Finals Day takes top billing tomorrow in community rugby

• By Scott MacLean 

Updated Late Friday: There are six club rugby finals at Porirua Park tomorrow, three on Porirua Park 1 and three up top on Porirua 2. Grade deciders in action include both Women’s divisions, both Premier 2 Divisions and the Premier Hardham VC Memorial Cup and Jubilee Cups finals. It is also the last round of Division 1 Colts before next week’s straight final and the Colts semi-finals, while college rugby resumes in full following the recent school holidays.

In one match earlier today, the Taranaki Bulls NPC squad edged a Wellington XV 21-14 in their NPC pre-season match at coastal Taranaki.

The weather forecast for Saturday is not looking too flash, but not as bad as it could be either. It can be viewed here: https://www.yr.no/en/forecast/hourly-table/2-2184397/New%20Zealand/Wellington%20Region/Porirua%20City/Porirua?i=2

Draws & Results/Premier teams– visit https://stats.clubrugby.nz/ for these. Click on a fixture for teamlists and match details. Teamlists as received and subject to change.

Radio commentary  – online at teupoko.co.nz or by tuning into 87.5FM or 1161AM is the Jubilee Cup Final between Petone and Hutt Old Boys Marist at Porirua Park. With Gordon Noble-Campbell and team.

Tipping Competition – Visit https://www.faceyoursfears.com/games/WGTN2026/join   To make your picks for Finals week and for the last time this year. The competition is still alive, with a couple of leading contenders but the chasing pack is ravenous for some tipping glory. After the round (early next week) we will collate the winner and placegetter and they can get in touch for prizes.

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Premier Jubilee Cup – Porirua Park 1, 3.00pm

Hutt Old Boys Marist (4) vs Petone (1). Referee: Matt Thomas

It’s Part III of the trilogy, and in no offence to the famous old shield the two usually contest tomorrow’s prize is somewhat more sort after.

The Lower Hutt pair each arrive at the decider after two of the more absorbing semi-finals in recent years. The Eagles were pushed hard by Tawa in a rematch of last year’s final while Petone had to fight back from a 16-point deficit to force extra time against Upper Hutt before prevailing. Just how much that took out of the tank of each will only be known tomorrow.

HOBM are looking to be the first team to go back-to-back since OBU in 2018-19 and only the fourth this century (MSP did it twice in the 2000’s), and despite being shorn of star rookie Rupeni Raviyawa do have the recent wood on their great rivals, winning their first-round playoff clash 23-10 at the Petone Rec despite Raviyawa’s first-half red card.

Petone will be looking to end the longest title drought in their history, having not drunk from the Cup since 2005. They’ll be looking to erase the pain of the 2022 defeat to Norths on this same field as well as atone for a muddled performance in that loss three weeks ago which was only their second on the season. They’ll be looking to succeed OBU in 2024 as teams to do the Swindale/Jubilee double.

Perhaps one portent for Petone. As mentioned to us by diehard Villager Brad Newson the last time Petone lifted the Jubilee came after a New Zealander lifted a golf Major. Does Ryan Fox 2026 equal Michael Campbell 2005?

HOBM make just a single change to their starting pack with Asola Taape back on the openside in place of Brandon Lo. In the backs Khya Wilson returns after missing last week, with Zane Ainslie – who deputised at first-five – moving to the left wing for Jeremiah Peleseuma.

It’s little surprise that Petone have made some changes after last week’s exertions. It’s the same tight five, but in the loose Kitiona Letufia and Connor Tuifao switch places to accommodate the returning Braith Ingram on the openside. In the backs Thompson Tukapua starts at fullback after an impressive stint off the bench last Saturday and Lester Maulolo starts at centre. The three players displaced, Jarrod Hrstich, Rory Woollett, and Tom Carter, all take places in the dugout.

Expect HOBM to make use of their battery of big ball-runners, particularly Ben Tuiomanufili, Luca Rees, and Mika Alaifatu, and where they have a size advantage over their opponents especially if you include Brett Manaia and Filo Paulo on their bench as well. Petone will look to move the Eagles’ big units around to blunt their effectiveness and in general have a speed advantage across the backs.

Match-ups to watch are everywhere. Petone more than held their own at scrum time against Upper Hutt but HOBM have backed theirs all season, and the Villagers will look for young props Heath Tuifao and Harry Rankin to get parity. Lineouts will be interesting as Archie Schrader dominated that area against the Rams but Eagles veteran David Filipo is no slouch. Ingram’s return is a boost for the Villagers and he’ll be a menace at the breakdown HOBM will have to be wary of.

