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June 2009
- Coming Events
- Cambridge Springboard For International Career
- May 23 - What a Saturday!
- The Next Two Big Saturdays - Club Days
- A Great Varsity Game: 1987 Gallaher Shield Final
- Player Profile - David Ormrod
- Scottish intellect looking for employment
- Advertise with us
- Memberships
- Wanted: Under 19 players
- New! Supporters wear
- Draws & Results
- Contact us
AURFC: A club where it is about more than just playing rugby.
As we are just passing the mid-point of the 2009 season, the Premier team are riding high on the points table, the club has had the largest increase in senior playing numbers in Auckland, supporters are back and as passionate as ever.
It is fantastic to see Varsity rugby back where it should be. There is, though, still plenty of work to do for the Mighty Blues with games against Marist and Ponsonby just around the corner.
In this edition, we highlight the upcoming social events, profile our latest scholar, we look back on the Grammar-Carlton game in preparation for the clash between the two clubs at Colin Maiden Park this Saturday. We also shine a light on one of Varsity’s most promising players.
Coming Events
Members, Players and Supporters Night
Proudly sponsored by the Belgian Beer Cafe
Date: Wednesday June 17
Time: 7.00pm
Location: Colin Maiden Park Clubrooms
Format of the night: MC James McOnie (Crowd Goes Wild) will be interviewing AURFC All Black and current Premiers assistant coach Jason Hewett about his career and the current season. Two players from the Premier team will also be questioned by James.
An excellent event for members, players and supporters to rub shoulders.
 Pictured left: Jason Hewett
2009 Mighty Blues Pre-Test Luncheon
Date: Thursday July 16
Speaker: Peter FitzSimons
Location: Eden Park
The annual event you do not want to miss! Use this day as a great way to entertain clients, meet up with old friends and chat about Varsity rugby. Former Wallaby lock Peter FitzSimons comes with an elite reputation for his public speaking.
Request your table now: luncheon@aurfc.co.nz
Robert Connoley:   029-977-4737
Click on the following link for more information. http://www.aurfc.co.nz/membership.html
Cambridge Seen As Springboard For International Career
Cambridge University is the next challenge for outstanding scholar, thespian and sportsman Tom Elton following his selection as the Girdlers’ Scholar for 2009.
The former Westlake Boys High School pupil and University Under 21 fullback is currently studying at the University of Auckland, having won a scholarship to attend that institution, and will fulfil a long-held ambition to study economics at Cambridge when he takes up his Girdlers’ award later this year.
Administered by the NZ Vice-Chancellors’ Committee, the Girdlers’ Scholarship is funded by the Worshipful Company of Girdlers which traces its foundation back to medieval times as a craftsmen’s guild. The award is worth a minimum of £20,000 and enables a “distinguished New Zealand school pupil” to undertake a degree course at Cambridge’s Corpus Christi College.
The University club wishes Tom all the best and looks forward to keeping a close eye on his progress.
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With thanks to our sponsors!
www.theponsonby.co.nz
Auckland University Rugby Football Club is very grateful for the exceptional support of our sponsors.
As players, coaches, administrators and supporters of AURFC please purchase and utilise their goods and services for the overall benefit of the University Rugby Club and surrounding community.
View our full list of sponsors.
Advertise with us...
Support the University club by advertising. Promote your business to a unique database.
Click here for more information.
WANTED! Under 19 Players
The University club is desperately seeking players for the Under 19 grade for this season. This year proved to be a very difficult to recruit.
If you know of any players eligible for this grade, please get in touch: robert.taylor@aurfc.co.nz
Memberships
Membership forms can be completed at the bar. By becoming a member at the rugby club, there is a very high possibility you will receive preferential treatment for purchasing 2011 Rugby World Cup tickets.
Click here for more information.
NEW! Supporters Wear
Look good in blue! Purchase a Varsity polo shirt, t-shirt or a hooded sweatshirt.
Click to view our store...
Draws & Results
- This Weeks Draw
- Last Weeks results
- Standings Table
Contact us
Auckland University Rugby Football Club
website: www.aurfc.co.nz
email: robert.taylor@aurfc.co.nz
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May 23 - What a Saturday!
 University ground out a gritty 10-6 victory over Grammar-Carlton to assert itself as a major title contender in this year’s competition. The match was billed as a blockbuster as the second and third placed teams went head to head, and it did not fail to disappoint with both teams refusing to give an inch in a brutal encounter.
