Recapping Jubilee Cup finals 1994-2013

Above: Tawa supporters last celebrating their team winning the Jubilee Cup for the first time.

Another chapter will be written in the 85-year history of the Jubilee Cup this coming Sunday when Hutt Old Boys Marist and Wainuiomata meet for the 2014 title.

Ahead of this year's final, here's a recap of the past 20 Jubilee Cup finals. The Jim Brown Medal for the Player of the Final was introduced in 2004, so this is split into two parts:

Jim Brown Medal winners 2004-2013

Jim Brown was a stalwart of the great Petone teams of the 1960s and 1970s, playing over 200 matches for the club. He died in 2004 and his family donated the Jim Brown Medal that year.

The Jim Brown Medal winners and their contributions to the finals between 2004-2013 detailed below:

2004: Tamati Ellison - Northern United

Rookie Norths midfielder Tamati Ellison was moved into the 10 jersey to direct play and take the goal-kicking duties. Ellison, later an All Black only 21 at the time, rose to the occasion. He kicked four goals, set up a try for former Poneke player Peato Lafaele and played an assured all-round game to guide Norths to their first Jubilee Cup title. ?Despite a late rally by Poneke, Ellison's men held onto win by 20-18. Ellison's celebrations on Sunday evening were somewhat reserved. He had a university examination the following morning. ?

2005: Earl Va'a - Petone

28-test Samoan Earl Va'a international was instrumental in Petone's dramatic revival to beat Northern United, 21-20 at Westpac Stadium.? Playing into a stiff southerly, Petone was down 6-20 early in the second-half. An error by Va'a was responsible for a Norths try. Leading 6-3 at the time, Petone were hot on attack inside Norths' 22. Awarded a penalty, a kick for goal would have given them a 9-3 lead, but a spilt ball following a quick tap saw Norths counterattack and another Samoan international, prop Anthony Perenise, score a try. Va'a collected his composure after this setback and produced a masterful display of tactical rugby. Marshalling his forwards expertly and occasionally taking the ball to the line, Va'a helped Petone to close the gap further. Va'a's goal kicking would be the difference. He nailed the sideline conversion of Willie Moala's try in the 70th minute and then in the 75th minute, when Petone was pressing again, he kicked a 25 metre-angled penalty to edge Petone ahead and ultimately win the game.

2006: Lua Vaoloaloa - Northern United

Northern United became the first team in several years to achieve the coveted Swindale Shield-Jubilee Cup double in the same season by beating Poneke 25-12 in the 2006 Jubilee Cup final. Fielding a team with several household names, including All Blacks hard-man Jerry Collins at blindside flanker, Norths were all over Poneke like a rash from the get-go. They took control in the opening 50 minutes of play with pressure in the set-pieces, a strong defensive effort around the fringes and much more penetration than Poneke when they moved the ball. Halfback Lua Loaloaloa was front and centre of their operations, directing much of their play and marshalling their troops. Norths led 20-0 at halftime. They had the Cup in the bag seven minutes into the second spell when Vaoloaloa fired a bullet pass from an attacking scrum across to wing Peato Lafaele who scored the game winning try.

2007: Nick Risdon - Hutt Old Boys Marist

The 2007 Jubilee Cup final between HOBM and MSP was a battle of attrition for the most part, with HOBM slowly wearing down their opposites to eventually break through and score two tries over the final quarter to win 18-10. HOBM's director in the trenches was halfback Nick Risdon, who together with his forwards, maintained relentless pressure on MSP before the dam finally broke. Their forwards picked and drove and Risdon sniped and organised proceedings in conjunction with his first five-eighth Jonathan Bentley.? Scores were locked up at 6-3 after 50 minutes, before tries to second five-eighth Malakai Kisinia and centre and future Tasman Mako Mike Pehi sealed victory for HOBM.?

