Lovelocks Jubilee Cup profile: Old Boys University

The Old Boys University Goats are searching for that elusive Jubilee Cup title this year.

Club: Old Boys University
Home ground: Basin Reserve
Current Super Rugby players: Conrad Smith, Adam Hill, Ben May, Lima Sopoaga
Jubilee Cups won: 929 (VUC),1933 (WCOB), 1946 (VUC), 1952, 1953, 1954 (VUC), 1958 (VUC), 1964 (VUC), 1966 (VUC).
Last year: Sixth
Swindale Shield this year: Sixth
Coaches: Jeremy Little, Paddy Gough and Jamie Williams
Captain: Ian Kennedy
Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/groups/79074970803/?fref=ts and @TheOBUGoat

What is special about playing in the Jubilee Cup and what is it going to take to win?

The Jubilee Cup is one of the Premier club competitions in New Zealand. Winning it will require consistency, depth and a lot of hard work from all involved.

Which club do you feel your team has the biggest Jubilee Cup rivalry with and why? 

Traditionally we see MSP as our big clash and that goes back to the Wellington College vs St Pat’s Town school rivalry. The last few years has seen some massive clashes with Tawa and a few near decapitations.

If you could choose any forward and any back from around the world to join your team for the Jubilee Cup which two players would you select?

Zac Guildford is back in the country and has displayed a lot of characteristics that would make him an asset to the Goats but in the backs we’d probably get Snakey (Conrad) involved - he’s an okay player and he knows the Cambridge like the back of his hoof. Ben ‘foodbag’ May has been a revelation in the forwards, his Billygoat horns are growing through nicely.

Who are the fittest, the strongest and the fastest players in your team?

The fittest Billygoat would actually be our ‘deputy part time assistant’ manager Dylan Johnson, he has modelled his 54kg physique on Kenyan long distance runners and trains all summer purely to participate in our yoyo tests. One of our fastest players would be Joe ‘Chaos’ Hill. He grew up in Kapiti and is a bit lippy so being quick would have been key to survival.

Describe any superstitions or pre-game routines that players in your team have?

Mitch Clarke has many strange rituals and superstitions but I guess that comes with having OCD. Jesse Johnson shines his boots until they resemble Mirrors while Sam Chamberlain insists on trying to give our physio massages – just easing the tension I guess.

Describe any special talents or claims to fame outside of rugby of a player or players in our team? 

James ‘the Wizard’ Waddell was once a nationally ranked tennis player but in recent years magic has become his focus, he is skilled in the dark art of potions. Brad ‘Patches’ O’Houlahan is a talented indoor netball player taking inspiration from the abrasive play of his hero, Central Pulse captain Katrina Grant.

If money and work/family considerations were no object, how would your team and club best celebrate winning Jubilee Cup? 

It’s fearful to think what would happen if we win but it would certainly be special. Usually the fact that it’s Saturday is excitement enough to set off a five day bender. Whatever the proceedings I can guarantee ‘Party Mark’ Franklin and Alex ‘No. 2’ Berengedt would be leading the charge.

How important are your club’s supporters in lifting your team and who is your number one fan? 

As a team we have traditionally tended to run hot and cold - this has led to the demise of coach Paddy Gough’s once luscious locks. In the past any follower of the Goats needs to be resilient and none are more so than Vern (a key member of our grey haired mafia), who through thick and thin has always been exceptionally optimistic and proud of the team.