Richmond Rovers Rugby league club held an informal event held at the Richmond club room on Thursday 3rd March to welcome its 2014 sponsors. Representatives from the sponsors businesses attended what was a pleasant reminder that Richmond Rovers is a club that has great brand recognition and a management team second to none. 

Each sponsor received a special sponsors Richmond jersey. Sponsors were then given the opportunity to speak to the Richmond Premier players who were left with a good impression of Richmond in 2014. Premier players were presented their team polo tops in recognition of their hard work over the preseason training. 

BULLDOGS GRAB THE CUP

A hard-fought rugby league grand final win for the Richmond Bulldogs sees them crowned 2013 SAS Sharman Cup champions and promoted to next year's Fox Memorial Shield.

The Bulldogs capped off their centennial year with an 18-14 win over the Otara Scorpions after a cliffhanger finish in front of a 1500-strong crowd at Henderson's Trusts Stadium on Saturday.

Both teams fully deserved their place in the final after a long and hard season.

The Bulldogs came into the final after a strong performance in the semifinals against the Scorpions, trouncing them 34-22.

The first try of the day came in the fifth minute courtesy of Bruce Tusa who put through Tagisia Fulutusi for the Scorpions.

Toleafoa Leaupepe went agonisingly close but the desperate Scorpions defence held out - until a rampaging Hector Purcell bulldozed over to give Richmond their first points.

Steve Watkinson converted and Richmond were up 6-4. Richmond seemed to get a second wind and with only 10 to go in the first half went over again down the left flank after quick hands had Marcus Auva'a ground the ball under pressure.

Another Watkinson conversion had Bulldogs up 12-4 at halftime.

In the second half the Bulldog's Bronson Harden was held up in goal to be denied a try.

This gave Otara their first opportunity of the half and James Tulikaki crossed to give the Scorpions their second try, making the score 12-8 after a missed conversion.

Richmond did not have to wait long for their next chance and when the Bulldogs kicked early and caught Scorpions' winger Tagisia Fulutusi out of position, the Bulldogs found themselves hard on attack. From there an early tap by Watkinson had him find his opposites napping and he managed to plant the ball to extend the lead to 18-8 after converting the try.

With three minutes remaining Scorpions' five-eight Leiloa Lafaele crossed and with a successful conversion it was 18-14 to the Bulldogs with a minute to go.

From the kickoff Otara missed the ball and it went out for a line dropout.

The Scorpions gained possession and broke away downfield but an Otara grubber failed to find its man and the ball was cleared for the Bulldogs to win 18-14.

SAS Sharman Cup Grand Final Results:

Richmond Bulldogs 18 (12) V (4) 14 Otara Scorpions.

Team list: Meke Unasa, Mafola Timaloa, Debarres Neemia, Marcus Auvaa, Edwin Pita, Steve Watkinson, Josh Siaosi, Hector Purcell, Jason Mudgway, Toleafoa Leaupepe, Ben Seve, Siliga Kepaoa, Karl Simeti. Tama Guthrie, Joe Alesi, Hans Leauanae, Harry Vete.

Richmond started with a hiss and roar with two early tries to winger Mafola Timaloa. The forwards were strong with juggernauts Toleafoa Leaupepe and Hector Purcell smashing up the mid field with strong prop carries.. Tireless captain Karl Simeti was courageous with his early hit ups and tackles. The left edge was kept busy with Marcus Auvaa and Ben Seve containing the attacking Otara backs. The halves combinations formed well to get early ball out to the backs spreading the Scorpions mid field. In one instance Hector Purcell made a mid field line break and gifted his partner in crime Toleafoa a try in front of the post.

Co-Captain Joey Alesi showed great resolve to help his forward pack playing from the front row. In the end Otara were outplayed by a more passionate and determined Richmond team. No doubt Otara will come back firing but first they take on Papatoetoe in next weekends elimination semi final. Player of the day - Mafola Timaloa with two tries. His post try celebrations would have all members proud. 


Richmond Premiers thank all our Richmond supporters that came out to support them out at Ngati Otara Park. Well done to our Richmond Premiers and much thanks to the coaching staff and Richmond families. There is one more game to go. We want all Richmond supporters at the Sharman Cup Grand finals on August 17th at the Trust Stadium.

Half time score: Otara 16, Richmond 14. 
A nail biting 15 mins to go with Otara 20, Richmond Premiers 28. 
8 mins to go Otara 22, Richmond Premiers 30.
34 - 22 Richmond over Otara
Full time score to Richmond Premiers top class today took it to Otara final score 34 -22 an awesome win. 
We are off to the 2013 Sharman Cup Grand Final. 

