Latest news with #Classics
NZ Herald
31-07-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Whanganui rugby: Steelform Whanganui face Hawke's Bay in Heartland warm-up
'Now the message is, 'that's great, but that's done'. It would be great to get that amount of people [watching] again, but it's about raising our level with intensity, and getting our game sorted,' said Hamlin. 'Now we've got this new bunch of players – got some kids that, when they start Heartland, it will be their first provincial game.' Regular loose forward and try-scorer against the Classics, Samu Kubunavanua, is unavailable with work commitments. Among the injured veterans, it is still likely lock Peter-Travis Hay-Horton and hooker Alesana Tofa will not play until the start of Heartland, while backs Dane Whale and Timoci Seruwalu will resume some training duties next week. Otherwise, all players are available, meaning a couple may miss out when the squad is officially announced on Friday morning, with Hamlin expecting them to jump on with other representative teams. Throughout the Heartland campaign, there will be fixtures for the McFall Fuel Whanganui Barbarians, Whanganui Pasifika, Whanganui Māori and even the Northern sub-union team. 'We've got all these things, other avenues we can play games at, so there's all sorts we can keep people playing when they're not involved with us,' said Hamlin. 'That's what we need them to be doing too; the guys that don't make the team need to go away and be playmakers and run [the other] teams, and get tempo of games, because that's what they'll have to do if they come back up.' With the coveted No 15 jersey open due to the departure of Tyler Rogers-Holden, Hamlin has a couple of options. Adam Boult, with 14 games for Manawatū, covered the wing last Saturday while, in his return to the team for the first time since 2018, Harry Symes scored and laid on a couple of try-assists before handing over to debutant Chad Whale. Hamlin was happy with the first-up efforts of imports Matt Picard at hooker and halfback Cody Mitchell. 'Matt at hooker did his core roles well, which is all we really want out of him - he was solid,' said Hamlin. 'We'll see what that looks like on Saturday, adding scrumaging into the mix as well. 'Daniel Kauika played really well in that first 30-40 minutes, and then Cody came on with a lot of changes, so that makes it difficult. 'But he can add a bit of tempo to our game, pretty happy with both of them.' Kickoff is 2.30pm.
NZ Herald
28-07-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Whanganui rugby: Young guns shine in 77-59 win over Classics
Te Atawhai Mason and Shaun O'Leary were the preferred starting first and second-five combination, with Ethan Robinson's presence at centre moving 2024 NZ Heartland Player of the Year Alekesio Vakarorogo out to the wing for the first time in three seasons. All impressed – Vakarorogo retaining his lethal finishing ability with two tries, while Mason's rapid acceleration was a bit much for the 35-plus-year-old Classics backs, racing away for his double. Those included some of several turnover-intercept tries Whanganui scored after pulling down a couple of wayward passes from their legendary opposition, another being a breakaway from flanker Ekenasio Fisio, who started in the coveted No7 jumper ahead of mainstay Jamie Hughes and impressed with his powerful runs. Robinson coolly slotted all seven of his conversions, with Whanganui keeping a perfect kicking record through replacement fullback Chad Whale and even new prop Finley Ocheduszko Brown. But having blown out to a 77-31 lead at three-quarter time, Whanganui got a little lesson in the final 20 minutes from the seasoned professionals about not getting too laissez-faire with their security out wide. Trying for more intercepts and leaving gaps, while putting the ball down on the fringes, saw the Classics run in 28 unanswered points, a reminder of the first quarter where they made liberal use of the rolling substitutions very early to get tries and come back at the home side for 14-14 and 28-21. Former NZ Sevens winger Toby Arnold, through pouncing and kick chasing, caught Whanganui out to score a hat-trick, while it was very cool to watch the old All Blacks midfield firm of Isaia Toeava and Anthony Tuitavake pull a classic 1-2 punch attack for Tuitavake to dive across. Fellow All Black Stephen Donald slotted a perfect four from four conversions, the Classics missing a few when he was off the field or else a closer scoreline might have made Whanganui a little nervous. It was some of the non-test veteran Classics who really impressed, such as former Chief and hard-working reserve forward James McGougan, as well as try-scoring former Blues lock Hoani Matenga. Nostalgia came to the fore when Whanganui's legendary former captain Peter Rowe, two-time NZ Heartland Player of the Year and five-time Meads Cup winner, took a vacated spot on the Classics bench. Now looking at more regular opposition for the rest of the preseason, Hamlin wants his team to be refining structure and putting in an 80-minute focus, as the Heartland preparation begins in earnest. 'You take eight or nine off at a time, having some continuity is a little hard to expect, but I think there's enough there to show there's some promise around this group. 'Sounds pretty trivial, having 77 points on the game, but we should have done things a little bit tidier in execution. 'Within the next two to three weeks, that's what will happen – we'll get tidier and cleaner on that, and all the things we're hoping to do. 'We got everything we wanted out of the day in terms of putting our game shape and model into practice, and no one got seriously hurt, so it's a good day by all.' Whanganui 77 (A Vakarorogo 2, T Mason 2, S Kubunavanua, C Whale, T Pulemagafa, H Symes, S Pakinga, S O'Leary, E Fiso tries; E Robinson 7 con, C Whale 3 con, F Ocheduszko Brown con) bt Classics 59 (T Arnold 3, L Visinia, L Harmon, F Levave, J Rutledge, H Matenga, A Tuitavake tries; S Donald 4 con, Visinia 2 con, C Bourke con). QT: 21-14; HT: 49-31; ¾T: 77-31.