Watching nuggety and feisty halfbacks Waylon Tuhoro-Robinson and Cam Ferreira battle will be of note, while Dom Ernst’s counter-attacking ability will make Petone think hard about where and when they choose to kick.

Matt Thomas takes charge of his second Jubilee Cup final. He was also in charge of the McBain clash last month, and the “McBain Miracle” match four years ago. He’ll be assisted by last week’s semi-final referees; Charlie Harris and Ethan Loveridge.

HOBM: 1-George Jacobs, 2-Ignatius Kasiano-Sio, 3-Noah Krijien, 4-David Filipo, 5-Ben Tuiomanufili, 6-Luca Rees, 7-Asola Taape, 8-Mika Alaifatu, 9-Waylon Tuhuro-Robinson ©, 10-Khya Wilson, 11-Zane Ainslie, 12-Taleta Tupuola, 13-Caleb Robson, 14-Fritz Rayasi, 15-Dom Ernst. Bench – 16-Freddie Sunia, 17-Brett Manaia, 18-Filo Paulo, 19-Brandon Lo, 20-Kian O’Connell, 21-Jeremiah Peleseuma, 22-Nathan Tanuvasa

Petone: 1-Heath Tuifao, 2-Kaleb Saxon, 3-Harry Rankin, 4-Archie Schrader, 5-Jono Bailey, 6-Kitiona Leitufia, 7-Braith Ingram, 8-Connor Tuifao ©, 9-Cam Ferreira, 10-Jacob Waikari-Jones, 11-William Davis, 12-Jordan-Glen Bradbrook, 13-Lester Maulolo, 14-Jermaine Pepe, 15-Thompson Tukapua. Bench: 16-Conley Alexander, 17-Kafaongo Katoa, 18-Jarrod Hrstich, 19-Kingston Hill, 20-Axel Daken, 21-Rory Woollett, 22-Tom Carter

Premier Hardham Cup – Porirua Park 2, 2.45pm 

Paremata-Plimmerton (6) vs Wellington (11). Referee: Nathan Pinder

Will it be third time lucky for the Hammerheads in Premier finals, or an underdog triumph against the odds for the Axemen? We’ll find out from 2.45pm on the back field at Porirua Park.

The pair have taken rather different routes to this point; Pare-Plim played week one in the Jubilee bracket, but were beaten by Ories and dropped down. Last weekend though they put together a far better performance to run away from MSP. On the opposing side Wellington accounted for Norths, and were ultimately too good for an injury-ravaged OBU at Nairnville.

Pare-Plim are seeking to banish the demons of their two previous appearances on Finals Day; their Jubilee Cup loss in 2023 to Ories and the Hardham defeat by Wainuiomata the following year. But they’ll have continuity tomorrow, naming an unchanged starting XV from last weeks win and six of the same on the bench. The only change sees James Corcoran drop out for the return of Tane McMillan-Parata, who joins the very small number of Hammerheads to play 200 First-team games for the club.

Wellington are unchanged up front, though they will be hoping Archie Treadwell gets through whatever minutes he plays today for the representative side unscathed. The only changes to the run-on side are in the halves; Caleb Aiulu moves into halfback and Dennon Robertson-Bartlett is handed the keys at first-five.

There’s several matchups to keep an eye on here, starting up front where former Axemen the Coburn brothers match up with Michael Rongo and Tui Tuiatua. The contest in the loose trios, headlined by opensides Christian Fa’avae and the always abrasive James Tuia, could be match-defining, while the midfield one between the vastly-improved Marzy Karim and Floyd Rose (with Ethan Webster-Nonu in reserve) and ex-MSP pair Isaia Petelo and Willie Schutz will be of note.

Nathan Pinder was to have the whistle for this match, just as he did for the Swindale meeting between the two which saw Wellington win 40-38 at Ngati Toa Domain, but he is ill and has been replaced late Friday by Ethan Jefferson.

