Double century up for Nick Risdon for the Eagles on Saturday

Nick Risdon runs out to play his 200th Premier match for the Hutt Old Boys Marist Eagles in Saturday’s top-of-the-table Swindale Shield match against Tawa. Club Rugby caught up with Risdon (pictured above playing in the 2007 Jubilee Cup final) this week ahead of his milestone.

How special will reaching 200 Premier games for you be and how will you celebrate it?

It will be a pretty special achievement. It’s obviously something that has taken a while and not many people have achieved. Hopefully I’ll celebrate it with a win, but regardless of the result I will enjoy a beer or two with my family, friends and team mates.

When you started did you ever think you'd make it this far and what were your initial goals when you first joined the Eagles?

I don’t think you ever set out to play 100/200 games, so no I didn’t think I’d make it this far. Initially I just wanted to enjoy myself and have a chance of playing Premier rugby. That’s why I made the move from Wainuiomata to HOBM, and to link back up with some of my St Bernard’s College mates.

You grew up over the hill and then joined HOBM after leaving school at St Bernard’s College?
I played all my junior rugby for Wainuiomata. I’m born and bred Wainui, and still live there with my wife, three kids and brother in law - so it was interesting going down to the local supermarket last year before and after the Jubilee Cup final!

I played for the St Bernard’s First XV in 2000 and 2001, winning the Wellington Secondary Schools competition in 2001 beating Wellington College in the final (they had about seven or eight in the Wellington Secondary Schools representative team while we had none).

After school I played one year for Wainuiomata in both the Colts and Senior One teams. At the end of 2002 I decided I wanted to try and play Premier rugby so went along to HOBM 7’s training’s that November and have been there since.

You’ve spent most of your career as halfback, switching to first five-eighth recently. Did you grow up playing halfback?

I’ve pretty much always been a halfback, apart from the old game at 10 filling in for injuries. I’ve never been the fastest or strongest or most skilled player but I guess I pride myself of being a team player and making good decisions so halfback suits me there. I like that you’re always in the thick of the action and have the chance to give some friendly advice to the opposition forward pack, from the safety of behind your own pack.

Can you remember your first game for the HOBM Premiers? Your first run with the ball? Your first try?

Yes I can actually. It was the opening game of 2003 versus OBU at Trentham. I don’t remember anything about the actual game apart from the fact I scored a try, a dummy and dive at the line from close range.

Playing at Trentham on Gala Day this year I mentioned to one of the young guys in our team, Joe Apikatoa (who was on debut), that I also debuted at this ground. He asked when that was. When I replied 2003 he said he was 6 years old then! Think that was the first time I’ve actually felt old.

You’ve been part of a side that has grown from being promoted in 2003, through to coming close to winning a Swindale Shield in 2006, to then winning the Jubilee Cup in 2007, the Swindale in 2012 and the Jubilee again in 2014. How has the club grown in that time to what it is today?

The main growth is the involvement of families and partners. It’s really grown into a family oriented club. We now run a Little Eagles Programme in the clubrooms after home games which give parents the opportunity to stay and be part of the Eagles culture. A number of the guys in the team are either married or have children so they are part of our team too and travel on the bus with us or run on to the field after the game.

Who are some of the people you have played with or been coached by at HOBM who have helped shaped your career?

Every team mate, coach and manager has helped shape my career in some way so I am extremely grateful to them all.

Early on I was in awe of Doug Power. He was a club legend and from Wainui too so I had heard a lot of stories about him. He’s the type of tough forward every young halfback needs on his side. Aaron Theobold is another from my earlier years whom really looked after me.

My brother Jason, Alexis Time, Matt Time, Peter Time, Polonga Pedro, Steven Bradshaw, Otto Rasch, Simon Malaeulu, Eroni Ekevati, Kava Vulu and Leone Tumua are guys that I have played a lot of rugby with over the years and who remain as close friends (or are still team mates).

From a coaching standpoint Adam Campbell is someone who has been very influential and is someone that I respect a lot. He’s been involved right throughout my playing time at HOBM as either CCO, player or coach and now an opposing coach [at the Upper Hutt Rams]! I roomed with him on a Sevens trip to Singapore as a young impressionable 18 year old but managed to not pick up too many bad habits from him. He taught me a lot about team work and culture.

Dan “Hammer” Pavihi and Dan “Bus” Vulu are two guys whom I’ve had a lot to do with over the last few years, either coaching the Eagles 7’s team with them or scheming about the next social function at the club.

There are a lot of great people at HOBM behind the scenes, either on the committee or supporters that make the club tick. Without them players wouldn’t be able to just worry about fronting up on the field.

And the enjoyment of playing alongside your brother Jason?

Yeah it’s been great playing with my brother. It’s been a real pleasure seeing him turn into the rugby player he is; I just can’t understand why he’s never had a look in for rep footy. It’s fair to say I probably dominated our early years of backyard footy but I wouldn’t stand a chance now. It’s also pretty cool for our family to be able to watch us both playing together.

My brother and I can also say we both captained each other in Jubilee Cup winning teams which I think is something quite special and unique.

