XV.

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1946

Captain: Jim Fitzgerald

Coach: Mr. F.S. Ramson

Played: 13

Won: 11

Lost: 2

Notes

It was noted that second-five and captain Jim Fitzgerald had “a match-winning temperament and should go a long way in the game. In 1952 he was selected for the All Blacks. Similarly, first-five John Reid was praised for his defence and long kicks. Reid would become one of New Zealand’s great cricketers.

HVHS beat Wellington College (13-0) and Rongotai College (46-3) in the Wellington Secondary Schools’ Competition.

HVHS played the curtain raiser for the Kiwis v Wellington game at Athletic Park after Scots College was incapacitated with mumps. In front of 20,000 fans they were beaten by a very accomplished Dannevirke High School team 17-10.

HVHS 1946 First XV.

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1947

Captain: Jim Fitzgerald

Coach: Mr. F.S. Ramson

Played: 14

Won: 14

Points For: 346

Points Against: 38

Notes

“The team was not big but played sound football, both on attack and defence. The forwards were comparatively light, but worked honestly and untiringly while the backs were particularly well-balanced.”

Future All Black Ron Jarden featured in 14 games on the wing, Don Jowett played eight games on the wing. In 1954 he won a bronze medal in the 220 yards sprint at the Vancouver Commonwealth Games. He was a seven-time national sprint champion.

Notable interschool victories were achieved against Horowhenua College (26-0), Wairarapa College (24-5) and Gisborne Boys’ High School (12-6) with Jarden scoring two tries in the Gisborne fixture.

1947 HVHS First XV.

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1948

Captain: N.A. Langdon

Coach: Mr. F.S. Ramson

Played: 12

Won: 12

Points For: 243

Points Against: 23

Notes 

Unfortunately, a polio outbreak caused the Gisborne Boys’ High School fixture to be cancelled.

Seven opponents were held scoreless, including Horowhenua College (33-0) and St Patrick’s College, Silverstream (13-0).

Second-five Colin Loader would become an All Black. It was noted of Loader that he was “a fine link with the forwards – excellent hands and excellent defence.”

HVHS fielded 13 teams in 1948 and enjoyed 124 wins and just 31 defeats.

HVHS First XV 1948.

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1949

Captain: N.A. Langdon

Played: 12

Won: 11

Lost: 1

Points For: 326

Points Against: 65

Notes

HVHS was unbeaten in the Wellington Secondary Schools’ competition for a third consecutive year.

Notable wins included victories over Wellington College (14-6), Old Pupils (22-6), Horowhenua College (31-3) and Wairarapa College (22-3).

The only defeat was suffered against Nelson College (9-14). Nelson was unbeaten in the 1949 season.

HVHS First XV 1949.

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1950

Captain: N.D. Langdon

Coach: Mr. F.S. Ramson

Played: 16

Won: 16

Points For: 432

Points Against: 71

Notes

HVHS withdrew from the Wellington Secondary Schools competition and played in the Open Third Grade and won that club championship.

The Biggest win of the season was 62-0 against Wellington College Old Boys.

In inter school fixtures St Patrick’s College, Silverstream (12-8), Wellington College (13-0), Nelson College (9-6), Gisborne Boys’ High School (12-3) and Wairarapa College (48-3) were accounted for.  D Brown scored seven tries against Wairarapa.

Graham Shadwell made the team as a halfback but only after a teammate applied his toe to the scales to tip him over the required weight. His grandson Josef was a First XV captain in 2013.

HVHS First XV 1950.

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1951

Captain: L.J. Cole

Coach: Mr. F.S. Ramson

Played: 20

Won: 16

Lost: 2

Drawn: 2

Notes

Only three players returned from the 1950 season. Despite the high turnover HVHS still won the third grade championship and beat St Patrick’s College, Wellington (17-5), St Patrick’s College Silverstream (16-6), Wellington College (8-5), Horowhenua College (20-6), Wairarapa College (28-9) and held Gisborne BHS (13-13)

HVHS celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 1951 with the biggest program of fixtures ever.

