Weekly E Newsletter-PASS IT ON

From the GM...... THIS WEEK IN PASS IT ON... Can we do it? YES WE CAN. Leaders Boards The Blues will need to be on their game this Wednesday, hope that Queensland have an off night, the bounce of Last weeks match reviews the ball goes their way and they get some “refs calls”. Bottom line is this is a great Queensland side and it will take Team of the Century competition-Week 5 more than a big effort to break the 7 year drought. WRL Finals Fever dates Porirua, Randwick and Wainuiomata have all consolidated their positions in the top 3 of the Premier competition Junior Origin giving them all the advantage of a second life in the playoffs. Futures Tournament Upper Hutt moved into 4th spot whilst Te Aroha and University are still in the hunt for the 5th spot. Orcas Representative Season dates The Tigers and Hunters both play Randwick and Porirua over the final 2 weeks whilst the Eels have St George and Wainui. Every match will be crucial to see which teams make up those last 2 spots so expect some finals type football earlier than usual. Rugby league quote of the week This weekend we see 10 of our up and coming young boys head to Rotorua for the NZRL Performance Camp which will see the NZ 16s and 18s teams selected. We wish them all well during the intensive 4 day camp which I say to the young blokes, when you get asked for an culminates in a trial on Wednesday. Jack McCormick(Wainuiomata), Ray Lesoa(Randwick), autograph, don’t knock it back because there’ll be a time Losi Filipo(Porirua),Kurt Robinson(Petone), (Randwick), Joe Apikotoa(Randwick), where no one will ask you. Brett Kenny - Parramatta Eels Joe Tapine(Wainuiomata), Mona Seumanufagai(Porirua), Ezra Togia(Porirua), Kirisome Kirisome(Porirua). All the boys have been with the E-PoD program working with the HPSNZ team at the ASB Centre courtesy of funding received from WCC Talent ID program. Kenny O’Brien will be travelling with boys and working with the NZRL staff during the week. Best of luck to our future NRL stars. DINGO Important information

-Junior Grand Final 5th August -Senior Grand Final 11th August -Full weekly draw available on WRL Website -WRL 100yr Celebration-Labour Weekend

THE WRL WEBSITE IS UPDATED ON A DAILY BASIS-FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.WRL.ORG.NZ Gary John Woollard (Kiwi no 420 1963 to 1971 from Miramar)

