Latest news with #CitizensShield
Otago Daily Times
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Revived fixture effectively a trial
A blast from the past is back to give the new North Otago coach an effective trial this afternoon. The once-beloved Town v Country game is back and will allow Luke Herden an opportunity to crystallise his thinking before announcing his first Old Golds squad on Tuesday. There was a time when the clash — between Old Boys, Excelsior and Athletic Marist players (Town) and the best from Valley, Kurow and Maheno (Country) — formed a regular and important part of the calendar, usually in the middle of the Citizens Shield club season. It has been mostly dormant for the best part of a couple of decades so there should be some interest in today's game in Maheno. That is especially the case for those wondering which loan players Herden will recruit as the Old Golds seek a return to the Meads Cup placings after a few lean years. He has named five players from Dunedin club rugby in the Country squad. Zingari-Richmond flanker Flavius Roberts-Vili is an energetic type, and clubmate Ben Fakava is a robust midfielder. First five Kenta Iemura and halfback Kodai Okazaki are from the Shizuoka Revs club in Japan Rugby League One who have spent some time with the Harbour club. Solid prop Steve Salelea has been in consistent form for University and was on the bench for Otago's preseason game against Southland yesterday. Eight players from Excelsior will back up from their Citizens Shield victory for Town, and there are 10 from beaten finalists Valley in the Country squad. A pleasing feature is the selection of leading locals Hayden Tisdall, Kelepi Funaki and Junior Fakatoufifita, all of whom were unavailable for the Heartland Championship last season. The junior game kicks off at 1pm and the senior Town-Country clash is at 2.30pm.
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
‘Hugely proud' of development work
Heartland coach Jason Forrest and captain Ralphie Darling lift the Meads Cup in Oamaru in 2019. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES Nearly 15 years ago, Jason Forrest got a tap on the shoulder. After returning home from playing overseas, Forrest was asked by then-North Otago Rugby Football Union chief executive Colin Jackson if he would be interested in coaching. It was clear that was where Forrest — who was wrapping up his playing days as a halfback with Excelsior and the Old Golds — was heading, and Jackson was keen to utilise those skills throughout the region. What started as a role as an activator in schools morphed into a fulltime role with the union, covering countless portfolios, from juniors to secondary school and rugby overall. Tomorrow, the game development manager will say goodbye to the union as he steps down from his role. "It's going to be really, really hard, actually," Forrest said. "I've worked with phenomenal people over the 15, 14 years. "The union's heading in a pretty good direction, but it's time. "There will be some high emotions there — I've loved every minute of it." Jason Forrest finishes up tomorrow with the North Otago Rugby Football Union after nearly 15 years. PHOTO: KAYLA HODGE After initially helping out, Forrest officially joined the union in 2012 as the JAB officer, but got stuck into everything across the board. It was a small team of Jackson, Forrest and Pam Anderson — "you just got on with it" — and he had fond memories through the years. Watching Fenwick School reach the national Rippa rugby tournament, which was called "the world cup for Rippa", in the early days still remained a highlight, he said. "You can name a heap, but it's just been fun. "It's rugby — it's what I love to do." That has never changed. He coached Excelsior through the years, but won his first Citizens Shield title with Maheno in 2019 and returned to his home club last year to lead them to the first of back-to-back titles. Winning three Citizens Shields sat at the top of his list, alongside winning the Meads Cup as Heartland coach in 2019. "The Maheno one was outstanding. "But the last two are just a different feeling when you come back to your own club. "The last two years has been pretty cool, and pretty special for me, and my family. My boys play for Blues now as well and my wife's on the committee." The Old Golds have always been close to his heart. After finishing playing, Forrest joined the North Otago support staff as a trainer, moving through the ranks to assistant coach and head coach from 2019 to 2024. He won the Meads Cup in his inaugural year and regularly made the playoffs. "The Heartland team, in general, has been a huge part of my life. "Hugely proud of everything I've done within those roles. "You have your ups and downs, that's for sure." Coaching had been a juggle with work commitments, but Jackson supported Forrest and encouraged him to join the Highlanders under-20 staff. "He was huge for me and mentoring me through all those years. "Not just with all my work stuff, but with all my coaching stuff as well and giving me opportunities and opening doors for me. "Just a great working relationship and just a great mate," he said. Forrest, who has committed to coaching Blues in 2026, was still interested in pursuing coaching in the future, but acknowledged it was hard in New Zealand. He believed the union was in good heart. He took pride in there still being six teams in North Otago's premier grade — "there's a lot of unions around the country that don't have that, and bigger unions" — and junior rugby continued ticking along, a credit to the hard-working staff. Construction of a new grandstand, attached to the Waitaki Events Centre which is being built, and new offices at Centennial Park in the future were a bonus. "It's got a good future." Forrest finishes up after the Town v Country clash in Maheno tomorrow. He is joining Network Waitaki as an operations co-ordinator and is looking forward to spending more time with his family, wife Victoria, and children Hunter, 11, and Carter, 9.