Team: Aaron Unasa, Francis Gallgher, Nio Strickland, James Finlayson, Arno, Josh Siaosi, Josh Mana, Willie Uili, Jason Mudgway, Vae Kalolo, Junior Uale, Dave Falefitu, Bronson Harden. Kennedy, Stan Bourke, Fia, Lafi Faamausili. Coach: Henry Solomona, Jesse Bourke. Manager, Tuu Lialia'i.

Richmond Premier 1st played the Manukau Magpies at Grey Lynn Park. Training this week focused on cardio fitness and line speed off the defence line. A number of Premier grade players had dropped back and with new combinations to be made the Premier grade players certainly wanted to impress to stake their claim back in to the Premier grade. Players included tireless forwards Junior Uale, Willie Uili, Vae Kalolo, Dave Falefitu, hooker Jason Mudgway and outside back speedster Nio Strickland.

With much of the week being wet the game was transferred to Grey Lynn Park field 3. To compound the field change and changes to the foward pack Richmond wanted to start with a hiss and roar to show the Premier 1st competition that Richmond will be a force in 2013. A slow start for the home team meant the half time score was only 24-6. Considering the Richmond team had a ton of experience and Manukau played with only a 12 man team the stern half time talk from coaches Henry Solomona and Jesse Bourke ensured the boys would come out fired up for a big half. 

Combinations were much better in the second half where centres James Finlayson scored four tries with his centre partner Nio Strickland scoring a hatrick (3 tries) himself. The effort started from the forward pack who lay a good platform for space out on the fringes and out in the back line. Final score was 70-16 to the mighty Richmond Rovers. Player of the Day was Aaron Unasa who chimed in well at the full back position. Special mention goes to the halves Josh Siaosi and Josh Mana for steering the team around the park with creative kick plays and depth passing games. Both players challenged the Magpies defence line and always questioned the edge plays with great combinations in Finlayson and Strickland.  

The Richmond Premier 1st will need all the support they can get next weekend as the team travel to Ngati Otara Park to take on the table topping Otara Scorpions. Kickoff is at 12.45pm 

The Richmond Premiers are the talk of the competition after their excellent start to the season.

A human tunnel was formed to welcome the Richmond Premiers onto the field for the first home game of the 2013 season. A capacity crowd and the radiant sun proved to be positive indicators for the game ahead against 2012 Sharman Cup finalists, Papatoetoe Panthers.

No truer words were said than ‘Defence wins games’.

While the Rovers defensive line remained solid, the first signs of a weakening Panthers defence came nearly 20 minutes in the game with ex Vulcans player Aaron Nootai scoring on the left wing, opening what was to be a wave of tries.

The poor handling skills of the Panthers were far from their winning 2012 form, with a myriad of errors allowing the Rovers to race away to a 26-0 lead at half time through tries to Toafofoa Sipley, Junior Uale, Savi Hafoka and Aaron Nootai again.

The Rovers continued the second half with the same intensity and momentum with Siliga Kepaoa surging ahead a clear 30 metres to score between the posts converted successfully by Harry Vete. Five minutes had not lapsed before Captain Karl Simeti busted through the flailing Panthers defence to score, and Toafofoa adding a further 4 points to the board shortly after.

Guarding the line after three consecutive defensive plays, the impenetrable Richmond wall came down 65 minutes into the game after the Panthers hit back.

Harry Vete donned his golden boots to successfully slot a total of 8 conversions. Final score: 56-8 Richmond Premiers.

Richmond’s captain Karl Simeti was inspirational for the home team forcing several turnovers with his confrontational defence. Another stand-out for the match was Junior Warriors player Toafofoa Sipley who led the hitup count in attack with 13 hit ups earning him the player of the day award.

Coach Ming Mafoe was pleased with the result though is determined to see a reduction in the error rate.

Next game : Sat 13 April 2:30pm, Moyle Park. vs Manukau Magpies

RICHMOND ROVERS RUGBY LEAGUE COACHING AND DEVELOPMENT

Congratulations to the following coaches who have completed Course requirements.
Beginner Min Mod Course
Michael CHAN TING, Patrick MAUGATUTIA, Kurt ENSOR, Patrick TAMATI, Willie UALIKA, Joe LUNDON, Sali WATCH, Chloe KAISER, Kyla KAISER-DAY, Henry NICHOLAS, Junior FIU, Peter AH KUOI
Beginner Youth Course
Junior FIU, Peter AH KUOI, Faavae KALOLO, Darren OKESENE, Luisa AVAIKI, Russell McKINNON
Beginner Senior Club Coach
Junior FIU, Faavae KALOLO, Luisa AVAIKI
ARL Referees Course
Micahel CHAN-TING, Faavae KALOLO, Ricky WILLIAMS, Sali WATCH, Peter AH KUOI