With a solid grounding in junior rugby league, Gary Woollard completed his college schooling in Auckland and ventured to Wellington in 1961 to commence his working life. He linked up with the Miramar club at scrum-half coached by a future Kiwis coach Morrie Church. Miramar won the Wellington premiership in 1962, again in 1964 and shared a third with Waterside in 1966. In these years he became Wellington’s regular stand-off or scrum-half. In 1967 Wollard returned to Auckland WELLINGTON’S BEST EVER XIII SCRUM-HALF and joined Mt Albert. In 1963 the Kiwis toured Australia with Woollard the only Wellington player Only four Wellington scrum-halves have made it to the Kiwis, Arthur Kelly (All Golds 1907-08 Petone), James Barber (All Golds 1908 Petone), Michael Pollock included. Alongside him Woollard had incumbent test player and vice-captain,Bill Snowden, chosen (1919 Athletic) and Gary Woollard (1963 Miramar). Woollard played a lot of his league in both the halves positions so he is a contender in both positions. as the two scrum-halves for the 16-match tour. Woollard played in six tour games scoring one try. In We have profiled two Kiwis only, Barber and Woollard and added Finley Rasmussen who from Randwick was the outstanding and dominant Wellington the wilderness for four years Woollard finally made it back into the Kiwis in 1967 for a second tour of scrum-half for a decade playing 68 games for his province. Australia this time as stand-off, but returned having not yet played a test match. The Australians toured FOR ALL PREVIOUS WEEKS PLAYERS VISIT WWW.WRL.ORG.NZ & click on the Competition Tab in 1969, playing two tests in Auckland winning the first 20-10. Woollard’s test debut, at stand-off, with Graeme Cooksley (Canterbury) at scrum-half came in the second test and a wonderful Finley Solomon Rasmussen (Randwick and Wellington 1963-1979) 18-14 victory. 1970 was World Cup year in England and Woollard played in all three tests against Finley Rasmussen never played for the Kiwis, but for 13 years was the dominant scrum-half on the club scene Australia, France and Great Britain. Now a very experienced stand-off Gary Woollard became an and for Wellington. He was an extremely accurate goal kicker and more often than not topped a century of integral member of the ‘Grand Slam’ Kiwis. The Australians flew in for a one-off test match and were points in a season. Rasmussen played through the schoolboy grades for Randwick making both his premier soundly beaten 24-3 on a muddy Carlaw Park surface. Woollard teamed up with his Auckland team and Wellington debuts in 1963. His retirement from rugby league in 1979 completed an unprecedented teammate who was a popular Man of the Match. The Kiwis then embarked on a long tour stretch of 17 seasons playing for the Kingfishers, a Wellington club record that remains unsurpassed. He was of England and France, beating Great Britain 2-1 in the three-test series and France twice with the one of five brothers who all played premier club league for Randwick, John, George, Rodney and David with third test a 3-3 draw. Not since 1908 had the Kiwis won a test series in England. David and George the only two who did not play for Wellington. Woollard was injured at training and missed the first test win over Great Britain with Dennis Williams Randwick won a hattrick of premierships in 1968-69-70 and a fourth in 1976, a season in which Finley at 18 years 1 day taking his place at stand-off. Thereafter Wollard played in all five tests, two against Rasmussen announced his retirement from representative league in April, however he decided to make a brief Great Britain and three against France, his try late in the third test against France at Toulouse kept the appearance, but stayed on and with a haul of 167 points he was dominant in Randwick coming from sixth place Kiwis unbeaten on their six-match tour of France. Gary Woollard and were the fourth to beat Porirua City 10-5. Rasmussen scored a bucket load of match winning points each season. Three times busiest players on the tour playing in 19 of the 26 games. in succession 1969-70-71 he won Wellington’s Stacey Shield for most points in a season and when coach of After his Grand Slam success, Gary Woollard, then 29, brought the curtain down on his stellar playing Randwick for four years 1982-83-84-85 the club repeated a second premiership hattrick of wins1983-84-85. In career. Record for the Kiwis: 10 tests and two tries. Total games for the Kiwis 42 including five tries. 1970 Rasmussen scored 203 points, just three points behind Neil Beri’s 1964 record of 208 points in a season. 