Hard work pays for Eagles in winning Swindale Shield

Above: HOBM lock Polonga Pedro soars high to win a lineout off his opposite Shahn Eru against Wainuiomata on Saturday. Watching on the left are Wainuiomata flanker Glen Angus and HOBM prop Simon Malaeulu, with Nick Risdon at the right.

Hutt Old Boys Marist captain and halfback Nick Risdon expressed his club's delight at winning the first round Swindale Shield competition on Saturday.

"The boys are stoked to tick off that goal," Risdon enthused. "I think it was some reward for playing consistent footy and playing as a team. We spoke during the pre-season about not settling for just making the top eight; that we wanted to put ourselves in a position to win it. So we are very pleased to have done it."

Risdon was an integral member of the club's last title success, the 2007 Jubilee Cup, but for current squad members this is their first Swindale Shield win. "Current first five-eighth Brandyn Laursen's father Craig was playing last time we won it in 1997, so winning the Swindale Shield again is a great achievement for the team and club.

In winning the Swindale Shield, the Eagles won 10 from 11 games, their only loss coming at the hands of two-time defending champions Norths in round six. They also defended the pre-season Spillane Shield for the third time in the pre-season tournament at New Plymouth involving some of New Zealand Marist's leading clubs, including Marist St. Pat's.

Additionally, the interclub McBain Shield (won against Petone), Father Clearly Shield (MSP), Roy John Trophy (Poneke), Bondy Memorial Cup (Ories) and Wood Cup (OBU) are all in HOBM's possession at the conclusion of the first round.

Risdon said that the a key reason for the Eagles' consistent performances this year is their well-balanced and largely settled squad they have been able to field week-to-week.

"One of the key reasons is our mix of youth and experience. We are lucky enough to have four players with over 100 games of Premier experience including lock Polonga Pedro who is nearing 200 games.?

"Pedro,[prop] Simon Malaeulu and [midfielder] Alexis Time are great leaders and players in their own right. Simon in my opinion has been one of the best props in Wellington club rugby for the past few years and is certainly carrying on that form. It was pleasing to see him recognised with a place in the recent Wellington Lions trial."

He said a key strength of the forwards is their work as a unit, and said others impressing in the pack include hard-working lock Sam Faisandier and Deon Carney.? "Our South African rhino at No. 8 Deon Carney is seldom stopped by the first tackler."

"These leaders really set the tone on and off the field. This is combined with the exciting young talent coming through the club, particularly in the backs where we have some real pace.

"We also try to play a positive style of play and when conditions and circumstances allow the guys really enjoy and respond to."

Ope Pelesuma is currently away with the New Zealand U20 team in South Africa, while centre Parataiso Silafai-Lea'ana was one of the standouts in HOBM's 24-11 win over Wainuiomata on Saturday.

"Centre Parataiso Silafai-Lea'ana is having an outstanding season, and I believe he would not look out of place in a Lions jumper in a couple of months time. Every time he gets the ball he is dangerous and has developed the ability to put others into space.

Out wider, wings Taleta Tupuola (eight tries) and Tupeni Kamakorewa (11 tries) are leading the try scoring charts.

" We all know what former New Zealand Sevens player Taleta is capable of, but the emergence and form of Tupeni this year has been great," Risdon said. "Tupeni is a product of [nearby] St Bernard's College, and is a Wellington Sevens rep, and if I was a betting man would put $100 down on any challengers for fastest Wellington club rugby player.

"It is also interesting to note that Parataiso, Taleta and Tupeni have all played their blazer games (40 premier appearances) this year so their growing maturity has contributed to their fine form."

Risdon, who in 2007 paired up inside Eagle-eye left footed goal kicker and first five-eighth Johnny Bentley, now with the Cornish Pirates in England, knows as much as anyone that goal kicking wins Wellington club rugby titles and acknowledged that HOBM have two of the best at the moment.

"We are lucky enough to possess two deadly goal kickers in Glen Walters (also top point scorer with 117 points) and Brandyn Laursen (only 19 and in his second season of premier rugby).

"At the back, fullback Walters has been a real revelation. Reluctantly moved to 15 with the depth of options at first-five, he has shined with his support play, kicking? - both from the hand and goal kicking - and defensive timing."

He also credited the Eagles' coaching and management team of Justin Wilson, Matt Lee, Greg Hooper, Al Ormond and Matty Burroughs and the power of work they do behind the scenes to set the conditions for success on the field.

Risdon, said that with the Swindale Shield at Eagles-HQ, the focus is now on the bigger prize of the Jubilee Cup, saying that as great as it was to win the Swindale Shield they are realistic enough to know that?the Jubilee Cup is a new round and clean slate.

"Obviously our major goal is to win the Jubilee Cup.? I don't think any team wouldn't share those aspirations - it is after all why we play rugby and do all the training and pre-season. But I think for us it is about maintaining consistency and focusing on our performances each week.? If we do that the results will take care of themselves."

After an extremely hard-fought first round, he picks a similarly tight Jubilee Cup.

"The closeness of this year Swindale Shield round has been great. No team can be taken for granted and you have to make sure you turn up every weekend.? I think it has made for some great rugby.? It's also great to see some new teams at the top of the leader board in Wainuiomata and Upper Hutt."

Personally Risdon said winning the Jubilee Cup is a big driver for him and something he'd love to accomplish again, but said that enjoying his rugby is as important.

"I am really enjoying my rugby as I always have. We have a great bunch of guys in the team and club, with a really active social side and everybody enjoys each others company and a beer together. A number of us have been playing together for a while so our wives/partners are really friendly and our kids spend more time playing together then watching our games!"

Risdon said he has no plans at this stage for playing Heartland or representative rugby, although if the opportunity arose he's definitely consider it. "I had a great time playing for Buller in 2005 and Wairarapa Bush in 2009 as a loan player."

Fair-weather fans will have noted that there's not one but two Risdon's playing for HOBM this year, with the return from Ireland of younger brother Jason.

"It has been really great playing with my brother again, he's a very underrated player who probably doesn't get the credit he deserves because he doesn't do the flashy stuff Wellington selectors seem to like. He's a very heady player who reads the game well, is strong in the tackle, has a big motor, and is a real team player. I'd like to think it was because of all the lessons I taught him in the back yard growing up!"

"He spent three years playing for Old Belvedere based in Dublin and helped his team to win the All Ireland League title in his final year, also winning Club Player of the Year.? Jason was playing and living with another HOBM player in Leo Auvaa who has broken into the Leinster senior squad. Jason has come back much improved and is definitely a key reason behind our success so far this year."

Jason Risdon and Ope Pelesuma made the New Zealand Marist tournament team at the pre-season Spillane tournament.

Wellington sport's most sought after prize, the Jubilee Cup, starts this weekend.

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