Grammar -Carlton controlled the wealth of possession and territory in the first half, first five-eighths Ash Moeke steering his team around the park superbly with a well executed kicking game. But they were unable to match
University up front with the intimidating front row trio of John Afoa, Francis Smith and Pauliasi Manu dominating at scrum time to win a number of Grammar Carlton feeds. Moeke kicked two penalties early in the game to give his side a 6-0 lead, and Grammar-Carlton’s aggression at the breakdown reaped rewards with University unable to gain any fluidity in attack.
But it was a different story in the second half, University first five James Semple nailing a drop goal within a minute of play resuming as his team looked to fight back. The match continued to be a tightly fought contest as both teams threw everything at their opponents, but the game-breaker came with 12 minutes to go as Semple threw a brilliant cutout ball to Brad Linklater who got outside his man and offloaded to Pasila Wilson who dived over in the corner.
Trailing 10-6, Grammar Carlton rallied in the final minutes and were desperately pressing the University line for a try. A charged down kick five metres out almost resulted in a five pointer to the visitors but University eventually repelled them to run out deserved victors.
Thank you to Graham Henry (University Gallaher Shield winner ‘74 and ‘84) for speaking to the team prior to the game. Also a special mention to all the past players and members of the club turning up to support the lads.
University 10 (P Wilson try, B Linklater con, J Semple DG) Grammar-Carlton 6 (A Moeke 2 pens) Halftime: 6-0 GC.
The Next Two Big Saturdays at Colin Maiden Park - Club Days
The last quarter of the competition shall decide who will take the Alan McEvoy Memorial Trophy and receive home advantage for quarter-final and semifinal games for the ultimate prize of the Gallaher Shield. With a big crowd being a prominent factor in the Grammar-Carlton victory, please invite all known Mighty Blues supporters to the following home games;
Marist June 20 (Dave Grace Memorial Trophy)
Ponsonby July 4
Kickoffs from 1.00pm (reserves)
Following the Marist game we will be having live music playing from 6.30pm until late.
A Great Varsity Game: 1987 Gallaher Shield Final
Completed by Simon Johnston
Outcome: Gallaher Shield final. University won 25-12
What made it special? It was the year of the 1987 Rugby World Cup. We had our four All Blacks plus Gavin Hastings and they had their four All Blacks from the Rugby World Cup. Between the two teams there would be 18 Auckland rep players as well
Most memorable moment? A scrum collapsed by Marist on their line. John Drake Noel Anderton and Sean Fitzpatrick picked up their front row and shunted it over the line and John McDermott scored a pushover try.
The central figures; who did what? Our non-All Black players raised themselves to perform like All Blacks. Peter Wood, for example, did not give John Kirwan any space to move all day on the wing.
What did it mean for the team/Varsity? For our All Blacks it meant a lot. To win a club championship is always special. Our four All Blacks won the Rugby World Cup, NPC, Ranfurly Shield and Gallaher Shield. Those four guys never lost any level game all year. As Drakey commented – to win at the club level was the hardest but most rewarding achievement all year.
For the non-All Blacks to raise their levels of skill and intensity to those of the All Blacks was fantastic as the higher you go the less likelihood of errors and that it is easier to play your game because of that at the higher level.
Player Profile - David Ormrod
 Nickname: Ramrod the Rocket
School: New Plymouth Boys High School
Position: Halfback
Study or Work: Studying – Looking for work! Contact me on info@aurfc.co.nz.
Current Varsity team: Premiers
First year at Varsity: 2007 Under 21s
Greatest Varsity player you have played with: Daniel Braid, 2008
Best Varsity game you have played in: 29-22 win versus Pakuranga – Colin Maiden Park April 18, 2009
Best opposition to beat: Grammar-Carlton and Marist
Most respected opposition: Ponsonby
Funniest clubmate at Varsity and why: Brad Allnutt – cannot keep his clothes on.
Why Varsity: The facilities and in-goals, but mostly the Varsity supporters, teammates and club culture.
Scottish intellect looking for employment
Neil Dymock has come to us all the way from Dundee. The big front rower has an outstanding education with a Law Degree, MBA with emphasis in HR management. He has experience in property management and corporate tax and is of a very sound character. The strapping 24 year old is looking for any regular work, absolutely anything! If you can help a good Varsity man, please give him a call on 021642517.
Photo's: Gerald Taylor
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