Wellington club rugby team profile: Tawa Senior 1s

The second round 10-team Senior 1 Ed Chaney Cup is traditionally one of the tightest competitions in Wellington club rugby.

In 2012, Tawa's second XV team missed out to eventual champions Wellington in the semi-finals but went one better last year in beating Paremata-Plimmerton 14-6 in the final, completing a landslide year for the club.

This year, the Tawa Senior 1s return to defend their title, after finishing fifth in the just completed Harper Lock Shield behind winners Avalon. Tawa opened their second round campaign on Saturday with a bonus point win over Ories. This coming weekend they play Wainuiomata in the early game at William Jones Park.

Club: Tawa Rugby Football Club

Team name: TAWA Senior 1s: WOLFPACK

Home ground: Lyndhurst Park

Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tawa-Rugby-Football-Club/210304252393990 and https://twitter.com/TawaRugbyClub

Competition currently playing: Ed Caney Cup

The team: We have a good mix between experienced and young players in the squad.? The young players are energetic and ready to prove themselves at Senior level and some of our seasoned campaigners are occasionally called up to Premier level to cater to their player needs.? The unity between the 2 teams is strong and we see ourselves more as one wider team as opposed to 2 separate teams.? ??

Biggest rivals: Norths and Paremata-Plimmerton as they are cross town rivals and that's just down to tradition

The big matches: The cross town rivalries against Norths and Paremata-Plimmerton.? Everyone knows each other so trying to get one over your friend, family member, cousin or old school mate is the challenge.

Team rituals and traditions: If we win we always retreat to the changing rooms, debrief and sing the team song.? If we lose we don't sing.

Experienced players: Poutoa Madar, Vice Saletele, Willie Lafaele and Thomas George.? They've been here so long they older than the clubroom walls.

The team's personalities: The Fijians in our team who operate in their own unique way.? The team has its policies on and off the field and our Fijian players love to operate either slightly under or over these policies.? Our Fijian Brothers are a special make up and we LOVE them for it cos no matter what, they bring 100% every week.? Our Tongan Twins Sels and Kels ... they got some life in them too and although they both have the longest sustaining injuries known to mankind, they continue to support the team and make us laugh along the way.???

Who in the team has claims to fame outside of rugby: They all do ... in their own special way Ahahaha!!

On player retention and rejuvenation: We don't need to rejuvenate, we need to learn how to manage what we have as we have close to 40 on our player roster and when Premier players come down it becomes even more tough so we just ask that our players have patience and try and see the bigger picture in terms of Club and Team goals which to some extent can filter down to individual goals.? ?

Last word: "TAWA - 1sts - WOLFPACK!!"