THE TUKAPA WEEKLY WRAP
OLD TIMERS DAY • COLLECTIVE FIRST NATIONAL DAY • ALL GRADES VS SOUTHERN
A lot of people know just how much the Dan O’Brien Day shields mean to me personally, but more importantly what they mean to Tukapa Rugby Club.
To walk away with all three shields and bring them back home to hang proudly in the clubhouse is something really special.
But more than the silverware itself, what stood out most was the extra effort, pride, and commitment the lads put in across all grades to make it happen.
To be honest, our B’s were right up against it with United sitting second on the table, but that never-say-die Tukapa attitude got them the win. The boys just kept turning up for each other and refused to roll over.
A very special thank you must go to Campbell Woodmass who, coming back from injury, told the coaches he wanted to return through the B’s like every other player and then went out and put in a huge 80-minute performance. That sort of attitude is exactly why our teams are tight and why players are willing to help each other out wherever needed.
I also want to take this chance to thank all of our coaches and management groups. The way everyone can sit down together, communicate clearly, and map out not only the best 22 for the Premiers but also make sure we are putting the strongest possible sides out for the Colts and B’s is something pretty special.
A massive thank you as well to both the Colts and Thirds players who jumped into the mix during bye weeks and filled gaps where needed.
There is a real bond between our four men’s teams at the moment, and that has only become stronger through honest communication and coaches working together instead of against each other.
That culture doesn’t happen by accident.
It’s just another reason why Tukapa is Tukapa.
100 GAMES FOR A TRUE BLUE CHOOK
This week we see a real true-blue club man clock up his 100th game and join the Centurion Club at Tukapa Rugby Club.
Mike Nyssen came to us from Hāwera back in 2018 as a bloke who was keen as to pull on the blue and white jersey for the Chooks. Back then he had slightly more hair than he currently runs with, but even then he had the same willingness to throw absolutely everything at the game.
In May 2021 he clocked up his 50th game, and even Mikey would probably admit back then he wasn’t too sure 100 games would ever come around.
The man throws his body around with absolutely no care for himself and usually leaves the field clutching at something sore with half a roll of tape already holding him together. But over the years nothing has really changed.
Mikey still throws everything at the game every single week and this season is still punching out 80 minutes most Saturdays.
The only thing that may have changed a little is the amount of hair — but that smile still stands strong.
Just last week against United he had to leave the field after dislocating his shoulder and it refusing to pop back in. Thankfully there was a doctor on hand to sort it out, and not long later I see Mikey walking back out of the tunnel with a massive grin on his face.
The first thing he says to me:
“I’m still playing next week.”
After the game I walked past his mother in the stands and she asked, “Did the shoulder go right out?”
I said, “Yep.”
Her answer:
“He’ll still play next week.”
I laughed and replied,
“That’s exactly what he said.”
That right there pretty much sums Mikey up.
So Mikey, congratulations on reaching 100 games for Tukapa. We hope to still have you around the club for many years to come.
You’re a bloody good bugger mate, and thank you for your service to the blue and white.
CLUB UPDATE
Now onto a few bits of sad news to start off what is shaping up as a massive week of rugby at Tukapa.
On Sunday night we had some unwanted hood rats break into the clubrooms and attempt to get into the downstairs bar. Thankfully, because of the systems we have in place with alarm sensors behind the bars and strong security camera coverage, we were able to contact Police immediately and provide quality footage which led to 5 males being arrested around an hour later.
Unfortunately these idiots have still caused over $10,000 worth of damage to our clubrooms, although luckily all they really managed to get away with was a pocket full of chocolate bars and a pair of Greenies gumboots — which we are told will be returned.
We are already in the process of installing additional cameras around the club to help identify and deal with this sort of behaviour in the future. Please bear with us over the next few weeks while repairs are carried out around the damaged areas.
On a second sad note, Alesha Brider will no longer continue in the role as Head Coach of the Tukapa Toa women’s team.
