Wellington Axemen hoping to build on Jubilee Cup re-entry in 2016

Above: The Wellington Axemen's pack taking it to eventual champions Old Boys University last June at home at Hataitai Park in their first Jubilee Cup match in 20 years. Expect more of the same in 2016. Photo courtesy of Wellington Axemen Facebook  

The Wellington Axemen made the Jubilee Cup for the first time since 1995 last year. Despite that milestone Wellington's last round defeat to Hutt Old Boys Marist left a bitter taste in the mouth.

"We won two games and competed in every fixture, but that last round defeat meant we finished last, despite winning one more game than Marist," coach Richard Deck explains.

Wellington won eight games in the Swindale Shield, but learned a big lesson about building depth in 2015.

"Most of our leading guys played 80 minutes in every game of the Swindale Shield. By the time we reached the Jubilee Cup a lot of our guys were injured and fatigued. As a coach I have learned to manage the players better and build depth in the lower grades."

Wellington has gained a higher profile by becoming a Jubilee Cup club. This has led to a steady influx of players to Hataitai Park over the summer and a new training approach.

"The Colts, Premier B's and seniors often train together. This has allowed us to build depth and familiarity across the grades," Deck says.

Pre-season has been encouraging, the wider squad so far winning all three matches, all on the road and including a good win over 2015 Hawke’s Bay champions Napier Pirates. Tomorrow the Premiers will be training internally, while the Premier Reserves play Avalon and the Colts are in action in pre-season for the Luni Cup against Poneke.

The support of rugby legends Murray Mexted and Keith Quinn and the inclusion of former All Blacks Rodney So'oialo and Marty Berry to the premier coaching staff in 2016 has also helped attract talent.

"We've had guys just turn up to training looking for a chance to play Premier rugby. Sometimes I don't even know who these guys are, but they are all welcome," Deck admits 

The most prominent newbies at Wellington are prop Jason Bird and flanker Alex Dazell.

Bird is a tighthead who played for Counties Manukau B. He is an engineer for Air New Zealand and arrived wanting to play club rugby. Dazell is a relative of the Whitelock family. Previously residing in Christchurch he has moved north in search of better work prospects. He might not run in freakish tries like Hurricane Vaea Fifita, but he is a hardworking and strong replacement.

Wellington will have a half-dozen players who could earn blazers for achieving 50 premier games this season. The likes of Tala Kitekei'aho, 2015 joint Best & Fairest winner Adam Deck and Simon Shearer all return and Decks says those players are the foundation upon which the club is built.

"We feared an emphasis on individual millstones and blazers might be harmful, but it's real achievement to play 50 games. Guys don't hang around as long as they used to and to acknowledgement that commitment is really important," Deck says.

Vaea Fifita had made his mark on the Wellington club rugby season Premier scene over the past two years, producing several moments of individual brilliance. But now that he’s ensconced into professional rugby his involvement will likley be limited. 

First five-eighth Hilton Mexted has moved to Sydney, but his replacement James So’oialo is a more than able replacement. If nothing else, So’oialo,who has previously played for Northern United and latterly Tawa, will keep the scoreboard ticking over. Teams will need to hold their discipline at Hataitai Park or So'oialo will be calling for the kicking tee with regularity. 

Wing Paddy Hughes is another player who could set the competition alight year. With strength and pace and a nose for the try line he could prove a real asset as a finisher this season.

Building a culture of close mates is another goal for Wellington. Deck has close contacts within Old Boys University and says the major reason why they won the Jubilee Cup last year was because of their closeness as a team.

"We were close last year, but not as close as we could have been. Already our closeness has improved. If you are all good mates and really enjoy each other's company and are prepared to dig in for each other the results can be great, Deck concludes. 

The club’s home ground at Hataitai Park is also known as the Graveyard, a reputation the club is keen to uphold in 2016. Several more fancied visiting teams have come unstuck there in recent seasons. 

Last year the Axemen’s Premier Reserves won six of their first eight games, before injuries and call-ups to the Premiers saw them finish in the middle of the pack in the first round Harper Lock Shield and down the field in the second round Ed Chaney Cup. But stronger squads this year should see them hold up better over the back half of the season.

The Axemen also report a healthy crop of new young players, while their U85Kg side is looking to build on winning Division 2 two years ago and reaching the Division 1 semi-finals last year. The current squad numbers 33 and growing. The Axemen will also be fielding social teams again in 2016.

Off the field, the club now has four gyms, a power room, training room, weights room and an aerobics room. The clubhouse is also undertaking a major facilities upgrade through to their 150th celebrations in 2020.

The Wellington Axemen open their 2016 Swindale Shield campaign against Tawa at Lyndhurst Park next Friday. The host the Avalon Wolves at Hataitai Park in round two in their season opener at home.