Johnsonville hoping to soar again in Premier rugby

Somewhat lost amongst the resurgence of the Wellington Axemen and former Premier powerhouse Avalon during the Senior 1 competition have been the quiet performances of Johnsonville in taking out the first round Harper Lock Shield (see photo above), bringing with it Hardham Cup rugby and the opportunity to return to the Premier grade.

Johnsonville last played at Premier level in 2010, but endured a winless Swindale Shield campaign and then missed out on the Hardham Cup semifinals and were relegated back to Senior 1 at the expense of a returning Avalon.

Hopes of an immediate return to the Premier grade were dashed with a sixth place Harper Lock Shield finish in 2011 and missing out on the Hardham Cup as a consequence. Solid performances in 2012 saw them make the Hardham Cup - the only Senior 1 ‘first-team' to do so - but were again unable to make the semi-finals, nor able to head off Rimutaka in either the round-robin match nor the newly-instituted playoff ?matches at the end of the season.

In 2013 the club has turned to Mason Lawrence as its first-team coach. Lawrence started his coaching with junior teams at the club through to assisting with the colts, before spending the past two seasons at MSP. In 2011 he guided MSP's Colts side to the Division 1 U21 title and followed that up in 2012 by taking the Evans Bay's S1 side to the Harper Lock Shield and then into the Hardham Cup semi-finals.

A number of players have followed him to Helston Park, including his son Corey, a flanker playing at hooker; joining a nucleus of long-time Johnsonville players inflanker and captain Louis Karl, No 8/lock MykelHerewini ,first-five/fullback DeinaMorete, ?andcentre James Faa'atuatu.

One player who stands out, literally, in the blue hoops is blindside flanker Kane Leaupepe. Standing at nearly 2m tall,Leaupepe's success in the? number six jersey this season is all the more remarkable given its his first season as a forward let alone playing in the position, and that he missed all of last season due to a fractured neck suffered in an assault. His aerial skill has been a key part of the Johnsonville game plan so far at the lineout set-piece, including snaffling plenty of opposition ball; while his mobility around the park, being a former centre, has also been an asset.

On the other side of the scrum captain Karl has led from the front with uncompromising defensive work and strong carries in attack. His work at the breakdown has been a solid source of turnover ball for Johnsonville this season and in that he's been ably supported by Corey Lawrence.

Johnsonville's season began with lowering the Wellington Axemen's colours with a 5-3 win at home on opening day to reclaim the Mick Kenny Cup played for between the two clubs. Since then the team reeled off nine wins from 10 games to take the Harper Lock Shield, their only reverse being a 28-29 loss to OBU's second side in the second week of the season, and have claimed seven four-try bonus points along the way as a testament to their willingness to attack.

Johnsonville is not just about their top side though according to Chairman Mike Segetin. Their second side returned to Senior 2 this season, owing this to the combination of HOBM's and Oriental Rongotai's second sides being relegated from the Senior 1 grade and WRFU rules, and have held their own to finishsixth in the National Mutual Cup. Johnsonville's Colts side has earned a mid-season promotion to Division 1 of the U21 competition after several strong performance, the Under 85kg side has a winning record in Division 2 of the lightweight grade, the Reserve grade Cripples finished third in the first round of division one, and Presidents grade Grizzlies renew friendships and rivalries on the field every week as well.

In addition the club continues to retain its links with both of the nearby secondary schools - Onslow and Newlands Colleges - and hosted Newlands' 1^st XV match at Helston Park during the recent Club/College round.

However the focus looking in from outside is on the senior side. This year'sHardham Cup promises to be an enthralling one with seven sides eligible for the four places available in next year'sSwindale Shield, and Johnsonville is confident that they will be one of those four sides next season; but know that the next seven weeks will be uncompromising and much harder than the 11 to date and are primed for the challenge. That starts this week at home to Avalon.

The final word is with Mike Segetin, "the club looks forward to returning Helston Park to its nickname of ‘Hell Park' for visiting Premier sides and the mighty Hawks will soar again."