Harlequins best make 20th Reunion XV

Stu Piddington June 06, 2017

Harlequins 20th anniversary was celebrated in style over the weekend with the naming of their "Reunion XV", which included a few surprises.

Born out of the amalgamation of the Zingari and Star rugby clubs in 1998 Harlequins has had a strong presence in senior rugby for 20 years, winning six titles and making 14 Hamersley Cup final appearances.

The reunion team was selected by former coaches Colin Cameron and Ken Wills, with Steve Foster adjudicating.

Photo: Harlequins lock- loose forward Sione 'Tui' Tauelangi was renowned for his powerful runs.

Only three of Harlequins current line-up make the reunion side with wing Maile I'Ongi, prop Timaru Tafa and veteran forward Sione 'Tui' Tauelangi, who debuted in 2003, having earlier turned out for Pleasant Point.

Of Harlequins three double centurions only loose forward Eric Smith makes the starting XV, with halfback Scott Norton and Craig Miller in the reserves.

The tenacious Smith was likely one of the first names written down, with his all round skills widely acknowledged.

Photo: Faainga Savieti (left) and Eric Smith chases the ball back in 2009.

There were some players that were also unlucky.

There was no room for loose forwards Joseteki Veikune and Sam Vea, hooker Nathan Tubb or wing Gareth Burgess.

Cameron said the selections were based on when the players "were at their best" for Harlequins.

Photo: Malakai Fonua was named on the left wing with Maile I'Ongi on the right.

"A few we had played their best rugby for South Canterbury but we judged the club stuff. 

Cameron said teams selected over a period were always up for debate.

"In the end its one man's opinion, or two in this case but it was an interesting exercise."

Fullback went to Brett Richards, who had the least number of caps with 20, but played brilliantly for a season.

Harlequins Pacific Island influence and flair was shown with Malaki Fonua and I'Ongi on the wings and big stepping Paula Fifita at centre.

Ball carrying second five Jason Williamson got the nod at second five his brother Brett was named at halfback, the only brothers to make the line-up.

The club's best goal kicker Scott Norton missed out to Brett Williamson, who had a superb running game.

First five went to Chris Gard, who was handy ball runner as well as very good goal kicker.

The pack has always been a strong point of Harlequins play with plenty of good ball runners.

Harlequins over the years have also been renowned for hard nosed loose forwards.

Sainai Favaleaki managed to hold out Veikune at No.8 while Hayden Livingstone got the openside spot, with Smith on the blind side.

Honest toiler Grant McLauchlan beat probably Harlequins best lineout exponent Aaron Jones to the starting line-up, while his locking partner Tauelangi, was one of Harlequins best at his peak.

Timaru Tafa was another shoo-in at prop along with Craig Lindsay, while Faainga Savieti grabbed the hooking spot ahead of some tough competition.

The forward reserves were made up of Tevita Fangupo, Sione Tuliukiono, Justin Carnie, Aaron Jones and Miller while Norton, the at times brilliant Kyle Holland  and Isaac Russell made the backs reserves.

Russell was the top try scorer in the 2002 combined competition with North Otago with 16.

Harlequins celebrated the reunion on the field with a 59-17 win over Old Boys, the same side they beat 43-14 in their ever first game back in 1998.

Two players who were part of the action that day, Gareth Burgess and Old Boys Michael 'Lizzard' Lang, coached their respective sides on Saturday.

Champions: 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008

Reunion XV - (caps)

  • 15 Brett Richards (20)
  • 14 Malaki Fonua (25)
  • 13 Paula Fifita (41)
  • 12 Jason Williamson (147)
  • 11 Maile I'Ongi (138)
  • 10 Chris Gard (22)
  • 9 Brett Williamson (152)
  • 8 Sainai Favaleaki (43)
  • 7 Hayden Livingstone (28)
  • 6 Eric Smith (202)
  • 5 Grant McLauchlan (120)
  • 4 Sione Tauelangi (132)
  • 3 Craig Lindsay (75)
  • 2 Vai Savieti (132)
  • 1 Timaru Tafa (136)

Substitutes: Tevita Fangupo (47), Sione Tuliukiono (45), Justin Carnie (42), Aaron Jones (52), Craig Miller (229), Scott Norton (201), Kyle Holland (49) Isaac Russell (28)