May 2012: The Petone Premiers made a sluggish start to the 2012 Swindale Shield, before recovering with three straight wins and a draw to put themselves on track to make the second round Jubilee Cup.

Missing several well known players this year through migrations, retirement and injury, Petone lost two and drew the other of their first three matches. But with some returning and new players on board, such as first five-eighth Daniel Kirkpatrick and former Wellington College first XV star fullback Andrew Quinlivan, they beat Poneke, Rimutaka, Norths and drew with OBU.

The 2000 and 2005 Jubilee Cup champions and 2009 co-Swindale Shield champions have reached the Jubilee Cup semi-final stage every year except 2011 since their last title win, qualifying for home semi-finals in 2008 and 2009.

In 2011 Petone's second XV was also extremely unlucky to miss out on making the Hardham Cup round, finishing equal third on points with Northern United and Poneke at the end of the first round Senior 1 Harper Lock Shield but found themselves as the team missing out. Heading towards the business end of the first round in 2012, they were on course for a similar tilt at the Hardham Cup.

Founded in 1885, The Petone Rugby Football Club Inc. celebrated 125 years of unrivalled tradition in 2010.

Petone is known throughout the Rugby World by the distinctive navy jersey with white saddle, which has remained unchanged for most of its history, and for producing champion teams.

The club stands solidly behind its motto Kia Kaha Kia Maia which translated means ‘Be Strong Be Outstanding' and it's Club Charter P.R.F.C. (Pride, Respect, Fairplay and Courage).

Petone rugby has enjoyed much success in the Premier/Senior A competition, being supreme Wellington Champions 39 times.

The club has produced 30 All Blacks, 15 NZ Maori and numerous Pacific Island and European International representatives including current All Black Neemia Tialata and recent All Blacks Ross Filipo and Tana Umaga. The 2009 England and British and Irish Lion Riki Flutey is a product of Petone as is Wallaby prop Pek Cowan

In May 2012 up and coming loose forward Bradley Shields was selected in a 35-player All Blacks training camp ahead of the international season.

Every season the club supplies players to rep teams in all grades of the Wellington RFU.

Andy Leslie, a recent past President of the NZRU, is still active around the rugby club and was a hands-on member of the 125th Organising Committee. Long serving club stalwart David Linkhorn was until recently the WRFU President.

The Petone Rugby Club is situated at North Park, Petone, which is accessed from both Udy and Bouverie Streets. It provides for all rugby interests from pre-school age (boys and girls) up to Premier level and on to the POFF, which caters for older non-playing club members - completing the Cradle to Grave philosophy of the club.

Club facilities include a carpeted and heated lounge with a new bar and large chiller, A BBQ area and garden bar, the kitchen provides great value for money after match food.

All teams enjoy floodlit and fully irrigated training fields at North Park and the Petone Recreation Ground, indoor artificial grass gymnasium - affectionately known as ‘The Sawdust Pit' - and a well-equipped weight training room that is available for use by members.

The club has a youth development program called the Ken Gray Academy. The Academy's objective is to promote excellence in the game of rugby for youth who aspire to the highest levels.

As well as several Senior teams, Petone fields over 420 junior players in Saturday morning rugby including their Nursery Grade that introduces boys and girls to the ethos of Petone Rugby.

It would be fair to say that Petone Rugby Football is one organisation that has future proofed itself as it moves into challenging times ahead for sports clubs of all codes.

In 2010 the club opened its new state-of-the-art interactive memorabilia museum, and in 2011 welcomed many overseas visitors to its clubrooms during the RWC.


For more visit their website: www.petonerugby.com