Varsity Passion: This photo says it all
The 2009 Auckland University Premier side have battled their way to a Gallaher Shield Final after beating Otahuhu in extra time, the final score being 23 - 21.
The Final will be played at Eden Park this Saturday, kicking off at 2.45pm. There is a FREE Varsity Supporters Bus departing the Colin Maiden Park Clubrooms at 2.00pm and then returning from Eden Park at 5.30ish. Book your seat by sending an email to: robert.taylor@aurfc.co.nz.
It is free entry into Eden Park's ASB Stand, where you will clearly see the royal blue jerseys. Sit together and enjoy yourselves. Parking is available outside the ASB stand and Walters Rd.
There are a few games on at Colin Maiden Park this Saturday, so get along to the park, enjoy a beer and something to eat with old teammates, then take the bus to Eden Park and back.
 
Gallaher Shield Final: It is a time to celebrate Varsity rugby.
The rugby landscape in New Zealand is constantly changing, but Varsity rugby upholds its core values in playing this wonderful game, we give our honest best, use all the intelligent gamesmanship the rules can endure, support each other with encouragement and a positive attitude and play fiercely competitive rugby in the finest spirit of sportsmanship.
Most importantly we should celebrate the game in our enjoyment on the field and in the pride of taking the University club's name to the finals.
Many before us have honored the club's name in victory by their deeds and determination, equally we need to preserve the clubs name in the way we bear the outcome win or lose, magnanimity in victory, grace in defeat.
At the end of the day it's a game, we are the players,supporters, coaches and the ambassadors to the rich history of the University Club. To have the silverware in the cabinet is a great objective, but its a greater thing to preserve our reputation along the way.
So jump on the Varsity bus and be a part of this unique moment, but not only for this Saturday but for many more pure rugby moments as the one witnessed last Saturday.
The bus is available to all associates of the University club, whether you are a junior player, parent, supporter, volunteer. Just get involved.
See you on Saturday in royal blue.
2009 AURFC luncheon
So much for the recession. No less than 71 tables of 10 packed Eden Park’s ASB Stand to reminisce, ruminate, laugh, and of course lie through their teeth about the good ol’ days.
James McOnie, just the second MC in the 17-year history of this University Rugby Club luncheon, kept the mood upbeat and interesting with his endless array of one liners and double entendres.
But trust an Australian to gatecrash the party and prove the star turn. Peter FitzSimons, sleeves rolled up, and at his passionate, articulate best, probably managed to shift several copies of his Charles Kingsford Smith book, but he brought the house down with about 80 minutes worth of banter and anecdotes packed into a single half.
Last year’s speaker Richard Loe featured heavily in at least one tale from circa 1992. Winston Peters declined to speak (a surprise, that), but some of Ian McKenzie’s ‘nieces’ did auction their underwear.
The food, wine and beer was the usual quality fare, and many punters repared to the Barbarians club to work barmen Dean Paddy (former prems coach) and Rodney Doidge (good bloke) off their feet.
But the most important, indeed poignant, moment of the six hour (a conservative estimate) luncheon was the launch of the John Drake Memorial Scholarship. Graham Henry (a Varsity man, with Gallaher Shields as a player and coach) and Tim Burcher (one of the great passers) spoke well and movingly on Drakey and his rugby life.
It was another outstanding Varsity luncheon – hats off to Macca and Rob Connoley – and we await with impatience the 2010 event.
John Drake Memorial Scholarship
At this year's AURFC Annual Luncheon, All Black Coach Graham Henry launched the JOHN DRAKE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP.
John Drake created his own legend with an exceptional rugby career and a distinguished service in the media related to rugby. He was a great credit to Auckland University Rugby Football Club fulfilling all its best hopes for player performance.
A Memorial Scholarship is an honor befitting such an outstanding individual and is the most appropriate way to focus his example in the minds of young aspiring players toward emulating these outcomes.