NZ Herald
24-07-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Steelform Whanganui set for clash against star-studded Classics
Former All Black Chris Masoe (21 tests) and Manu Samoa standout Paul Perez (25) played their first senior provincial games for Whanganui as youngsters in 1999 and 2005 respectively, while Mana Ashford left his hometown to later play for the NZ Sevens team. Tough lock Jason Eaton (15 tests), historically noteworthy in 2005 alongside midfielder Isaia Toeava (36) for being among the last players chosen for All Black debuts before playing Super Rugby, made his provincial debut against Whanganui in 2002 for Manawatū. Fans will enjoy seeing 2011 Rugby World Cup hero Stephen Donald (23 tests) and about a dozen players who have played tests not only for New Zealand but also for Samoa, Japan, Ireland and England. The bulk of the Classics side were involved in the 79-14 win over Pasifika Legends last Friday at Eden Park. 'There's some big boys there, so we're telling our fellas they've got to be running our game plan, which is moving the ball,' said Whanganui coach Jason Hamlin. 'They wouldn't like running into those big bodies, but they'll learn their lessons, I'm sure. '[The Classics are] doing rolling subs. We can if we want, but we'll probably look and see how we go [for longer]. 'They're pretty decent. They won't have the speed that they once had, but they still know how to play their game.' Indeed, while the average age of the Classics side will be in the late 30s to early 40s, with former Hurricanes halfback Jamie Booth being the spring chicken at 30, their number of first-class fixtures dwarfs Whanganui's Heartland caps. Regular players such as hooker Alesana Tofa, lock Peter-Travis Hay-Horton and midfielder Timoci Seruwalu are still working through the injuries that saw them miss much of the Premier club season. 'Young Te Atawhai Mason will get his opportunity come Saturday, as Dane Whale's out from the [club] final, and still two weeks away,' said Hamlin. 'That's a good opportunity for some of the boys to play not only this week but next week as well against Saracens. 'We can see where they're standing in the scheme of things. What we've been saying to them, after a couple of weeks of trainings, is they're making our [Heartland selection] job harder – it's a good thing. 'This game gives us three or four extra guys that we wouldn't be able to look at in any other [match] scenario, but this one we get to name a 26-man squad. 'Adam Boult hasn't played for Whanganui in a Heartland jersey. He'll get his opportunity.' The game, which kicks off at 2.35pm, will be played in four quarters of 20 minutes.
NZ Herald
23-07-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
New Zealand rugby legend Chris Masoe returns to Whanganui for The Classics match
Masoe made 12 appearances for the Whanganui National Provincial Championship Division Two side from 1999-2000, scoring four tries before making the first big move of his career to Taranaki the following year. Now, at 46, he returns to Cooks Gardens as The Classics take on the Steelform Whanganui Heartland Championship side at 2.35pm on Saturday, July 26. 'I'm looking forward to getting back to the stomping ground, that's where it all started for me,' Masoe said. The hard-hitting loose forward played 20 tests for the All Blacks from 2005-2007, playing for the Chiefs, Hurricanes, Taranaki and Wellington in New Zealand before playing for several French clubs. Masoe (left) played 108 times for French rugby club Castres Olympique from 2008-2012. Photo / AFP Masoe said if it were not for his experiences as a young man in Whanganui, playing for Whanganui City College, Kaierau, Marist and the Whanganui side, he would not have excelled in the way he did for nearly 20 years. 'If I wasn't there, I wouldn't get to Taranaki and where I am now. It's good to visit back and hopefully see some mates I went to school with.' Masoe said he had a difficult time when he first moved to Whanganui and got involved with some bad groups of people. 'It was tough but, if I didn't do that, I won't be who I am now,' Masoe said. 'We had some good and some bad times. It wasn't smooth, sometimes it was tough with missing my family in Samoa, so I had some people help me along the way.' One of them was former City College coach Peter Aki. Masoe said Aki was good to him, steering him on to the right path, offering advice. Masoe is set to start at blindside flanker against Whanganui and will captain The Classics. The game will be his eighth appearance for the side, which is the most appearances of the team members named to play. 'That's probably the reason Chris Haden [son of Andy Haden] made me captain - because I am the oldest player in The Classics now,' he said. 'Sometimes people say age is just a number but when you play contact sport for 20 years, sometimes the number gets you,' Masoe said. Alongside Masoe in The Classics will be Mana Ashford who also grew up in Whanganui. 'He's going to be on my side which is good because if anyone sidesteps me, I just let them go because I am way over 40 now,' Masoe said. The Classics was a great concept which connected players with those they shared the field with and 'went to war with', he said. 'At the end of the day, that's what rugby is all about. You go to war and then after, you have a couple of beers with your mates. 'The great thing about this is that it doesn't matter how old you are, as soon as the rugby ball gets thrown around we all come together.' Tickets are available at and the match will be broadcast live on TVNZ1.