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Our XV of the season
Seva Druma scores one of his three tries for Excelsior during the Citizens Shield final. PHOTO: YAMMIE MCKENZIE PHOTOGRAPHY 15. Josh Phipps (Excelsior). The Englishman had one of his best seasons in the blue jersey. 14. Osea Qamasea (Athletic Marist). Fleet-footed winger was strong down the flanks. 13. Matia Qiolevu (Excelsior). Another fine year for the exciting Fijian. 12. Tini Feke (Old Boys). Switched between halfback and second five, but lethal wherever. 11. Seva Druma (Excelsior). Scored a hat-trick in the final and was the top try-scorer in the Citizens Shield this season. 10. Isaac Clunie (Valley). Drove Valley around the park with ease. 9. Jake Matthews (Valley). Always in the thick of every thing. 8. Mitch Morton (Kurow). The former John McGlashan College player was one of the Red Devils' best in his first year. 7. Mat Duff (Excelsior). The man who brought up 200 games for his beloved club captained them to their first back-to-back Citizens Shield titles since 1994-95. 6. Savenaca Rabaka (Athletic Marist). One of the best across the board this season. 5. Anthony Docherty (Valley). Reliable as a lineout target. 4. Epineri Logavatu (Athletic Marist). Energetic forward secured plenty of possession. 3. Mateo Qolisese (Athletic Marist). Outstanding ball-carrier. 2. Hayden Tisdall (Maheno). Packed down everywhere for Maheno this year. 1. Kelepi Funaki (Old Boys). Everything you need in a bookend. Reserves: Jake Greenslade (Valley), Toby Growcott (Maheno), Angus Foster (Kurow), Junior Fakatoufifita (Old Boys), Oli Knopp (Excelsior), Liam Direen (Excelsior), Mason James (Old Boys).
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
‘Hell of a final': Excelsior champions again
The end of Saturday's Citizens Shield final was dark, gloomy and muddy but that was where Excelsior shone brightest. They held out one last assault from Valley to claim their second title in a row with a 31-28 win. "It's hard to put words together at the moment," Blues captain Mat Duff said after the game. "Just really, really immensely proud of our boys." The final had seven lead changes as each side landed punches and counter-punches. It was also the third straight final between Blues and Valley. "It's a hell of a trilogy battle, I reckon, and hell of a final," Duff said. Excelsior opened the scoring with a try in the opening 10 minutes before Valley took momentum back. They relied on the boot of Isaac Clunie to nail two penalty kicks either side of a Jake Greenslade try off a driving maul to jump ahead 13-7. Blue struck back with a patient attack inside the Valley 22m. They retained the ball and carried hard before lock Matt Laba spied some space around the tuck and darted through a gap to score. Clunie added another three points for Valley before Blues were in again. They won a penalty off the kick-off, switched to attack mode, and after a few strong carries swung the ball out to the left wing, where Seva Druma had room to dance around the defence. He broke through the final tackle to score and put his side back in front. However, Valley won the ball back from the ensuing kick-off. Excelsior's discipline let them down as they conceded three quick penalties, which culminated in a yellow card to Apenisia Tuiba for repeated infringement. It did not stop there as referee Nick Webster awarded a penalty try off a driving maul. The free seven points had Valley ahead 23-19 at halftime. Valley were able to hold out back-to-back sieges on their line in the opening 10 minutes of the second half but could not hold out a third. A poor clearance put Blues right back on attack. As they chipped away, an errant pass looked to have spoiled their attack. However, Liam Direen scooped it and calmly stepped past two defenders on his way to score. That was a turning point in the game as not only did Blues survive being down to 14 men, but they managed to take back the lead. Then it was Valley's turn to be patient as they spent phase after phase right on