Plenty to play for in 12th round Premier and Premier 2 matches as Women’s champions decided

Above: Keanu Kotuhi gets his pass away for Wainuiomata against Avalon last Saturday. Both sides have plenty to play for this weekend.

• By Scott MacLean

Updated 6.55pm Friday: Its the winter solstice tomorrow this weekend and then it’s all downhill to summertime and paddling pools, but for a number of teams it is a case of sink or swim tomorrow.

Whilst Ories will be presented with the Swindale Shield for the first time in the club’s history, several sides are chasing vital wins as they jostle for positions for the championship knockout rounds starting tomorrow.  The same goes for the Premier 2 and Colts competitions.

It is also Finals Day in the Women’s competition, with both deciders at Rugby League Park.

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 Ngati Toa Domain in the fixture between Paremata-Plimmerton and Petone for the Ken Gray Cup. 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.

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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, and are now pivoting towards a rebuild for this site_

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:

Swindale Shield Round 12 – just the teamlists

Premier Swindale Shield

Tomorrow is the penultimate round of matches, and while Oriental Rongotai have already won the Swindale Shield for the first time in their history and will be presented with it following their match, there is still a lot to be determined.

It is at the Polo Ground where we start this preview, as Ories (55) put their perfect record and local bragging rights on the line against Poneke (40) for the Jim Grbich Memorial Shield. Even though they’ve already locked down top seed for the playoffs, they’ll be motivated to reach that Holy Grail of 13 wins all with a bonus point. But while they’re assured of playing in the first week of the Jubilee Cup at least, Poneke will still be after one of those valuable top four places and a win here would go a long way towards that.

Penieli Poasa finally makes his return to the home side’s starting fifteen with Sammy Se’au also coming into the pack. Leon Sio and Ethan Smyth-Rangi are the changes in the backs for Herman Seumanufagai and Alex Ropeti who drop to the bench. Just one change as advised by Poneke with Mike Brown swapping at halfback with Jimmy-Lee Hongara, though “Mr TBC” is listed on the right wing for now.

After the McBain, the Grbich is probably the most well-known of Wellington city’s interclub trophies. It memorialises Jim Grbich, a fantastically talented player of Māori and Dalmatian heritage of the 1950’s. He formed a lethal midfield combination with Moray Bevan for Poneke, Wellington, and NZ Māori before moving into the loose forwards. He was said to still be at the peak if his powers when he died in a late-night car accident near the Tawa interchange in 1962. The trophy was donated two years later by Ories members and has been played for ever since.

Speaking of the top four, two sides currently in those places clash at Ngati Toa Domain when Paremata-Plimmerton (42) hosts Petone (43). The pair both won last Saturday, albeit in rather contrasting fashion as the Hammerheads left it late to get past Upper Hutt, while the Villagers were in control from the start against Norths. A loss here would not be fatal to the losers top four ambitions, but it would be a difficult ask given who each of these team’s play next week.

Just two changes to Pare-Plim’s starting side, with Zeek Fiso at blindside and Mika Cooper-Finau handed the keys at #10 with Davis Eni and Dale Sabbagh dropping to the bench. It’s a similar story for the Villagers, with Ryan Imrie and Conley Alexander swapping places, Tom Carter returns in place of Losi Filipo, and Jermaine Pepe is back on the wing. Tjay Clarke is at fullback on the ground where his older brother Sam starred for the past two seasons.

The third clash between sides inside the top eight is at the Hutt Rec, where Hutt Old Boys Marist (43) return to after two weeks in the eastern suburbs. It’s a valley derby, with the Upper Hutt Rams (39) coming down State Highway 2 to provide the opposition on the Eagles Old Timers’ Day. HOBM once again seem to be hitting their straps at the right time of the season and will be tough on their home track, but this years Rams outfit have proven resilient and will have been gutted to let victory last week slip through their fingers.

Captain Waylon Tuhoro-Robinson makes his return for the home side with Flynn Ruscoe joining him in the halves and Khya Wilson moving back to the wing. Up front Nonu Tuia and Damian Henare join the pack. Connor Lemon and Jack Wright both start in the Rams forwards with Dylan Slight given the nod at halfback in an otherwise unchanged backs division.

Tawa (40) haven’t given up on making the top four, and they’re back in the leafy confines of Lyndhurst Park for the visit of Wainuiomata (23). Despite being headed for the Hardham Cup, the visitors remain a dangerous side and with a little more luck they could have still been in the Jubilee mix. But Tawa know what it takes at this time of year and seem ready for another strong run in the playoffs, and will be the favourites here.

Some significant additions in experience for the home side tomorrow with Hugo Plummer available and joining veteran Chris Middleton at lock, with the well-travelled Jeff Makapelu at No. 8. That extends to their bench which has both James So’oialo and NZ Under 85kg rep Matt Treeby. It’s a much-changed Wainuiomata side with Teru Time, Lorenzo Pili, and Derek Lealifano amongst those coming into the run-on side, along with Ray Va’a who joins brother Raymond in the backs. And in a blast from the past, Marvin Karawana is on the visitor’s bench.

