Finals Day Sideline Reflections

Saturday’s 98th Jubilee Cup final was also a celebration of 100 years of radio broadcasts. More below.

• By Adam Julian

It was double delight for Petone in the Jubilee Cup and Tia Passi Memorial Cup finals. In the Tia Passi women’s decider, Petone extended their winning streak to 21 consecutive matches with a 31-12 win over Oriental Rongotai. In the Jubilee Cup final, Petone outmuscled Hutt Old Boys Marist 18-10.

Some reaction at ground level after fulltime from selected players and coaches, from the women’s and Jubilee Cup finals.

Jackie Patea-Fereti

Petone’s first official women’s centurion played No.8 in the Women’s final.

On the Game Plan: “We’ve got talented players, young and old. For us it was staying connected and communicating; honestly, it’s hard to think in the cold.”

On her try: “I saw my mates lying on the ground, so I picked and went. Full credit to our forwards. They got us into the right parts of the field.”

Jackie Patea-Fereti over for her try in the final. Photo: Andy McArthur.

On Centre Ana Kerr, who scored two tries: She’s amazing, a glider who can get through the smallest gaps, one to watch for.

Two tries for Ana Kerr in the final, the St Mary’s College centre has a bright future in the game.

On Dawn Patelesio Medalist, First-Five Litia Bulicakau: “She’s fantastic, smart, cunning and fast. Her Mum is our loudest supporter.”

Litia Bulicakau gets her pass way in the final. Photo: Andy McArthur.

On 21-game win streak: “I give it to the leaders and the young ones. They are so talented.”

On 2027: “I’m done.” (We’ve heard that before, Jackie).

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Ayesha Leti-I’iga

Scorer of two tries on the wing for Ories in Women’s finals, taking her tally to 204 tries in 83 games.

On Why Petone Won: “I think we started really well. We couldn’t exit well, which kept them in the game.”

On Strength of Club Rugby: “I haven’t been around much, but it’s cool to see it thriving. It’s good to have competition. The grassroots is in a healthy place for Hurricanes Poua. We didn’t make the final, which was our goal. That is fuel to the fire.”

On Being Left out of Dave Lintott’s Team Photo: “Oh, See What you’ve done.”

Leti-L’iga sails away to score her first try. Photo: Andy McArthur.

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Archie Schrader

Petone lock who produced a lion-hearted performance.

On Emotion of Victory: “Lost for words, it’s all we’ve worked for the last 12 months. It’s an incredible feeling.”

On Second Half Tactics: “We stayed calm. We knew we had a big 40 ahead. We knew the wind would favour us. We played at the right end of the field and stayed cool.”

On Second Half Try to Put Petone 13-10 Ahead: “It was a quick pick and go. I saw the line and had a crack. I’m so happy the boys won.”

On HOBM’s Big Ball Runners: “They’re big. You’ve got to get off the line, chop them, be hard. So good, so good.”

Wingman. Petone lock Archie Schrader celebrates hooker Kaleb Saxon’s first try of the match.

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Jordan Glen-Bradbrook

Former Hutt Old Boys Marist and current Petone second-five Jordan Glen-Bradbrook.

On Emotion of First Jubilee Cup Win Since 2005: “Absolutely stoked for our club. This is not only for this group but all the players who weren’t able to do it. This is for them

On Being Down 33-26 before the last play of regulation time in the semi-final against Upper Hutt: “To be honest, we never felt down and out. We had belief the whole time and look at us now.”

On Challenging Weather Conditions: “Last time I played in conditions like this I got towelled up by St Pats Silverstream playing for Scots.” It was 43-0 in 2012.

On Fullback Thompson Tukapua: “It’s only his third game in two years. He’s someone to watch for sure, outstanding.”

JG Bradbrook gets his pass way to Thompson Tukapua in the decider.

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Carne Green Petone Coach, Peter Green Carne’s Dad

On Emotion of Victory: “You said Hutt would win. It was a tough game. The boys stuck to it and took their opportunities.”

On Second Half Tactics: “We had to play at the right end of the field and take our opportunities. I’m proud we did that.”

Peter Green: “Julian, I heard you on the radio backing Hutt.”

Carne on Dad’s Legacy: “I played for 15 years and didn’t win one. They’re bloody tough to win. The satisfaction of coaching is just as sweet as playing.”

Peter Green on Carne: “ I’m so proud of him. He’s been outstanding.

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Ben Tuiomanufili HOBM Lock

On Why Petone was Better: “The weather conditions were hard, but we can’t use that as an excuse. Petone trusted their defence. When opportunities came, they were good enough to execute. We weren’t good enough. They played better than us and deserved it.”

It didn’t go the way they had hoped for Tuiomanufili and the Eagles forwards.

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“McBeth & Morrison” Join Celebration of Broadcasting Milestone

Broadcasting legends John McBeth and John Morrison were on the microphone at Porirua Park on Saturday, for the celebration of 100 years of club rugby radio broadcasts. The 98th Jubilee Cup Final was a fitting match to commemorate the first broadcast on 23 July 1927 on Wellington’s 2YA, from Athletic Park.

The announcer for that first match was Tom (Thomas Alfred) Fletcher, a schoolteacher and member of the Wellington Rugby Referees Association. Charles Lamberg became the regular voice of club rugby through the 1930’s until 1942, when he was succeeded by Charles Mullaney (another referee), who in turn was succeeded by the well-known Wellingtonian Winston McCarthy, whose voice carried broadcasts into the 1960’s.

As part of Saturday’s show, there were extended interviews with both Grant Nisbett and Keith Quinn.

Listen to these below:

Grant Nisbett: 

Keith Quinn: