We hope you enjoy this look back as we look forward to many more years of recording the history of Thames Valley Rugby Union. We acknowledge all the information from the NZ “Rugby Almanack” Series from the season’s 1934 through to 2023 and appreciate their hard and dedicated work in providing this detailed history. – Web Admin

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Acknowledgments to the NZ Rugby Almanack Franchise:

Back to Year by Year Index click here

2021 Season

2021 Status: Heartland Championship Founded 1922 President: K.J.(Kelly) Plummer Chairman: G.S. (Grant) Dickey Chief.Executive.Officer: Brett Barnham (to August) R.A. (Richard) Foster (interim) Coaches: D.P.(David) Harrison & J.P.(Joe) Murray Assistant Coach: M.W. (Matthew) Bartleet, M.J. (Matthew) Rolston Main ground: Paeroa Domain Capacity: 3,000 Colours: Black, Gold and Red

After playing no first-class rugby in 2020 Thames Valley came back with a vengeance in 2021. The New Zealand Universities side was put to the test before seven straight victories were recorded in the Bunnings Warehouse Heartland Championship. This gave the Swamp Foxes 33 competition points and guaranteed Thames Valley a place in the Meads Cup final before they had played their last round robin match against Whanganui.

Covid-19 did have an impact on the team with some players becoming unavailable or having to relocate because of lockdowns. New recruits quickly adapted to a style of play based on a mobile forward pack and backs who had the ability to launch attacks from deep inside their own territory.

Although he only appeared in eight of the ten games Todd Doolan, at first five eighth, had an outstanding season. The former East Coast and North Harbour inside back accumulated 130 points to set a new Thames Valley record and scored five tries in the process. Joe Cooke returned home as the Player of Origin and proved his worth with deceptive running and solid defence. His fellow three quarters Tevita Halafihi, Will Newbold and Harry Lafituanai were always dangerous with the ball in hand. In the midfield Sam McCahon had a quieter season whereas Vakapuna Etoni became predictable with his charging runs and needs to vary his play.

Telly Hemopo was a skilful fullback and featured in many of the team’s counter attacks. Ben Bonnar and his understudy Leroy Neels were tradesman like halfbacks but at times both showed hesitancy in clearing the ball. The Whangamata five-eighth Tiaontin Raoren is a versatile and promising player. He is not a halfback but did well in this position when he replaced Neels against East Coast. He then scored fifteen points against Buller before a Covid-19 lock down in the Waikato region brought his season to an end.

Connor McVerry led the forwards by example and was matched in effectiveness by his companion lock Cameron Dromgool. With 2018 representative Christian Kelleher and then Luke Masirewa being locked down, Matt Axtens returned for a second season and he fulfilled the No.8 role admirably. Matt McCahon, Kei Fotofili, and Ben Stephens shared the flankers’ positions with distinction. In the front row the union was well served with Te Huia Kutia and Trinity McQueen establishing themselves as the preferred pairing. Former NZ Under 20 representative, Josh Kaho came back for the final three games after being in lockdown. Sam Van de Valk proved himself to be a vigorous and fiery hooker while Cody Muir made a successful transition from a five eighth to become the team’s second hooker. Ryan Leopold and Jack Kingsford provided excellent back up from the bench.

All in all it was a satisfactory season for David Harrison and Joe Murray as the new joint head coaches. It was obvious that the players took a great deal of pride in wearing the Valley colours and their enterprising rugby was appreciated by all the Swamp Fox fans. They retained the Centurions Cup against King Country and became the first holders of the Presidents’ Cup (presented by Ross Cooper) for matches between Thames Valley and Wairarapa Bush. The team was disadvantaged by a lack of height in the final two matches against Whanganui and South Canterbury in the Meads Cup final. However, they were a threat to Whanganui right to the end and overcame a slow start against South Canterbury to get back into the game before fading in the final quarter.

McVerry, Kutia, Van de Valk and Halafihi were all chosen for the New Zealand Heartland team and justified their selection with very good performances against the New Zealand Barbarians team.

Higher honours went to:
New Zealand Heartland: T.N. Halafihi, T.H.A.Kutia, C.E. McVerry, S.L. Van Der Valk

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