Tenth Round Blockbusters coming up in club rugby tomorrow

Above: Tawa’s Matolu Petaia surges ahead against Northern United last week. Tawa will be hunting maximum points against the Wellington Axemen tomorrow, while Norths are at home on their Old Timers’ Day against Paremata-Plimmerton.

• By Scott MacLean

A frigid forecast tomorrow, but the rugby is expected to heat up. A number of big clashes across multiple grades and competitions.

There is also a match tonight involving many former well-known players at Porirua Park marking the 10th anniversary of the tragic passing of Jerry Collins 

Tipping Competition: Enter your tips by Saturday 2.30pm at: https://www.faceyoursfears.com/games/WGTN2025/join

Radio Commentary. This Saturday, the E Tū Whānau Footy Show comes from Helston Park in the fixture between Johnsonville and Petone. On air at Te Upoko Radio – 87.6FM in the central city, 1161AM across the region, or stream it on iHeart Radio, the Whare Kōrero app, and online at www.teupoko.nz.

++++++

Draws & Results website. These pages and all historical information 2005-24 at at https://clubrugby.co.nz/wellington/games-results.php?competition=71&season=22&Submit=Go  (Access to our administration pages still remains offline)

For Draws & Results please visit this page here: https://clubrugby.nz/wp/2025-wgtn-club-live-scores/

For this week’s line-ups please visit the article link here:

Round 10 Swindale Shield – Just the Teamlists

Premier Swindale Shield

Top at bottom leads this week’s preview. A perfect nine-from-nine with nine bonus points, Oriental Rongotai (45) have the road open to claim the Swindale Shield for the first time. That road does take them back into the Hutt Valley again this week, but this time to Fraser Park to face Avalon (2). As unlikely a slip up would be, it’s still something the Magpies will need to be wary of because the Wolves would like nothing more than to shock the competition.

It’s a much-changed Avalon pack that will be without captain and now club centurion Ale Peni, but there’s some normality about their backs which will again be anchored by veteran Jordan Aquila. Injuries from last week rule out Ruperake Oloapu, David Leota-Johnson, and Johnny Maiava for Ories with Tom Da Vanzo, Matthias Lima, and veteran Alex Ropeti replacing them. Otherwise they remain almost unchanged from the side that started against HOBM.

Behind them, there’s a real logjam for those remaining top-four places. Fresh off their win over Petone, Poneke (36) return home to Kilbirnie to face the other half of the McBain duo as Hutt Old Boys Marist (33) come to town. The Eagles will be bitterly disappointed that they didn’t take Ories down last week, and will be out to improve their place in the standings. Poneke though seem made of stern stuff this season and will be difficult on their home patch. Both teams will play in the memory of Pakai Turia, who while being a Poneke centurion did spend a season with the Eagles.

The home team have just two changes; Lee Franzoni starts in the tighthead jersey in place of Noah Tuifao-Galuvao, with Niah Kirisome tapped to make his starting debut in midfield. There’s also a Premier debut off the bench for last years Rathkeale College Head Boy Hamish Huggins who began the year with OBU. The big news in the Eagles camp is the return to rugby for James O’Reilly as he battles back from injury once again. Fritz Rayasi is on the wing, with the intriguing selection of Khya Wilson at first-five.

The other match between sides around the top four is at Helston Park, where Johnsonville (33) return to after their narrow win over MSP and Petone (34) make the journey to through Ngauranga looking to get back on track after back-to-back losses. With those valuable top-four places at stake, the path to one of those becomes more difficult for the loser of this one. This has the makings of a real cracker.

Sami Raja starts at hooker in his 50^th for the Hawks, but they’re now without Ken Kurihara who’s returned home to Japan. Ish Perkins starts in his place at first-five in the only change to their backline while the large presence of Anthony Pettett returns to their pack. Petone are without Logan Henry but get Cam Ferreira back from a head knock to partner Rory Woollett in the halves. Jermaine Pepe switches back to fullback after moving to accommodate Stanley Solomon’s cameo last week with Kafaongo Katoa and Brad Pritchard joining the pack.

Out in Porirua it’s derby day, as Norths (13) celebrate their Old Timers Day with neighbours Paremata-Plimmerton (33) the guests. It’s been a fallow stretch for the hosts since they opened with wins over Avalon and Wellington, and while the balance of power in the northern city has shifted dramatically in recent years, they’ll love to take their visitors down. For Pare-Plim it’s an opportunity to improve their place by a couple of spots given the matches elsewhere, but they will be very wary of what their hosts might throw at them.

Rumours of a cameo from TJ Perenara and/or Jackson Garden-Bachop for the hosts have proven unfounded, rather Jermaine Avei-Collins and Luke Walmsley are the halves. They boosted by the returns of Olano Afutoto and Jeremiah Avei-Collins – who played for Pare-Plim’s victorious National Club 7s side – alongside the ageless Fafili Levave in the loose. Dale Sabbagh starts for the Hammerheads in his 150^th Premier outing, 23 of which came for Norths across two seasons, as they revert to their normal lineup. Ethan Webster-Nonu and Joe Faleafaga team up in midfield with Zeek Fiso and Junior Davey also returning the run-on side.

