Tight battle expected between Wellington and Avalon in U85kg Division 1 final

Under 85kg matches are invariably the closest games of them all in Wellington club rugby.

Finals are tight. In 2014, the MSP Blues beat the Tawa Titans 6-3 on penalties. In 2015 the Titans beat the Poneke Cavs 8-3. Last year Tawa earned a hard-fought 16-5 victory over Johnsonville.

The last time this year’s finalists the Wellington Axemen and the Avalon Wolves met the Axemen prevailed 18-13 at Te Whaea.

The scene is thus set for a titanic battle for the Paul Potiki Memorial Shield U85kg Division 1 end of season decider on Saturday down on Kilbirnie Park #2 between host team and top qualifier Wellington and the second placed regular season finisher Avalon.

No quarter will be given and none asked for in the final match of the season for all players, given there are no Centurions U85kg representative games this year. Similarly, both clubs’ Premier teams had difficult seasons, so victory would send their clubs out for the off-season on a high note.

Avalon will be hunting their first title in this grade, while the Axemen successfully defended the first round JC Bowl earlier this season and were beaten semi-finalists last year (10-13 to Johnsonville). Wellington also won this title in 2009 – that team captained by current Head Coach Dan Berry and also including other 2017 coaches Alex Weir and Andrew Wong.

Both are coming off hard earned Paul Potiki Shield semi-final victories. Wellington found themselves down early against Eastbourne but struck back to score early tries and keep their noses in front. The first 20 minutes of the second half remained tight but two quick tries saw them pull away to win 38-17. Similarly, the Wolves pulled clear of defending champions Tawa to win their home playoff at Fraser Park 16-3.

Both sides in Saturday’s final are tight-knit groups.

The core of Avalon’s players have been with the team for about five seasons, during which time the Wolves have built a side that has risen from a [then] Division 3 team to a top four Division 1 contender. They finished mid-table in this competition in each of the last two seasons and were third in this year’s first round JC Bowl.

The majority of the squad will be involved in their first Division 1 final, including Jeffery Lauina in his 15th season of U85kgs rugby.

Head coach Bruce Chase explained Avalon’s culture. “We have nurtured a culture of whanau first, which is a key component to the team’s continuing success. The team believe not only to recognise success they are also extremely supportive of each other and their whanau off the field.”

“We believe in being inclusive hence the diversity and ethnicity of players backgrounds it’s a real melting pot - we have labourers, a school principal to businesses owners who all contribute positively to the culture of our team,” said Bruce.

“Our assistant coach Alberto Morrone, a passionate Argentinean, has added a Latin flavour. With his connections, the team were involved in training sessions with the Jaguars on their last visit to Wellington. Player/manager Hadleigh De Reus runs a well-oiled machine. He ensures that the team have sponsorship and well equipped.

“Makea Pokere has been very influential this season, bringing new ideas and innovations. Evidence of his influence can be seen by having 18 different try scorers. Polly Martin has been working the sidelines ensuring that all our supporters including the children of the players feel part of the Wolves whanau”.

Recently the team hosted a whanau day at Avalon Rugby club. It was a very successful, in unifying the bond between the players and its supporters.

“The final represents a culmination of seasons of frustrations, hard work and above all else recognition of all who have contributed to this team,” Bruce concluded.

Avalon’s captain is loosehead prop Ardie Flux, who said the team is bound together by their love of the game.

“The lads genuinely enjoy their footy and as a result we enjoy our trainings and are open to learning and developing our game,” said Flux. “Our Key player is Makea Pokere who was injured during the season. Since then he has put all his efforts into ensuring the lads are always prepared for battle. Strapping, massaging but most importantly his trainings. He has developed our game, our attitudes and our culture. No doubt you will see some of his handy work come out on Saturday.”

Flux said that the Wolves will have to be accurate to beat the Axemen. “Wellington has a well-balanced team. They have a competitive pack and their backs run the ball with flair and confidence. They kick well for territory and goal also. This will be a very difficult team to break down as their record proves.”

Flux said the club is behind them. “Our club and supporters have backed us well this year. Having this opportunity to bring our club some success is exciting because some of our teams have had to do it tough this season. We want to show those teams that the good seasons are worth working hard for. That the hard seasons don't last forever and that it takes everybody's hands in the middle to succeed.”

“We hope to get some extra supporters this week but we can rely on our regulars. Our past players, families and friends.  

