Ponies Prepare for Melrose 7's 2005
Published on: 18-Mar-05
Description: The Ponsonby 7's Rugby Team has been busy since Christmas competing in 4 local tournaments preparing for the Melrose 7's in Scotland.

Established in 1874, Ponsonby District Rugby Football club is the Auckland Union's oldest and most successful rugby club. Ponsonby is a club with a strong tradition and a commitment to fostering young rugby talent.


The Ponsonby 7's Rugby Team has been busy since Christmas competing in 4 local tournaments preparing for the Melrose 7's in Scotland.

An extended squad has been selected to train in preparation for the 9th April tournament.

The Ponies 7's team have visited twice before making the semi-final in 2003 and the final in 2004 to be pipped at the post by Stellenbosch 35-36 in one of the best finals the locals have ever seen.

Melrose claims to have held the first ever 7's rugby tournament in the world and 2005 will be the 122nd anniversary.

The tournament itself is of a special nature; 16 local teams and 4 Invitation teams compete for the winner's trophy in a sudden death nature and as the games proceed towards the semi final and final, the rest period between games is shortened.

Player fitness and recovery is paramount to be successful. There is also the matter of 20,000 locals cheering for their local heroes to knock over all the invitation teams.

Ponsonby are sponsored by Nutra-life Sport Performance Nutrition and use protein bars and Restore Energy during training and tournaments.

The team will be coached and managed by Ponsonby stalwarts Jack Huch and Milton Froggatt. The ponsonby 7's rugby team would like to thank sponsors NZ Rugby World magazine and Nutra-life Sport Performance Nutrition.

The team to tour to Melrose, Scotland is :

1. Matthew Pert (Capt.)

2. Henry Lawson

3. Sam Anania

4. Kane Hancy

5. Ricky McCamish

6. Paul Williams

7. David Smith

8. Joseph Kolokihakaufisi

9. Tavita Hufanga

10. Julien Palmer

11. Sanalio Kaihau

Coach : Jack Huch; Manager : Milton Froggatt

Club Achievements

More Senior championships than any other Auckland club (38, including the pre-union days)


More championships in all grades than any other club - and that total is well over 100


An Auckland record 41 straight undefeated matches in Senior competition play, established in the mid-1980s. The previous record (27) was held by Ponsonby, established in the mid-1920


More All Blacks than any other club. The total number of All Blacks from Ponsonby is now 50. In addition, many Ponsonby players of Polynesian extraction have represented their native islands in international matches


Two staunch Ponsonby men, Bryan Williams and Peter Fatialofa, played significant roles in establishing Western Samoa as a force on the world rugby stage


Literally hundreds of Auckland representatives


On two occasions, the club was so strong the constitution of the Auckland club championship was changed to even things up


Three of the 23 rugby members of the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame are Ponsonby men - Dave Gallaher, Bob Scott and Bryan Williams.


Other all-time great All Blacks include George Nicholson, Peter Whiting, Andy Haden, Johnny Simpson, Joe Stanley and Olo Brown


Ponsonby players were part of all the major touring All Black sides except that of 1960 to South Africa, and at least one player from the club has been in every New Zealand World Cup squad.
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This article was originally posted on 4-Apr-2005, 14:01 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 4-Apr-2005, 14:26.