HVHS won 92 of 99 games between 1945 and 1951. In 1952 they won 12 of 17 matches and had resounding wins over Wairarapa College (30-9), Wellington College (17-9) and Gisborne Boys’ High School (19-3).

HVHS First XV 1951.

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1957

Captain: I.J. Therkleson

Coach: R.H.C. Mackenzie

Played: 16

Won: 11

Drawn: 4

Lost: 1

Notes

“The team’s performance in winning the Third First championship was an especially good one because of the exceptionally high standard of play in this grade throughout the season.”

“Therkleston who captained the team contributed much to its success both by his play and his consistent goal-kicking. Besides fostering a fine team spirit, he was a most reliable and, at times, brilliant full-back.”

HVHS First XV 1957.

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1958

Captain: B.R. Roberston

Coach: R.H.C. Mackenzie

Played: 17

Won: 15

Lost: 2

Points For: 218

Points Against: 78

Notes

“The team played hard, consistent football in the 3rd A grade of the Wellington Rugby Union competition. Both forwards and backs played well and owed their success to the fact that they combined well as a team. Strict attention to training was the other main factor which enabled them to do well.”

Won all inter-school games against Rongotai College (12-3), St Patrick’s College, Wellington (19-3), St Patrick’s College, Silverstream (6-0), Wellington College (14-6) and Nelson College (20-5).

HVHS First XV 1958.

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1965

Captain: G.J. Cooper

Coach: Mr. N.Smith

Played: 18

Won: 16

Lost: 1

Drawn: 1

Points For: 370

Points Against: 134

Notes

With the exception of 1960 where HVHS won four of their five inter-school games, the early 60s were a period of real struggle for HVHS. That changed in 1965 when the Under-19 grade championship was won.

“The team was perhaps particularly strong in the forwards who were never mastered during the season. The backs too had quality, playing confidently, and constructively.”

Vice-Captain Bruce Martin (later an All Black trialist) scored 20 tries and Geoff Rodley scored 136 points.

The inter-school results were: Onslow College (17-13), Rongotai College (46-5), St Patrick’s College, Wellington (11-8), St Patrick’s College, Silverstream (3-3), Wanganui Collegiate (22-14), Nelson College (16-11) and Wellington College (6-12).

HVHS First XV 1965.

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1968

Captain: Vern Winitana

Coach: G.V. Lorimer

Played: 19

Won: 15

Lost: 1

Drawn: 3

Points For: 264

Points Against: 90

Notes

With 13 returning players, HVHS were runners up in the Wellington Under 19 first division. Their only defeat was to eventual champions Onslow.

The inter-school results were: St Bernard’s College (13-6), Nelson College (8-0), Rongotai College (17-17), St Patrick’s College, Silverstream (6-3), Wanganui Collegiate (3-3).

“1968 was a season in which many of the old familiar faces were missing. Messrs Ramson and Smith had left the school and two of the longest serving coaches, Mr Hills and Mr Davidson had retired from coaching. Each gave thirty years of service to the game in the School, and each over the years produced some very fine teams.”

HVHS First XV 1968.

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1969

Captain: Vern Winitana

Coach: G.V. Lorimer

Played: 20

Won: 19

Lost: 1

Notes

“The First XV won all inter-school matches and also won the Wellington Rugby Union’s under-19 competition. The backs developed into an outstanding unit; their handling, even under wet and windy conditions, was excellent, and they perfected a number of moves which produced tries against the toughest opponents. V. Winitana and P. Ballinger were the dangermen, but R. Foothead scored 22 tries and A. Hewson turned the game in our favour in four critical matches.”

Future All Black Alan Hewson played three seasons in the First XV.

The inter-school results were: Onslow College (18-17), St Patrick’s College, Wellington (15-13), Wanganui Collegiate (16-8), St Bernard’s College (6-3), St Patrick’s College, Silverstream (15-13), Nelson College (14-11), Rongotai College (21-11), Wellington College (30-9).

HVHS First XV 1969.

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1971

Captain: Storm Robertson

Coach: N. Haddy

Played: 19

Won: 15

Drawn: 2

Lost: 2

Notes

“The 1st XV whose ability on and behaviour off the field proved of great credit to the school, experienced a most successful and rewarding 1971 season. Considerable difficulty was encountered early in the season in filling vital positions, due in the main to recurring injuries…but as time progressed a strong combination with tremendous team spirit developed.”

