{"id":30588,"date":"2026-05-04T08:36:15","date_gmt":"2026-05-03T20:36:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/?p=30588"},"modified":"2026-05-04T12:07:17","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T00:07:17","slug":"sideline-conversions-4-may-some-rugby-news-and-information-to-start-the-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/2026\/05\/04\/sideline-conversions-4-may-some-rugby-news-and-information-to-start-the-week\/","title":{"rendered":"Sideline Conversions 4 May (some rugby news and information to start the week)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>Action from the Swindale Shield match at Ngati Toa Domain on Saturday.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>\n\t\t<style>\n\t\t\t#wpls-logo-showcase-slider-1 .wpls-fix-box,\n\t\t\t#wpls-logo-showcase-slider-1 .wpls-fix-box img.wp-post-image{max-height:250px; }\n\t\t<\/style>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"wpls-wrap wpls-logo-showcase-slider-wrp wpls-logo-clearfix wpls-design-1 \" data-conf=\"{&quot;slides_column&quot;:4,&quot;slides_scroll&quot;:1,&quot;dots&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;arrows&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;autoplay_interval&quot;:3000,&quot;loop&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;rtl&quot;:&quot;false&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:800,&quot;center_mode&quot;:&quot;false&quot;,&quot;lazyload&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpls-logo-showcase logo_showcase wpls-logo-slider  sliderimage_hide_border \" id=\"wpls-logo-showcase-slider-1\" >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wpls-logo-cnt\">\n\t<div class=\"wpls-fix-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.roblawmax.co.nz\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-image\"  src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/rmax24.jpg?fit=220%2C120&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><div class=\"wpls-logo-cnt\">\n\t<div class=\"wpls-fix-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.geeksonwheels.co.nz\/locations\/wellington-computer-repair\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-image\"  src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/images.jpg?fit=296%2C170&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><div class=\"wpls-logo-cnt\">\n\t<div class=\"wpls-fix-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/thecallcentre.co.nz\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-image\"  src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/TCC-Logo-400x260-1.jpg?fit=400%2C260&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><div class=\"wpls-logo-cnt\">\n\t<div class=\"wpls-fix-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.partnersfinance.co.nz\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-image\"  src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/part2.jpg?fit=300%2C195&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s Star Wars Day today, and with it a number of teams will be searching for the powers of the Force to jump-start their seasons as we enter the sixth weekend of Premier and Premier 2 competitions in Wellington and the fifth week of other grades.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sixth Round Swindale Shield matches at a glance<\/strong> below (Premier 2 same draw, more to come in Friday&#8217;s preview):<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Marist St Pat&#8217;s v Wellington, Evans Bay Park<\/li>\n<li>Avalon Wolves v Johnsonvillle, Fraser Park<\/li>\n<li>Hutt Old Boys Marist v Tawa, Hutt Rec<\/li>\n<li>Northern United v Petone (Murray Henderson Trophy), Porirua Park 2<\/li>\n<li>Old Boys University v Upper Hutt Rams, Nairnville Park<\/li>\n<li>Oriental-Rongotai v Wainuiomata, Polo Ground<\/li>\n<li>Poneke v Paremata-Plimmerton, Kilbirnie Park<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The match at the Hutt Recreation Ground between HOBM and Tawa will be this week&#8217;s &#8216;feature&#8217; game of the Swindale Shield &#8211; also a replay of last July&#8217;s Jubilee Cup final. Although a couple of other venues look pretty good too!<\/p>\n<p>Just one interclub trophy on the line this weekend too. The Player of the Match in the Norths-Petone fixture also wins the Collins Medal, after late cousins Willie and Jerry Collins.<\/p>\n<p>Swindale Shield Points table updated (unofficial standings here): <a href=\"https:\/\/stats.clubrugby.nz\/table\/2026-swindale-shield\/\">https:\/\/stats.clubrugby.nz\/table\/2026-swindale-shield\/\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n<p>+++++<\/p>\n<p>Since a 42-5 blowout in favour of Tawa in the 2022 Jubilee Cup, six of the last seven games between <strong>Old Boys University<\/strong> and <strong>Tawa<\/strong> have been decided by less than a converted try.