TUKAPA NEWS – YEAR OF THE CHICKEN
Well team, here we are — one of the biggest weekends on the Tukapa calendar as we celebrate the long-awaited Year of the Chicken reunion weekend at Sanders Park.
With no junior rugby this weekend due to King’s Birthday, the full focus shifts to our senior club and what promises to be a massive couple of days both on and off the field. These are the weekends that remind everyone what Tukapa is all about — rugby, mateship, old stories, new memories and generations of proud blue and white supporters coming together under one roof.
The clubrooms will no doubt be packed all weekend as old faces return home, former players reconnect and current players get to experience firsthand the history and culture that make this club one of the strongest in the country.
BIG DAY OF RUGBY AT HOME
This Saturday sees all our men’s teams at home and there should be plenty of quality rugby on display across the park.
Our Colts, Div 1 and Premier Men all take on Coastal in what are shaping as huge contests. Coastal are always tough opposition and there is never much between these clubs when they meet. Physical forward battles, passionate support and plenty of feeling usually come with these fixtures and Saturday should be no different.
Our Div 2 lads also have a big challenge ahead as they take on Toko. The Div 2 competition continues to get stronger each week and the boys have been building nicely through the season. The effort and attitude these teams continue to show every week represent exactly what club rugby is about.
There is something pretty special about having all our senior men’s teams at home on a reunion weekend. The changing rooms are buzzing, the sideline atmosphere lifts another level and you can feel the energy around the club from early in the day.
TOA WOMEN HIT THE ROAD
While the men defend home turf, our Tukapa Toa women are on the road again with an early start as the bus departs at 8.30am bound for Patea.
The women only just managed to sneak away with the win over Patea last weekend in what was a real battle, so they know they are in for another tough afternoon. The growth of this women’s programme continues to be something the whole club should be proud of. Week after week the group keeps turning up, improving and building a strong culture together.
There has been plenty of resilience shown by this side already this season and no doubt they will represent the jersey proudly once again on Saturday.
YEAR OF THE CHICKEN
This weekend is about far more than just results on the field.
The Year of the Chicken reunion is a celebration of the people who built this club into what it is today. It is about remembering the stories, the hard work, the laughs, the sacrifices and the lifelong friendships that have all come through Tukapa Rugby Club.
Many former players and supporters have travelled from around the country to be part of the celebrations and there will no doubt be some legendary stories told over a few quiet refreshments in the clubrooms.
As Lindsay Thomson puts it:
"2001 - ‘The Year of the Chicken’ – 25 years on!
This weekend we celebrate the Year of the Chicken reunion. Some 25 years ago 3 Tukapa teams won their respective Taranaki Championships – the Senior A’s, the Senior 4ths and the Colts.
For this King’s birthday players and management from those 2001 teams come back to the Chook House, from around the country and overseas, to renew friendships and celebrate the success of that year.
In the case of the Senior A side, it bought the McMaster Shield back to Tukapa for the first time since 1969. Who could forget the thrilling extra time win over Eltham-Kaponga 40-32, after the scores were tied 25-all at the end of regular time.
The Senior 4th side, captained by Bruce Capper, overcame Coastal in the final by 40-8 in a one-sided affair. The team was fortunate to have several former Tukapa Senior A and Taranaki reps including Chris Sutton, Dwight Murfitt, and Al Read. The side was undefeated winning all 15 games and racking up 647 points in the process.
The Colts side, captained by Josh Robinson, defeated NPBHS 2nd XV 17-16 in the final. Despite the close score Tukapa was the dominant team in the final. The team’s strength was down to having 27 committed players who brought the best out in each other. Several went on to play Senior A, while Richard Kelly took up the whistle and became one of NZ’s best referees, particularly in the 7’s version of the game. He continues as TMO in Super Rugby today.
As we celebrate, we also remember those who are no longer with us. Sadly, the following have since passed but they will be very much in our thoughts:
- Nathan Smith, Senior A
- Revell Douglas, Senior A
- Craig Eaton, Senior 4ths
- Wayne Penn, Senior 4ths Coach
- Eion McDonald, Senior 4ths Manager
While the focus is on these teams, the reunion is open to all past Tukapa players and supporters and there is no cost to attend. Please invite anyone who will enjoy good company and the opportunity to reminisce and renew past bonds and friendships."
The format is as follows:
Friday 29 May 2026
- 4.00pm onwards – Clubrooms open with refreshments and meals available
Saturday 30 May 2026
- 12.00 noon – Function upstairs with light lunch provided
- 1.00pm – 4.15pm – Tukapa teams v Coastal and Toko
- 4.15pm – late – traditional after match function
- 6.30pm – auction of one-off ‘Year of the Chicken’ playing jerseys worn by the Tukapa Premiers on Saturday afternoon
For those attendees who have travelled to be here thanks for your effort and commitment. For those who live locally, please come along and enjoy this special occasion in our club’s history.
SATURDAY PROGRAMME – YEAR OF THE CHICKEN
The action gets underway early at Sanders Park with a full day planned both on and off the field.
- 12.00pm – Bar opens
- 12.45pm – Year of the Chicken nibbles served
- 1.00pm – Colts vs Coastal
- 1.00pm – Div 1 vs Coastal
- 1.00pm – Div 2 vs Toko
- 2.45pm – Premier Men vs Coastal
Following the games, after match speeches for the day’s rugby will begin at 5.30pm inside the clubrooms.
We will then take a short break while the Premier Men draw their raffle and everyone grabs a feed before the evening reunion programme continues.
At 6.15pm, Lindsay Thomson will take the stage to speak about what the Year of the Chicken means to Tukapa and the generations of people who have helped shape the club.
Then at 6.30pm sharp, the auction of the 2001 throwback Premier jerseys will begin.
PREMIER MEN’S REVERSE AUCTION
Also running across Friday night and Saturday is the Premier Men’s Reverse Auction fundraiser.
These events are always a great laugh and a massive help towards supporting the squad throughout the season, so make sure you check out the flyer, grab a ticket and get involved.
There will be plenty happening around the clubrooms right across the weekend, so even if you are not heading to every game, make sure you get down and be part of the atmosphere.
THANK YOU
A weekend like this does not happen without an enormous amount of work behind the scenes.
Thank you to all the volunteers, committee members, coaches, managers, supporters, sponsors, bar staff and everyone else helping make this weekend possible. Clubs like Tukapa survive because of good people continually putting their hand up to help.
Now it is up to all of us to get down there, support the teams, reconnect with old mates and celebrate everything that makes this club special.
Wear your blue and white proudly and let’s make it a weekend to remember.
UP THE CHOOKS
Scotty Siffleet
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