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19 September 2006
The 2006 Inter Services Rugby Tournament
Snow-covered mountains to the right, tussock hills to the left – Waiouru Army Training camp in the central North Island this year’s venue for the annual, keenly-contested Inter-Services Rugby Tournament between the New Zealand Army, Navy and Air Force. At stake is the King George Cup, first presented by King George V to Captain Ryan of the NZ Army in 1919.
Somehow the 87-year-old tradition of pride in the cup spills over, producing an electric mix of emotion and sense of occasion as we stand on the sidelines to watch the finalists, Army and Navy, battle it out for King George glory.
Senior officers from the Navy and Air Force are present, while for the hosts, Chief of Army Major General Lou Gardiner and Brigadier Phil Gibbons, chairperson of the New Zealand Defence Force Rugby, NZDF – themselves both former rugby rep players – have driven up from Wellington to cheer on the troops and stand alongside Colonel Kevin Burnett who is Commander of the Waiouru Camp and President of the Army Rugby Committee. There’s also a distinguished visitor from the south in the huge frame of former All Black, New Zealand selector and current patron of the NZ Army, SF “Tiny” Hill who once was a stern staff sergeant at Waiouru.
Army started the proceedings with a rousing haka, then, as in mortal combat, Army and Navy tear at each other with a vengeance.
Navy start well with a strong scrum and go on attack, Army soaks up the pressure, then after eight minutes of play there’s the first of many dazzling bursts from Army and North Otago rep centre Aaron James who scythes through the defence to score. His try is converted by Cody Hall and, within minutes, there’s a repeat performance from the duo. Army in control.
On the sidelines, BRIG Gibbons is unequivocal that it’s time for the New Zealand Defence Force to be brought into rugby’s mainstream. “We have several guys who can’t represent the Army today because they’re playing in either the Air NZ Cup or Heartland Competition.
“We need to position this tournament earlier to avoid that clash or have an NZDF team integrated into a NZRU competition to lift our profile and get in the frame. We need to sharpen our act up.” BRIG Gibbons cites, as an example, Twickenham, where the annual British Army vs Navy match draws crowds of 45,000 people. “That’s our benchmark.”
Back on the field the Army, ably led by ex-Manawatu tighthead prop Kelly Allan “this time brothers – here we go!” are defending their line superbly and holding a 17-0 lead as Navy mount wave on wave of attack. Navy is unlucky, with nippy halfback POCSS Lance Tahiwi coming close to scoring and then one of their forwards is held up over the line.
But there are telling signs, according to sideline pundits. “Our big boys are starting to get on top of them”, grins an Army supporter.
More half-time comment. Army numbers are greatly depleted these days, says a local. “We used to have five teams here, now we struggle to put one on the field. This year we had a team in the Wanganui senior competition and made the semis. We’re there but we’re not competitive.”
The match re-starts and that man James is back in action, unloading the ball for his winger to score. In their wake a player is left prone on the ground, but this place is no haven for molly coddlers. “Get up man!” comes the crisp order from the sidelines.
They’re outgunned, but gutsy Navy refuse to lie down and have the satisfaction of scoring the next try. Army hit back and back – six tries in all – but in the dying minutes Navy have the satisfaction of the last word with a converted try from an intercept, to make the final score 51-15.
The King George Cup returns to the Army’s trophy cupboard while on the field a beaming MAJ GEN Gardiner congratulates his team. “You played hard, uncompromising rugby and your defence was superb. Well done. Well played.”
At the tournament’s conclusion an NZDF team was announced for the inaugural Pacific tournament being held in Australia in mid-September.
Player of the Day: LCPL Aaron James, Army.
Player of the Tournament: ASCS Steve O’Brien, Navy.
This page was last reviewed on 21 September 2006 and is current.
