Louis Karl looking forward this weekend’s final Hardham Cup round

There’s sure to be some tense faces among the Northern United, Avalon and Poneke squads this Saturday, but for Johnsonville and their loose forward and occasional midfielder Louis Karl who is playing his 100th game the afternoon should be more enjoyable.

Johnsonville need a bonus point win over Paremata-Plimmerton to clinch top spot for the Premier 2 semi-finals, when they will welcome one of Northern United, Avalon or Poneke on to Helston Park on 25 July.

With Johnsonville and the second placed Upper Hutt Rams assured of hosting the two semi-finals, it’s all on elsewhere this weekend. The winner of the Northern United–Avalon clash at Porirua will seal the third semi-final berth, but the loser will likely be leapfrogged by defending Hardham Cup champions Poneke who face Tawa B at Kilbirnie.

Week in-week out, Louis Karl puts his body on the line for Johnsonville and this Saturday against Paramata-Plimmerton he will be rewarded for his efforts by playing his 100th match for the club he has been around his entire life.

Louis is looking forward to the occasion. “I’m pleased to be reaching this milestone for my club and thankful for the players around me for helping achieve this,” he said, “hopefully we can maintain our form through to the end of the season.”

It’s been a long time between drinks for Johnsonville, whose one and only Premier title win, the Swindale Shield, was back in 1998 and who have been in and out of Premier rugby for the past several years.

Louis was growing up in the area at the time of their 1998 triumph, but can’t recall too much of it, except through his father. “My old man played a couple of seasons for Johnsonville, so there’s a Johnsonville rugby connection there as well.”

After growing up locally, where he still lives, Louis joined the senior club after leaving Newlands College.

Apart from a couple of years overseas living and playing in Scarborough in northern England, he has been with the club continuously ever since.

A fireman in Lower Hutt, Louis said the club’s been good to him when he misses trainings. “Not many clubs would still let you play Premier rugby if you are forced to miss trainings on Tuesday and Thursday nights. I’ve been fortunate with them in terms of juggling my work and my rugby.”

Just last week against Petone B he came off the bench, as he had nightshift on both Tuesday and Thursday.

“Sometimes I have to finish playing on Saturday afternoon and go straight to work, other times I have to ask someone at work to swap shifts with me so I can play.”

His job also keeps him fit. Known as a tough tackling openside flanker or No. 8 for the most part, Louis started his rugby career further out.

“I grew up playing in the backs, and all through college rugby and when I started in club rugby I played either first five-eighth, second five-eighth or fullback. It was my Colts coach who moved me into flanker and I’ve played there ever since.”

“Defence was more my thing, so I got moved in to the loose forwards and found my position.”

Not a big man, Louis often punches above his playing weight. Anyone who watches him play admires his tigerish commitment on defence, but his body’s holding okay.

“It’s taken its toll now, I get sore shoulders and consistent injuries throughout the season, but nothing touch wood that has never stopped me from playing.”

Johnsonville coach Mason Lawrence thanked his contribution this far:

“He epitomises everything a coach looks for in a player, he is humble, incredibly hard-working, appreciative of constructive criticism and receptive to change and experimenting with new and alternative policy on the field. Above all, despite being a very fine and under rated loose forward,  he is very much a team man and always puts the best interests of the team first.” 

Louis said there’s a good, positive vibe at the club at present, with a clutch of hard working players who have brought the club forward in 2014 and 2015.

“Johnsonville really struggles with depth, and injuries can take their toll. Last year going into the season we didn’t expect too much, but we had some close losses and we were a bit under-estimated.

“This year we had a bit more respect and playing those established Premier teams definitely felt a bit harder. We’re quite a small team, and I think we do well because we really enjoy playing with each other and there’s always guys who step up and lead the charge.”

One player who has made an impact is Roy Kinikinilau, who has joined the club this year.

“When you get someone like Roy or last year [former Warrrior] Henry Faifili coming into the club environment it definitely picks up everybody else’s enthusiasm.

“Roy approached the club and said I’m living locally and I’m keen to help out. He’s been awesome. Deina Morete was saying that Roy’s got so much knowledge that he’s passed on to our backs. And he’s still in really good nick – he’s the top try scorer of the round [16 tries in 11 starts].”

For now, Louis and Johnsonville are just enjoying their rugby.

“Johnsonville’s always been a well-grounded team, and our approach to the semi-finals will be no different.

“We know that if we just stick to our style of play and our game-plan then we have a good shot of beating any team. That is how we beat the Upper Hutt Rams [24-21] , Northern United [62-33] and Avalon [38-13]earlier in the round.

“Those are the games where we really stuck to our game-plan and it paid off for us.”