1971 Grand Slam Kiwi. Record for Miramar: Won two Premierships in 1962 and 1964 and shared Finley Rasmussen was coach of Randwick when they lost out to Petone 16-14 in 1982’s classic National Club another in 1966. Wrangler Cup decider at the Petone Rec. Then for the next three years they were Wellington’s glamour flag bearer in the National Club grand final and it was no disgrace to lose out toAuckland’s top clubs at Carlaw Park, Otahuhu 30-22, Mt Albert 24-10 and Manukau 34-13. On August 8, 1970, Finley Rasmussen played his 50th game for Wellington when defeating West Coast 23-18. He had been in a tight race with Colin O’Neil to James Barber (Kiwi no 29 1908-1913 six tests, 21 games. Captain tour to be the first ever Wellington player to play 50 games for his province. In April, O’Neil had reached his milestone Australia 1909 from Petone) against Canterbury, after making his debut for Wellington in 1961. When he retired from provincial league in A Wellington representative at the time, James Barber was on standby for the pioneering 1975, Rasmussen had reached 68 a total only surpassed by three others in 100 years, Ron Farrell (81), Colin All Golds and was urgently called to join the tourists when they returned to Australia in April 1908. He O’Neil (74) and John Whittaker (73). Record for Wellington: Played 68 games from 1963 to 1975 played in the historic test series victory over the Australians and then made a second tour to Australia Record for Randwick: 1963 to 1979, 17 seasons, four wins from five grand finals. Coached Randwick:To a in 1909 this time as captain of the Kiwis. On this tour he had one of his finest rugby league games hattrick of premierhip wins 1983-85 and into four consecutive National Club grand finals 1982-1985. against Queensland, at the Brisbane Ground, when he scored five of New Zealand’s seven tries, in a 27-19 victory. He made a third tour of Australia in 1912 and finished the year in Petone Rugby League colours winning the Siegal Cup. Barber played in six tests, all against Australia and was three times on the winning side. In all he played 21games for the Kiwis. Barber captained Wellington from 1911 to 1914 playing against the second touring England team in 1914, a game Wellington lost by the slim margin of 7-14. Record for the Kiwis: 1908-1913 six tests. Total games 21. Captaind the Kiwis to Australia in 1909. Unique Feat for Kiwis: 1909 v Queensland at Brisbane Cricket Ground scored five of the Kiwis seven tries in 27-19 victory. Record for Wellington: Captained Wellington from 1911 to 1914 Record for Petone: Played for Petone’s winning team in inaugural 1912 Wellington club competition. Last weeks match reviews WRL PREMIER LEADERS BOARD Wainuiomata confirmed their place in the top 3 with another emphatic 19 PORIRUA VIKINGS defensive display at Kelburn Park. The Lions defeated University 24-0 17 RANDWICK KINGFISHERS and have certainly tidied up the mid season defensive frailties that saw 16 WAINUIOMATA LIONS them lose 3 in a row. 12 UPPER HUTT TIGERS They have conceded just 4 points in their last 3 games and are showing 10 TE AROHA EELS the sort of form that sets them up as challengers for this years title. 10 UNIVERSITY HUNTERS Wainui coach Darren Cassidy praised the attitude of his players saying 8 PETONE PANTHERS “ It’s very pleasing to see the boys put into the game the things we have been working on. We are in 6 ST GEORGE DRAGONS a good space heading into the business end of the season but still have plenty of room for improvement.” Charles Lewis picked up a hat-trick of tries and young stars EJ Albright and Joe Tapine crossed whilst Tyler Tane added 2 conversions. WRL RESERVES LEADERS BOARD Univeristy sit in 6th spot needing 2 wins from the remaining games to stay in the hunt. 19 ST GEORGE DRAGONS Porirua overcame an 18-14 half-time deficit to runaway 60-18 winners over Petone at McEwan Park. 18 RANDWICK KINGFISHERS The Vikings shot out to a 14 nil lead after a raft of early possession but Matt Wanoa lead the Petone 16 UNIVERSITY HUNTERS charge that saw them overtake the competition leaders to set up what the crowd though would be a 14 PORIRUA VIKINGS thrilling second spell. 12 WAINUIOMATA LIONS Whatever Porirua coach Peter Rikiriki said at the break it worked as they ran in 8 second half tries 11 UPPER HUTT TIGERS reminiscent of the first round victory at Porirua Park. Porirua veterans Rocky Masoe and Jay Bolstad 6 TE AROHA EELS had strong games along with outside backs Tere Akavi and Tyson Tamakaha whilst Matt Wanoa and 2 PETONE PANTHERS Shannon Bradbrook stood out for the Panthers. Porirua retain the competition lead as they look to play in their 5th straight grand final. WRL WOMENS LEADERS BOARD

Randwick remain in 2nd place whilst defending champions Te Aroha could miss the finals after the 14 TE AROHA EELS Eels fell to their 4th straight loss. The Kingfishers continue to be the competitions leading point 12 RANDWICK KINGFISHERS scorers after the 42-4 victory and their defense is looking that of a finals contender as well. 10 WAINUIOMATA LIONS Randwick are looking to improve on their perennial semi final 8 PETONE PANTHERS losses over recent years and it will be their ability to aim 4 PORIRUA VIKINGS up in defence in the big games that will be the difference 0 HARBOUR CITY between a grand final berth and another early exit. For the Eels who now sit in 5th place still after the FOR ALL OTHER GRADES LADDERS & MORE DETAILS VISIT recent bad run it seems the mid season switch of Upper Hutt’s Ben Manu hasn’t been able to turn WWW.WRL.ORG.NZ things around. With 2 games to go the pressure is on the defending champions. Upper Hutt have moved into 4th place after defeating St George 36-24 at Cannons Creek. The Tigers can seal a finals berth next week and put the other teams on notice if they can defeat Porirua.