Upper Hutt Rams: Fast Out of the Gate

Above: Upper Hutt Rams flanker and Wellington Sevens co-captain Hayden Schrijvers looking for support in a match against Tawa last season

Upper Hutt and Rimutaka rugby have amalgamated in 2014 and their recent joint-venture is already bearing fruit.

The newly-named Upper Hutt Rams appear to be off to a great start for such a youthful merger. The Rams took out the recent Northern United 10’s competition beating a Toa Invitational side 7-0 in the final.

It is extremely impressive and promising to see the two clubs fit together seamlessly while adding early success as well. However, they will be hoping to fill the trophy cabinet further in years to come.

It was a no-brainer to amalgamate the two clubs in the Upper Valley. Having the two clubs in the small town was not viable in the Premier grade where both teams were unable to stay competitive the entire season.

Talented Upper Hutt, and now Upper Hut Rams, flanker Hayden Schrijvers has already seen the benefits of the two clubs combining and is excited to be a part of the new club going forward.

“It’s a great idea that needed to be done, both clubs were struggling for numbers and the results were not good enough for the amount of talented players up here so the merger was a great option for everyone”.

“We have been getting big numbers at training with great attitudes to work and play hard as well as the community really getting behind the club in terms of sponsorship. The Rams are an exciting club to be involved with” said Schrijvers.

The elusive and highly skilful flanker recently co-captained the Wellington Sevens team to the National title held in the Bay of Plenty region in mid-January.

“It was a great tournament and all the boys played well. It was pretty special winning that cup and really sets the bench mark for future years extremely high”.

Schrijvers is sure to be a great asset to the club going forward. The 20-year old highlighted the great mix of youth and experience that is invaluable in any team.

“Ben Aiona is our ageless first-five and is likely to captain us this year. He’s very calm and knows the game better than anyone else. Anaru Rangi and Murphy Taramai will take charge of the boys up front, both natural leaders”.

Schrijvers was keen to point out Rimutaka’s massive role in the harmonious merger.

?“Their pride and enthusiasm and the energy they bring to trainings is infectious to the people around them and makes training a whole lot more enjoyable”.

Hayden highlighted the colossal flanker, Murphy Taramai, as the new “poster boy” for Upper Hutt rugby in 2014 after Kayne Hammington, the nuggety halfback, sadly left Upper Hutt this year to chase higher honours in the Manawatu region. ?

Hammington exuded everything you could ask in a club player and was regarded as the ultimate team-man in every team he played for. He is sure to gain further promotion in professional rugby after stints with the Wellington Lions already.

“Losing him is a big loss as you lose a lot of experience and leadership on and off the field. Hopefully we see him on TV sometime soon playing top rugby. Bye Kayne” Schrijvers said hailing the former halfback.

Despite getting off to an impressive start at the North’s 10’s the Rams remain grounded and realistic about their first season as one club. However, they are not just there to make up numbers in 2014.

“It was good to get the club off to a winning start, 10’s and 7’s are important in the clubs development but ultimately we want to be the 15’s champs in wellington”.

“We are looking to take a ‘one game at a time’ approach this year and not get too far ahead of ourselves. In saying that our main goal would be to qualify for the Jubilee Cup and then have a serious crack at that trophy”.

Upper Hutt had a mixed season in 2013. There were some excellent performances towards the end of the Swindale Shield competition but unfortunately injuries hampered their season which stalled their ascendancy to higher honours.

?“Injuries are part of the game and merging with Rimutaka gives the coaches more options within their squads which will hopefully result in on-field wins” said Schrijvers.

Schrijvers, currently resuming his Accounting and Commercial Law degree at Victoria University, has himself been victim to “niggly” injuries early in the season but remains optimistic about his role within the Rams in 2014.

“I guess I want to be a consistent starter with the Rams premier team and make the Wellington sevens team again this year”.

Hayden also spoke volumes about the fantastic coaching personnel the Rams are lucky to have in 2014. Head coach, Nathan Williams, has been at the helm of Upper Hutt rugby for a number of years now and is also supported by his brother Jamie Williams and Tiny Graham who will direct the forward pack.

“They instil a great attitude of winning and also expecting to win. They want to build the Rams up to be a major force in Wellington rugby rather than remaining at underdog status”.

“Everybody respects the coaching staff immensely and they have already inspired us to perform for ourselves, the club and our community. We are lucky to have them leading us into the 2014 season”.

The Upper Hutt Rams all seem to be reading from the same song-sheet in 2014 and their intentions and goals are clear.

Good things take time yet Schrijvers and the Rams have waited long enough as early success would already suggest.

Let’s hope the local community continues to get behind the new club who have been hard at work in their headquarters at Maidstone Park for some time.

Not to put the mockers on them before round 1 of the Swindale Shield but who knows, the Rams could revive rugby in Upper Hutt and become the feel-good story of Wellington rugby in 2014.