Flux said the after match will be sweeter with the Paul Potiki Shield in hand on Saturday evening.

“We will likely end up at Brew'd Boulcott in Lower Hutt watching the Test. The bar has looked after us this year and are looking to be the name behind the Wolfpack in 2018.”

Wellington have used 35 players throughout the season, 13 of whom are unavailable for the final owing to injury or being no longer in Wellington.

First five-eighth Matt Day is the top points scorer with 115, followed by top try scorer Gillies Robertson with 35 points/7tries. Like Avalon, Wellington’s try scoring this season has been shared around with multiple players dotting down throughout the course of the campaign.

The Axemen are captained by second five-eighth by Anaru Grant who said that culture and fitness has been the focus of the team.

“Our strength this season has been the team culture that has developed as the season has progressed,” said Grant. “We play as a team on and off the field, which has reflected in the tough matches where we have had to come from behind to snatch the win.”

Grant said Avalon will be hard to get past in the final, reflecting the closeness of the overall competition.

“All the teams in the grade have been tough, especially in the second round. Their strengths have been their aggression and line speed in the first 20 minutes of the game, but as we all know rugby is an 80-minute game.”

Grant explained who they are playing for in the final.

“We are playing for a few things this weekend, firstly Daniel Baldwin. Daniel passed away earlier this season and he was a member of our team last year and was beginning to develop his talents while playing for our Colts team this season. It was a sad time for us and the club, rest in peace Daniel.”

“Secondly we are playing for the lads who can’t play this weekend due to serious injuries and absence. We lost our two starting locks (Tom Belworthy and Jack McDonald) in the space of 20 minutes during our game against Avalon in the first round to season ending injuries. Mikey Smith, Pierre Laplace, Tomas Tondu, Liam Tanner, Keegan Lane, Grayson Smalling and Callum Chapman will be absent this weekend due to injuries, being overseas or having moved away during the season. I know these lads are hurting that they won’t be running on to the field this weekend, however I am sure they will be following our Facebook page for regular updates.

“Lastly we are playing this game for us, the coaching, management and our supporters. Together we have put so much time and dedication into this season, on and off the field. The team is fired up and ready to go this weekend and will play at 110 percent”.

Grant said the team will be celebrating their season at the Wellington Football Club’s prize giving afterwards, adding that end of year celebrations will continue on to Mishmosh, the team’s major sponsor.

About the Paul Potiki Shield

The Paul Potiki Shield was presented by the Poneke club in 1996 in the then new 85kg Restricted grade. Ories stalwart Tony O'Brien was responsible for establishing the grade, with the aim to "to bring enjoyment back into rugby for the skinny, smaller bloke." Paul Potiki was a Poneke stalwart, a former member of the 22nd Infantry Battalion in WW2, taxi driver and a well-known Wellington identity.

The Wellington and Avalon team/squads contesting the Paul Potiki Shield final (all names subject to change):

Wellington
15. Devon Booth
14. Gilbert Robertson
13. Ratu Karamaena
12. Anaru Grant (C)
11. David Pasquet
10. Matt Day
9. Jeremy Hargreaves
8. Angus Whiteman
7. Phil Wakefield
6. Alex Slade
5. Toby Halvorson
4. Dan Burgess
3. Tim Nuthall
2. Ben Lowes
1. Sam Embling

16. Reany Meadows
17. Scott Lyons / Sam Tuala
18. Denny Adamson
19. Caleb Coulon
20. Hamish Allen
21. Ben Duckworth
22. Griff Bristed

Avalon
15 Site Junior Faimalie Timu
14 Matt Jacket
13 Damian Austin
12 Bobby Daly
11 Alex Newton
10 Manu Oliver
9 Mark Austin
8 Brett Hodgetts
7 Ben Appleyard
6 Geoff Ah Wong
5 Mike Francis
4 Gano Perez
3 Schalk Van der Merwe
2 Gareth Stokes
1 Arthur Flux (C)
 
Squad members:
Alex Glengarry
Hadleigh De Reus
Rod Russell
Cody Turley
Des Rathbone
Aiden Osbourne
Dave Roche
Graham Cherry
Bill Drummond
Jeff Lauina
Matt Edmunds
William Teh

Match Details:

What: Paul Potiki Memorial Shield U85kg Restricted Division 1 Final
Who: Wellington Axemen v Avalon Wolves
When: Saturday 26 August, 2.45pm 
Where: Kilbirnie Park #2