Hi Everyone,

A lovely drive to the Maniototo on Saturday to enjoy the snow-capped mountains, the Central Otago sunshine and an entertaining game of rugby – more later.

Otago Rugby Team Noho Marae: (From the monthly newsletter of Kai Tahu news.)

“A powhiri was held for over 40 players, management and the president, Mr Des Smith on Sunday 27 July, ahead of their noho marae to strengthen their bicultural awareness of Otakou. At the poroporoaki they acknowledged that they enjoyed abundant Kai, an impromptu all-night guitar jam session and the tour of the marae interlaced with korero on the history of Otakou, with the emphasis on the connection and pronunciation of ‘Otago’ and ‘Otakou’.

A highlight was visiting the urupa where the grave of Thomas Rangiwahaia Ellison is. He was a member of the New Zealand Natives football team, a professional team that played 107 matches on their tour of Great Britain and Australia in 1888-89. Tom also captained the New Zealand rugby union team on their 1893 tour of Australia. Before the 1893 tour, he proposed that the team’s uniform be a black jersey with silver fern monogram, black cap and stockings and white shorts. With a shift to black shorts in 1901, this became the now famous All Black uniform. Tom was also an early advocate of players being paid the equivalent of their normal wages while on tour representing their country. A photo was taken of the Otago team surrounding the grave of tipuna Thomas Ellison. Josh Timu, son of All Black John Timu who also played for Otago, led their manuhiri pae for the powhiri”.

A sincere thank you to Edward Ellison for his contribution and to Michelle Taiaroa-McDonald and her wonderful staff for making the team stay at the marae so memorable.

The Rugby Way:

I was fortunate to attend a presentation from Keven Mealamu along with a number of staff, board and players. He talked about the learnings he had made throughout his career going back to his schooling, representative career and his time with the All Blacks and how this can be applied to the modern game.

‘Be Welcoming’ was a theme he spoke about that resonated with me. Whether it be with players, coaches and supporters at school level or at club level, it is important to welcome people into our environment. We often do not realise how difficult it can be for school leavers to transition from a school to a club where you know very few people and the whole set up is quite different to what you are used to in a well organised school set up. Systems put in place to break down these perceived barriers may encourage more players into our clubs.

Keven played a video that was quite ‘Inspirational’ in terms of how he overcame some challenges he had in his rugby career. Being dropped from the Blues and having to make his way back to the top level through the Chiefs was a great story for any person with ambitions to be successful in life. The never give up attitude and what he owed to his parents, family and friends gave him the motivation to become a great All Black through sheer hard work and dedication.

His ‘Passion’ for the game came through loud and clear. No matter what area he spoke about you could still sense he has never lost his passion for the game and never will. This is why he is such a good ambassador for NZ Rugby because after listening to him speak you felt motivated to make an effort to progress our game. That is not to say we have many challenges – we certainly do. But what we need are people with constructive ideas to grow the game and not the negativity without foundation that is of no value to anyone. As Keven eluded to there is no magic wand, and we must continue the hard work both by our paid staff and our committed volunteers. Getting around the table and talking to each other so we are all working together in the best interests of the game as a whole is the key to us moving forward.  

Otago Country v Otago Development:

The Development team fielded a very strong side proving too good for the Country team who never really reached the heights of their fine performance against North Otago at the Stadium last week. The day in Ranfurly was beautifully fine with the game being played on a great surface. A number of people commented that the Maggots played their best game of the season as of course the Development team were wearing the Maniototo jerseys because of the clash of colours. There were many fine tries scored with the Development team running out comfortable winners. Well done by the Country Board on arranging for many of their past players to gather in a marque, being extremely well looked after by Tony Pryde and his team.

The Ranfurly Shield is on the line on Friday night when Manawatu challenge Otago - should be a great game.

Des Smith MNZM     

Article added: Tuesday 27 August 2019