Key Losses Could Be Costly For Defending Champs

The 2005 Wellington Club Rugby season kicks off this Saturday April 2nd. Twelve clubs will again vie for the Swindale Shield, before the top eight finishing teams battle for the sought after Jubilee Cup, culminating in the final at Westpac Stadium on Sunday 14 August.

Following a hotly contested 2004 season, expect another thrilling competition this year. Several teams were still in contention to win the Swindale Shield right up until the last three rounds last year, with Petone just pipping Poneke in the last round to take the title. Northern United took their brand of staunch defence and attacking flair all the way to the Jubilee Cup final, where they beat Poneke 20-18 to win the Cup for the first time.

It was a popular victory for the Porirua based side, but losses this year of some of their key players could make repeat success tough. The Manawatu Rugby Union has enticed three of their standout forwards to their ranks this year. Lock and 2004 captain and club player of the year Tim Faleafaga; openside flanker and winner of the Billy Wallace Trophy for the best and fairest club player Tui Meavao and hard hitting blindside flanker Iliki Nailkatini have all been lured to Manawatu.

Impressive No. 8 Faifili Levave and utility back Tamati Ellison, who was the star in the Jubilee Cup final win, will also be absent with the New Zealand Under 19 team for the first part of the season, so their fortunes will rest on their experienced players, such as returning first five-eighths Rob Aloe and utility back Peato Lafaele. Look out for up and coming loose forwards Jacob Ellison and Serge Lilo and new captain and prop John Schwalger to shine this year.

While the focus will be on the fortunes of Norths, expect perennial contenders Marist St. Pats and Poneke to again be strong. Both MSP and Poneke will be looking to regain some silverware this year, after last winning the Jubilee Cup in 2002 and 2003 respectively. Both these teams have new coaches this year. Brendan Reidy takes over from Iain Potter at MSP, while 209-game Poneke veteran Richard Watt will be looking for success after replacing long time coach Ross Bond.

Last year?s Swindale Shield champions Petone return with a largely settled team and should feature at the end of the season. Expect prolific try scorer Wille Moala to again feature following his 15 tries last season. After narrowly missing out on making the Jubilee Cup final three years in a row, Avalon too are sure to be in the mix, and will be a handful at home at Fraser Park.

Western Suburbs and Tawa could be dark horses. Tawa have several returning former players to bolster their ranks, while Wests have an experienced look about them, especially in the backs, including first five-eighths Scott Leighton, wing Tristan Meo and fullback Toby Robson. Their pack has been bolstered with the return from North Harbour of Justin Purdy and the transfer (from MSP) of hooker Luke Mahoney.

Oriental-Ronogtai will always be dangerous with their clutch of Sevens stars. With Roy Kinikinilau, Justin Wilson and Tafai Ioasa in their ranks Ories will be a threat in 2005 if they can show more composure. Hutt Old Boys Marist have lost their evergreen lock Doug Power to retirement, but expect their young team to build on last season?s resurgence when they led throughout much of the Swindale Shield. Players to watch include halfback Nick Risdon and Jeremy Thrush (when he returns from New Zealand U21 duties).

Upper Hutt were deserved winners of the Hardham Cup last year, while Old Boys-University will want to push the top teams closer than they have in recent seasons. Both Upper Hutt and OBU play an exciting brand of rugby, but their fortunes will depend on their forwards matching it with the more fancied clubs. Meanwhile Johnsonville will need to find more consistency this year if they want to make the Jubilee Cup round.