Representative Team Profile: Wellington Māori

With the club rugby year winding down, the representative season is in full swing throughout August and September. We are taking a look at some of the capital’s teams whose campaigns are in full swing.

WRFU team:
Wellington Māori Men’s Team (Te Upoko o te Ika)

Home ground and training base:
North Park, Petone

2019 Squad list:

2019 Team Management:
Head Coach: Justin Wilson

Backs Coach: Dan Smith

Forwards Coach: Shane Pihema

Manager: Danny Merito

Assistant Manager: Brendon Carter

Physio: Mike Ngan Kee

Trainer: Rongoa Richmond

Team captains (or leaders):
Captain: Jarrod Adams

Vice-captain: Whetu Henry

2019: Fixtures (and results so far if applicable):
10 August: Preseason (H) Wellington Māori vs Wellington Samoans Won 31-19

17 August: Game 1 (A) Wellington Māori vs Wanganui Development Won 44-22

24 August: Game 2 (A) Wellington Māori vs Manawatu Māori

31 August: Game 3 (H) Wellington Māori vs Centurions

7 September: Game 4 (H) Wellington Māori vs Wellington Samoans

14 September: Game 5  (A) Wellington Māori vs Canterbury Māori

21 September: Game 6 (A) Wellington Māori vs Tasman Māori

5/6 October: Te Tini A Maui tournament
 

What competitions is the team playing in this year, how did you finish last year?
The Te Tini A Maui Tournament (2018 champions) and the Festival of Rugby 2018 (third).

Tell us about a big game for your team, previously or this season?
We are not focused on the past, just excited about moving into the future. With such a powerful squad, we are looking forward to our clashes with our Samoan Brothers. This year, the match between us and the Canterbury Māori is highly anticipated between both unions to get this fixture back up and running for the future. This is for the Tirikatene Shield.

What is special about playing in and being involved in this team?
We have a Wairua in our team that connects us all regardless of where or who we have represented this season at club level. The sense of pride and belonging is within us, it is who we are. In this environment we can play without fear and know that we have each other’s back.

Who are some of the well-known club players who are stalwarts of this team and what do they bring to its culture?
Whetu Henry, Apanui Heemi an Johnathan Fuimaono have been representing Māori Rugby for 10 years or more they have a Mana that make others in the squad sit up and listen. If you are a young prop just submerge yourself in the knowledge they possess and get better.

This squad has high profile players still playing for us with Lions players Pakai Turia and Sheridan Rangihuna playing as well as New Zealand Māori U20s prop Tanara Haenga.

Tell us a bit about rivalries or trophies you play for?
Our main non-Māori rivalry game is the Wellington Samoan match with players intertwined culturally, through club and families connected as well. Our local Māori grudge match is with Manawatu Māori who we have a fantastic relationship with on and off the field. The rebuilding of Wellington Māori comes with the reintroduction of the match between Wellington and Canterbury Māori, which this year is down in Christchurch. Finally, the Te Tini A Maui central region Māori tournament is being played in Napier and we will defending the title we won last year.

What about any pre-game rituals, team songs or mottos?
We certainly have a haka, plenty of songs and our saying is if they score 3 tries we score 6.

Who are the fittest, the strongest and the fastest players in your team?
Matty Jacobs would win our crossfit championship, unless it involved sausage rolls then maybe the coach. The strongest would be between Jayden (The Hulk) McCarthy and Jarrod (Rampage) Adams. The fastest, and what a race it would be - Whetu (Usain) Henry vs. Jonathan (Flash) Fuimaono would be devastating. In the nitro race to the mirror after a shower, Bradbrook vs Ta’ufo’ou.  

First player to the after match table?
Those senior guys.

Who controls the music?
Our tamariki, because they all have flash phones.

If you could pick an All Black to come and play for you this weekend who would it be and why?
TJ Perenara - he leads a mean as Haka, he’s got a big as speaker for after the game and throws a mean party.

If your team could go on an all-expenses paid overseas tour where would you go and why?
Spain, Portugal and Argentina. Unbelievable local scenery, great food and Spanish language similar to Māori, a home away from home. We wouldn’t worry too much about the footy, more the after-match.