Wellington grassroots review
Adam Julian of www.clubrugby.nz has all the latest out of the Wellington club and schools scene, including another Jubilee Cup triumph for Tawa.
Adam Julian brings us the latest club news out of the capital, before it went into lockdown.
Tawa won the Jubilee Cup for the third time since 2013, trouncing Marist-st Pat’s 36-7 in the decider at the Hutt Rec.
The final was originally scheduled to be played at Petone, but inclement weather forced a switch.
MSP was the warm favourite for the decider after thrashing Norths (featuring All Black TJ Perenara) 48-26 in the semifinal. However, Tawa brought a hungry setpiece, superior kicking and committed defence to the proceedings and the result was never in doubt. Tawa led 18-0 at halftime and went on to win the final four tries to one. It also crossed the line twice more in the second half for disallowed tries.
Outstanding halfback Kemara Hauiti-parapara scored two tries and kicked two conversions and four penalties for a personal haul of 26 points, a Jubilee Cup final record. Lock Hemi Fermanis won the Jim Brown Plate for player of the final. Ironically it was the most one-sided final since Tawa lost to Wests 53-21 in 1998. Former Hurricanes mentor Chris Boyd was Tawa coach that day.
Tawa had lost three of its last four matches in the Swindale Shield to stumble into the Jubilee Cup in sixth place. It beat four sides ahead of it in a giant-killing run to the title. Petone (27-7), Ories (19-14) and Hutt Old Boys-marist (29-18) were the other clubs eliminated by Tawa. The final was refereed by Jack Sargentina, a young official on the way up.
Tawa also won the Ed Chaney premier reserve final 45-26 over Hutt Old Boys-marist. Tawa was down by 20-3 but rallied to complete a perfect season by winning all 17 matches. Poneke beat Petone 32-24 in extra time in the Hardham Cup final. Poneke won its last seven matches of the season to be the best of the bottom eight clubs.
The premier Under 85kg title was won by Avalon 13-3 over Johnsonville, with 41-year-old former All Black Scott Waldrom to the fore. Old Boys-university beat Wellington 31-12 in the division two finale.
AFRICAN POPE
Marist-st Pat’s has been in 15 Jubilee Cup finals since 1993.
The Vatican Army is a long tradition that adds fanfare and colour to the occasion. This year the pope was its first African pope, Malcolm Mashingaidze, a current player with over 150 caps in MSP’S U85kg team.
MANA COLLEGE CULTURE GROWS
When Mana College beat Aotea College 27-13 in its last Beard Trophy defence of the season, it not only ensured it would start 2022 with the Ranfurly Shield of Porirua college secondary schools rugby, but it also introduced capping to the First XV programme.
A cap will be received for 25 games and old boy and former All Black TJ Perenara was one of the first recipients of a cap before the game at Jerry Collins Stadium. In a handful of years, Mana has climbed from a division three side to a competitive premier one outfit, winning three games this season.
HOSANNA AUMUA DEBUTS FOR PRIDE
All Blacks hooker Asafo Aumua is a household name, while brothers Sefo and Chris are well-known for their damaging play in Wellington club rugby.
Now sister Hosanna Aumua is causing carnage too. A year out of Sacred Heart (Girls’) College, she was the only Avalon player named in the Wellington Pride and debuted in their 13-5 win over Otago in the first round of the Farah Palmer Cup. A flanker or hooker, she often trains with MSP’S Cheyne Copeland. Avalon made the division two final. If you visit Rugbydump you can see her score a bullying try in the 2019 Condor Sevens.