Wellington Rugby League 100 Years 1912-2012 Pass it on... our weekly e-newsletter This Week in Pass it on Wellington Rugby League - home of the Wellington Orcas www.wrl.org.nz Ph 5600361 Fax 5600400 wrl@wrl.org.nz friday night football april training camp 100yr celebration jim courtney memorial results for 2012 games this week 2012 club previews blast from the past wrl 2012 calendar quote of the week masters rugby league april school holidays rugby league training camp Tues 10th April-Thurs 12th April $50 per person 13-17 years (fee covers lunch & a camp t-shirt) To register please visit www.wrl.org.nz & down load a form or call Greg Selwyn at WRL 5600365 for more details Well the season is finally upon us and we kick it off with our first Friday Night Football match for 2012. The grand final rematch has proven to be a popular way to start our season over recent years and we are expecting a great match between the Vikings and the Eels the reigning premiers. Both sides have had a change in playing personnel and will be looking to get off to a winning start. Saturdays matches see Wainuiomata hosting Randwick, St George at home to University and Upper Hutt playing Petone at Whakatiki St. Last week in the Blast from the Past from Bernie Wood, we read how the Rugby Union of the day, nearly 100 years ago, tried to stop league being played by influencing councils to deny access to grounds to the fledgling sport. You would think that we have moved on from those dark days but it appears not. I have been informed that as the Manawatu Rugby League is growing and providing league for junior grades one of the local colleges has made its boys sign a form saying that they won t play rugby league. Watch this space for further details and naming of the college that deems this appropriate. Have a great weekend at the games. DINGO
jim courtney results wainuiomata v te aroha 26 16 st george v randwick 24 52 university v panthers 14 14 jim courtney memorial pre season wainuiomata win the jim courtney memorial cup The 2012 pre season competition was won by Wainuiomata by 26-16 over Te Aroha. Te Aroha led 16-10 at half time, tries to Brown, Tauri & Tuimavavae with Grayson Putu adding 4 points through two conversions. Wainuiomata playing into a strong wind were kept in the game through tries to veterans Kepa & Rodgers. With Kepa adding a conversion. The Second half was dominated by Keiran O Brien s kicking game with a strong wind behind him as he regularly kicked early in the tackle count for field position. Wayne Gurdler with two tries, Denzel Guth with a touchdown & Kepa s two conversions sealed the victory for Wainuiomata 26-16. Wellington Rugby League PREMIERSHIP 100 Years 1912-2012 games this weekend friday 30 march porirua v te aroha porirua park reserves 6pm premiers 7.30pm saturday 31st march premiers 2.30pm reserves 1pm wainuiomata v randwick wise park st george v university cannons creek 2 upper hutt v petone whakatiki street To sign up for the nzrl bulletin visit www.nzrl.co.nz
te aroha eels Appleton Shield finish: 1 Minor Premier finish: 4 porirua vikings Appleton Shield finish: 2 Minor Premier finish: 1 PORIRUA PV Awhio Luke, Pat Numanga (Wests, McKay), Jarred Wilson (Penrith Panthers) Ezra Takiri, Callin Tereu, Ioritana Tuau (Pacific Sharks), Shaun Owen, Matt Hartley (Wentworthville) and Elijah Tupai to name a few with last years young Reserve players having the ability to step up and fill those spots. Fred Laumua (South Australia), Caine Kaleopa (Brisbane), Va a Asomua (Australia), William Leota (Australia), Anton Wereta (Rugby), Johnny Teleaga (Rugby) Danny Ruparere (Tasman) VIKINGS coach(s) Denzil Hokianga In his third year as Premier Coach will be looking for a back to back title. With off season training maintaining itself by the stronghold of last years Premiers the boys are also looking forward to getting up. coach(s): Peter Rikiriki Trainer - Neihana Flint jumps on board with his much welcomed experience after losing Johnny Herewini to Otago South Pacific Raiders. wainuiomata lions Appleton Shield finish: 3 Minor Premier finish: 2 Dwayne Waterman Petone Panthers Joseph Tapine Harbour City Eagles, Brad Kuiti Orcas 17 s Dale Crawford Petone Rugby, Patrick Tanoai Auckland Denzil Guth Randwick Kingfishers Losses: Ngatu Mauheni Upper Hutt Tigers, Matt Everitt Group 3, NSW Timoti Nicholls Wynnum Manly QLD, Logan Buchanan Australia Hokianga Morunga Australia coach Darren Cassidy Entering into my 2nd year as Head Coach and with the departure of 2 