Carterton RFC: 2023 Premier grade season review

By Andrew Dunford

Carterton enjoyed another highly successful premier championship season in 2023, retaining the Chris 'Moose' Kapene Memorial Cup - the first time the club has won back-to-back championships in the Wairarapa Bush union era – and topping the first-round competition for the first time in a number of years. This was achieved despite only eleven members of last year's grand final squad being available regularly in 2023.

The team won ten of its 13 matches with the biggest margin of loss being a mere six points. Many victories were by large margins and the team played a high-scoring style of rugby, averaging six tries per match while conceding just two, scoring 41 points per match.

Championship victory was achieved with a squad which relied heavily on a strong group of starters: there was less impact available off the bench than in the past couple of years, and a few weeks when the bench wasn’t full.

The scrum performed well thanks largely to the almost-indestructible propping pair of Tupou Lea'aemanu and Cameron Cartwright and was only ever bettered towards the end of a handful of matches when opponents brought on strong reserves to face Carterton's starters. The lineout was functional thanks mainly to the consistently reliable combination between thrower Terongo Tekii and jumper Logan Wakefield and was always stronger when the 'retired' Lachie McFadzean could be pressed into service.

The team's style of play evolved through the season, becoming more forward based and direct on the arrival of the Biumaiwai brothers, whose ability to step defenders on the fringes of the ruck became one of the team's strongest weapons. Tupou, Inia and Logan also carried strongly, allowing the team to string together many phases of go-forward until opponents wilted.

Inia Katia was a revelation moving into the loose forwards where he was always involved in the game; Zach Wakefield enjoyed his most consistent season at number eight, doing a lot of the team's unseen work and being the only player to start every match. The strike power of the forwards was evident in them scoring a remarkable 43 tries, comfortably more than the backs, but they also defended stoutly led by the Wakefield brothers and the unobtrusive Greg Gouws.

The backs were less potent out wide than in the previous two seasons, but still displayed a cutting edge when needed. Daryl Pickering again led the team with distinction from halfback and never seemed to have a bad game.

It perhaps took the coaching staff a few matches to find the best backline combinations, but the mid-season move of Fiula Tameilau and Aseri Waqa into the midfield proved a resounding success. Fiula's appetite for work and his skills on both attack and defence were especially evident playing at twelve, and although Aseri was marked more closely than last season, he still managed to create many opportunities for others with his pace and vision.

The reshuffle also brought out the best in Ben Brooking, who was outstanding when moved to fullback. Ben's goalkicking was the best in the competition and in addition to literally winning the grand final was also vital in the important win over Marist.

The team appeared to bond well as a group and very much enjoy their rugby together. It was pleasing for the future of the club to see half a dozen teenagers in the grand final 22.

CTB.

Representative honours

Wairarapa Bush Heartland squad: Tupou Lea'aemanu, Terongo Tekii, Malakai Biumaiwai, Logan Wakefield, Isireli Biumaiwai, Inia Katia, Ben Brooking, Fiula Tameilau, Aseri Waqa.

Wairarapa Bush U20 squad: Cameron Cartwright, Mitieli Waqa, Ben Alvis, Tana Dean, Ben Hancox-Uelese.

Hurricanes Heartland U20 squad: Mitieli Waqa, Cameron Cartwright, Ben Alvis

Club appearance milestones

100 games: Hone Vella

50 games: Zach Wakefield, Terongo Tekii