Four brothers leading the way in Paremata-Plimmerton?s revival

Above two of the four McMillan-Parata brothers playing for Paremata-Plimmerton tomorrow against Poneke in action last weekend, Taiaroa at left and captain Tane claiming the high ball

The Paremata-Plimmerton Premiers have launched themselves back into the Hardham cup competition for the first time since 1987.

Premier captain, Tane McMillan-Parata is leading his side from the front but has some help in the form of his three siblings, Taiaroa, Apirana and Kewa all plying their trade for the flourishing side, the latter being his twin.

"We've always wanted to be in the Hardham Cup and to attract more players next year the way they're trying to restructure the competition then we have to make a statement.

"We've got a lot of natural talent which is awesome. Everyone is stepping up to the level now and they want to be in the Premier level," McMillan-Parata said.

The club is lucky to have the services of the skipper's three brothers and Tane relished the opportunity to play alongside them for the first time in the Hardham Cup competition last week.

"This year's been the first year since we've all got to play together; we've played all our junior rugby here so it's a good long history for our family.

"We all attended Kapiti College, me and my twin made Premier 1 for the first time in 30 years which was a pretty awesome thing.

"Taiaroa, on the wing, the short little grunty fella who doesn't back down in a tackle.

"Api is a loose-forward/hooker and has the work rate of an animal, he won't stop.

"My twin brother (Kewa) plays out in the centres is Mr. reliable, he won't miss a tackle."

As for Tane he has an even bigger job of leading his emerging pack around the field every weekend.

"I just try and lead from the front and by example and keep everyone calm."

Tane was also selected in the Wellington Maori side last year, a fine achievement for his efforts so far.

"There's a tight brotherhood there and at the start of this year we went to the lower north island gig and took that out which was cool."

The skipper also expressed his delight at the strong junior club they currently have at Paremata-Plimmerton, the backbone needed to continue their Premier rise for the future.

"It's awesome, one of the biggest in Wellington" Tane said of the junior club.

Although their plight is on the right track Tane is not getting ahead of himself as they continue to strive for excellence in Premier divisions.

"Just to attract more players and build the club to be a proud club and take ourselves to the next level."

The club is looking to restore their club to its glory days. With Tane at the helm it seems as though things are moving in the right direction.

Tomorrow, Paremata-Plimmerton hosts Poneke in their first Hardham Cup match at Ngatitoa Domain since 1987. Last week they lost 13-31 to Wellington at Hataitai Park, and it doesn't get any easier for them tomorrow against Poneke who are a traditional powerhouse.?

Paremata-Plimmerton spent three consecutive seasons, 1985, 1986 and 1987, in the Swindale Shield and Hardham Cups, winning 1 game out of 39 in their three seasons in the Swindale Shield (a 14-team first round competition then) and finishing last, second to last and last again.

The team were beaten finalists in the 2012 and 2013 Senior 1 Ed Chaney Cups, losing to the Wellington Axemen 13-15 at the Graveyard at Hataitai Park two years?ago and coming up short, 6-14, against the all-conquering Tawa club in last year's Senior 1 final at the end of August.

The club is a true "club" with over 400 juniors and Senior President's, Reserves, Colts, U85 kg and Hardham Cup teams. The Ngatitoa Domain clubrooms are the heart of the club.

1960s All Black great prop Ken Gray played his early rugby at Paremata-Plimmerton, as did recent superstar fullback Christian Cullen.

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Paremata-Plimmerton v Poneke

Hardham Cup Round 2

Ngatitoa Domain, kick-off 3.00 pm tomorrow

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