NZ MARIST RUGBY FEDERATION -
New Zealand Marist Sevens Tour to Samoa, 2001
Report by Tony Meachen, Manager
The team assembled in Auckland at 7pm on Wednesday 21st February 2001. The tour commenced with a meeting where all members of the party were introduced and the tour goals and general protocols were outlined. This was followed by a gear issue and an early night. A planned address by Gordon Tietjens was unfortunately cancelled at the last minute due to a family illness.
An early morning departure on Thursday (New Zealand time) saw us arrive in Samoa at 1pm the previous day (Wednesday 21st Samoa time). Upon arrival we were met by the Marist St Joseph's Club and escorted to the hotel.
The first team training took place at Apia Park that afternoon. After which we returned to the hotel for a pool session followed by a team meeting. A welcome function was held at the hotel for the team in the evening.
Thursday commenced with an early morning meeting and two training runs - one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Dinner was followed by a team meeting to confirm tactics and planning for tournament play the following day.
Game one was lost 10-12 to Salelologa who scored in the last minute of play. Game two was lost to Vaimoso 0-17 in a downpour.
This concluded a disappointing first day. However the standard of play in the tournament was considerably higher than previous years and the injury to Trevor Neal and the late withdrawal of John Muir and New Zealand player Tafai Ioasa took its toll.
Game one on Saturday was won 17-14 against To'omasaga after scoring in the last minute.This game was followed by a parade of all teams around the stadium.
Game two was won comfortably 17-0 against PIDA from Brisbane. This placed us in the final of the Bowl against Auckland Saleimoa, where we conceded a try in the last minute to lose 17-20.
Following this we stayed on to support Marist St Joseph's defend their title against Nawaka from Fiji in an outstanding game of Sevens.
Prizegiving was held at St Joseph's College on Saturday night, and was attended by a huge crowd. The players acquitted themselves very well, both on and off the field, in representing New Zealand Marist.
Sunday was a free day for the team. A team meeting was held in the evening to discuss the tour to date and to plan for the next two days.
Monday morning commenced with a visit to St Joseph's College where a presentation was made to the school of sports gear and coaching material. The school responded with a fantastic display of songs and cultural performances. All of this was broadcast on live television and replayed again during the evening news.
A tour around the island was organised for Tuesday to take in the sights and to learn about Samoan culture.
On Wednesday the team received a 3:30am wake up call for a 6:30am departure back to New Zealand.
In conclusion the tour, while not overly successful on the field provided excellent opportunities for the ten Marist players. The team was weakened by the late withdrawal of John Muir (injury) and Tafai Ioasa (who was required for New Zealand Sevens training). The injury to Trevor Neal further compounded this problem.
Sevens in Samoa has developed along a similar line to Fiji, with a full season commencing in October and finishing at the start of their club rugby in March. This is a development that I am sure will be replicated in New Zealand in the near future.
The New Zealand Marist policy of developing and qualifying talent at the grass roots level through tournaments and tours has provided both opportunities for Marist players, and support for Gordon Tietjens' New Zealand Sevens programmes. This can be seen through the recent selection of New Zealand Marist players into the New Zealand Sevens sides. Especially pleasing is the selection of players from the provincial areas such as Greymouth (Craig De Goldi), Hastings (Tafai Ioasa) and Wanganui (Chris Masoe). Other to have come through New Zealand Marist Sevens include Justin Wilson, Kristian Ormsby and John Leo'o.
At least one quarter of Gordon Tietjens' 7's squads have been promoted to Super 12 in recent years. New Zealand Marist tournaments and tours play an important role in identifying and qualifying talent to assist in the replacement of these players.
The invitation for New Zealand Marist to participate at the National Sevens in Palmerston North is recognition of our grass roots support for NZRFU programmes.
With the evolution of Sevens rugby over the last 12-15 months, New Zealand Marist must be prepared to stay at the forefront of player development. This will require a greater commitment of resources, man power and early planning to ensure the New Zealand Marist Tournament/Tour builds on it's present status.
Team
| Craig Glendenning | Ardmore Marist COUNTIES |
| Tone Kapelani | Albion Marist CHRISTCHURCH |
| Paul McDonald | Marist HAMILTON |
| Trevor Neale | Marist St Pats WELLINGTON |
| Reece Spee | Hastings Rugby & Sports HASTINGS |
| Fletcher Prendergast | North Harbour Marist NORTH HARBOUR |
| Bevan Gray | Marist PALMERSTON NORTH |
| Pailati Fili | Marist INVERCARGILL |
| John Manu | Hutt Old Boys Marist LOWER HUTT |
| Darryl Mathews | Greerton Marist TAURANGA |
| Coach : Adam McDonald | Hastings Rugby & Sports HASTINGS |
| Manager: Tony Meachen | Marist St Pats WELLINGTON |