very key players in Mauheni and Everitt 2012 will be a different proposition than season 2011. With the inclusion of 2011 NZ resident front rower Dwayne Waterman, and the introduction to senior football for Tapine and Kuiti this has been alleviated some what but time will still be needed for new players to become familiar with our structures and set up. With about 7 or 8 17 year olds pushing for spots in first grade guys like Tyler Tane, Denzil Guth will be given every opportunity if they have the right attitude and enthusiasm to play first grade for the club. Competition for our first round squad of 17 is strong and that enables me and new Reserve Grade Tama Tua to hopefully strengthen both sides leading up to March 31. upper hutt Appleton Shield finish: 4 Minor Premier finish: 7 Losses - Karlie Hohua (Retired), Max Madsen (Retired), Reihana Haerewa (QLD), Danny Connell (QLD) Losses: Gains- Ngatu Mauheni (Wainuiomata), Steve Malangi (Petone), Adam Simon, Dane Williams coach: Max Madsen 1st year as Premier Coach. Was the Premier Assistant Coach to Tyrone Paikea in 2011 and is excited about the challenges ahead. Max would like to say Watch out for the Tigers this Year!!! 2012 Captain - Damian Madsen
Randwick Appleton Shield finish: 5 Minor Premier finish: 3 Losses from Premiers 2011: Joseph Oloapu (Sydney), Lincoln Timoteo (Auckland), Wesley Henry (Brisbane), Ted Sola (Brisbane), Joseph Tuia (Christchurch) Eddie Aukino (University), Jack Tregaskis (Harbour City), Michael Misky (St George), Fred Pule (Penrith), Palei Tuiano (Union), Jeremia Isopo (Union), Devon Rigby (Sydney), plus Benson Tago(Taita College) Coach(s): Darryl Marino, Poko Daniels, Daniel McEwan The loss of some influential players and a considerable amount of Premier experience from the 2011 season will see us start as a bit of an unknown quantity. With these losses comes the opportunity for some of the young talent that exists within the Club to get some Premier experience. At this stage we will be aiming for improvement each week, both individually, and as a group. We wish all clubs the best for 2012. st George Appleton Shield finish: 8 Minor Premier finish: 8 Yvan Fidow-Kele moved back to Christchurch and transferred back to Linwood Keas Pati Eni moved to MacKay and playing for Western Suburbs RLFC Shaun Playford from Porirua Vikings Hayden James from Porirua Vikings Charles Temahana from Porirua Vikings U19 s Eugene Kemp from Te Aroha, returning to St George where he started playing footy for his final year of league Petone Appleton Shield finish: 6 Minor Premier finish: 5 Dwayne Waterman (Wainui Lions), Mike Nathan (Te Aroha), Mike Orbell (Australia), Murphy Taramai (Australia), Kester Crown (Not Playing), Jason Crown (Retired), Kurt Robinson (Warriors), Kimihia Pekepo(Australia) Shan Carroll (Upper Hutt Tigers), Lewis Gibson (Harbour City), Devon Booth (Otumoetai Eels, Tauranga), Gerald Anderson (Union, Sydney), Tom Parker (Harbour City), Jayson Akuila (Harbour City), Hemi Whatuira (Union, Manawatu) Tama Whatuira (Union, Manawatu) coach(s):eddie Elliot, Asst - PK/ Managers - Cory Elliot & Marama Herewini Petone supporters will have to do some home work to recognise the new Petone Panthers in 2012 with a host of new and youthful teenagers strapping up for the clubs Centenary year. With an average age of 22,thanks in large to veterans Rua Kingi, Trulin Toatoa, Matty Wanoa and Shannon Bradbrook the Panthers will have up to 10 players yet to celebrate their 21st birthdays. It has nt only been a roll over of playing personnel that has changed at Petone but also the coaching staff are a new combination with Veteran Petone Panther and lifemember Eddie Elliot named Head Coach and Harbour City Stalwart Powhaitere Keelan (PK) returning as an Asst coach after playing for the clubs premier team during the mid 90s. Eddie Elliot - Preseason injuries to Shannon Bradbrook, Matty Wanoa and Shawn Maclean will have some affect at the start of our campaign but we have alot of young guys who are biting at the bit to get involved, alot of new Panthers, we are mindful that the season is long we are prepared for a marathon not a sprint university Appleton Shield finish: 7 Minor Premier finish: 6 Peter Gubb (Wynumm Manly) Eddie Aukino (Randwick) coach(s): Rodger Burt coach(s): Expectations from the coach is to enhance communication across all aspects of the club and strengthen this with players. A big emphasis has been placed on fitness and players taking individual responsibility to improve.