Paremata-Plimmerton: 1-Tony Coburn, 2-Toby Mallon, 3-James Coburn, 4-Junior Davey, 5-Alby Hemopo, 6-Alex Fidow, 7-Christian Fa’avae ©, 8-Jeremiah Avei-Collins, 9-Esi Komaisavai, 10-Dale Sabbagh, 11-Caleb Alaga, 12-Marzy Karim, 13-Floyd Rose, 14-Joe Faleafaga, 15-Jono Ryan. Bench: 16-Davis Eni, 17-Werdna Maligi-Leota, 18-Trent Livesey, 19-Tane McMillan-Parata, 20-Zane Edwards, 21-Louis Northcott, 22-Ethan Webster-Nonu

Wellington: 1-Tui Tuiatua, 2-To’e Lokeni, 3-Michael Rongo, 4-Tuitavake Manoa, 5-Archie Treadwell, 6-Ami Paongo ©, 7-James Tuiatua, 8-Adriu Vosa, 9-Caleb Aiulu, 10-Dennon Robertson-Bartlett, 11-Lei Aiulu, 12- Isaia Petelo, 13-Willie Schutz, 14-Ben Tuiatua, 15-Luke Kapene. Bench: 16-Tom Robertson, 17-Perry Laumalili, 18-Sam Edlund, 19-Jack Laurenson, 20-Lucky Tuiatua, 21-Lavakhi Tolai, 22-Fa’amavaega Lokeni

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Premier 2 Ed Chaney Cup – Porirua Park 1, 1.00pm

Petone (1) vs HOBM (2). Referee: Sam Landers

The Premier 2 championship match pits the two form teams of the season, where the only loss that either have suffered was in their match against each other; the “McBain B” where Petone won 19-16 courtesy of a late Rory Woollett drop-goal. If tomorrow lives up to that meeting, it should be a cracker.

To reach this point both have beaten Pare-Plim and MSP in the playoffs. Petone accounted for the latter 44-10, while HOBM beat the former 62-12.

The referee for this is Sam Landers. The aspiring doctor made his Premier debut earlier in the season and was in the middle for Wednesday’s Town vs Stream epic.

Petone: 1-Dylan Turnbull, 2-Ryan Imrie, 3-Richard Hanisi, 4-Nathan Hermans, 5-Marco Venter, 6-Levi Morgan, 7-Jacob Beaumont, 8-Chris Lolohea, 9-Harry Wall, 10-Ben Brooking, 11-Seth Tufuga, 12-Josh Styche, 13-Josh Auvele, 14-Wesley Faitele, 15-Max Hoskings. Bench: 16-Regan Shaw, 17-William Eastman, 18-Jake Marriner, 19-Adam Driver, 20-Kaleb Sinclair, 21-Josh Tanner, 22-Tamahou “The Silver Fox” Waikari

HOBM: TBA

Premier 2 HD Morgan Memorial – Porirua Park 2, 12.45pm 

Avalon (7) vs Johnsonville (10). Referee: Quintin Renner

The subsidiary Premier 2 final pits one team who should be there on seeding in Avalon, against one that’s beaten them to make it in Johnsonville. The Wolves’ second-stringers have been one of the stories of the year after a difficult campaign last season and reached this final after eventually overwhelming Wellington 37-13 last Saturday. The Hawks are the surprise package, here after they somewhat easily overcame Tawa 27-18 a week ago.

Quintin Renner is the man in the middle for this one after a strong series of performances across the season.

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Premier Women Tia Paasi Memorial – Porirua Park 1, 11.15am

Petone (1) vs Oriental-Rongotai (2). Referee: Brad Parkin

Two of the heavyweights clash in the Women’s championship decider. Petone will be heavy favourites as they’re unbeaten this season – including their semi-final over Norths – and lost only once in two seasons, but after seeing off Wainuiomata last weekend in their best performance of the year Ories will fancy their chances, even if the odds are heavily against them.

The Poua’s unlucky near-miss on the Aupiki final is good news for both teams who have their full contingents back. Still, Petone have almost an embarrassment of riches and will be led by blindside flanker Fono Bason, who forms a strong loose trio with Lourdes Faifua and the ageless and seemingly indestructible Jackie Patea-Fereti. Milly Mackey and Litia Bulicakau form an experienced halves duo despite their age, teenage star-in-the-making Ana Kerr is at centre, and Georgia Thompson (nee Daals) is a threat from fullback.

Ories welcome back the games ultimate strike weapon in Ayesha Leti-l’iga and she takes her customary place on the left wing, part of a strong backline that includes Fa’asua Makisi, Drenna Falaniko, Nahliah Tagatuali-Tolova’a, and Sophia Ropeti. Fresh off playing her 100^th for Ories last week Evelyn Tea leads the side from lock, with 2025 Wellington rep skipper Valini Vaka at hooker. Petra Ikenasio will play her 100^th Premier match in Wellington, across her stints at both Ories and Pare-Plim.

Promising young referee Brad Parkin takes charge of his first senior final.