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Close Tawa Wins: 38-36, 31-26, 31-30,<\/li>\n<li>Close OBU Wins: 27-21, 22-16, 31-29<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>+++++<\/p>\n<p>Speculated on in this space last week, now confirmed, this coming week&#8217;s sixth round Swindale Shield and Henderson Trophy fixture between <strong>Northern United and Petone has been bumped<\/strong> from the Porirua Park No. 1 at Porirua Park ground to Porirua 2. In turn, the Colts is up on Porirua 3. The reason? A women&#8217;s football match down below on Sunday. Thoughts on professional sport encroaching on community sports grounds? If they don&#8217;t want to use Wellington Stadium, which is intended for them, why can&#8217;t some club rugby games be played there instead?<\/p>\n<p>+++++<\/p>\n<p>Good to see <strong>Steve Newson<\/strong> out for his 101st Premier match on Saturday, which in turn poses a question. Newson recently became a grandfather through his daughter Sammi, so when was the last time &#8211; if ever &#8211; one controlled a Wellington Premier match?<\/p>\n<p>+++++<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>Bason brothers<\/strong>, Vernon and Mosese, made their Wellington club rugby debuts on Saturday. Older brother Vernon was Tawa&#8217;s starting hooker, while Mosese played a full game at No. 8 for Ories against Johnsonville.<\/p>\n<p>+++++<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ngane Punivai<\/strong> was released by the Hurricanes and scored two tries for Petone against Wainuiomata. What about <strong>Riley Higgins<\/strong>? Apparently he is not injured and ready to go, so a shame he can&#8217;t at least play for Petone. He is still around for several months and will be playing for the Lions in the NPC.<\/p>\n<p>+++++<\/p>\n<p><strong>Minutes Man of the weekend<\/strong>? Give it to Poneke&#8217;s <strong>Taine Regeling<\/strong> who played a full 80 for their Premier 2s before having to back up with 60 more for the Premiers after being called into action as a first-half replacement.<\/p>\n<p>+++++<\/p>\n<p><strong>Veteran shift of the weekend? Paulo Aukuso<\/strong> played a full game for the Ories Premier 2s and made numerous breaks and tackles, culminating in him scoring the last try of the day for his team here:<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 640px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-26923-1\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Paulo-Aukuso-Ories-Prem-2-v-Jville-Prem-2-2-May26.mp4?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Paulo-Aukuso-Ories-Prem-2-v-Jville-Prem-2-2-May26.mp4\">https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Paulo-Aukuso-Ories-Prem-2-v-Jville-Prem-2-2-May26.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p>+++++<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>Avalon Wolves Premiers<\/strong> are riding a 38-game losing streak. Prior to that they drew 26-26 with Wainuiomata in round 11 of the 2023 Swindale Shield, and they lost their last five games before that. So they are on a 44-game winless streak including that draw. Their last win was 59-14 against the Wellington Axemen on 29 April 2023.<\/p>\n<p>+++++<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_30633\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-30633\" style=\"width: 693px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-30633\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/McGuiness-Shield-1.jpg?resize=640%2C440&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"440\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/McGuiness-Shield-1.jpg?resize=300%2C206&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/McGuiness-Shield-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C703&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/McGuiness-Shield-1.jpg?resize=768%2C527&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/McGuiness-Shield-1.jpg?resize=128%2C88&amp;ssl=1 128w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/McGuiness-Shield-1.jpg?resize=32%2C22&amp;ssl=1 32w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/McGuiness-Shield-1.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-30633\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The HOBM Colts beat MSP 41-28 for the <strong>McGuiness Shield<\/strong> on Saturday. Photo by Warwick Burke. PHOTOS: <a href=\"https:\/\/clubrugby.smugmug.com\/2026\/2026-Colts-U85kgs-Lower-Grade-Club-Rugby\/Colts-Round-4-MSP-41-v-HOBM-28\/i-HVMxk7n\">https:\/\/clubrugby.smugmug.com\/2026\/2026-Colts-U85kgs-Lower-Grade-Club-Rugby\/Colts-Round-4-MSP-41-v-HOBM-28\/i-HVMxk7n<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>And in the same game, this try by <strong>Brandon Lo <\/strong>(ex Scots College) below for the Junior Eagles:<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 640px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-26923-2\" width=\"640\" height=\"338\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Brandon-Lo-HOBM-Colts-Rd-4-v-MSP-Colts-2026.mp4?