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Mullany and Poneke playing positive rugby

Jubilee Cup Premier | 23 June 2016 | Steven White

Poneke’s Greg Mullany is the form first five-eighth of the Wellington club rugby competition.

Last week Poneke pulled clear of Tawa in a tight one to win 24-15 and take their first bucqui Jubilee Cup win for almost three years and Mullany’s influence was a key reason why. He scored two tries (his third brace of the season) and set up another with his incisive running, nose for an opportunity and instinctive support play.

Humble off the field, Mullany is pleased Poneke is playing well this year, after two consecutive Hardham Cup campaigns. There’s a positive mood at Kilbirnie Park at present.

“I put it down to our great team culture,” he said. “This year the Poneke squad has got a great mix of experience and youth and we’re well coached with Shane Pihema and Tane Tu'ipulotu who are doing a great job with the guys.”

“We’ve got some outstanding talent, but to harness that everyone is willing to work hard and have each other’s backs and that is probably the key element to us stepping up to the Jubilee Cup this year.”

Mullany cited the match last weekend against Tawa as an example. There was a period in the second half when Tawa were hammering away at their line for long periods and it took them 15 minutes to crack the whitewash. Poneke then got back down the other end and scored straightaway.

“That’s also credit to Tu'ipulotu and the work he’s been doing. We’ve put a lot of emphasis on defence this year.”

Individually, Mullany said that Pakai Turia, Jimmy Hewitt, Nick Robertson and Levi Harmon are examples of some of the young guys coming through Poneke’s ranks at present.

Loose forwards Joseph Scheres and Greg Foe (away with Samoa this month) have both been on fire, the skill of former centre-turned lock Cole Stewart is a big asset in general play and tighthead prop Tevita Falekakala is a popular figure and scored a big try for Poneke last weekend off the shoulder of Mullany.

New Zealand U20s lock Isaiah Walker-Leawere and prop Hennie Tui (returning from Canberra) are set to join the squad for the last month of the competition as well.

Every match in the Jubilee Cup is a potential nail-biter. Poneke’s run home sees them play Wellington (away), Marist St Pat’s (home), Old Boys University (away), the Upper Hutt Rams (home) and Wainuiomata (away).

Who is the tough opposition? “It’s a quality competition and it’s very tightly contested. For me there are a few individuals in each team who are difficult to play against, for example Whetu Henry (Ories), Ian Kennedy (OBU) and Fa’atonu Fili (MSP).”

This is Mullany’s third season in Wellington club rugby, having played for OBU in 2014 and Poneke since 2015. But he’s played several more years elsewhere after making his Premier debut while still at school at St John’s College, Hastings.

“I made my debut aged 17 for Flaxmere Rugby and Sports Club, I used to play First XV rugby and then go and play for the Premier team afterwards.”

He then moved to Hastings Rugby and Sports and played over 60 matches for them over a four-year period, making the Maddison Trophy semi-finals twice and being influenced by former NZ Sevens player Tafai Ioasa.

He’s also had stints at Cork in the Republic of Ireland (six months), Lisbon in Portugal (two years), Melbourne (two years), Belfast in Northern Ireland (six months) and Brisbane (two years).

Mullany is a self-described journeyman, but one with over 200 combined club rugby matches under his hood and he’s playing great rugby at the moment.

In Wellington club rugby, he’s played matches at first five-eighth, second five-eighth and fullback, but said that 10 is his favoured position. “But playing with people like Pakai Turia who can easily slot in there and me at 12 forms a good combination because we both see the same picture in front of us.”

Twin brother Matt and hooker is currently the captain of the Johnsonville Premiers.

The brothers have been regulars in Wellington Maori teams over the past few seasons. Greg’s debut match for them was a highlight, a 19-10 win over Canterbury Maori in 2014. “It’s a special jersey and to play in that team is a real privilege.”

Either Greg’s name or brother Matt’s or both have appeared regularly on Cook Islands teamsheets in recent years. Greg played for their Sevens team in several tournaments, including Hong Kong and at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

The brothers played together in the Oceania Cup in Papua New Guinea in 2013, beating then defending champions PNG 37-31 in the final and putting them one match away from qualifying for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Matt played in that game in 2014 against Fiji, which they lost.

A Cook Islands teammate is Ashley Drake, not a familiar name to Wellington supporters but a stalwart of the Horwhenua Kapiti competition and this weekend playing his 200th game for Waikanae. “It’s a massive achievement for Ash, a great man who has had a lot to offer Cook Island rugby over the years.”

Mullany is grateful for the opportunities that rugby has presented him thus far and he wants to stay in the game for as long as possible.

“I can see how much an impact rugby has on people’s lives and communities worldwide and it’s definitely something I’d love to give back to, to help young guys coming through.”