The inter-school record was four wins, two defeats and two draws with the best display of the season a win against Nelson College.

In August and September a Sydney tour occurred. The results were: Matraville (6-17), Crows Nest Boys’ High School (23-3) and North Shore Combined (14-5).

HVHS First XV 1971.

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1976

Captain: Paul O’Reilly

Coach: Mr A.F. Peachey

Played: 25

Won: 18

Drawn: 3

Lost: 4

Notes

In the 50th Jubilee of college there were eight teams. The First XV had “its best season for many years.”

The team was third in the Wellington Under 19 championship.

Fullback Lewis Hamilton was the top try-scorer with just over 100 points. Winger Michael Easton crossed the line 11 times.

The team won four games in eight days in the last week of the May holidays. After a club game on Saturday the team played Sydney Boys’ High School on Wednesday and thrashed the Aussies in torrential rain. Then on Friday and Sunday, HVHS won the annual Quadrangular tournament beating Horowhenua College (9-3) and Dannevirke High School (36-0).

HVHS First XV 1976.

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1979

Captain: Jaye Procter/Mike Browne

Coach: Mr A.F. Peachey

Played: 22

Won: 18

Drawn: 1

Lost: 3

Notes

HVHS finished second in the Wellington Under-19 competition but did beat champions St Patrick’s College, Silverstream 17-13. The difference was a drop goal kicked by Mike Browne.

The Rongotai College game was played before a huge crowd at Athletic Park as a curtain- raiser to the Wellington-Counties fixture over Queen’s Birthday weekend. Down 0-9, HVHS rallied to win 10-9 in injury time. Gary Nisbet and Mike Clamp scored tries and Mike Browne kicked a conversion to secure an exhilarating win.

Nelson College was unbeaten prior to their match against HVHS. Nelson was beaten 28-16 with Marty Clamp a standout, scoring two tries.

Wing Mike Clamp scored 19 tries (the entire team only conceded 17) and won the award for best back. He would become an All Black. The top points-scorer was Mike Browne with 80.

HVHS First XV 1979.

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1981

Captain: David Devos

Coach: Mr A.F. Peachey

Played: 20

Won: 16

Drawn: 1

Lost: 3

Notes

HVHS finished third in the Wellington Under-19 competition, the highest ranked school in the competition.

Robbie Stewart won the trophy for the best forward. The trophy for the best back went to Naera Parata, who scored 125 points. Scott St John was the top try scorer with 14.

“The highlight of the season was the “grand slam” of inter-school games. This success was based on a very strong forward pack with the best scrum in the competition and a backline of tenacious tacklers and sound skills. In the process the team retained the All Black Captains Trophy and won the Mike Payne Trophy, presented for the first time this year for the Silverstream fixture. It also retained the Savage Cup in the Hutt Old Boys game.

HVHS First XV 1981.

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1986

Derek Bruce and Graham Kraft coached a First XV that was the most successful in a handful of years. HVHS qualified for Premier I after defeating Mana College, St Bernard’s College and Heretaunga College and then finished fourth in the competition, knocking over Rongotai College and Porirua College in their last two matches.

HVHS were runners up to Wairarapa College in the quadrangular tournament but defeated Nelson College for the first time in a decade (6-0).

A “lighter forward pack” was well led by Stuart Kurth while Richard Barnard “led by inspiration and the call ‘they’re all wimps’ will be long remembered.”

A three-match Australian tour saw the team visit Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra and beat Canberra Grammar (30-3), Victoria State Secondary Schools’ (32-4) before losing to a Victoria State Under 21 side (30-23).

HVHS First XV 1986.

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1987

Captain: Stuart Kurt

Coach: Derek Bruce

Played: 20

Won: 17

Lost: 2

Drawn: 1

Notes

An all-conquering team won the Wellington Premier I and Secondary Schools Sevens tournaments as well as the Quadrangular and the All Blacks Captain’s Trophy. HVHS was invited to the National Top Four in Invercargill, won by St Peter’s College, Auckland. HVHS was beaten by Southland Boys’ High School (18-15) and Otago Boys’ High School (29-9).