_=2\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Brandon-Lo-HOBM-Colts-Rd-4-v-MSP-Colts-2026.mp4\">https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Brandon-Lo-HOBM-Colts-Rd-4-v-MSP-Colts-2026.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p>+++++<\/p>\n<p><strong>Elijah Solomona<\/strong> has made a promising start to his Premier club rugby career for Wainuiomata, but news over the radio commentary that he left the field late with a serious leg injury in his team&#8217;s defeat to Petone on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>+++++<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_30648\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-30648\" style=\"width: 849px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-30648\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Tipping-Comp-2026-after-5-rounds-.jpg?resize=640%2C228&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"228\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Tipping-Comp-2026-after-5-rounds-.jpg?resize=300%2C107&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Tipping-Comp-2026-after-5-rounds-.jpg?resize=1024%2C366&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Tipping-Comp-2026-after-5-rounds-.jpg?resize=768%2C275&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Tipping-Comp-2026-after-5-rounds-.jpg?resize=1536%2C549&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Tipping-Comp-2026-after-5-rounds-.jpg?resize=2048%2C732&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Tipping-Comp-2026-after-5-rounds-.jpg?resize=128%2C46&amp;ssl=1 128w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Tipping-Comp-2026-after-5-rounds-.jpg?resize=32%2C11&amp;ssl=1 32w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Tipping-Comp-2026-after-5-rounds-.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Tipping-Comp-2026-after-5-rounds-.jpg?w=1920&amp;ssl=1 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-30648\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Tipping Competition top 10 and ties after five rounds. A bit of movement this week!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>+++++<\/p>\n<p>Blair Mockett would likely be <strong>Wellington&#8217;s hardiest video analyst<\/strong>. Aligned with Johnsonville, he does all their home games at Helston Park, a tough venue. Two weeks he stood stoic on the path in torrential rain and wind, on Saturday conditions were benign but looking straight into the sun all afternoon is tough in other ways. One of these seasons Johnsonville could cut a gap in the trees above the bank on the western side and erect a platform or scaffold for the analyst and any other media attending games. More sheltered and with the sun behind them.<\/p>\n<p>+++++<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Swindale Shield Top Try Scorers and Top Points Scorers after five rounds<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>Paremata-Plimmerton and Avalon Wolves players have a game in hand. All statistics below are unofficial, and derived from a combination of those teams that send us their scorers after each game (thank you) and what is posted on Rugby Xplorer.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-30646\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Top-Points-Scorers-after-5-rounds-.jpg?resize=600%2C260&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Top-Points-Scorers-after-5-rounds-.jpg?resize=300%2C130&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Top-Points-Scorers-after-5-rounds-.jpg?resize=1024%2C443&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Top-Points-Scorers-after-5-rounds-.jpg?resize=768%2C333&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Top-Points-Scorers-after-5-rounds-.jpg?resize=128%2C55&amp;ssl=1 128w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Top-Points-Scorers-after-5-rounds-.jpg?resize=32%2C14&amp;ssl=1 32w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Top-Points-Scorers-after-5-rounds-.jpg?w=1104&amp;ssl=1 1104w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-30647\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Top-try-scorers-after-5-rounds-.jpg?resize=600%2C632&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"632\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Top-try-scorers-after-5-rounds-.jpg?resize=285%2C300&amp;ssl=1 285w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Top-try-scorers-after-5-rounds-.jpg?resize=973%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 