The Upper Hutt Rams (32) and Tawa (31) round out the top eight and are both on the road tomorrow. The Rams head into the valley and William Jones to take on Wainuiomata (18) who will have found the past few Saturday’s rather frustrating and will be wondering when, or if, luck will fall on their side. Upper Hutt have continued to navigate their schedule successfully despite a significant injury list, but Wainuiomata present a different test to their last two matches.

The home team make just one change from the side that started against OBU last week with Kade Tiatia in at loosehead for Jason Matehe. Skipper Greg Leolofi plays his first home game since reaching the 200-mark and will be looking to celebrate than during and after the match. There’s some relief for the Rams injury issues, with Ieti Campbell back in action and Emmanuel Solomona on the bench. Scott Svenson switches to first-five Tynan Barrett at fullback, while Senio Sanele, Leon Tuiloma, and Sio Fidow all return to the pack.

Tawa’s journey takes them to Hataitai Park and a clash with the Axemen. Consistency remains elusive for Wellington (8) but there’s enough talent in the ranks that suggests if they can figure it out they’ll do so in a big way, and if they can replicate the first 60 minutes against Pare-Plim for 80 they’ll be a threat here. Even though they have a large buffer back to the teams behind them, Tawa’s focus needs to be on pushing for that top four, knowing the benefit that can bring from last year.

A whole new front row of Cam Roseingrave, To’e Lokeni, and debutant Semmy Tauasa plugs in for the Axemen with James Tuiatua shifting again to the back of the scrum.  There’s a bunch of changes in the backline, but Ben Tuiatua and Siosi Lokeni remain at the heart of it. The visitors aren’t taking chances, running out 12 of last week’s starting side again. The three changes have Hemi Fermanis back at lock, with Kalim Kelemete and Rewiti Leat teaming up in midfield.

The last match of this preview is the only one between sides currently outside of the top eight, and is probably the last chance saloon for both Old Boys-University (20) and Marist St Pats (16). It’s the Goats Old Timers Day at Rugby League Park, and they’ll certainly want to put on a good show for their faithful. MSP’s chances of making the Jubilee are practically threadbare, and a party-spoiling five points will have to be the minimum return.

OBU bring back Geordie Bean and Finn O’Sullivan to their starting pack with Jack Riley and Nathaniel Barry swapping jerseys in the loose trio. The only change to the backline has Calum Koebergh at fullback in place of Sam Champion. There’s a lone change for MSP with Tui Tuiatua back at tighthead while they’re bolstered by the return of young hooker Cazna Sale to their bench stocks.

Five more interclub trophies in play tomorrow:

• Poneke and HOBM contest their Roy Johns Memorial Shield. A member of Poneke’s long history, Johns was a Jubilee Cup winner and a Wellington representative largely during and after World War II. First played for after his passing in 1988, it’s held by HOBM. Poneke will also defend the Bill Brien Challenge Trophy after taking it from Petone last week.
• Norths and Pare-Plim played for their Ivan Hardgrave Trophy. An administrator at firstly Titahi Bay and later Norths, Hardgrave was a long-time councillor who put the trophy up for Ranfurly Shield-style play between the then-four Western Bays clubs. Now played for between the two Porirua-based clubs, it’s held by Pare-Plim.
• Wainuiomata and Upper Hutt play for their Peter Jones/Dave Ritchie Cup. The two men were colleagues at St Pats Silverstream while also being the managers of their respective clubs’ Premier sides; Jones at Wainuiomata and Ritchie at Upper Hutt. The Rams are the holders.
• The Mexted name is synonymous with both Wellington and Tawa, and the two play tomorrow for their Murray and Alan Mexted Cup. Tawa holds this.
• The Jack Lamason Memorial Cup is the prize between OBU and MSP. A legendary figure of Wellington sport in the interwar years, Lamason played rugby and cricket for Wellington College Old Boys and the Wellington representative teams, played on the WCOB team that won the very first Jubilee Cup, won the Ranfurly Shield, and toured England with the national cricket side in 1937, all despite not making the 1^st XV or 1^st XI when at school. OBU are the holders.

+++++

Content continues below after these kind offerings from our sponsors and supporters:

+++++

Premier 2 Harper Lock Shield

An extremely tight competition here with a third leader in as many weeks here, with Petone (40) now ahead after their win over previous leaders Poneke last Saturday. The Villagers head for Helston to face Johnsonville (16) while Poneke (39) face another immediate test hosting the side they’re tied with for second in HOBM (39). OBU are also on 39 and host MSP who are just one further point back in the early game at Rugby League Park. Tawa (31) are in something of no-mans, but will look to make ground on some of those above when they meet bottom-placed Wellington (4) at Hataitai.