Ten players were selected in the Wellington Secondary Schools’ team, including Jason O’Halloran who would become an All Black.

The Premier I results were: Wellington College (17-6), Mana College (19-4), Scots College (20-12), Tawa College (47-18), St Patrick’s College, Wellington (14-7), Upper Hutt College (33-6), St Bernard’s College (15-15), Rongotai College (28-6), Bishop Viard College (30-0).

HVHS First XV 1987.

1988

HVHS finished fourth in Premier I with highlights including a last-play Jason O’Halloran drop goal to beat Mana College 18-17 and Folomalo Fata-Meafou scoring hat-tricks against Tawa College and Porirua College. In fact, Fata-Meafou also scored three tries in a win against Nelson College to score nine tries in a three game span.

From August 12 to 26 the team toured Australia and the USA (specifically California). In Australia HVHS was beaten by Anglican Grammar (4-6) but overpowered Palm Beach (22-4). No rugby was reported in the US from August 16-26, but trips to Disneyland and rides in Taxi’s featuring bullet holes were no doubt an experience for the boys.

HVHS First XV 1988.

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1993

In 1993 the Premier I competition was decided by a final for the first time. HVHS finished as top qualifiers for the semis after beating St Bernard’s College (33-3) in their “best performance of the season.” It was 3-3 at halftime. In the semis Porirua College were overcome 23-8 so Bishop Viard College, who beat Mana in the other semi were the opponents. It was reported in the school magazine:

“A crowd of 3000 people witnessed a fantastic game of rugby played under lights at the Hutt Rec. The team played some great rugby, scoring three tries to two and coped brilliantly with the physical onslaught from Viard. A last minute try to HVHS saw a classic finish and a 20 all draw.

We were claiming a moral victory, having beaten Viard twice already that year and having led the competition from start to finish.”

The team won 17 out of 21 games and was coached by Barry Topp and Kevin Campbell.

HVHS First XV 1993.

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2002-2003

The 2002 First XV was captained by Thomas Robertson and coached by Clive Roberts and Richard Crook. They won 17 out of 23 games and finished runners up in Premier II.

They beat Wairarapa College 10-0 to win the All Black’s Captain Trophy for the first time in six years and were runners up to Mana College in Premier II, though they did beat Mana 21-12 in the regular season. The most memorable match was the semi-final against Upper Hutt. Down 20-19 and conceding a scrum prop Kenneth McKechnie won a tighthead and HVHS scored to win the game. On an Auckland tour St Peter’s College (13-0) and Otahuhu College (10-5) were beaten.

2002 HVHS First XV.

HVHS put the disappointment of not winning Premier II in 2002 behind them, by making the semi-finals of Premier I in 2003. Memorably the team twice beat St Patrick’s College, Silverstream. In the away fixture wing Michael Pehi scored an 80-metre runaway try, beating a dozen defenders on the way to the line. In the home match the HVHS pack overpowered Silverstream 19-13 in torrential rain.

In the semi-final of Premier, I HVHS was beaten 12-8 by Wellington College with a try to HVHS disallowed just before fulltime. HVHS retained the All Black’s Captain Trophy defeating Dannevirke High School (22-8) and Wairarapa College (11-10).

Again Thomas Robertson captained the team but the coaching staff changed with Michael Chesterfield, Chris Riley and John Adair assuming the reins.

Lock Jeremey Thrush made the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ team. In 2004 he was named World Under-19 player of the year and he later became an All Black.

The team won 16 out of 24 games and scored an impressive 544 points.

2003 HVHS First XV.

2017: Back In Premier I 

In 2012, HVHS was coached by Stephen Gibson and Chris Osborne and won Premier 2, upsetting Rongotai College in the final.

HVHS were beaten Premier 3 semi-finalists in 2016, but made the leap to the WelTec Premiership in 2017 after winning all three of their grading games, beating Aotea College (24-22), Naenae College (29-21) and Bishop Viard College (39-22).

