NZDF Reigns Supreme
-In Pacific Nations Military Rugby Tournament
An unusual turn of events saw the NZDF team play the NZDF Academy team, in the rain-soaked final game of the Pacific Nations Military Rugby Tournament, at Maidstone Park, Upper Hutt, on Saturday, 1 November 2008.
NZDF reigns supreme
The ultimate victor was the NZDF team, which beat the NZDF Academy team with a final score of 74 - 3.
The tournament, which was held from 28 October to 1 November, involved teams from the Australian Defence Force (ADF), French Armed Forces, New Caledonia (FANC), NZDF, Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) and Tonga Defence Services (TDS).
‘The aim of the tournament was to foster healthy competition and greater understanding between Pacific Nation Defence Forces through rugby; the language of the Pacific,’ said the Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae.
‘All tournament matches were fought hard with plenty of competitive rivalry displayed by the players. However, true spirit and comradeship was also evident throughout the tournament,’ he said.
‘We were delighted to host the teams and representatives from all the countries involved in the tournament,’ LTGEN Mateparae said. ‘During the tournament, close bonds were formed among the players and greater understanding has been fostered between the military forces involved.’
In the Shield final, Tonga beat Australia 10 – 5 and in the Plate final, Papua New Guinea beat New Caledonia 27 – 25.
At the tournament’s closing function, Sapper Matty Oldridge, the NZDF team’s No. 8, was named Player of the Tournament.
The week-long tournament had many highlights and only a few low points. Among the highlights were:
- the quality of the rugby
- the amazing singing of the Tongan team
- the enthusiastic supporters of the PNG team
- the NZDF and TDS hakas
- the vocal Tongan supporters
- the presence of rugby greats Buck Shelford and Tiny Hills, and
- the amazing try in the last minute of the NZDF vs PNGDF game.
The lows included the changeable weather, and the injury sustained in the first ten minutes of their first game by the Australian Captain, MIDN Peter Waring.
There were also some humorous moments including the FANC team’s mascot rooster, which was tied to the fence during their games, and a very enthusiastic PNG supporter with a flag. In all, the tournament proved to be a very positive and successful event.
Full results of the tournament are as follows:
Tuesday 28 October
- Game 1 ADF 41, FANC nil
- Game 2 NZDF 28, TDS 5
Wednesday 29 October
- Game 3 TDS 50, PNGDF 8
- Game 4 NZDF AC 62, FANZ nil
Thursday 30 October
- Game 5 NZDF AC 25, ADF 13
- Game 6 NZDF 111, PNGDF 7
Saturday 1 November
- Plate final PNGDF 27 FANC 25
- Shield final TDS 10, ADF 5
- Cup final NZDF 74, NZDF AC 3.