Above: Ope Peleseuma playing for Hutt Old Boys in their recent Jubilee Cup round one win over Marist St Pat’s. He scored a hat-trick in this game. Loyalty to his family, to his friends and to his rugby teams is a big theme in Ope Peleseuma’s life.Still only 21, the Hutt Old Boys Marist midfield back already has an impressive CV as he prepares to embark on the next phase of his rugby career, joining the Taranaki ITM Cup squad later in July. Peleseuma spent two seasons in the New Zealand Secondary Schools team, played in the New Zealand U20 team at last year’s Junior World Cup in South Africa and made his ITM Cup debut for the Wellington Lions last September...More

Above: Petone hooker Eugene Smith leading the charge in the mud on Saturday against Hutt Old Boys Marist. Photo courtesy of Chris Clifton Freelance www.ccfreelance.photoshelter.com One of three current or former Petone captains in the current side (the others being Chris Molenaar in 2005 and 2006 and Mateaki Kafatolu 2012 to present), Eugene Smith has played 140 games for Petone since 2001 and captained the side to Swindale Shield success in 2004 and 2009.Club: PetoneHome ground: Petone Recreation GroundCurrent Super Rugby players: Brad Shields (Hurricanes); Mike Kainga (Chiefs), Ross Fillipo (Chiefs) Adrian Barone (Crusaders)Jubilee Cups won: 1930, 1935, 1938, 1942, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1961, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1980, 1982 (shared with Wellington), 1986, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 2000, 2005Last year: Eighth in the Jubilee CupSwindale Shield this year: SixthSquad? Captain: Eugene SmithPosition: hooker?1...More

Above: Northern United midfielder Siaosi Anamani ponders an alternative playing career in the tight five and never being cold on the rugby field in his side's Hardham Cup match against Rimutaka at neutral Lyndhurst Park.? By far and away the worst conditions of the year to date failed to dampen the rugby that was played around Wellington on Saturday, with a series of highly contested matches across all three club grades that were played.Thursday night’s frightful storm, comparable with the famous Wahine storm and that which the 1961 ‘Hurricane’ Test between the All Blacks and France was played in at Athletic Park, lingered long into Saturday and made for a tough afternoon for all...More

Above: Tough conditions are expected to keep games tight around Wellington this weekend.Midwinter rugby hits Wellington this weekend but it won't dampen the enthusiasm of players and supporters alike as the business end of the 2013 club season draws nearer. Following last night's southerly storm conditions will be tough, but the rugby promises to remain exciting. With a month of the regular season remaining after Saturday the third round of the Jubilee and Hardham Cups is a key one for those teams yet to register a win in the opening fortnight...More

?It’s carnage out there. As a consequence of Thursday night’s ferocious storm that swept through the Wellington region, numerous transfers and cancellations have been made to Wellington club and college rugby tomorrow. These include ground changes to three of the four Jubilee Cup matches,? two of the Hardham Cup matches and two of the five Senior 1 Ed Chaney Cup matches and cancellations to all HD Morgan Memorial Cup Senior 2, Victoria Tavern Trophy Women’s, Johnsonville Centennium Cup Senior 3 matches, all three U85kg divisions, including tonight’s Paul Potiki Shield match at Te Whaea, Reserves and President’s grades...More

Above: MSP Blues captain David Rice accepting the first round U85kg JC Bowl on behalf of his team last weekend following their last round win over the Tawa Titans. Photo courtesy of MSP Rugby. Winning a sports competition multiple years in a row isn't easy. Just ask the Crusaders, Chicago Bulls or Manchester United. But another team in red is giving all these great teams a run for their money in terms of the number of titles they've won on the trot.On 15 June, the Marist St Pats Blues beat Tawa 16-12 to claim their fifth JC Bowl title in a row for winning the first round of Wellington's Under 85kg Division One competition...More

Above: Winter rugby. Tough conditions are expected to keep games tight around Wellington this weekend.Midwinter rugby hits Wellington this weekend but it won't dampen the enthusiasm of players and supporters alike as the business end of the 2013 club season draws nearer. Following last night's southerly storm conditions will be tough, but the rugby promises to remain exciting. With a month of the regular season remaining after Saturday the third round of the Jubilee and Hardham Cups is a key one for those teams yet to register a win in the opening fortnight...More

As part of the third week of round two Victoria Tavern Trophy (pictured above) women’s matches this Saturday, Wellington Rugby is holding a Women’s Gala Day.All six teams are slated for afternoon games at Newtown’s Te Whaea artificial turf in consecutive matches at 12.00 pm, 2.00 pm and 4.00 pm; giving Wellington Pride selectors a chance to view all three women’s games and giving supporters 240 minutes of the best female rugby in Wellington including some schoolgirl standouts...More

Above: Poneke captain Misipalauni Moananu (centre) rallies his troops ahead of their Swindale Shield match against HOBM earlier this year. Moanau is currently injured, but? remains an integral part of Poneke’s squad throughout the Jubilee Cup.Club: PonekeHome ground: Kilbirnie ParkCurrent Super Rugby players: Reggie Goodes, Charlie Ngatai, Dane ColesJubilee Cups won: 1932, 1943 and 1944 (combined? with Oriental), 1951, 1975, 1996, 2003.Last year: Winners - Hardham Cup Swindale Shield this year: EighthCaptain: Misipalauni Moananu (P)Position: Number 81...More

Above: OBU halfback Chris Smylie gets a pass away in his side's 46-18 win over MSP. Hurricanes players Smylie, Tim Bateman and Reynold Lee-Lo all played in this match, while Samisoni Fisilau, Reggie Goodes and Mark Reddish played in the Poneke-Ories encounter.? There were big wins for Old Boys University and Tawa, a last-gasp win for Ories and a second successive victory for HOBM in today's second round set of Jubilee Cup matches played around the Wellington region in mild, calm conditions...More