The core objective for the Scholarship is to support a young promising individual who displays the potential to develop the attitude and success of John Drake. The Scholarship will be awarded on an annual basis. Former All Black Captain and University player John Graham will act as the Patron to the Scholarship.
The Scholarship will support the winner’s tuition at the University of Auckland while the individual will play in John’s footsteps at the University club. The combination of these powerful influences will contribute to the rounding of the individual, to mirror success on the rugby field, with a personal standing in the community.
Click on the following link: http://www.AURFC.co.nz/johndrake.html
Varsity Players Named in the Auckland and Taranaki ANZC Teams
Congratulations to the following Varsity men who have made the 2009 Air New Zealand Cup squads for Auckland and Taranaki:
Pauliasi Manu
Francis Smith
Andrew Van der Heijden
Jamie Helleur
Teddy Stanaway
Bold – indicates new players to the Auckland squad.
Dave Ormrod has been loaned to Taranaki for the duration of this year's Air New Zealand Cup.
Varsity Under 85s: Premier to Legend
by David 'Corny' Cornthwaite
Last year I played for the prems until I broke my shoulder in the 2nd competition game of the season. Being overseas until April meant I missed the 2009 preseason so thought the best option would be to join a few mates in the u85 Legends. It’s nice to be able to make a few extra tackles instead of hiding behind the nearest forward. Guys try to run around me, instead of just straight over the top. Because of this I have moved into centre which has seen me get my hands on the ball abit more (some weeks anyway).
 The Legends have had an up and down year but hoping to finish strongly. We started by drawing one of the tougher grading pools which meant we had to finish in the top two. Unfortunately this didn’t eventuate with a loss to Pakuranga and a 2 point loss to the College Rifles Bombers (2008 runners up).
In the plate grade, the Legends got off to a good start but lately had a bit of trouble with the Varsity Shooters going down 18-0. I guess you would say we didn’t defend well enough and just didn’t get across the line. But the boys are confident we will be seeing them in the final, and winning back the pallet of Speight’s. Legends have had a few good ‘social events’, with an old suit themed court session, a bus crawl, and the introduction of a few drinking games at the club.
Under 85kg - Plate Semi-finals 1st of August.
University Legends v Mt Wellington (Hamlin Park 1) 1.00pm
University Shooters v Pakuranga Vipers (Colin Maiden Park 1) 1.00pm
Pictured above: Corny representing Varsity in the 08/09 Sevens team.
Varsity Hard Man of the Month - Sean Polwart
 Nickname: Poly (not Polly)
School: Sacred Heart
Position: 7
Study or work: Both, study; landscape design. Work; Farrell Nurseries - Pukekohe
Current Varsity team: Premier
First Year at Varsity: 2009
Greatest Varsity player you have played with: John Afoa with James Semple as a close second.
Best Varsity game you have played in: Otahuhu: 23 - 21 Gallaher Shield Semi-final, 25 August 09, Colin Maiden Park.
Best opposition to beat: Ponies
Most respected opposition: Ponies
Funniest clubmate at Varsity and why: Robert 'Roidsy' Connoley, his quirky after-match speeches.
Why Varsity: The best people, players and supporters. The social side to the club is outstanding, everyone plays hard and enjoys a good beer too, what Varsity rugby should always be.
Purchase your royal blue this Saturday at the clubrooms
 Show your true colours by purchasing one of the new Varsity supporters garments, a royal blue and white Varsity scarf will be perfect to show your support.
Contact us:
Auckland University Rugby Football Club
Contact: Robert Taylor (robert.taylor@aurfc.co.nz)
Location:
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Colin Maiden Park, 85 Merton Road, Glen Innes, Auckland |
Mailing Address:
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PO Box 18213, Glen Innes, Auckland 1743 |
Phone
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528 0688 |
Fax:
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528 0662 |
Email:
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info@aurfc.co.nz |
Web:
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www.aurfc.co.nz |
Photo's: Gerald Taylor
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