Wellington Rugby League 100 Years 1912-2012 blast from the past FOURTEEN KIWIS PLAY IN FIRST WELLINGTON CLUB COMPETITION FINAL In its formative years, following the return of the 1907-08 All Golds, rugby league in Wellington was poorly recorded, records not kept and information hard to find, what I would call an historians nightmare when attempting to write history. Organised by those wanting to play the new rugby code, Wellington engaged other provinces, notably Auckland from 1908 until 1912 without any club football, yet including their pioneering All Golds produced 20 Kiwis, 10 of them from Petone. I made an attempt in the 1970s to record some history particularly compiling the winners of our premier club competition since the start in 1912. Until six months ago, I had foundation club Petone winning 17. After a concentrated six months research, including visiting and revisiting the National Library on several occasions, I have lifted Petone s premierships to 24 (see summary), as well as unearthing some other long since lost very interesting Petone and Wellington rugby league history. With help, I have written a centenary 110-page Illustrated History of Petone 1912-2012 to coincide with their celebrations at Easter. I can assure you that is a very interesting historical read. If readers of this article wish to procure a copy of this history they will need to send a payment of $25 (including postage) to the Petone club at PO Box 38510, Wellington Mail Centre, Lower Hutt 5045. George Gillett an Original 1905-06 All Black who turned to league and played for the Kiwis on a tour to Australia in 1911 and then selected the same year to tour England with Australasia, was the first New Zealand Rugby League s Development Officer. On May 23, 1912 it was Gillett who had been sent to Wellington, helped form the Wellington Rugby League (see advertisement Dominion newspaper May 22, 1912). Petone s All Golds captain, and at the time President of Petone RL, Hercules (Bumper) Wright chaired the formation meeting before a large attendance of 75 interested people, at the Trades Hall in Wellington and concluded, stating that Petone had a team ready to play club football. Within two weeks three other clubs Athletic, Newtown and Hutt were formed and club competition started. In the final match of the 1912 inaugural season with the Siegal Cup at stake Petone defeated Athletic 14-8 at the Petone Recreation Ground (see summary of game). Amazingly, between the two teams there were 14, either past, present, or future Kiwis on the field. Petone had nine, Hercules Wright, Dan Fraser, Arthur Kelly, James Barber (all of them All Golds), Charles Finlayson, Albert House, Walter Miller, Roy Proebstel and Ernie Buckland. Athletic had five, George Bradley, Billy Wilson, James Gilmour, Billy Kelly and Cecil King. Fullback, Albert House, etched himself a place in rugby league history. After his Kiwis career, that included eight games (three tests against Australia) and his Petone Rugby League days were over, he became a referee. On August 23, 1919, at the Basin Reserve, he refereed the first test between the Kiwis and Kangaroos. He became the first of only four Kiwis test players, to later in life, referee a test match. My research also records how close it was to the New Zealand Rugby League being established in Petone. Petone based All Golds, Daniel Fraser, who had assisted Albert Baskerville with secretarial duties on the 1907-08 tour and thus respected and known to the Northern Union officials, was the first point of contact when the Northern Union began planning its 1910 Lions tour to Australia and New Zealand. Fraser had assumed the organising mantle from Baskerville and the Northern Union recognized Fraser as Secretary of the New Zealand Union, but was disappointed when he replied New Zealand was not yet ready. Had Fraser responded positively, New Zealand Rugby League headquarters would have been set up in Petone. PETONE WINS SIEGAL CUP The final for the Wellington League Siegal Cup was played on the League Ground, at Petone, last Saturday, in very bad weather. The field was almost covered with water, and at times heavy showers fell. Play was, of course, not so fast as usual, but several passing bouts were much appreciated by the couple of hundred spectators present. Athletic had the wind advantage in the first half, and after some hot attacking, Campbell dived for a try. Bradley converted. Athletic, 5; Petone, 0. Even play ensured for a spell, with a lot of forward work. Just before half- time, Finlayson