Risdon celebrates 200 Marist games
Nick Risdon is the sort of player every rugby club needs.
On Saturday, he notched up his 200th game for Hutt Old Boys Marist.
It is not only the length of service that makes Risdon stand out.
His career began with a match against Old Boys University in 2003 and he has had a distinguished career.
Not only has he won two Jubilee Cup and the Spillane Shield seven times, he has always been a loyal club servant.
The former St Bernard’s pupil played his first club season for Wainuiomata, where he still lives.
A desire to play premier rugby saw him shift to the Hutt Rec, where ironically he was in a battle with another Wainui halfback, Piri Weepu, for a spot in the team.
The move proved a good one and Risdon has become a fixture in the team since.
Winning two Jubilee Cups is a highlight for any club player but in Risdon’s case, there has an extra special element .
He captained his brother, Jason, to one win and in the other Jason captained him.
He cannot find any other examples of that happening and he says it gives him a lot of pleasure.
When Risdon joined HOBM, the premier team featured some real stalwarts.
Lock Doug Power and flanker Marty Wallis were coming towards the end of lengthy careers. The team also featured Wilson Felo who had been a big name in the St Bernard’s first fifteen when Risdon was a third former. Polonga Pedro was establishing himself in a team he went on to play 200 games for.
It is not only HOBM that has benefited from having Risdon in its ranks.
In 2005 he turned out for Buller and in 2009 WairarapaBush. The season playing for Bush included a Ranfurly Shield challenge against Wellington.
In 2007, he was on the fringe of the Wellington team and expected to get a call-up when Piri Weepu was picked in the All Blacks World Cup squad.
When Weepu was controversially dropped, Risdon lost his chance.
Risdon has had the misfortune to compete for a spot against the likes of Weepu, Alby Mathewson and Peter Sciascia.
He has no regrets about not making the Lions and says he does not miss what he never had. Playing for HOBM has given him a lot of pleasure and he is proud to have reached 200 games.
One of the reasons he has kept playing is the friendships he has made.
‘‘By far the most enjoyable thing about rugby is the camaraderie and the mateship you get out of rugby.’’
As well as his brother, he spends a lot of time with Alexis Time, Matt Time, Peter Time, Polonga Pedro, Steven Bradshaw, Otto Rasch, Simon Malaeulu, Eroni Ekevati, Kava Vulu and Leone Tumua