2008: Chris Middleton - Northern United

This was the Jubilee Cup that was drawn 10-10 between Norths and MSP. Played in icy conditions, the Jubilee Cup itself went missing afterwards but was eventually found safe and well several days later and was shared for six months each between Norths and MSP as agreed. In a dramatic second half, Norths came storming back to draw level with just seven minutes on the clock, scoring two unconverted tries after MSP halfback Peter Sciascia had seemingly delivered a decisive blow to their chances with a converted try on halftime for a 10-0 lead. Norths had made much of the running in a rain soaked opening 40 minutes but came up short on several occasions, former NZ U19 lock Chris Middleton prominent throughout.

2009: Peter Sciascia - Marist St Pat's

Following the previous year's draw, MSP won the title outright, for the first time since 2002.?Halfback Peter Sciascia was the conductor and centre Chris Slade kept the scoreboard ticking over off the kicking tee as MSP defeated Norths in this rematch. Slade's seven penalties carried his side to a decisive come-from-behind victory over Norths, who scored the game's only two tries but let themselves down through ill-discipline and a spate of handling errors. In general play, Sciascia was the standout performer in a superb team performance, laid down by the tight five and carried by the loose forwards and the well organised backs.

2010: TJ Perenara - Northern United

The 2010 Northern United side was one of the most dominant and exciting teams to win the Jubilee Cup. In 20 games they achieved a 17-win, one lost and two-drawn record, scoring 819 points and 123 tries. New Zealand Sevens representative Buxton Popoalii ended the year with 23 tries, just short of Petone's Mike Clamp's 1981 record of 25 tries, and Samoan International James So'oialo finished the season with a record 281 points. In the Jubilee Cup final Norths thrashed Poneke by 24-5, scoring four tries to one and achieving the biggest win in a final since Wests beat Tawa 53-21 in 1998. Popoalii scored two tries, but the Jim Brown medallist was a schoolboy sensation. TJ Perenara, out of Mana College, was a regular starter for Norths in 2010, never playing in a losing team. The qualities that have defined his play more recently for the Hurricanes and now the All Blacks like snappy passing, abrasive defence and an incisive running close to the ruck were all on display in this game as North's overpowered a brave, but limited Poneke. Later in 2010 Perenara would score 15 points in helping the New Zealand Schools beat the Australian Schools, 30-21.

2011: Iani Pahulu - Oriental-Rongotai

Oriental-Rongotai stunned Northern United 40-18 and their No. 8 Iani Pahulu had a blinder. He was the everywhere man as Ories came back from 6-13 behind to scored five tries to blitz two-time defending champions Norths. They scored four of these tries in succession and led 33-13 after 50 minutes.?All four of these tries had the huge crowd on its feet - after the weather had turned windy, wet and cold from the south just before halftime after bright sunshine all day up to that point. Pahulu played a leading support and linking role and also scored one of these tries himself after a break by right wing Ambrose Curtis. Ories set about protecting their big lead in the final 25 minutes of the final as Pahulu and his teammates turned his focus to a big defensive effort.

2012: Jeffery Toomaga-Allen - Marist St Pat's

The 2012 Jubilee Cup final was played on a rain-soaked Hutt Rec. It featured no fewer than five capped internationals and an array of grizzly club veterans. The game itself was a desperate struggle, won 11-8 by Marist St Pats after Oriental Rongotai had two players sin-binned for fighting on the hour mark, when the score was 6-3 to MSP.? In such a tense and tough environment, experience usually prevails, but it was outstanding youth that was the talking point after this final. Ories 19 year old openside Ardie Savea was outstanding in a lost cause, but the Jim Brown Medal was awarded to prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen. Always strong in the scrum, the 21-year old Allen had his renowned running game suppressed by the conditions. However his work in tight was tireless as he helped MSP win the arm wrestle for territory. The Jim Brown medal was just another accolade in Toomaga-Allen's stellar few years in rugby. Fellow Prop and Manu Samoan international Kas Lealamanua scored the winning try and captained MSP to victory in this game. It was Lealamanua's fifth Jubilee Cup win and 140th and final game for them.