The last two spots in the top eight are also keenly fought at this juncture. Upper Hutt (21) head to William Jones to take on Wainuiomata (13) as do Ories (20) to Fraser Park to face Avalon (11), with Pare-Plim (18) at Jerry Collins to face Norths (11).

Premier Women Tia Paasi Memorial and Izzy Ford Cups

The final round of matches before next week playoffs presents what shapes as a likely championship preview with Norths welcoming Petone to Jerry Collins. Not only is top spot in the Tia Paasi Memorial at stake, but also that mental edge should they meet again at Rugby League Park in a fortnight’s time. Looking to avoid the winner of that next week in the semi-finals are Oriental Rongotai and Marist St Pats who meet at the Polo Ground.

In the Izzy Ford Cup next week’s semifinals are already set to be a repeat of this week’s draw. Wainuiomata will finish top, but will be out to atone for their round-robin loss to Avalon when they meet at William Jones. Poneke and Paremata-Plimmerton will squabble over who hosts their semi-final next week when they meet at Kilbirnie Park.

Colts Paris Memorial

The age grade returns in full after mostly having King’s Birthday off. The round is highlighted by the clash of two of the title contenders as the Upper Hutt Rams (25) and HOBM (25*) clash at Maidstone Park. The competition leaders at this stage are Tawa (27*), but they take their bye this week, so they’ll be passed by one of those sides.

Kilbirnie Park is where you’ll find two matches with Poneke (13) taking on Ories (20*) on #2 while next door on #3 you’ll find MSP (17) and Johnsonville (-2). OBU (14) and Petone (16) meet in the Ian Galloway cage, with an early 11:30am start for the derby match between Norths (4) and Pare-Plim (7) at Porirua Park.

Under 85kg JC Bowl

After also having the week off, the weight grade completes the first-round JC Bowl tomorrow. After their surprising loss two weeks ago, the Tawa Ducks still need a point from their final round match away at MacAlister against the OBU Scallywags to reclaim the trophy outright with the two teams also playing for the Thomas Murray Taonga, named for the OBU player we lost two years ago. Johnsonville will be hoping the Scallywags do them a large favour, as five points at home at Newlands Park against bottom-side MSP combined with none for the Ducks will see them share the trophy.

In the remaining two matches Wellington and Eastbourne will be found at the Polo Ground, with Avalon at home at Fraser against Pare-Plim. HOBM have the extended break with the bye.

Reserve Grade

A quick mention here of the Reserve Grade competition, which now splits into two divisions for the balance of the year. The top division comprises Norths Porirua Boys, the Pare-Plim Punters, Petone Brotherhood, Wainuiomata Legacy, Tawa, Johnsonville Cripples, MSP Internationals, and Wellington. Division 2 has recent grade powerhouse the Poneke Ruffnuts, the Wests Mixed Vege, Upper Hutt pair the Pirates and Thirsties, and OBU duo the 69ers and Righteous Pink Ginners who clash again this week. It was to have included recent grade winners the Upper Hutt J8s as well, but they’ve pulled the pin on this season.

College

A stretched week for the Premiership, with the third round having commenced on Wednesday with Wellington College dismantling Rongotai 74-3 in their Traditional clash after leading 55-3 at the break.

Just three matches scheduled tomorrow, starting with Rathkeale coming over the Remutaka’s to take on Hutt International at the NZCIS campus at 1pm. At 2.30pm Silverstream will look to maintain their dominant start to the year against St Bernard’s, while hopefully Scots have gotten over their injury issues to be able to front against St Pat’s Town at Evans Bay.

Wairarapa College and Tawa meet next Wednesday to conclude this round with their annual match, the same day round four kicks off with the Traditional match between Wellington College and Silverstream, and Rongotai hosts St Bernard’s.

In Premier 2 the Silverstream 2nds will be warm favourites against Bishop Viard in their 11.30am match, which is followed at 1pm by their 3^rd XV taking on Porirua. The Town 2nds face the third western bays side when they host Mana with both Kapiti schools at home; Paraparaumu face the Wellington College 2nds with Kapiti hosting Hutt Valley High.

Elsewhere

Back to rugby in our neighbouring provinces. Runaway Manawatu leaders Kia Toa host Freyberg in a city derby while closest pursuers Massey are at home against Old Boys Marist. The third game in Palmerston North has Linton Army hosting Feilding Old Boys-Oroua, while Feilding Yellows are at home for the visit of College Old Boys. Te Kawau have the bye.

The usual three matches in Horowhenua-Kapiti tomorrow. Working north-to-south Foxton host Waikanae, Rahui are at home at Otaki against Levin College Old Boys, and Paraparaumu welcome Shannon to the Domain. Levin Wanderers have the bye.

And in the third round of the Moose Kapene Cup in Wairarapa Bush the highlight clash has leaders Carterton heading south to take on third-placed Martinborough who have club and representative stalwart Tipene Haira playing his 150^th. Greytown are a point off the lead, and they head east to take on the Coasties, with Pioneer going north to face Eketahuna. The fourth match is a Masterton derby with Marist at home against Masterton Red Star.