Roy Hoerara hangs up his boots after 40 years
Roy ‘Radish’ Hoerara has played his last game of senior rugby in Wellington – four decades after playing his first.
Radish, who has retired after playing his 360th match for the Wests Mixed Veges team, currently playing in the Reserve Grade competition, started playing in Wellington after finishing school at Te Aute College in 1979.
Read more about Radish’s rugby journey below:
Tell us what clubs you previously played for?
I firstly had the privilege of playing for Petone and enjoyed my three years at “The Village” after 60 odd games wearing the famous saddle and being exposed to a raft of great coaches such as Bob Hammer Kennedy, Andy Leslie, Gareth Head and also Don Griffin. All passionate about the game we love.
I then played for the University club in town, due to my studies in the areas of Anthropology, History and Māori studies. After nine seasons, we often didn’t win many games but we always did well in the second round where the Hardham Cup was always up for grabs and the social culture always seemed strong. I also reflect after 120 odd games of the clutch of leaders, in an administrative sense, that emerged from Varsity. The late Jock Hobbs, Steve “Tewey” Tew, Dave “Ruds” Rutherford and Dave Collins were, and still are influential figures as rugby transformed from the amateur shackles to the ushering in of the modern professional rugby era.
Great friend Hika Reid then encouraged me to join him at the newly formed Northern United rugby club in 1990 where I thoroughly enjoyed the three years and 75 games for the Porirua based club. Former senior players and Māori All Blacks such as Rob McCarthy and late Te Rā Arthur ensured a strong basis during the early formative years at Norths.
You then joined the Mixed Veges side, whom you have played for ever since?
Keeping the wife happy is extremely important, if you are having notions of continuing to play rugby. I then made the decision to return to play social rugby at University with the Mixed Veges social rugby team in 1994. I vividly remember my first game for the Veges against MSP. I turned up to my first game 45 minutes before kick-off to warm up. I was the first there. Ten minutes before kick-off, the MSP team was warming up and what looked like Vege rugby players also began to drift in, some with a smoke in one hand and some with silver hip flasks in the other. This was my introduction to social rugby, and with the ref’s first whistle we took the field with 13 players and by half time we managed to gather a full team and two reserves. Simply frustrating however, but by some miracle we managed to beat MSP, by one point. This was my frustrating yet long association with Wellington social rugby.
But now the curtain comes down on your career?
After twenty-five years with the “Patch” and 360 games later, I have come full circle and I will retire, knowing that rugby has been and will continue to be part of my life. I have been fortunate to play first-class rugby for North Island Universities, part of an initial Wellington Representative team, and played against provincial teams such as Horowhenua, Wairarapa-Bush, Marlborough and the East Coast.
Tell us more about your association with the Mixed Vege team?
It is the Mixed Vege rugby team that I am indebted to. The given name of Radish denotes that you are a part of the Mixed Vege whānau, amongst a patch of like-minded people, who for 80 minutes every winter Saturday become part of a team of committed people, known by their individual Vege names and collectively become the Mixed Veges, as we take the field. For the exception of a dislocated shoulder and probably over 180 stitches to cuts and gashes, longevity and fitness are the hallmarks that describe the Radish journey.
As we age, it becomes harder to maintain peak levels of fitness. Knees often creak, grey hair emerge to populate ones’ head and certainly the stomach tends to become more prominent as time goes by. I finished last year but came out of retirement to honour the passing of dear friend Sauerkraut, who unfortunately passed away on the field last year, during our season ending game. Numbness and tears are tacit reminders of how fickle life can be.
Who are some of the players and personalities you have played alongside or who have inspired you?
I would like to recognize Ray Kernel Corn Simpson for being the manager and trusted friend who continues to be the inspirational cog of the Mixed Veges. Similarly, I want to acknowledge James “Swede” Swindells, Dan “Runner Bean” Brown and John “Cauliflower” Campbell for putting up with me during my time with the Mixed Veges.
However, the greatest inspiration during my rugby journey has been principal Awi Riddell who was our First XV coach at Te Aute College from 1977-1979. I am indebted to his leadership, no nonsense approach and coaching sense. Overall it was his dedication to detail, his strength of purpose and to transform a college of 120 students into believing they were the best, both in the classroom and on the rugby field. Clear messaging coupled and with a passion to be strong, are attributes that I believe in and which Mr Riddell instilled in me.
Great players such as Allan Hewson and Mike Clamp from Petone and Hika Reid have been standout exemplars that I have played with and admired. The most difficult to play against have been Michael Jones and Zinzan Brooke (Auckland Colts at the time) and Carlos Baker (Wairarapa) because of their skills and also the flair all three had.
Lastly to wife Sharyn and our four tamariki, thank you I have finally retired and will now mow the lawn on Saturdays.