Quad Rugby/Story - New Zealand Nationals

UNITED STATES QUAD RUGBY ASSOCIATION

10/1/2000

2000 New Zealand
Wheelchair Rugby Nationals
By Grant Sharman

The timing couldn’t be better for the hosting of the 2000 New Zealand Wheelchair Rugby Nationals which Manukau City were again hosting as it last did in 1996. These nationals were the last major event before the New Zealand Paralympic team heads off to Sydney for the 2000 Paralympics in October.

This year's event promised to be one of the most exciting ever held. All the players in both the Australian and New Zealand Paralympic teams were competing. The BHP Steelers featured the Australian starting line up with Canterbury Red made up entirely of Wheel Blacks, however both sides were missing the international coaches, Terry Vineyard and Tony Howe respectively. The Auckland team had three Wheel Blacks and an American super star who many in the know believe should have been in Team USA. In addition to these teams the SNI Storm had Sholto Taylor, former Wheel Black captain and best 2.5 player at the last World Cup in 1998. Partnering him was Joe Sores, another American player and former Team USA stalwart, part of the gold medal winning team to the last two World Cups and 1996 Paralympics.

The venue for the Rumble Down Under was the Otara Recreation Center. The courts were relatively small but the wooden floor promised fast rugby. Despite a few teething problems on the first afternoon including four of the referees getting lost - there are some things you just can't plan for - the event went without too much drama. Round robin games went according to seeding although the close game between Auckland and the Storm and Canterbury Red and the Steelers would mirror the bronze and final games.

The final was between the BHP Steelers and Canterbury Red. Both sides were made up entirely of internationals. The Steelers won the round robin but in the 1st vs 2nd play off to see who would go straight into the final Canterbury Red got up to win 39-35. It was a tight game and a preview of what to expect in the final. In the the 3rd vs 4th game Auckland came up against the SNI Storm and in a game that mirrored their round robin clash, the Storm with their American import Joe Soares, got a lead and then closed the game down by playing keep away. They got the ball over half and then instead of scoring they simply kept the ball away from Auckland. Using Joe and Sholto Taylor, their Wheel Black, they were able to keep position and in not scoring denied Auckland the in bound and a chance to score and put pressure on their in bound. The Storm won 22-19. This meant the Storm would play the Steelers to see who would take on Canterbury Red in the final. The result was never in doubt and despite a solid effort the Steelers took the game 53-29. Auckland beat Roachy's Roaches the second Australian team 31-23 and the play off games were found.

On Saturday night Waikato lost a close game to Canterbury Black 32-31 to finish 7th. The 5th vs 6th game was between Roachy's Roaches and Canterbury Black with the Roaches winning 38-16. In the Bronze medal game Auckland again came up against the Storm and while determined to reverse the previous two 3 point losses, victory was not to be. In an ill disciplined game with many turnovers, the Storm's more rounded line up won for the third time 28-24 to win the bronze medal. The last game of the tournament lived up to it's expectation and with one win a peice there was more than just a gold medal at stake. This was for all intense and purpose the third unofficial test and pride and a psychological edge going into the Sydney Paralympics was up for grabs. Playing on the full court the pace of the game was electrifying, both teams exchanging goals. However Canterbury Red had come to play and gradually took the upper hand ending the first 1/4 10-7. This three point lead would be enough to win the game. Half time saw the score 19-17 but with their ball at the start of the second half the lead was again three points and extended by one to 31-27 at the end of the third 1/4. The Steelers threw everything at Canterbury but the South Islanders nerves held and in what is becoming the norm in sport in New Zealand, they went on to win the game and the tournament 39-35.

This tournament was the most competitive held in New Zealand so far. The play off games never exceeded a five point spread and this meant for close and exciting rugby. Special thanks must go to the referees and bench officials who helped the tournament run smoothly. There was also good representation from the classifiers led by newly elected NZWR President, Andy Parkinson. Tournaments always depend on good sponsors and this years sponsors were very supportive. They included :

Manukau City Council, Paralympics New Zealand, Hotel Grand Chancellor, Melrose Chairs, Bellbird Tavern Arms, Lion Foundation, Rugby Foundation, Premium Corporation.

Special thanks also to van suppliers and drivers, Murray Cohen, Wayne te Rangi, Tom Gallagher, TASC, Manurewa Lions, Waiuku Community Van, George Sharman, Graeme Fox, Narsha and Lance Pakura and Ken Sowden.

Scores of Tournament

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