973w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Top-try-scorers-after-5-rounds-.jpg?resize=768%2C808&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Top-try-scorers-after-5-rounds-.jpg?resize=122%2C128&amp;ssl=1 122w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Top-try-scorers-after-5-rounds-.jpg?resize=30%2C32&amp;ssl=1 30w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Top-try-scorers-after-5-rounds-.jpg?w=1112&amp;ssl=1 1112w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>+++++<\/p>\n<p>Plenty on this coming weekend&#8217;s second week of <strong>college rugby grading games<\/strong>, after a handful of notable results on Saturday. One was Hutt Valley High School&#8217;s 36-21 win over Hutt International Boys&#8217; School. Another was St Bernard&#8217;s College&#8217;s 19-10 win over Rongotai College. Another being Scots accounting for Tawa College 83-10. In regards to that latter result, Aotea College also beat Bishop Viard College 65-3, so this year&#8217;s Beard Trophy competition (draw TBC) could be interesting.<\/p>\n<p>+++++<\/p>\n<p>Confirmation received late last week that <strong>Paremata-Plimmerton&#8217;s and Avalon&#8217;s rescheduled third round Swindale Shield match<\/strong> will be played next Wednesday evening at Porirua Park Number One Ground at Porirua Park. Kick-off time to be confirmed. There is also a Premier 2 game to catch up.<\/p>\n<p>+++++<\/p>\n<p>We have traditionally enjoyed following the fortunes of other club competitions around the country and reading the post-round stories at the end of each weekend. But it is becoming <strong>increasingly difficult to stay informed<\/strong> as written media in some regions (such as Auckland, Wellington, Waikato) have seemingly abandoned community sport altogether and others (such as Taranaki and Manawatu) are cowering behind paywalls. It must be hard for followers of every other sport to get any sort of cut-through these days beyond their own social media and website bubbles. It&#8217;s a sad situation.<\/p>\n<p>+++++<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>New Zealand U20s lose to Argentina<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">For the first time at the Under 20 level, <strong>Argentina<\/strong> have beaten <strong>New Zealand<\/strong>. In the second match of the Under 20 Rugby Championship, the passionate Pumas were deserving victors at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), South Africa.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">Argentina\u2019s strong start, lineout prowess and tenacious tackling were the catalysts for their success, while the Baby Blacks put in an error-ridden performance.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">The Pumas&#8217; powerful lineout secured 18 of their 20 throws while stealing four of New Zealand\u2019s 13. Despite making 51 more tackles, Argentina led for 64 minutes.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">In the first half, Argentina enjoyed 60 per cent possession and 70 per cent territory, leading 15-12 at the interval.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">New Zealand has almost a week to prepare for their third and final fixture against hosts South Africa.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\">+++++<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>College rugby chat<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>St Patrick\u2019s College Silverstream<\/strong> suffered one of the worst days in their 95-year history when they were beaten 52-12 in a pre-season fixture against Napier Boys\u2019 High School at Massey University in Palmerston North on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p>Napier, who beat Wellington College 31-12 last Saturday, was even more convincing against a listless Silverstream missing talisman Fletcher Cooper and five other key players. Two other starters were battling the flu.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s the first time since a 55-0 loss to Palmerston North Boys\u2019 High School in 1996 that Silverstream has conceded 50 points in a game. Silverstream\u2019s annual record, The Blue &amp; White annual noted, \u201cScott Waldrom (Year 11) stood out for his courage, but sadly he was a lone sentinel.\u201d The silver lining was that Waldrom went on to become an All Black.<\/p>\n<p>Silverstream\u2019s biggest loss ever was 70-0 against New Plymouth Boys&#8217; High School in 1992.<\/p>\n<p>Napier, National Top Four finalists in 2022 and Super 8 runners-up in 2023, led 31-5 at halftime and reached 50 points with their eighth try in the final moments. Third-year fullback Will Lovatt and Sports Prefect Riley Winchester each scored twice. Hurricanes Under-18 No.8 Carter Pirie was in barnstorming form.<\/p>\n<p>Napier won only two Super 8 matches in 2025 but pushed Sacred Heart College from Auckland in pre-season, hinting at better prospects this season.