ended a good passing rush by scoring at the corner for Petone. Wright, failed to goal. Athletic, 5; Petone, 3. At the commencement of the second spell Athletic s backs were responsible for some pretty passing, which, eventually ended in Weaving crossing the line. Campbell s shot fell short. Athletic, 6, Petone, 3. Athletic began to tire at this stage, and Petone did most of the attacking right on to no- side. Buckland scored from a forward rush, led by Fraser and Ashton, and Wright failed again to goal. Athletic, 8; Petone, 6. Petone set the backs going, and Kelly, sending out a long pass to Buckland, enabled the latter to touch down. There was no goal. Petone, 9; Athletic, 8. Ashton, who had been playing a sterling game, scored the last try, and kicked the goal, bringing the final score to; Petone, 14; Athletic, 8. For the champions, Ashton, Kelly, Barber, Finlayson, Fraser and Wright played great games, while excellent work was done for Athletic by Kelly, Bradley, Wilson, Baskiville, and Weaver. Mr B. King was referee. (extract from Dominion Newspaper September 30, 1912)
blast from the past continued Here is a list of Wellington Premiership winners year by year since the Wellington Rugby League was formed in 1912 and organised competitive club competitions. Foundation club Petone, with 24 has the most wins including three hattricks, the first in 1920-21- 22 and the last 60 years later in 1980-81- 82. Three other clubs Marist, Randwick (twice) and the Porirua Vikings have scored hattricks. 1912 Petone 1937 Petone 1962 Miramar 1987 Upper Hutt 1913 Newtown 1938 Petone 1963 Korodale/Marist 1988 Petone 1914 Suburbs 1939 Central 1964 Miramar 1989 Wainuiomata 1915 Petone 1940 St George 1965 Marist 1990 Upper Hutt 1916 Suspended 1941 Miramar 1966 Miramar/Waterside 1991 Wainuiomata 1917 Suspended 1942 Petone 1967 Waterside 1992 Wainuiomata 1918 Suspended 1943 Petone 1968 Randwick 1993 Upper Hutt 1919 Athletic 1944 Randwick 1969 Randwick 1994 Marist- Northern 1920 Petone 1945 Waterside 1970 Randwick 1995 Marist- Northern 1921 Petone 1946 Randwick 1971 Marist 1996 Randwick 1922 Petone 1947 Marist/Randwick 1972 Petone 1997 Upper Hutt 1923 Hutt 1948 Marist 1973 Petone 1998 Upper Hutt 1924 Petone 1949 Marist 1974 Petone 1999 Wainuiomata 1925 Hutt 1950 Waterside 1975 Waterside 2000 Te Aroha 1926 Petone 1951 Miramar 1976 Randwick 2001 Randwick 1927 Hutt 1952 Miramar 1977 St George 2002 Randwick 1928 Hutt 1953 St George 1978 Petone 2003 Petone 1929 Petone 1954 Korodale 1979 Upper Hutt 2004 Wainuiomata 1930 Newtown 1955 St George 1980 Petone 2005 North City 1931 Petone 1956 Randwick 1981 Petone 2006 Petone 1932 Celtic 1957 St George 1982 Petone 2007 Wainuiomata 1933 Celtic 1958 St George 1983 Randwick 2008 North City 1934 No competition 1959 Marist 1984 Randwick 2009 Porirua 1935 Petone 1960 Korodale 1985 Randwick 2010 Porirua 1936 St George 1961 Korodale 1986 Upper Hutt 2011 Te Aroha Note: That in 2009 North City Vikings became Porirua Vikings. From 1972 the winner has been decided from finals playoffs. Winners: Petone 24, Randwick 13½, Marist 7, Upper Hutt 7, St George 7, Wainuiomata 6, Miramar 5½, Waterside 4½, Hutt, Porirua Vikings 4, Korodale 3½, Newtown, Celtic, Te Aroha 2, Suburbs, Athletic, Central 1.
Key dates Visit www.wrl.org.nz for details on each event 31st march 6-9th april 20th april 28th april 3rd june 2-3rd june 20th june 15th july 4th august 11th august 25th august 2nd sept 3-7th sept 15th sept 19th sept 26th sept 29th sept 30th sept 6-7th oct 6-13th oct 12-14th oct 14th oct 20-22nd oct 20-22nd oct 27th oct 7th dec 8-9th dec senior season starts 100 yrs petone rugby league kiwi test (auckland) junior season starts 15/17 nz maori womens nationals intermediate challenge cup hearts camp junior grand final day senior grand final day national competition starts junior state of origin secondary schools nationals johnny lomax cup starts stephen kearney cup trish hina cup girls lightning league tourn 15/17 s national comp finals nrl grand final futures 12/14 s masters tournament canterbury 13 s tournament national competition finals wrl centenary weekend celebrations annual maori nationals stephen kearney cup final wrl classic golf day melbourne storm camp Orcas Cap $20 wrl@wrl.org.nz to order Orcas Hoodie $65 wrl@wrl.org.nz to order RUGBY LEAGUE QUOTE OF THE WEEK I thought you could play...you ve got nothing. Where s the big hair? I brought my scissors today so I could cut the hair, You ve got nothing A Terry Hill sledge to Clinton Toopi (former NZ Test center) during the 2005 season.