Petone: 1-Huria Monika, 2-Amiria Ranapia, 3-Mary-Lee Sa’u, 4-Eva Maora, 5-Trilaine Raika-Suitauloa, 6-Fono Bason ©, 7-Lourdes Faifua, 8-Jackie Patea-Fereti, 9-Milly Mackey, 10-Litia Bulicakau, 11-Milla Tarawhiti, 12-Lynda Rabeni-Vatuloka, 13-Ana Kerr, 14-Ofeira Hunt, 15-Georgia Thompson. Bench: 16-Louise Tangitutu, 17-Sieni Uluulu, 18-Lavinia Lea, 19-Penelope Taulafo, 20-Emily Forster, 21-Te Arani Vulu, 22-Tyler Bentley

Ories: 1-Emelei La’ai, 2-Valini Vaka, 3-Laina Semu, 4-Dylin Alaimoana-Asi, 5-Evelyn Tea ©, 6-Sinead Ryder, 7-Grace Aperila-Foliga, 8-Faith Sola, 9-Phoenix Patea, 10-Sophia Ropeti, 11-Ayesha Leti-l’iga, 12-Nahliah Tagatauli-Tolova’a, 13 Fa’asua Makisi, 14, Rosie Darrah, 15-Drenna Falaniko. Bench: 16-Petra Ikenasio, 17-Aqua Aukuso, 18-Sialoha Tolova’a-Uele, 19-Summer Aiono, 20-Laura Hayes, 21-Tylah Reihana-Aukuso, 22-Diana Foliaki

Premier Women Izzy Ford Cup – Porirua Park 2, 11.00am

Avalon (1) vs Old Boys-University (2). Referee: Ian Laing

The first final of the day is the Women’s Division 2 crown. Avalon have made little race of the round-robin matches in this part of the season, nor of their semi-final last weekend. OBU will play for silverware in their first season back in the competition and have been a free-scoring side in this part of the year but the Impala’s will be underdogs here.

Veteran referee Ian Laing, no stranger to refereeing Women’s matches over the years, has the whistle here.

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Colts John Kelly and Vic Calcinai Memorial Cups

The only other grade in action tomorrow are the Colts. In the championship John Kelly Cup it’s a case of three-into-two in the last round before next week’s final. Petone (18) might be leading, but their place is far from secure. At minimum, they require two competition points tomorrow at home against MSP (16) to ensure their place in next week’s decider, while the Evans Bay side likely needs to win. The reason for that is across the river, where HOBM (14) takes on already-eliminated Tawa (8) and a bonus point win for the young Eagles will see them playing in the final under most, but not all, scenarios.

In the Vic Calcinai Cup it’s semi-finals weekend. Top seeds Poneke are at home against Norths, while after meeting last week, OBU and Pare-Plim do it all again only this time at Nairnville Park.

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College

With the school holidays over, college rugby returns for the run to the finals. In the Premiership one game is already in the books this week with Town (now 29) beating Silverstream (now 27) 38-36 in the last moments in an epic Traditional clash on Wednesday.

Tomorrow Wellington College (29) will look to resume the outright competition lead and maintain their unbeaten record against Hutt International (15) on Kilbirnie Park, while bottom pair Rongotai (6) and Mana (0) face each other. Before that Scots (17) will look to rebound from their loss to Rongotai but host Rathkeale (24), and the first game of the day sees St Bernards (12) travel over the Remutaka’s to take on Wairarapa College (6).

In Premier 2 leaders the Silverstream 2nds (32) are up first, at home to HVHS (17), while chasers Aotea (30) are at home against Kapiti (22) who have playoff ambitions of their own. The Town 2nds (27) hold down third and host strugglers Tawa (1) at Evans Bay, while further down the table the Wellington College 2nds (17) are at Porirua (7), and Paraparaumu (10) host the Silverstream 3rds (9).

In Division 1 of the Under 15 grade, leaders Silverstream (20) host Mana (10), Wellington College (15) visit Scots (15) in a battle for second, and St Bernard’s (11) host Town (8). Rongotai (1) have the bye.

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Elsewhere

While most unions have finished their competitions, there are some still going, and two of those are Bay of Plenty and Canterbury. In Steamers country Greerton Marist hosts Te Puke in the Baywide decider; Greerton will be favourites but the visitors did upset Tauranga last weekend. And in Christchurch Linwood goes looking for a championship double as their B’s take on University’s for the Premier Reserve crown before their Premiers face Marist Albion for the Championship under the roof at One NZ Stadium.

Look for a piece from us next week with all provincial winners up and down the country.