Just up the road Norths (13) go once more in search of their third win on the year with Johnsonville (35) making the journey from Helston to Jerry Collins. Last week’s result was a little unfair on the hosts who persevered manfully and had their moments against Petone, but struggled greatly when the Villagers had space and time with the ball. Given the Hawks backline, that could spell trouble again if they can’t address it. For their part, Johnsonville will be disappointed with last weeks result, but their first goal this week will be to secure that one competition point that ensures they’ll start in the Jubilee Cup section.

For Norths, No. 8Luca Rees will be looking to notch his 100^th Premier try, while they are boosted by returning Moana Pasifika player Jackson Garden-Bachop at second-five. Former Jubilee Cup winning halfback Campbell Woodmass returns from Taranaki to be on the reserves.  The Hawks restore Raja Sami to hooker so Regan Herbert reverts to No8 with Serge Hollis back on the side of the scrum, while their dangerous backline remains unchanged.

Hoping that Johnsonville don’t get that point are Old Boys-University (26), with the champions on the precipice after their loss to Poneke. To make the top eight they need maximum points from their last two matches AND for the Hawks to get nothing as Johnsonville’s 51-26 win earlier in this season is the tiebreaker should the two end up tied. The Goats’ immediate task is to do what they can, which involves a trip to Hataitai Park to face Wellington where the Axemen will again fancy their chances of taking a big-name scalp, even after a difficult week that has seen them stripped of their competition points for an eligibility breach.

Wellington have a settled side, while for OBU Geordie Bean moves to hooker and also assumes the captaincy this week, while Tom Henderson steps into the #10 jersey after Callum Harkin’s cameo last Saturday. One name of note is at No. 8, where former Tawa player Folau Vea finally makes his Goats debut.

Sending this part of the preview back towards where it started, the last match of the day is between two teams already headed for the Hardham as Marist St Pat’s (16) face Avalon (3). At this stage the focus for both is likely to around avoiding injury and getting some momentum for their playoff outings.

MSP have made a few changes which is probably of little surprise. They include Jake Wetere add Viliame Rarasea dropping to the bench and a week off for Taufa Kaufononga. Luke Donaldson takes the #10 jersey with Francis Mettrick moving into midfield for Isaia Petelo after his red card last week. It’s another reshuffled Wolves pack with Mateo Setefano pushing into lock and Sonny Oloapu off the back, with Ben Wright at first-five and Jordan Aquila shifting to fullback.

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Every one of the Premier matches have an interclub trophy in play, as well as the Grbich.

• Pare-Plim and Petone contest their Ken Gray Cup. Gray’s contribution to Petone, Wellington, and All Black rugby is well-known, but he first made a representative team when selected for Wellington B out of Paremata in 1958 while working on his parent’s farm. Petone are the holders.
• HOBM and Upper Hutt will contest for their Gillies-Melville Cup for the second time. HOBM will also defend the Bill Brien Challenge Cup
• Tawa and Wainuiomata play for their Chris Stirling Cup. Currently the General Manager High Performance for the Hurricanes, Stirling played over 200 matches for Tawa before serving as Wainuiomata’s Coaching Co-ordinator between 2005 and 2007 at the start of a long and distinguished coaching career here and overseas. Tawa hold this.
• Norths and Johnsonville play for the Barlow Trophy. Bert Barlow played on the wing for Johnsonville before relocating to Titahi Bay. There he had a long involvement with the local club, coaching through the grades up to the senior team and served as building convenor, Club Captain, and President. Johnsonville are the holders.
• The Dean Gifford Memorial Cup is in play for Wellington and OBU. A police officer by profession, Gifford played for several teams in Wellington as well as both Wairarapa-Bush and Nelson Bays, but his longest stints were with OBU and the Axemen. Gifford passed away at a relatively young age in 2012 after battling cancer and the trophy was put in play the following year. OBU hold this.
• MSP and Avalon contest their Joe Aspell Cup. A Marist man, philanthropist, and later Wellington City Councillor, Aspell was the publican of several hotels across the region and put the trophy in play when he was the licensee of the Taita Hotel. Through their respective mergers it’s now played for by these clubs, with MSP the current holders.

Premier Women Tia Paasi Memorial and Izzy Ford Cups

Understandably for some, the biggest games of the day are at Rugby League Park where the Women’s finals take place, and the first pieces of championship silverware will be handed out for 2025.

Up first at 11am is the Izzy Ford Cup between top qualifiers Wainuiomata and last year’s winners Paremata-Plimmerton. Wainuiomata have won both matches between the pair this season, but finals are a different thing altogether. Wainuiomata’s Zoe Clark has been near the top of the Best & Fairest standings all year and in career-best form, and there’s plenty of experience in the backs with former Pride players Acacia Claridge-Te Iwimate and Mac Collins. Co-skipper Canon Hakaraia is another to watch. Pare-Plim won’t be daunted by those previous results, with veteran forwards Petra Ikenasio, Roimata Parata, and Mele Kupa-Cummings looking to set the tone upfront with midfield back Alumeci Nawaqatabu another to have featured in the Best & Fairest this year.