NZ Herald
17-07-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Whanganui rugby: Steelform Whanganui face tough preseason with Classics, NPC prospects
Hamlin still wishes to have a larger and therefore longer top grade in 2026, especially given this year, once again, several veterans have stepped aside from club footy and therefore representative games as well. 'I think there's going to be some new names there, some boys getting their first taste of provincial rugby, that's why I want that [higher] level of club competition in Whanganui - so we can get a gauge on them and see where they are. 'There's some tidy players there, and we saw last night [Tuesday] at training the boys got in and just got into stuff, and you can see there's a fair bit of talent around.' Champions Byford Readimix Taihape have the smallest contingent, but this is due to departures from the initial wider training squad named in May. Prop Gabriel Hakaraia and fullback Tyler Rogers-Holden have withdrawn, while former professional utility back Te Rangatira Waitokia broke his leg playing for Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau, and clubmate Joe Edwards intended to step away even before his arm injury in the final. Losing Edwards, on top of the rotator cuff injury to young Kaierau hooker Kohlt Coveny, left Whanganui a little shy in the rake department, as did the fact that all three halfbacks from 2024 have moved on to other things. But to help replenish the depth, the team have looked outside their borders with potential imports Matt Picard and Cody Mitchell. 'They both reached out earlier in the year, they just wanted an opportunity. They've both sort of done it of their own steam,' said Hamlin. Picard, a hooker who can also play prop if required, was a fixture in his Coastal team's run to the Taranaki Premier final, where they lost to defending champions Stratford-Eltham on Saturday. 'We're just going to have a look at him, he's turned up to all the trainings,' said Hamlin. 'Alesana [Tofa] is trying to get himself back to some fitness. Injury curtailed his club season, so we're trying to get him on board and getting him back to the Alesana of old.' Halfback Mitchell played junior rugby in Auckland before moving to Queensland, and has covered his own costs to come home for a chance to play first-class level. 'He's playing in a pretty high-quality competition over in Brisbane, for Sunnybank, and I spoke briefly to his coach over there. 'He wants to come back to New Zealand and have a crack at New Zealand footy. I think he arrives on Sunday.' Whanganui's preseason starts with the anticipated clash with former All Blacks in the Classics game at Cooks Gardens, followed by tough regular preseason opponents Hawke's Bay Saracens and Wellington Centurions. 'I said to the boys, 'I'd like to win every game we play', but we'll be playing some quality opposition,' said Hamlin. 'We'll take a lot out of all of those games. Give them some reps and let's hit the ground running when we get to the Heartland competition.' Premier MVP results He came home to the Pā to lift his family club at the forefront of Tasman Tasman Premier, and talented playmaker Te Atawhai Mason has been rewarded with recognition as 2025's Most Valuable Player. The MVP prize is determined by the most overall points awarded after each Premier regular season match, on a 3-2-1 allocation basis. A 2019 Whanganui Collegiate 1st XV alumnus, Mason has developed his game in Manawatū and Taranaki, and made an immediate impact with Tāmata Hauhā Rātana, starting in his preferred first five spot and later providing injury cover at fullback. Mason was leading the MVP standings at the end of the first round from another newcomer in Waverley Harvesting Border's strong loose forward Ekenasio Fiso, followed by Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist's linchpin halfback Daniel Kauika and Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau's dynamic utility back Ethan Robinson. Injury in the second round saw Robinson fade from contention while Kauika, who displayed superb game management in Marist's rise up the points table, also concurrently rose in the MVP standings above the still-consistent Fiso. But none could catch Mason, who got to switch back to first five for Rātana's last two games and finished on 15 MVP points. Byfords Readimix Taihape's centre-winger Tiari Mumby had a strong second round to finish with a share of third place. Most Valuable Player final standings 1 Te Atawhai Mason (Rātana) 15 points; 2 Daniel Kauika (Marist) 13; 3= Ekenasio Fiso (Border) 12; 3= Tiari Mumby (Taihape) 12.