First XV coach Warren Bradshaw achieved the feat in his first season of coaching rugby.

Bradshaw called upon experience gained from his day job to revive rugby at HVHS. He is the videographer and producer for the Rugby Site (www.therugbysite.com), an online rugby coaching portal featuring coaching tutorials and tips from some of the game’s greatest coaches and players, so he has an intimate knowledge of where to go for assistance.

“I know the content very well because I might be looking at one particular edit for 12 or 15 hours,” Bradshaw told Club Rugby in 2017.

He’s got a library of 300-plus videos to call upon to help in his coaching. “For instance, if the team’s struggling in a particular area I know exactly where to go.”

Working with some of the best coaches in the world such as Sir Graham Henry, Warren Gatland, Wayne Smith, Eddie Jones and Joe Schmidt has certainly helped him with his new role with the HVHS First XV.

“I was with Graham Henry in San Francisco recently filming a rugby site coaching clinic at Stanford University. Over lunch, I mentioned my new coaching role. He said to me that on 27 April he was coming down to Wellington for the NZRU AGM and do you mind if I come along to one of your training sessions? “No need to think about that offer”! So we did a classroom session with him, had all the boys turn up and Ted gave us 90 minutes of his time. We did some strategy stuff, but also talked to the players a lot on team culture and commitment and not only how that transpires on the field and in the classroom and everything you did around that.”

How did the opportunity to coach this team come about?

“The HVHS coach from the last couple of seasons had moved on. In February this year we realised there hadn’t been an appointment made so I thought we need to get things underway, playing a bit of touch and getting the boys into fitness. Word got around that we were having a bit of fun and before I knew it we had about 25 guys turning up on a regular basis.”

HVHS lost every game in Premier I but remained a competitive outfit in 2018 and 2019. Bradshaw, now with the Petone Colts, said, “If a team develops a really strong culture, regardless of how strong that team is, the boys will stick around because they want to be part of something that is special.”

Hutt Valley High unfortunately dropped down to Division III in 2020 but players like Richard Evans, James Winter, Jack Gray, Dylan Williamson are regulars in senior rugby.

2017 HVHS First XV.

All Blacks Records & Achievements (Listed Alphabetically)

Mike Clamp

  • Born: 12.1961, Wellington.
  • Position: Wing
  • Hutt Valley High School, 1975-1979, First XV 1977-79
  • Club: Petone, Jubilee Cup Winner, 1980, 1982, 1986
  • First Class Games: 139
  • First Class Tries: 123
  • All Blacks Games: 15 (1984-85)
  • All Blacks Tests: 2 (1984-85)
  • NZ Trials: 1981-84
  • Wellington Games: 86, 72 tries (1980-1988)
  • Maori Player of the Year (Tom French Cup) 1984
  • NZ Sevens, 1984-85
  • Later played in France, living in Biarritz

Ross Filipo

  • Born: 4.1979, Lower Hutt
  • Position: Lock/Loose Forward
  • Hutt Valley High School, 1993-1997, First XV 1995-97 (NZ Schools, 97)
  • Club: Petone, Jubilee Cup Winner, 2005
  • First Class Games: 145
  • First Class Tries: 29
  • All Blacks Games: 5 (2007-08)
  • All Blacks Tests: 4 (2007-08)
  • Maori All Black: 2005-2008 (Beat British Lions in 2005)
  • Wellington Games: 63 (2001-2014)
  • Super Rugby: Crusaders (45 games, 2002-2009 – Winners 2002, 05, 06, 08)
  • Super Rugby: Chiefs – 2013-2015
  • Played professionally in France, England and Japan
  • Coached Waikato to NPC Premiership title in their 100th season in 2021

Jim Fitzgerald

  • Born: 8.1928, Petone
  • Position: Midfield Back
  • Hutt Valley High School, 1943-47, First XV 1944-47
  • Club: University, Jubilee Cup Winner, 1952-54
  • First Class Games: 70
  • First Class Tries: 30
  • All Blacks Games: 17 (1952-54)
  • All Blacks Tests: 1 (v Australia, Christchurch, 1952)
  • NZ Trials: 1953-56
  • NZ Universities: 1949-54
  • Wellington Games: 31 (1952-1956)
  • Canterbury University Coach, 1965-69
  • Canterbury Under-19 Selector, 1970-72