What are some of the personal highlights of your club playing career?

Winning two Jubilee Cups would be the pinnacle, both finals were real battles. Many club players never get to play in the semis/finals so to have won it twice I’m very lucky. We also played some great rugby during our Swindale Shield win in 2012, but couldn’t quite keep the momentum going in failing to reach the semi’s that year. Winning five Spillane Cups in a row will also take some beating.

As for individual games the three semi-final classics versus Ories in recent years stick out:

• Losing 15-18 at Polo Grounds in 2011, where Ories went on to win the Jubilee Cup the following week versus Norths. We threw everything at them over the last 20 minutes but unfortunately couldn’t get the breakthrough.
• Losing 27-30 in extra time in 2014. Many people have commented that this is the best club match they have seen.
• Winning 43-26 last year. That first half against Ories last year was probably the best half of rugby I’ve witnessed.

We also had a memorable win on our club’s 100th Jubilee celebrations over arch-rivals Petone in 2010. Lock and 2014 Jim Brown medal winner Steve Bradshaw had taken the year off rugby to concentrate on his accountancy studies. He popped into training on the Thursday night to wish us well, but with an injury to one of our locks he ended up playing 80 minutes on the Saturday and getting man of the match!

What else from a team perspective?

Looking back, our semi-final win versus Norths in 2007 might have been the best win we’ve ever had. That Norths team was very strong and we were playing at Porirua Park. At the time I think Norths were unbeaten at home for two years. That win really gave the team and club the belief that we belonged amongst the top sides in Wellington club rugby.

The majority of my highlights/magic moments have happened off the field. Of the ones I can remember and/or repeat:

• The inaugural Red, White and Green Party in 2007 which led to the formation of the YouTube sensation “The Eagletainers”
• All the blazer/100/200 game milestones. Particularly the blazer presentation to our waterboy Mathew Burroughs last year. You won’t find a more passionate fan of the game than Matty and the boys love having him around the team.
• 2014 end of year ‘golf’ trip
• Seeing the likes of young guns James O’Reilly and Chase Tiatia (to name a few) go on to great things
• Alexis Time aka Karaoke King
• Seeing which of the boys turns up to Sunday pool sessions in their number 1’s
• Alexis Time any time he’s drinking red wine

What about individuals you’ve played with or against over the years?

I’ve been pretty lucky to play with some exception players over the years.

• Piri Weepu jumps out as one of the most talented.
• Chase Tiatia is probably the player with the most ‘X-factor’.
• First-five Jonny Bentley was a class act.
• Matt Time was the hardest hitter

It’s hard to single out individuals in other teams, but a few guys that spring to mind are the likes of the Moananu brothers, Fa’atonu Fili, JP Tocker, Eugene Smith, Justin Va’a. These guys epitomise what is good about club rugby.

As for wily opponents it’s hard to go past Peter Sciascia. We’ve had some real good battles over the years, going back to probably 2004, so a long time. Peme Leiataua is another that is still going around as an opponent for over 10 years.

You played for some noted representative teams?

I’ve been lucky enough to play for both Buller and Wairarapa-Bush. As well as several Wellington age-grade and rep teams.

I played for Buller during the 2005 NPC 3rd Division competition and it was a great experience. There were four of us loan players from Wellington (Etuale ‘Junior‘ Togia, Jared Beyer, Wayne Gurdler and myself) plus one of the coaches (Chris Stirling) and we would fly down to Westport on the Thursday morning, train with the team Thursday evening, play Saturday and be home on Sunday. It was just a great bunch of guys to play with. We had no expectations on us and ended up making the semi’s before dipping out to Wairarapa-Bush (who we had earlier beat in the round robin).

Playing for Wairarapa-Bush in the 2009 Heartland competition was similarly enjoyable. A highlight was playing in the Ranfurly challenge for Wairarapa-Bush versus Wellington. Even though we lost and conceded 100 points, we managed to score three tries ourselves and the atmosphere and crowd was fantastic.

I managed to represent Wellington at under-21 and ‘B’ level as well a few games for the Wellington XV in NPC/ITM Cup preseason games.

What's your favourite ground to play on – the Hutt Rec?

Oh yeah Hutt Rec without a doubt. Not only is it my home ground but the quality of surface is amazing. I think the quality of our performances reflect the fact that we get to play on a great surface at least every second week.

I also really enjoy playing at William Jones Park, Wainuiomata. I spent a lot of time there as a youngster, so get a gentle ribbing from the Wainui supporters when playing there.

Do you have any comments on where the Wellington club competition is at? What changes have you seen in your time playing?

I think the main change I have noticed is the average age of Premier players these days. Premier rugby is getting younger and younger each year.

How have you enjoyed the adaption to first five-eighth lately - a new lease on life and another 100 games to come perhaps?

Playing 10 is a bit of a challenge for me because I wouldn’t say I have the traditional skill set of a 10 but it’s what the team needs of me at the moment.

No 300 is not a goal! I’m pretty sure my wife is happy I’ve reached 200 games so I can retire. I’m still enjoying it but it is tough juggling training commitments with a young family.