This decision was made after internal discussions and careful consideration around the direction and environment of the team moving forward.
We thank Alesha for the time, effort, and commitment she has given to the Toa programme and wish her all the best for the future.
Our immediate focus is supporting our players and management group while we work through coaching arrangements for the remainder of the season.
Tukapa Rugby Club remains fully committed to building a strong, positive, and competitive women’s rugby programme that reflects the values and culture of our club.
THIS SATURDAY AT SANDERS PARK
Now let’s put the negatives behind us and move into the positive vibes of what should be an outstanding Saturday at Sanders Park.
The day kicks off with 13 junior Tukapa teams playing from 9am, so the place should already be humming nice and early.
From there we roll into our senior grades with every team taking on Southern.
MATCH DAY TIMES
- 9:00am — Onwards Junior Rugby
- 11:30am — Tukapa Toa vs Southern
- 12:00pm — Old Timers Day Happy Hour
- 1:00pm — Colts vs Southern
- 1:00pm — Div 1 vs Southern
- 1:00pm — Old Timers Feed & Guest Panel
- 2:45pm — Premiers vs Southern
- 8:00pm – 11.00pm — Karaoke at the Clubrooms
Our Toa women get things underway at 11:30am against what will be a very strong Southern side.
Old Timers Day then kicks off with Happy Hour from 12:00pm before moving into our guest panel interviews on the couch, followed by a proper old-school aftermatch feed at 1:00pm — savs, sauce, bread and spuds done the right way.
Also at 1:00pm we see our Colts and Div 1 sides take on Southern on Fields 1 and 2. Last round down in Hāwera both matches were absolute battles, so expect more of the same this weekend.
COLLECTIVE FIRST NATIONAL DAY
From there we roll into Collective First National Day inside the Ford Tent, which should create an awesome atmosphere around the grounds all afternoon.
Our relationship with Collective First National is an incredibly strong one, and they are now one of the longest-serving sponsors of Tukapa Rugby Club.
What originally started as a naming rights sponsorship has now grown into naming rights of both our Senior and Junior rugby programmes, along with being a major club-wide sponsor.
Again this year, the team at Collective have supplied every junior player with a free blue training top. If you walk into almost any primary school around New Plymouth, chances are you will spot a kid proudly wearing one.
Without sponsors like Collective, along with all of our other amazing sponsors, Tukapa simply wouldn’t be able to think outside the box and continue doing the great things we do as a club.
Over the years I have personally got to know the entire team at Collective, and to be honest they now feel more like family of Tukapa than just sponsors.
So on Saturday, make sure you swing down to the tent, have a yarn, and say thank you to this group of good buggers for simply being themselves and backing our club right across the board.
A Message from Sponsor Nick Hughes:
Being involved with Tukapa is about far more than sponsorship for us — it’s about community, people, and backing a club that gives so much back locally. The culture around Tukapa is something pretty special, and we’re proud to support both the senior and junior programmes. Seeing kids all around New Plymouth wearing the blue training tops is a real reminder of how strong this club’s presence is in the community. We’re looking forward to a fantastic day on Saturday and catching up with plenty of familiar faces.
PREMIER GAME
Then at 2.45pm our Premier lads take the field in what should be a fiery encounter.
Southern will be hurting after a tough outing last week, while our boys are continuing to improve week by week and will be looking to lock down those vital Top 4 spots — ideally pushing towards that 1st or 2nd place finish.
SATURDAY NIGHT
We finish the night off with some good old-fashioned fun as Karaoke kicks off from 8pm through until 11pm.
So don’t rush off after the rugby — stick around, enjoy the atmosphere, have a few laughs, and sing your hearts out with what should be a great crowd around the clubrooms.
After a massive day of junior rugby, Old Timers Day, Collective First National Day, and all grades taking on Southern, it’s only right we finish the night the true Tukapa way.
Get along, support the teams, support the club, and let’s make Sanders Park the place to be this Saturday.
UP THE CHOOKS!
Scotty Siffleet
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