On Tuesday 27th May the Richmond Board met to review the LJ Hooker Richmond Premiers record of 0 wins from 8 games and what could be done to ensure Richmond remains in the Fox Memorial Shield Competition for next season. The Richmond Board unanimously voted to appoint Bernie Perenara as co-coach to work together with then current coach Ming Mafoe. The Richmond Board’s unanimous view is that Bernie’s coaching experience at Fox level, two Bartercard Cup Grand Finals for Marist-Richmond Brothers, Auckland Vulcan’s, NZ Maori’s and NZ Residents level can only help a coach in his first year at Fox Memorial Shield Competition level to turn Richmond Premiers season around.  

Ming’s response unfortunately was that he was not willing to work with Bernie.  This was disappointing to the Board so on Thursday some Board members met with Ming to see if Ming could be persuaded to change his mind and work together with Bernie for the good of the team.  But for his own reasons, Ming has chosen not to work with Bernie as co-coach and effectively stepped away from the coaching position.  This is not what the Richmond Board wanted, but Ming has made his own mind up.

Therefore, by default not design, Berne Perenara is now the sole coach of the LJ Hooker Richmond Premiers for the rest of this season.  The Richmond Board is grateful that a coach of Bernie’s quality is prepared to do the best he can for Richmond for the 10 remaining competition games.  Richmond as a Club strives to remain in the Fox Memorial Shield Competition for next year, we know all Richmond members and supporters will get behind Bernie and our Premier team as they focus on winning next Saturday’s game versus Marist Saints at Murray Halberg Park, 2.30pm kick off. 

Thoughts and prayers go to the family of former Richmond great Tommy Baxter who passed away earlier this week. One of Richmond’s greatest and toughest players ever. Tommy played 94 games for the New Zealand Kiwis from 1949 to 1956 including 29 tests. Tommy also was selected as a centre in the New Zealand Rugby League Team of the Century.

As told by one of Richmond’s greats John ‘Hone’ Holloway: “I once played against Tommy in the 1960’s when I was in Richmond Prems and we played a friendly against the Richmond Old Boys at Grey Lynn Park. I came off the back of the first scrum and ran at the first 5 Vern Bakalich who was the then current senior coach. As I fended away from him giving him cheek I was smashed from my blindside as hard a hit as I had ever had -it was Tommy Baxter.  I saw stars, when I regained a bit of composure I snarled at him that we had been told to take it easy on  the old guys and he said “don’t bother I never took it easy when I played and I’m not starting now”. He was in his 40’s at the time and still a bloody hardman. 

RIP Good friend

The Richmond Premiers take on the 2nd place Mt Albert Lions at Fowlds Park this Saturday. Coach Ming Mafoe takes with him a very hungry to win Premier team full of experience and some of the clubs young up and coming talent. Richmond field some of the clubs finest players including: Jason Tavita, Siliga Kepaoa, Karl Simeti and last weekends late inclusion prop forward Logan Wright. Complemented by the enthusiasm of young guns Damon Niko, Petelo Faasee and Keneti Atmore. Last weekends 1 point loss to the Glenora Bears will no doubt fire up the Bulldogs this week who seek to fire up against the local rival club who boast former Richmond players Niuvao Taka, Brad Watkins, Jordan Tuarae and Daniel Palavi. Expect fireworks! 

This game promises to be full of impact, hard hits and strong hit ups from both teams. The Richmond Premiers will need all the support they can get as they are expecting a great battle upfront and will need all Bulldogs supporters in attendance as the team are desperate to put a solid performance together for a first up win in 2014! Premier 1st continue their three game winning streak and hope to make it four. Premier 1st kick off at 12.45pm. Premier kick off 2.30pm.

Shout out to our loyal sponsors: LJ Hooker Ponsonby,Waterview Laundromat, Waterview Superette & Lotto,Giltrap Group, Peter Fell Concrete & Shamrock Reroofing.

The Richmond Premiers take on the 6th place Glenora Bears at Harold Moody Park, Glen Eden this Saturday. Coach Ming Mafoe has made a few positional changes to his team with Meke Unasa moving back to the full back role with hard running young gun Damon Niko coming into the front line in the centre position. Josh Mana moves to the starting half back with Josh Siaosi beefing up the forward pack in the hooker position. Vice-Captain Siliga Kepaoa moves to the front row with hard hitting Andrew Kake moving to the back row. This will help Richmond get on the front foot with Siliga’s solid no nonsense hit ups whilst allowing Andrew to continue his relentless defence from the back row position. Cale Baker and Isala Peau will be required to fire up the team from the bench and no doubt the team the benefit with the toughness these two players bring to the team. Young gun forward Petelo Faasee on Fox Premier debut last week is 18th man with hard running/tackling utility Joey Alesi as 19th man.

The Premiers will need all the support they can get as they are expecting a great battle upfront and will need all Bulldogs supporters in attendance as the team are desperate to put a solid performance together for a first up win for 2014! So get on down this Saturday afternoon to Harold Moody Park, 2.30pm kick off. Premier 1st kick off at 12.45pm.

Thanls to our loyal sponsors: LJ Hooker Ponsonby, Waterview Laundromat, Waterview Superette & Lotto, Shamrock Reroofing, Giltrap Group and Peter Fell.

The Richmond Premiers take on Papakura Sea Eagles at Grey Lynn Park this Saturday. Coach Ming Mafoe has retained Meke Unasa in the centre position whilst young gun Damon Niko who performed well against Howick remains in full back. The return to form of stand-off Jason Tavita provides the direction the team will require in competing for 80 minutes. 

The Premiers will need all the support they can get as they are expecting a big battle up front and will need all Bulldogs supporters in attendance! So get on down this Saturday afternoon to Grey  Lynn Park, 2.30pm kick off. Premier 1st kick off at 12.45pm.