<\/p>\n<p><strong>St Patrick\u2019s College Wellington (Town)<\/strong> enjoyed better fortunes, toppling Gisborne Boys\u2019 High School 35-26 on Tremain Field, home of Napier Old Boys Marist. Following a 56-17 loss at the hands of Brisbane State High School, Town, with eight debutants, started with a flourish with two well-constructed tries from deep inside their own 22. They led 21-7 at halftime and withstood a brave second-half fightback from Gisborne.<\/p>\n<p>Front rowers Noah Leavasa-Tavoi and Xavier Ikin-Manulevu kept their noses to the grindstone. Captain and lock Remy Fitisemanu bustled over for two tries.<\/p>\n<p>The inside back combination of PJ Lalaga and Decodah Silva was elusive, with Lalaga scoring a try along with winger Zack Kimmins, the New Zealand Under-20 100 meters sprint champion. Wellington Under 16 halfback Gia Johnson kicked all five conversions.<\/p>\n<p>Gisborne\u2019s tries were scored by Coen-Theros Brown, Kruze Pomana, Jeremy Bryant and Max Hammond. Manawanui Stewart kicked three conversions.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Wellington College<\/strong> went down to Tauranga Boys\u2019 College 32-19 on Nicholson Field. This coming weekend, Wellington hosts Hamilton Boys\u2019 High School; Town travels to Hastings Boys\u2019 High School; and Silverstream faces a daunting assignment against Super 8 champions Palmerston North Boys\u2019 High School for the Wallace Cup.<\/p>\n<p>+++++<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 404px;\" class=\"wp-video\"><video class=\"wp-video-shortcode\" id=\"video-26923-3\" width=\"404\" height=\"720\" preload=\"metadata\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"video\/mp4\" src=\"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Fireworks-1.mp4?_=3\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Fireworks-1.mp4\">https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Fireworks-1.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n<p><em>A<strong> fireworks show<\/strong> at the Hurricanes match on Friday night. Footage: Peter McDonald.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p>+++++<\/p>\n<p><strong>Anton Segner&#8217;<\/strong>s\u00a0German\u00a0Rugby Club\u00a0SC 1880 Frankfurt, Shas won the last four\u00a0Bundesliga\u00a0rugby championships and 100 out of 106 matches since the 2018-19 season. Quite a record! Could he be the first German All Black?<\/p>\n<p>+++++<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-29916\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Club-Rugby-Supporters-Logo-V4-1.jpg?resize=640%2C335&amp;ssl=1\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Club-Rugby-Supporters-Logo-V4-1.jpg?resize=300%2C157&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Club-Rugby-Supporters-Logo-V4-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C536&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Club-Rugby-Supporters-Logo-V4-1.jpg?resize=768%2C402&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Club-Rugby-Supporters-Logo-V4-1.jpg?resize=128%2C67&amp;ssl=1 128w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Club-Rugby-Supporters-Logo-V4-1.jpg?resize=32%2C17&amp;ssl=1 32w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Club-Rugby-Supporters-Logo-V4-1.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" alt=\"\" width=\"743\" height=\"389\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<p>+++++<\/p>\n<p><strong>PHOTOS 2026<\/strong>: As well as social media all our photo galleries are put online here:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/clubrugby.smugmug.com\/2026\">https:\/\/clubrugby.smugmug.com\/2026\u00a0\u00a0<\/a>Not all photo galleries are posted to our social media. Not all readers are on Facebook. Fewer are on Instagram.<\/p>\n<p>+++++<\/p>\n<p><em>This column is a collaborative effort, to share news and information and help to keep people informed of what is happening, and with some newsworthy snippets of information or information, in one place please contribute by emailing editor@clubrugby.co.nz or contacting us via social media.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>\n\t\t<style>\n\t\t\t#wpls-logo-showcase-slider-2 .wpls-fix-box,\n\t\t\t#wpls-logo-showcase-slider-2 .wpls-fix-box img.wp-post-image{max-height:250px; }\n\t\t<\/style>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"wpls-wrap wpls-logo-showcase-slider-wrp wpls-logo-clearfix wpls-design-1 \" data-conf=\"{&quot;slides_column&quot;:4,&quot;slides_scroll&quot;:1,&quot;dots&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;arrows&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;autoplay_interval&quot;:3000,&quot;loop&quot;:&quot;true&quot;,&quot;rtl&quot;:&quot;false&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:800,&quot;center_mode&quot;:&quot;false&quot;,&quot;lazyload&quot;:&quot;&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpls-logo-showcase