the line, and discipline was again an issue for Blues, who conceded three penalties. Eventually, Valley were able to get back to their strike weapon, the driving maul. It looked for a moment that Blues had held strong but Greenslade peeled off the back and scored his second try. With time running out, Blues needed a spark. They got back into Valley's 22m and Druma was able to break the line and score the eventual match winner. The winger was outstanding when presented with opportunities to attack and Duff was inspirational in the forwards. The Blues captain never took a backwards step, both figuratively and literally. However, the best player on the paddock was Matia Qiolevu. The midfielder was outstanding as he kept the Valley defence on their heels with every touch of the ball and made every tackle asked of him. For Valley, Greenslade, Anthony Docherty and Ben Paton all delivered impressive performances. Kurow beat Old Boys 13-5 in the president's grade final. Citizens Shield final The scores Excelsior 31 Seva Druma 2, Oli Knopp, Matt Laba, Liam Direen tries; Tyron Davies 3 con Valley 28 Jake Greenslade 2 tries, penalty try; Isaac Clunie con, 3 pen Halftime: Valley 23-19.
Otago Daily Times
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Rivals meet in final a third time
"To win one, you've got to be in one". If there is one thing Citizens Shield finalists' coaches can agree on, it is that it is never easy to qualify for the North Otago final. The third instalment of the Excelsior v Valley finals rivalry is set to play out at the A&P Showgrounds tomorrow. Valley came back to win by three points in the 2023 final, and Blues snatched their first trophy since 1997 with a one-point win in the final last year. Who wins tomorrow is anyone's guess. Blues have won twice against the Weston side this year — including the major playoff, which gave them the week off last week — while Valley took the spoils in the second round. Blues coach Jason Forrest said his troops were looking forward to another final. "They're bloody hard to make," Forrest said. "Club rugby's been really good this year. To get to where we've got to again, it's just full credit to our club and our players. "Ready for another hell of a battle against Valley for the third year in a row." Excelsior's success came down to player continuity, club camaraderie and a big buy-in from their Fijian community as a whole, not just the players, he said. "Just keeping things simple. We haven't tried to over-complicate things in how we're playing. "It's club rugby. Some of them want to obviously progress into higher honours, but some of them just want to play club footy and have some fun. "Just not restricting them in what they do and having some fun — going out there, and expressing themselves ... it's got us to where we've got to." Blues will be without long-serving Englishman Josh Phipps, who headed overseas after their semifinal. He had one of his best seasons in the club jersey and was the competition's top scorer, and would be sorely missed. Valley came from behind to beat Old Boys in their semifinal last week. They trailed 17-13, but scored in the dying minutes to score a 20-17 victory and make another final. "We were a wee bit lucky last week with the win on ... fulltime," coach Barry Matthews said. "The boys are stoked to be in another final. To win one, you've got to be in one." Valley have always been known for their stalwart spine driving them, and have been one of the form teams in recent years. But Matthews credited a blend of youth and experience — "we had 11 guys playing their first game at the start of the year" — for getting them back to the final. "They've built a good culture. We haven't got too many stars in the team, but they do play really well together as a unit, and that's been a big improver throughout the season." "It's been a very tight competition. Any one of the four teams that were in the semifinals could have won it, to be fair." Old Boys meet Kurow in the president's grade final as the curtain-raiser.