2013: Steven So'oialo - Tawa

In 1998, Steven So'oialo helped Wests destroy Tawa, 53-21 in the Jubilee Cup final. Fifteen years later the veteran of 38 tests for Manu Samoa returned as a player/coach for Tawa in their second Jubilee Cup final against Oriental Rongotai. The halfback had a profound influence. Besides his sharp passing, astute tactical kicking and abrasive defence around the ruck, So'oialo scored a crucial try when his side was down 13-7 just before halftime. Toby Robson reported in the Dominion Post."Steve So'oialo scored the try of the match...minutes before halftime after a sweeping 80-metre movement. It started when wing Alfred Pelenise took a mark from a (Fa'atonu) Fili cross kick. (Randall) Bishop made inroads from the quick tap before James So'oialo fended his way into the open and found Pelenise on his outside. The wing then turned the final pass into his halfback for the try and a 14-13 halftime lead, which Tawa would not relinquish." Tawa went onto to win the game 26-21. They finished the season with a record of 16 wins from 20 games and won the Swindale Shield, Andy Lesile Trophy and Jubilee Cup for the first time in their history. Steven, aged 36, immediately announced his retirement after the game. Co-coach, Former All Black, Dion Waller described Steven as "inspirational."

A round-up of the previous 10 finals, 1994-2003:

2003: Poneke 26 - MSP 22

Poneke spoiled MSP's three-peat and toasted success after losses in the 1999, 2000 and 2001 finals. Reversing their 22-31 and 25-32 defeats to MSP earlier in the season, Poneke put their foot down from the opening whistle and never let it off. A feature of their win was their gutsy close-quarter defence and one-off running, with locks Conrad Pau'u and Tau Tapasu and No. 8 Adam Holloway prominent. Halfback David Palu also had a strong game, while David Holwell took 16 points from MSP off the kicking tee, including two difficult penalties. Poneke took a 13-3 lead after centre Elvis Feu'u scored on 25 minutes. Penalties kept MSP in contact, but a try to flanker Peter Savelio extended the lead to 11 points. Kas Lealamanua rumbled over for MSP to close the gap but Poneke's desperate defence over the final 15 minutes held them off again.

2002: MSP 18 - Old Boys University 13

Marist St Pat's went back-to-back, against first time finalists Old Boys University playing for their first Jubilee Cup since University won in 1966 and a year after the club under its previous name Harlequins won the Hardham Cup final. With a string of Hurricanes players and a young Conrad Smith in their ranks, OBU had every right to be optimistic of success against MSP who were top qualifiers. OBU had knocked off Poneke 18-10 the week before in their semi-final. But MSP's finals experience told and they won two tries to one. Try scorers were Apoua Stewart and Brendan Watt for MSP and Ross Kennedy for OBU.

2001: MSP 21 - Poneke 16

Three straight Jubilee Cup finals and three straight defeats; Poneke missed out to MSP in a second successive Westpac Stadium thriller. MSP's seven-man scrum held on to the end as Poneke attacked their set-piece with lock Rhys Johnston sin-binned in the dying minutes. Poneke who had Wellington Lions first five-eighth David Holwell pulled from the final owing to representative commitments the next day, watched on as teenaged MSP flyhalf Fa'atonu Fili landed two penalties a conversion and a key dropped goal 15 minutes into the second half. MSP scored two tries through their fullback Apoua Stewart and Poneke crossed through second five-eighth Misipalauni Moananu.

2000: Petone 20 - Poneke 17

Petone captured their first final since 1993 in front of 7,000 people under lights at the new Westpac Stadium. There was drama at the end as Poneke first five-eighth David Holwell was left lamenting missing a straightforward penalty late in the piece. Holwell, who had kicked Poneke to a 27-26 semi-final victory over MSP the previous week, saw his shot drift to the right of the uprights. Petone had scored through lock Ross Filipo to lead 13-0 at the?break before Poneke came back through a try to flanker Shane Page and Holwell's boot. David Palu scored an intercept try to put Poneke ahead 17-13, before Riki Flutey scored a seven-pointer and what proved to be the match winner for Petone.

