Wellington First XV Team of the 1996-2005 decade

Above: Three players to go on and play international rugby after playing First XV rugby in Wellington in the first 10 years of professional rugby were Cory Jane, Ma'a Nonu and Cory Jane.

The first decade of professional rugby was an exciting one and several players emerged from the Wellington secondary school competition to star in international rugby.

Following on from our team of players selected from the past 10 years of the WelTec Premiership First XV competition, here’s a paper team from the previous decade.

Many of these players played age-grade representative rugby for New Zealand Secondary School and U19 teams, but many didn’t.

Such was the depth that came through in the loose forwards during this decade, two international loose forward trios could have been selected in this paper side. To accommodate, we’ve named Rodney So’oialo at openside flanker. Jerry Collins captained the NZSS team in both 1997 and 1998 at No. 8, but he’s at blindside in this team, and he can lead the side too.

Another feature is the spread of schools represented in this side, with nine schools represented.

How would this team go against the 2006-15 team? Who do you think could’ve made it?

1. John Schwalger (Bishop Viard College – Northern United)
2. Dane Coles (Wellington College – Marist St Pat’s - Poneke)
3. Neemia Tialata (Wellington College – Petone)
4. Jeremy Thrush (Hutt Valley High School – Hutt Old Boys Marist)
5. Ross Filipo (Hutt Valley High School – Petone)
6. Jerry Collins (Captain, St Pat’s Town – Northern United)
7. Rodney So’oialo (Mana College – Wests Roosters)
8. Thomas Waldrom (St Pat’s Silverstream – Avalon)
9. Tomasi Palu (Wellington College – Northern United - Old Boys University)
10. Fa’atonu Fili (St Pat’s Town – Marist St Pat’s)
11. Roy Kinikinilau (Rongotai College – Oriental-Rongotai)
12. Willie Lafaele (Mana College – Tawa)
13. Ma’a Nonu (Rongotai College – Oriental-Rongotai)
14. Gerrard Fasavalu (St Pat’s Town – Northern United)
15. Cory Jane (Heretaunga College – Upper Hutt Rams)

RESERVES
16. Motu Matu’u (Rongotai College – Oriental-Rongotai)
17. Tim Fairbrother (St Pat’s Silverstream – Upper Hutt Rams)
18. Ross Kennedy (Wellington College – Old Boys University)
19. Victor Vito (Scots College – Marist St Pat’s)
20. Nick Risdon (St Bernard’s College – Hutt Old Boys Marist)
21. Tamati Ellison (Mana College – Northern United)
22. Eni Afoa (Rongotai College – Oriental-Rongotai)