AUCKLAND RUGBY LEAGUE AWARDS
 A great accomplishment and well deserved achievements for all involved and to the recipients.
* Congratulations to Mose Newton who was awarded Auckland Rugby League Under 18s Best and Fairest Player of the Year.
* Congratulations to Liz Ah Kuoi-Atmore who was awarded Auckland Rugby League International Grade Under 18s Manager of the Year.
* Congratulations to Fue Lomi who was awarded Auckland Rugby League Premier 2nd Best and Fairest Player of the Year.

RICHMOND ROVERS RUGBY LEAGUE REPRESENTATIVES
Congratulations to the following on their appointments to Auckland representative teams:
Regional Representative Challenge Staff Appointments
Northern Region
Under 13 Grade - Coach - Darren OKESENE
Under 18 Grade - Coach - Luisa AVAIKI /Assistant Coach - Liz AH KUOI
Under 13 Northern Regional Trialists
Arthur FRASER, Carlos HENRY, Dylan TAVITA, Mikey WILLIAMS, Harris ROPATI-JONES, Nathan NGAROPO, Sam TOFA-TIMOTEO
Northern Regional Under 13 Representatives
Hayes OKESENE, Carlos HENRY, Dylan TAVITA, Mikey WILLIAMS
Akarana Falcons Under 17
Manager - Anita SIMTH-McKINNON
Akarana Falcons ZONE Under 17 Trialist
Toafofoa SIPELY, Kenneth LAFAELE, Michael McKINNON, Timothy SMITH, Joshua IOANE, Tom LEOTA, Aaron BIDDLE, Taniela LEKA, Sitiveni AIPOLO, Mitchell SMITH, Isaac WALKER, Eruera KEREOPA, Eddy PAOTAMA, Jake ROPATI, Fred MULLER (Playing U18's)
Akarana Falcons Zone U15 Hearts Camp Trialist
Isaac AH KUOI-ATMORE
NZ Womens Rugby League Kiwi Train On Squad
Annabelle HOHEPA, Charlotte ARNOPP-SCANLAN, Lisa CAMPBELL
Amber HALL, Tasha TAPU, Charmaine McMENAMIN

Congratulations for Representative Selection
Akarana Flacons Zone Under 15's
Isaac AH KUOI-ATMORE
Akarana Falcons Zone Under 17's
Joshua IOANE. Kenneth LAFAELE, Michael McKINNON, Toafofoa SIPLEY
Auckland North V Auckland South Under 16 Trialist
Scott TOFA-TIMOTEA, Otineru LIO, Jamon PEAU, Casey LAFAELE, Nathaniel ROACHE, Kuramate TE IRIRANGI-HENRY, Mataio TIMALOA
Mathew MOKOROA, Bradley ABBEY, Bhailee DEAN, Tyrone KANUTA, Hikairoa WETERE
Auckland North V Auckland South Under 18 Trialist
Keneti AH KUOI-ATMORE, Mathew FEPULEAI, Edwin TAFEAMALI'I, Samisoni VAIOLETI, Tamuta MATAORA, Jordan WALL, Julius VAETARU
Mose NEWTON, Eddy POTAMA, Fahren FRUEAN, Julian CLUBB, Jaedyn TAIMALIETANE, Louis CLUBB, Robert LIAI
Auckland North Prem 2 Regional Challenge Trialist
Lomia LOMI, Debarres NEEMIA, Roni TUKIUHA, Steve VAIHU, Elia FUE, Justin LAKATANI, Leon LATOA, Fili LIVA, Gau LOMI, Fue LOMI, Losua LOMI, John MANA, Charlie NOO, Tar PEILUU, Semese SOMONA, Cornelius TALAGI, Marcus TANIUA, Derek TIMINIS, Luaer VAIHU
Auckland North U16 Regional Representative
Casey LAFAELE
Auckland North U18 Regional Representative
Keneti ATMORE-AH KUOI, Louis CLUBB, Julian CLUBB, Matthew BRUCE-FEPULEAI, Tamuta MATAORA, Mose NEWTON, Edwin TAFEAMALII, Jaedyn TAIMALIETANE, Julius VAETARU, Samisoni VAIOLETI, Ley VANO, Serevasio VETENIBUA
Auckland North Prem 2nd Regional Representative
Justin LAKATANI