WRFU Team Profile: Upper Hutt Rams J8's
The Upper Hutt Rams J8s are stil going strong after almost three decades. They were formed in 1990, the year that current Upper Hutt mayor Wayne Guppy coached the top side to Swindale Shield success. The J8s have kindly provided an insight into their team below.
How long have the J8s been playing for?
The J8s were formed in 1990. In our first three seasons, we played in the Junior 8 Grade (hence our name), it then changed to what we know today as Reserve Grade. We play in the Reserve 2 Division.
Who were the people involved in the early days; are there original J8s still involved?
The J8s side was the brainchild of Danny Anderson, Dave Hanrahan, Jeff Topp and Mike Nicholls. It was an invite only arrangement with the roster filled with friends, mostly ex Premiers and Senior players who no longer wanted to train during the week with either family or work commitments. Ross Remnant came up with the J8 logo, and that has never changed through the years. With the numbers sorted for its inaugural season, one Bernie Corrigan was able to shimmy under the closing door just in time, and he remains in the team after 29 years, managing the side - the sole survivor from 1990.
Who have been the team’s rivals over the years?
In the early days, our biggest rivals were the Ories J8s, these were always entertaining but brutal affairs at either the welcoming Polo ground or Maidstone Park. This rivalry continued for the next 20 years. The Poneke Super Sixes was another we enjoyed playing, tough encounters and sociable off the field, inevitably one of us would take out the grade.
Later on, our biggest rivals were the MSP Internationals, and the Poneke Ruffnuts, these games were always willing and feisty encounters, with these sides all claiming their fair share of titles. Even today we still line up against MSP, with the Ruffnuts eventually moving up a grade.
Any memorable tales from the early days, and more recently?
One of our first pre-season games was against Gladstone, in the Wairarapa Competition. We turned up on the bus unaware we were lining up against their Senior side. We ended up losing but afterwards we found out that their chiller had broken down and we gobbled up all the crayfish that was being hurriedly handed out. Our first three seasons couldn't have gone better, we had won 49 games on the trot. We then travelled to Pare/Plim, unfortunately, Bernie Corrigan was captain that day and the streak was broken, it also cost him a keg of beer as first losing captain in a competition game.
In 2010 the J8s beat MSP Internationals on the turf at Te Whaea to end their two-season unbeaten run. That was also the year we won the Reserve Grade Title after once again defeating MSP at Hataitai Park in the final. In 2011 we defended our title by defeating the Poneke Ruffnut's at Maidstone Park, going on our own winning run of 31 games.
Any traditions within the team?
We have a few traditions within the J8s. Obviously, we have the team song that we belt out after a victory, and any player who is still playing at 40 years old is presented with a walking stick, which is something we take pride in. We celebrate a first J8 try, there has even been the odd nudie run across Trentham Memorial Park for those unable to dot down in the season.
Who are the team’s longest serving members and some of the characters?
Bernie Corrigan (29 seasons), Bernie still has the same enthusiasm for the team as he did back in 1990, it would be fair to say that without his drive and commitment the team would not have had as much success as it has. His weekly text messages hunting for players, urging players out of retirement, or just reminding others that he doesn't need a side full of hometown heroes have become that of legend.
Martin “Tattoo” Knight (28 Seasons). Tatts is another well-respected member of the group, originally a top finishing winger, he now plys his trade on the water duties or any job that needs doing really. He epitomises what it means to be a J8.
Then there is many in the 10-20 season range, too many to list really, but they know who they are, guys that either still enjoy playing, or just helping out in what is an extremely loyal and close group.
So whether it's an honest appraisal from Dazza Harding in the post-game speech, Dave Rennie and Claude Collier working the guitar through the wee hours, or listening to Trev Warren explain the finer points of shifting players at ruck time, this team has seen it all.
Many of the other characters of the team over the years have included:
Syd Budge, Muppy, Fozzy Bear, The Archibalds, Justin Lundon, Matty Smithison, Ritchie McKenzie, Grant ‘Shifty’ Shivas, Kev Melville, Timmy Homan, Dan Miller, Curtis Flack, Wayne Harvey, Toddy Wilson, Rakai, Campbell and Dan Beckett, Peter Corrigan, Glenn Foster, Matt Nolan and Nathan Russell.
Any team trips, nationally or overseas?
When a team has been going this long it's fair to say that team trips have been varied. Many bus trips through the North Island, the odd foray to the South. Melbourne, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Francisco have all had our company at some point.
How has the rugby changed over the years?
Both the grade and the game have changed quite a lot over the past few decades. With the introduction of all-weather surfaces, the days of the mudlarks are gone. Teams seem to go through stages of positions of strength. Some years teams will dominate, other years that swings around, so that's a good thing. The grade seems to be attracting more young guys that are enjoying the no training scenario, which possibly weakens other Senior teams within their clubs.
The last word?
This has been just a snapshot of 29 seasons, there are 1000s of stories, yarns, exaggerations, individuals that have shaped this team into what they became. The J8s appreciate the opportunity to share some with the rugby community. As we say in this part of the world, “Once a J8 , always a J8..."
Finally, we would like to thank the following sponsors who have supported us over the years: The Lonely Goat Herd, The Tote and Trent General Management.