Alan Hewson

  • Born: 6.6.1954, Lower Hutt
  • Position: Fullback
  • Hutt Valley High School, 1967-71, First XV 1969-71
  • Club: Petone, Jubilee Cup Winner 1973, 74, 76, 80, 86
  • First Class Games: 154
  • First Class Points: 1308 (19t, 247c, 229p, 17dg)
  • All Blacks Games: 34 (1979-84)
  • All Blacks Tests: 19 (1979-1984)
  • Kicked the winning penalty in the third test of the 81 Springbok series
  • Scored a World Record (full house) 26 points against Australia in 1982
  • Wellington Games: 108 (1977-1986) – NPC Winners 1981, 86, Ranfurly Shield 81-82
  • Wellington Points: 893 (Record)
  • A biography For The Record was written by Ian Gault 1984.
  • Brother of Eastbourne stalwart Kevin. Dad Roy set up the Petone Sports Walk on Jackson Street.

Ron Jarden

  • Born: 14.12.1929, Lower Hutt
  • Position: Winger
  • Hutt Valley High School, 1943-47, First XV 1947
  • Club: University, Jubilee Cup Winner 11952-54, 58
  • First Class Games: 134
  • First Class Tries: 145
  • First Class Points: 945 (145t, 141c, 76p)
  • All Blacks Games: 37 (1951-56 – 35t)
  • All Blacks Tests: 16 (1951-56 – 7t)
  • Kicked the winning penalty in the third test of the 81 Springbok series
  • Scored a World Record (full house) 26 points against Australia in 1982
  • Wellington Games: 61 (1949-1956)
  • Wellington Tries: 70
  • NZ Sportsman of the Year 1951
  • Author of Rugby on Attack, published 1961
  • NZ Sailing Rep
  • Successful stockbroker
  • Mother Jean won numerous national croquet titles
  • Died suddenly 18.2.1977 Wellington, aged 47

Colin Loader

  • Born: 10.3.1931, Dannevirke
  • Position: Midfield Back
  • Hutt Valley High School, 1946-50, First XV 1948-50
  • Club: University, Hutt
  • First Class Games: 45
  • First Class Tries: 10
  • All Blacks Games: 16 (1953-54)
  • All Blacks Tests: 4 (1953-54 – 3 tries on famous UK tour)
  • Wellington Games: 21 (1951-55)
  • Coach: Hutt Club
  • Died 19.6.2021 Dunedin, aged 90.

Jason O’Halloran

  • Born: 28.2.1972, Lower Hutt
  • Position: Midfield Back
  • Hutt Valley High School, 1985-1989, First XV 1987-89
  • Club: Petone, Jubilee Cup Winner 1992, 93, 2000
  • First Class Games: 156
  • First Class Tries: 54
  • All Blacks Tests: 1 (v Italy, 56-19 win 2000)
  • Wellington Games: 96 (1993-2001)
  • Wellington Tries: 35
  • Hurricanes Games: 54 (1996-2000)
  • Hurricanes Tries: 17
  • Manawatu Coach: 2012-2015
  • Scotland Assistant Coach: 2015-17
  • Currently coaching in Japan

Jeremy Thrush

  • Born: 19.4.1985, Auckland
  • Position: Lock
  • Hutt Valley High School, 1999-03, First XV 2001-03, NZ Schools 2003
  • Club: Hutt Old Boys Marist, Jubilee Cup Winner 2007, 2014
  • First Class Games: 223
  • First Class Tries: 35
  • All Blacks Tests: 12 (2013-15)
  • Wellington Games: 88 (2006-15) – Ranfurly Shield winning captain 2007
  • Wellington Tries: 22
  • Hurricanes Games: 110 (2008-2015)
  • Manawatu Coach: 2012-2015
  • Scotland Assistant Coach: 2015-17
  • Currently playing for Western Force

Black Fern: Neroli Knight

Neroli Matautia (nee Knight) was a high school star who kicked onto enjoy a 22-year senior career.