Following at 1.30pm attention turns to the championship Tia Paasi Memorial decider between champions Petone and challengers Norths after the two swept aside MSP and Ories in their respective semi-finals. As with the match above, Petone have won both matches this season, but Norths were in a similar position a few years ago when facing MSP and were dominant when it mattered.

The obvious threat Petone presents is on the wing, where Harmony Kautai has scored 29 tries in nine matches this year including seven last Saturday, but you can’t discount the others they have in Keira Su’a-Smith, Litia Bulicakau, and Milly Mackey. The seemingly ageless Jackie Patea-Fereti leads their forwards alongside Pride props Lavinia Lea and Angelica Schwencke.

Experience is something that Norths have in abundance, with Sanita Levave, Leah Conley, and Patsy Schwalger. They have the ability to match Petone in key areas, with control from halves Vaine Maui-Komaisavai and Arene Landon-Lane and punch through midfielder Kat Wira-Kohu and prop Dora Laupola, as well as their own young excitement machine in schoolgirl fullback Brooke Jones.

Premier 2 Harper Lock Shield

After their win and Poneke’s loss last Saturday the Harper Lock Shield is Petone’s (50) to lose. They take their four-point lead out to Ngati Toa Domain to face ninth-place Pare-Plim (24) who will themselves be keen to crack into the top-eight. Poneke (46) are now the chasers, and they’re at Polo to take on Ories (30). The other contenders are OBU (45) who are Kilbirnie #3 to play bottom-placed Wellington (7), while HOBM (45) welcome eighth-place Upper Hutt (27) to the Hutt Rec.

The remaining matches have MSP (43) hosting Avalon (11), Tawa (41) welcome Wainuiomata (19) to Lyndhurst, and Norths and Johnsonville (both 16) can be found at Porirua Park.

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Colts Paris Memorial

Three weeks left here, and with the leading contenders all having had their bye the table is clear.

Disappointingly though, just three matches going ahead this weekend. Tawa will move to 40 points after Norths (now 10) defaulted to them, while Johnsonville (now -7*) did likewise to Petone (now 34). Upper Hutt moved to 39 with their bonus-point 53-0 win today over a very depleted OBU (19) side, while defending champions HOBM (32) can’t be counted out but must get past Pare-Plim (16) tomorrow to stay in the hunt. The other fixture tomorrow has Poneke (23*) and MSP (24) meeting on Kilbirnie Park, with Ories (24*) on the bye.

Under 85kg Paul Potiki Memorial and Tony O’Brien Shields

Second round in the championship divisions for the lightweights tomorrow. At Redwood Park is the titanic clash between the Tawa Ducks and Johnsonville Terrahawks, while the OBU Scallywags return to action with a trip to Fraser Park to face Avalon. Wellington have the bye in the Paul Potiki Shield Division.

In the Tony O’Brien matches first up winners HOBM and Pare-Plim clash at the Hutt Rec, while Eastbourne and MSP will look to rebound when they meet at HW Shortt.

College

Once again just three matches on in the Premiership tomorrow following Wednesday’s matches which saw wins for Silverstream 46-17 over Rongotai and for Wellington College over St Bernard’s by 67-10. It’s the big road trip for the Wairarapa pair as they both head into the eastern suburbs; Rathkeale go to Evans Bay to face St Pats Town, with Wairarapa College in Strathmore to take on Scots with both matches at 1pm. The lone 2.30pm contest is at the CIS Campus, with Hutt International taking on Tawa.

In Premier 2 the round starts with the 11.30am contest between the two Silverstream sides as the 3rds “host” the unbeaten 2nds. The two Kapiti schools are both at home; Kapiti welcome Mana while Paraparaumu face Hutt Valley High. Coming back south Bishop Viard are at home to fact the Town 2nds, with Wellington College’s 2nds taking on Porirua.

Elsewhere

Tomorrow is the start of the finals series in the Manawatu Hankins Shield. Kia Toa will look to rebound from their first defeat of the season when they host College Old Boys in the Qualifying Final, while Feilding Yellows are at home against Freyberg in the Elimination Final. Massey lie in wait for next week.

The Big Two continue to lead the way in Horowhenua Kapiti. Rahui are a point ahead, and they head south to face Paraparaumu while Foxton are at home against Levin College Old Boys. Levin Wanderers and Shannon meet at the Domain, with Waikanae on the bye.

In Wairarapa-Bush it’s also the penultimate round in the Moose Kapene Cup. Leaders Greytown (33) have already played, facing Pioneer (14) at home this afternoon, with Carterton (31) in action tomorrow against Masterton Red Star (19). Martinborough (25) will look to rebound from their loss to Marist as they head north to take on Eketahuna (17), with Marist (20) hosting bottom-placed East Coast (8).