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The Red Machine
No 5. Sept 2003

HEADING FOR THE WORLD CUP: MSP’s Samoan internationals (from left: Dominic Feaunati, Lome Fa’atau, Kas Lealamanua and Fa’atonu Fili) leave on 25 September for Samoa’s World Cup campaign. “None of us has been to a World Cup and we’re all looking forward to it,” says Kas Lealamanua. Their opening games are against Uruguay and Georgia in Perth, followed by England in Melbourne and South Africa in Brisbane. That draw gives them an opportunity to build some combinations, says Kas. “We hope to cause some upsets.”

Notable successes across grades in 2003
by Alan Woods
MSP chairman

This is the last Red Machine for the year and, although the Jubilee Cup is on loan to Poneke, there is much for the club to be proud of.
On the playing side, the premiers making the final was a fine achievement.
With a new coaching and management team and some untimely injuries, especially to our trusty lieutenants Trent and Norm, we upheld a justifiably proud record. Ten other premier clubs would have been pleased to be in our position.
The disappointment of not going on to win the “three-peat” is testimony to the club’s tradition. Despite all the statistics and ifs and maybes, we must start again and focus on “the Cup is on loan”.
The senior first’s run in winning the Harper Lock Shield was a follow on from last year. Again they were unbeaten, and later were not too far off achieving a Hardham Cup semi.
Both senior 4 sides made the semi-finals with the Whites, defending champions of the Paul Donoghue Cup, runners-up to Tawa in the final.
The 80/80 A side continued the run of runners-up, losing 11-10 to Old Boys in the division 2 final.
The 80/80 Blues completed the season unbeaten and won the 3rd division, a round robin competition. Congratulations to all those involved, especially debut coaches Nick O’Reilly and Dan Boyle and manager Lisa McKenzie.
Congratulations also to all those players who have made representative teams, especially Kas, Lome, Dominic and Fa’atonu who have our support and best wishes for the World Cup.
Thank you to Dan Tait-Jamieson and John O’Keefe for the many hours and effort they have put into the junior rugby programme.
MSP fielded 26 junior teams again this season with much success - the unbeaten under-13 Pumas averaged 50 points for and just 10 against.
There’s an ongoing need for coaches and managers in the club, and I would ask you to consider becoming involved.
There is a variety of time commitments, from two practice nights a week to positions that are Saturday only.
Coaching is very rewarding and a pleasant diversion from the hustle and bustle of the week. Please give me a call to chat about what area you can commit to.
I would like to thank all those who contributed to MSP during the year. I wish you all a safe and enjoyable summer with your families and I look forward to your continued support next year.

JUBILEE CUP FINAL: Top photographer Peter Bush was at the Jubilee Cup final on 27 July, won 26-22 by Poneke. He took these photos (more photos in Teams):

Front rowers Jamie Parkinson, Luke Mahoney, and Kas Lealamanua; locks Bernie Upton and Matt Egan; No 8 Peniase Tokacece, and halfback Reece Poutawera.

Dominic Feaunati keeps a close eye on Sam Rasch’s kick.

Bernie Upton, who is playing for Bay of Plenty in the NPC along with Apoua Stewart, takes a tackle with Luke Mahoney and Dominic Feaunati in support.

Kas Lealamanua bursts over for MSP’s only try.

Just in case there was any doubt about the try, Luke Mahoney points it out to ref Lyndon Bray.

Another superb year for Pressies
by Libby Haines

The 2003 Pressies season has been one of the best yet, both in the quality and quantity of players available each week - the result of a true and positive team spirit which has been built over the past few years.
In fact, it is with sadness that the season has drawn to a close, given that the team had hit its straps and claimed far more wins than losses with only five narrow defeats in 17 games.
There were some pretty tough matches this year, but from each game came a resolve to come back bigger, better and stronger than before.
The definite highlight team was the resounding win over Poneke - the first in three years in what was, arguably, one of the best and more fairly competed games we’ve played in some time.
This victory was made all the sweeter by the strength on our reserves bench and the outstanding sideline support from the wives, partners, friends and club legends.
Our thanks has to go to those guys who have shown up year after year - the Dunn brothers, Andy “Chipper” Bell, Greg Cummings, Luke Meredith, Todd Taylor, Con O’Byrne, Porky Jensen and John McBride.
Sadly Willie Dunn was unable to play this year but his continuing support of the team did not go unnoticed.
The team was made all the stronger by the young lads coming back again this year as well as the new guys in the team - Henry Fidow, Dale Robinson, Glenn Rhodes, Michael “Spud” Joyce, Bryce Tietjens and Craig Zemba to name but a few.
Once again the superb kicking boot and speed of Mike Hansen has contibuted to our magnificent scoreboard for the year. Long may that last Hanso!
To those not already been mentioned we wouldn’t have had such a successful year without you - thanks for your ongoing support of the team.
Finally our thanks to the water girls (mad as they are), and to Ken Carson and Mark Porter for pulling the team together, making those calls every week and making this the best year yet for the MSP Pressies! See you all in 2004!

Wellington reps

Congratulations to the following MSP players who have been selected for Wellington rep teams this year:
Wellington Lions
Tony Coughlan, Luke Mahoney, Kas Lealamanua, Lome Fa’atau, Kristian Ormsby. Wellington B
Jamie Parkinson, Kiki Stowers, Ged Robinson, Matt Egan, Barry Meyer, Fa’atonu Fili, Dominic Feaunati.
Wellington Colts
Nathan Coleman, Peniasi Tokakece, Anthony Bradshaw, Toese Lealamanua, JP Tocker, Lote Raikabula.
Wellington Maori
Tama Sweetman, Chad Smith.
Wellington Maori Colts
Mark Simeon.
Wellington U19s
Daniel Kauraka, Joe Wright, Marika Kay, Chris Slade.
In addition, Apoua Stewart and Bernie Upton are playing for the Bay of Plenty NPC side.

JUNIOR RUGBY

The MSP U13 Pumas try to stay still before a team photo in their beloved gym where they have spent much of the last four years. They didn’t sit still on the field either this year, scoring 717 points for with 153 against. Back row: Coach Chris Hunt, Louis Reeve, James Philipsen-Yip, Aleni Pua, Stephen Carter, Siimoa Olamoe, Jamie Tumali’i, Aleki Pua, assistant coach Niue Pua. Middle: Jimmy Tait-Jamieson, Jamie Shaw, Faamamao Apolo, Luke McGirr-Hunt, George Scott, Thomas Parsonson, Darren Kippen. Front: Mitchell de Bes, Winston Hannaway, Paul Churchman, Abe McLuskey, Josh North-Johanson. Absent: Philip Davies.

MSP under-13 Pumas sweep regional grade

The U13 Pumas completed their season as the top and only undefeated side in their grade with a comprehensive victory over Poneke at Kilbirnie Park on 31 August.
The U13 Restricted grade is the largest competitive grade in the Wellington region and comprises 21 teams as far afield as Waikanae and Wainuiomata.
The Pumas averaged nearly 50 points for and less than 10 against. While none of the players were selected for the Wellington reps, the Pumas have played outstanding team rugby all year.
Many of the team came together three years ago in the under-10s. That year they lost their first game 0-66 and won only three games all season.
Congratulations to the players, to coach Chris Hunt, assistant Niue Pua and manager Kathy Shaw on a brilliant year!

MSP’s dedicated coaches and managers

Thanks to these junior coaches and managers for all their work

Junior convenor
Any queries call MSP’s junior club convenor, Dan Tait-Jamieson.
Ph: 475 9909. Email: dan@t-j.co.nz.
You can also check out the club’s junior page: www.msprugby.co.nz/junior