1999: MSP 22 - Poneke 16

Athletic Park and club rugby fitted like a glove for decades. But this was the last ever Premier club match played there ahead of a move in the summer to the new Westpac Stadium. A superb first half performance by MSP's forwards set up their fourth Jubilee Cup win in the past six years. Heading into the match, Poneke had conceded just four tries in their past 11 matches. But MSP crossed for three tries in the opening 40 minutes and took a match winning 22-3 lead into halftime. MSP scored through fullback Jeremy Coulter and then twice through No. 8 Nic Fitesimanu. Poneke mounted a comeback after the break but for the most part MSP's defence held and Poneke's only try came through young fullback Peato Lafaele. David Holwell kicked three penalties and a conversion.

1998: Western Suburbs 53 - Tawa 21

The highest scoring final of the past 20 years with a cumulative 74 points scored. In a fast and furious start to the final, Wests outscored Tawa three tries to one in the opening quarter, including scoring the second off a tighthead scrum win and a 60 metre dash up field. Wests led 24-7 at halftime. Centre Mark Fatialofa scored two tries in quick succession midway through the second spell and at this point Wests could start their celebrations early. Replacement fullback Star Ah Kuoi added the icing by scoring an 80 metre try towards the end. All Wests eight tries were scored by the outside backs.

1997: MSP 13 - Petone 7

Two years after winning the Jubilee Cup as a player, Iain Potter guided MSP to the title as a coach. In the final against great rivals Petone, MSP turned to play into a strong southerly in the second half leading just 8-0. They extended this to 13-0 with a try to wing Dominic Feauanati. Karl Te Nana scored an intercept try for Petone but MSP clung on to win 13-7. Led by All Blacks wing Tana Umaga, Petone threw everything at MSP over the final 10 minutes, plus injury time. But MSP soaked up the pressure until then end. For MSP, No. 8 Issac Feauanati was the Man of the Match with a herculean effort.

1996: Poneke 9 - Western Suburbs 8

The lowest scoring final of the past 20 years. Poneke won their first Jubilee Cup since 1975. The final was won up front and on defence, an exhaustive effort led by retiring Poneke flanker Shane McClure (now their coach). In typical Poneke fashion, they ground down first time finalists Western Suburbs and kept play simple and tight. Poneke first five-eighth James Ogden landed two dropped goals and a long-range penalty into the wind. Wests were starved for opportunties and wing Shane Tiatia's try in the 15th minute was the only try of the final. Ogden gave Poneke their 9-8 lead with his second dropped goal and then they held on for 20 minutes.

1995: MSP 20- Petone 18

This third consecutive final between MSP and Petone went down to the wire. MSP retained the Jubilee Cup and achieved the Swindale Sheld - Cup double for the second consecutive year. They did so by holding on over the final 20 minutes. In a dramatic finish, Petone laid siege to MSP's line at the end and Petone were unlucky not to score when a pass from Simon Mannix to wing Alex Telea was knocked down. Earlier, MSP had led 17-5 at halftime with tries to wing Lua Kaololo and flanker Gordon Simpson. With the wind, Petone closed to within striking distance through a Tana Umaga try and two Mannix penalties.

1994: MSP 27 - Petone 13

MSP overcame favourites Petone - for the second time in the season. Petone's only loss all year before this was to MSP, to decide the Swindale Shield. To negate Petone's threatening backline; MSP attacked them up front and also employed a wide game plan themselves. Loose forward Gordon Simpson set the tone after 5 minutes by charging down a Simon Mannix clearing kick and scoring. Mannix scored Petone's only try of the half to give the Villagers a 13-8 lead at the break, but MSP fullback Jeremy Coulter struck after the interval to make it 13-13. Centre Paul Schmidt-Uli scored to put MSP ahead 18-13 and two late penalties and a dropped goal seal victory. MSP piled on 19 unanswered points in the second half.