On August 26, 1990, Matautia became possibly the youngest ever rugby international when she debuted for New Zealand aged 15 years, 11 months, and 7 days old against the Netherlands at the RugbyFest in Christchurch.

In an ‘unofficial’ international New Zealand won 56-0 and Knight would go on to feature in the New Zealand squad that beat Soviet Union (8-0), USA (9-3), and a World XV (12-4) in the same tournament.

Matautia broadened her horizons further in 1991 when she attended the Rugby World Cup in Cardiff.

The inaugural tournament was organised by four English women who mortgaged their houses, absent of official support from the International Rugby Board. New Zealand was beaten by eventual champions USA in the semi-final.

Matautia, the youngest player in the New Zealand team by four years, played a warm-up match against Saracens but suffered a hamstring injury ruling her out of the tournament.

However, she did play in the third-place playoff against France in which New Zealand was beaten 0-3. The match is recognised as an official international in France, but not in New Zealand as the fixture was organised outside of the tournament which decreed both teams tied for third. The match even featured an appearance by the two managers. Evelyn Kirifi explains:

“I had played in the trials for the World Cup and then found out I was pregnant with my second daughter and therefore unable to participate if I qualified. I was invited to manage the New Zealand team with Patricia Townsend who coordinated the South Island. At halftime of the French game we were invited to take the field which was a blast. I still have that French jersey to this day.

“It was unfortunate that the team lived in different parts of New Zealand and were unable to train together in the summer. They were all professional athletes who took the tour seriously and were able to play to the best of their ability and work together as a team and not individuals.”

Matautia’s pioneering spirit and talent was recognised by College Sport Wellington when she was named Wellington Secondary Schools’ Rugby Player of the year, defeating the all-male opposition.

A Petone junior, she went on to play 14 seasons for Wellington and scored 161 points. She appeared for the following clubs: Petone, Wellington, Stokes Valley, and Hutt Old Boys Marist.

The first-five finally earned her official test cap in 1999 when she debuted against Canada in Palmerston North.

She earned a tour to Maple Leaf country in 2000, identifying Canada as her favourite place to tour.

Her last international was off the bench against England in 2001, a team Knight respected greatly for their tough, organised and skilful play.

A remarkably durable player, Matautia recovered from three major injuries in her career.

“My most serious injuries were a broken ankle after scoring a try, a dislocated AC joint in my shoulder from a rather large player falling on me and having my ear ripped off in a tackle. Not too bad for 22 years.”

Her rugby began at the Redwood Town Rugby Club in Blenheim in 1982 when she was eight years old.

“I filled in for my brother’s team from the sideline when they were short one player and scored the winning try in the game. From that point on they wanted me in their team so I played each year and was always the only girl in the boys’ teams.”

Matautia has a comically affectionate nickname from rugby which has stuck even to this day.

“My nickname is ‘Bart’ after Bart Simpson. The Simpsons came out in 1990 and that was the first year I played for New Zealand. I had a spiky haircut like Bart and so that was the name given to me and it stuck. Even today Mum calls me Bart.”

Matautia was a Hutt Valley softball representative and made the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ side in the code.

She changed her name in 2009 when she married Benhur Matautia, a pastor at the Waihi church. Together they studied theology and Neroli practiced in Hawaii, Cambodia, and Samoa. Benhur is an accomplished boxing coach.

In 2020 the Stokes Valley Rugby Club held their 70th Jubilee where Neroli was an honoured guest by the Club and received a special medal. She won two senior championships on George Street in 1991 and 1992.

She is a primary school teacher and coaches juniors at the Waihi Athletic Rugby club.

Note: New Zealand Rugby CEO between 2008 and 2019 Steve Tew is an old student as is All Black Lima Sopoaga who never played for the First XV. The Millard Stand at Athletic Park was named in honour of the long-serving Wellington rugby administrator J.N. Millard. The Millard stand lasted from 1961 to 1999. Millard was principal of HVHS from 1934 to 1952.

Credits: Steven White, Wendy Tukapua, Daniel Peckston, Judith Gardiner, Clive Akers.

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