logo_showcase wpls-logo-slider  sliderimage_hide_border \" id=\"wpls-logo-showcase-slider-2\" >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wpls-logo-cnt\">\n\t<div class=\"wpls-fix-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.roblawmax.co.nz\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-image\"  src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/rmax24.jpg?fit=220%2C120&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><div class=\"wpls-logo-cnt\">\n\t<div class=\"wpls-fix-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.geeksonwheels.co.nz\/locations\/wellington-computer-repair\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-image\"  src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/images.jpg?fit=296%2C170&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><div class=\"wpls-logo-cnt\">\n\t<div class=\"wpls-fix-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/thecallcentre.co.nz\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-image\"  src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/TCC-Logo-400x260-1.jpg?fit=400%2C260&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div><div class=\"wpls-logo-cnt\">\n\t<div class=\"wpls-fix-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.partnersfinance.co.nz\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-post-image\"  src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/part2.jpg?fit=300%2C195&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" \/>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/clubrugby.smugmug.com\/2026\/2026-Hurricanes-\/1-May-Hurricanes-38-v-Crusaders-31-1\/i-8KXr892\/A\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.smugmug.com\/2026\/2026-Hurricanes-\/1-May-Hurricanes-38-v-Crusaders-31-1\/i-8KXr892\/0\/MXfkkhZqwxBL23kG8hHwG2mrQnsxwLQ5XG33HgNmd\/640x427\/_80A8355-640x427.jpg?resize=640%2C427&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>More fireworks!<\/p>\n<p>+++++<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_30656\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-30656\" style=\"width: 544px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-30656\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-RN-May-Front-Cover.jpg?resize=544%2C770&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"544\" height=\"770\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-RN-May-Front-Cover.jpg?resize=212%2C300&amp;ssl=1 212w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-RN-May-Front-Cover.jpg?resize=724%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 724w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-RN-May-Front-Cover.jpg?resize=768%2C1086&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-RN-May-Front-Cover.jpg?resize=90%2C128&amp;ssl=1 90w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-RN-May-Front-Cover.jpg?resize=23%2C32&amp;ssl=1 23w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2026-RN-May-Front-Cover.jpg?w=900&amp;ssl=1 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 544px) 100vw, 544px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-30656\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">This month&#8217;s Rugby News is out now &#8211; featuring a First XV season preview.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Action from the Swindale Shield match at Ngati Toa Domain on Saturday. It&#8217;s Star Wars Day today, and with it a number of teams will be searching for the powers of the Force to jump-start their seasons as we enter the sixth weekend of Premier and Premier 2 competitions in Wellington and the fifth week&#8230;<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":30649,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,60,15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30588","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-club-rugby","category-latest-club-rugby-news","category-news-in-briefs"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Ngati-Toa-action-Chainsaw-1.jpg?fit=1314%2C870&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pbDiON-7Xm","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30588","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30588"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30588\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30655,"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30588\/revisions\/30655"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30649"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30588"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30588"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/clubrugby.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30588"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}