GPS Rugby

It is with real optimism that we review the 2014 Newington Rugby Program. This year saw us fielding 25 teams across the five age divisions, with the most consistent performances coming from the strong u16’s age group. This, coupled with our young 1^st XV, bodes well for all of our GPS teams next year.

The 1^st XV had an inconsistent season eventually finishing 4^th but there were still a number of highlights, including a character filled home victory over St Joseph’s College in the first round and the retaining of the Bryan Palmer and AJ Rae Shields.

For many the season will be dominated by the 101 – 0 loss at Scots College and the subsequent media coverage. While no one associated with the 1^st XV will ever forget the feelings of that day it is unfortunate that there was little mention of the outstanding win over Joeys just 7 days later.

The theme of that, and subsequent, weeks was that if we stayed united and worked hard for one another then there was a tremendous opportunity to actually do something truly unique. No team has ever been able to turn things around so dramatically.

Former Test Cricketer Gavin Robertson spoke to the boys about resilience in adversity and how true strength of character is forged on those ‘dark days with your backs to the wall’. The resultant change in work ethic and mindset of this young squad will hold us in good stead to again be contenders in 2015.

On an individual level congratulations must go to Vunipola Fifita and Sepesa Loga-Tarogi on their selection in the Australian Schoolboys Test team narrowly defeated by New Zealand in Pukekoe. Congratulations also to Matthew Serhon, Thomas Piroddi, Simon Kennewell and Melie Laimani who all represented NSW Schools at the National Championships in July.

Well done to all the boys who participated in Rugby this season with special mention going to the 16A’s who won the David Jacobs Trophy (captain Hamish Duvall), Peter Richardson Trophy winner Melie Laimani and Alan Thorpe Trophy recipient Latu Latunipulu.

Benjamin Rosenstrauss is the winner of this years ONU Service Prize and is thoroughly deserving of this accolade. Ben is a credit to the program and embodies everything that is great about Newington Rugby.

Ben is a  former First Grade (Warringah) and Provincial (Border Reivers,Scotland) player he has held senior coaching roles in both Australia and Ireland.Including Head Coach at Warringah in the Shute Shield and Director of Rugby at Blackrock RFC in the All Ireland League. His most recent role was as the Senior Technical Advisor at Blackrock College in Dublin. A school famous for producing 5 British and Irish Lions Captains. Ben is a passionate and approachable educator with a philosophy aimed at allowing each boy to reach their potential while enjoying all the camaraderie a team sport like rugby has to offer.

Shute Shield

The 2014 Shute Shield Grand Final saw Eastwood 33 defeat Southern Districts 13. Newington had 3 Old Boys playing on the day, Eastwood Hooker, Hugh Roach (ON 2010) and Southern Districts No 10 Ben VolaVola (ON 2010) and No 12 Apo Latunipulu (ON 2010). All three were members of Newington’s 2010 GPS Champion 1^st XV Team. Hugh Roach also was a member of the Waratahs Squad who won the Super Rugby title this year, so he has had a very good year.  All three players are currently playing for the Greater Sydney Rams in the National Rugby Championship. 

ONU and Supporters Rugby World Cup Tour

Gullivers Sport Travel is offering a 10 night package tour of next year’s rugby world cup. Click here for brochure.