Club Rugby: The 45-year-old hat-trick hero
“Back [20 years ago] I actually broke through some tackles and had to run, rather than fall over the line.”
Logan Savory wraps up the latest round of Southland’s premier club competition which included three hat-tricks, with one to a 45-year-old Woodlands legend.
While Blues provided a glimpse of just what they can do in what has otherwise been a challenging season.
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Even at 45-years-old, and with close to 500 games from club level to the professional stage under his belt, Jason Rutledge is still finding ways to write his name into folklore.
On Saturday the veteran hooker scored three tries in Woodlands’ 34-25 win over Pirates-Old Boys at Surrey Park.
All three tries came from maul drives close to the line as Rutledge positioned himself well to pounce.
It was Rutledge’s second time scoring a hat-trick of tries with his first he says, “maybe 20 years ago”.
“Back then I actually broke through some tackles and had to run, rather than fall over the line,” he joked.
Just playing premier rugby close to 25 years after his debut is a feat worth celebrating.
But to still be having an impact with his try-scoring feats, but probably more particularly his lineout throwing ability, is something extra special.
Although it was probably another senior servant of New Zealand rugby that actually had the biggest impact for Woodlands on Saturday in their confidence-boosting victory.
With the game in the balance in the second half, former Blues, Chiefs, and Crusaders player Marty McKenzie was introduced from the bench and provided a masterclass at first five-eighth.
The 30-year-old looked to have much more time than any other player on the field whether it was taking on the line, passing, or his general kicking display.
One particular crosskick to set up Hayden Hart to score, highlighted McKenzie’s kicking skills.
His four conversions also proved vital as Woodlands broke free of Pirates-Old Boys late in the game to push out to that 34-25 victory.
McKenzie was the best player on the field, while wing Sione Baker also added some spark from the bench.
For Pirates-Old Boys prop Shunsuke Asaoka produced some good moments in defence, and just might have enhanced his Stags prospects a little further.
Woodlands and Pirates-Old Boys may well clash again in a semifinal in three weeks time, depending on the results of the final two rounds.
The Eastern-Northern Barbarians, Woodlands, Pirates-Old Boys and Marist are all locked in as the semifinalists but it is in what order they finish will be the intrigue now.
The Barbarians has top spot locked down with its unbeaten run, while Woodlands are almost certain to finish second.
However, Pirates-Old Boys in third spot sits two competition points ahead of Marist in fourth.
Given there seems to be little separating the four teams there might not be a huge amount of angst as to who ends up playing who come semifinal time.
Ben Pope was on Saturday offered up the highs and heartbreak that sport can deliver.
Fresh from an impressive showing playing for Town against Country on Monday night Pope backed it up with another good showing against Marist in club rugby on Saturday.
The first five-eighth racked up three tries and kicked four conversions in a 23-point haul.
But this is where the heartbreak bit comes in.
His third try came with time almost up as Star went from 34-21 down to make it 34-33 in the final 10 minutes.
It left Pope with a conversion out wide on the stroke of fulltime to snatch the win over Marist. Unfortunately, for the Star faithful’s sake, Pope missed it.
Despite that Star coach Craig Pullar was full of praise of Pope’s recent form as Pope eyes a stint in Ireland after the Southland club season.
“He was the best back on the paddock [in the Town-Country game]. His last couple or three games has been pretty good to be fair,” Pullar said.
Another player Pullar said was continuing to impress was wing Hughan Sharp, who produced another strong showing against Marist on Saturday.
“He scored a nice try [on Saturday]. He’s one guy if they put a bit of time and effort in to I think will get some reward out of him.
“He’s strong and he is fast, and he’s starting to show a few skills that I didn’t think he had. He’s working on those as well.”
Star is out of the playoff picture although at the back end of the season have shown enough to suggest it could well have been a threat in the competition with a much better first half to the season.
“It’s been a messy season all year round really with injury, illness, and work. It’s been a bit frustrating to put it mildly.
“When they want to play, they can play,” Pullar said.
To add to that key forward Grayson Knapp might miss the rest of the club season after picking up a groin injury against Marist on Saturday, while fullback Cole Spinks is also in the same boat after suffering an ankle injury in the Town-Country game.
Tight-head prop Niko Manaena has also headed overseas.
On the flip side, Marist very much remains in the title hunt in 2023, and while tight, its win on Saturday is another step towards that.
The likes of Shaun Stodart and Tangaroa Walker carried the ball strongly for Marist, while Will Murray at second five-eighth was another strong performer.
Blues has provided a glimpse of exactly what it has to offer through a commanding 52-19 victory over Midlands on Saturday.
It’s been a challenging 2023 campaign for Southland’s most successful club in terms of titles, with its depth tested this year.
On Saturday Blues run in eight tries to three in the commanding victory.
Looseforward Billy Andrew has been one of Blues’ best this season and again showcased that in the win over Midlands.
He’s played every minute of every game and Blues coach Filimoni Tagicakibau was full of praise of the 19-year-old in terms of what he has produced this season and his future in the game.
“He’s a workhorse for a young fella. I think mentally he’ll get there with a couple of more years under his belt. As a worker I take my hat off to that kid, he’ll have a big future if they invest in him.
“He’s got a big motor and goes all day. He has a good future for our club.”
Wing Michael Manson yet again impressed for Blues on Saturday.
Tagicakibau also spoke highly of what Manson brought to the team as they worked their way through a difficult season.
“He’s impressed me this season. His workrate is unreal, he runs at everything, very positive at training, and great attitude.”
Blues will wrap up its season on Saturday against Marist before having the bye in the final round.
Senior Women
Albion 33, Pioneer 19
Midlands, Marist by default
Division One
Wyndham 23, Edendale 10
Pioneer 19, Waikaka/Riversdale 16
Tokanui 59, Drummond-Limehills-Star 24
Te Anau 34, Albion 29
Division Two
(CJ Soper Memorial)
Riverton 57, Mataura 0
Bluff 62, Pioneer 14
Mossburn 36, Bush Pirates 3
Waikiwi 29, Ohai-Nightcaps-Otautau 22
*Waiau Star bye
(Life Members Trophy)
Midlands 25, Blues 24
Star 54, Marist 43
Woodlands 22, Pirates-Old Boys 19
*Wakatipu bye
Presidents
Tokanui 13, Wyndham 0
Waikaia 41, Riverton 7
Waikaka 26, Balfour 14