Success Stories

IRANZ's First All Black

IRANZ had special cause to celebrate the surprise selection of Jason Eaton in the end of year All Black touring party. In 2003 Eaton was identified as a player with potential who could gain a lot from attending an IRANZ High Performance Players’ Course. Former Manawatu hard man Ken Maharey first identified him and told Murray Mexted that he had to get him through IRANZ. That view was confirmed by another hard-headed man from Manawatu country Brian Clare, so a scholarship was put together with the help of two of their former team mates, Mark Donaldson and Mike Banks. The rest as they say is not so much history as a fairytale rise to the top.

Eaton flourished at the course, soaking up the one-on-one coaching offered by former All Black lineout ace Ian Jones during the position-specific tutorials, and he also displayed real leadership qualities during on-field team sessions, and was made captain for the course game. Eaton says, “Attending Murray Mexted’s IRANZ course was an eye-opening experience and a real turning point in my rugby career. I had a lot of one-on-one coaching with Ian Jones which was good – really beneficial.”

As a recent article in the Sunday News newspaper declared “the sky is the limit” for this two-metre plus tall country boy from the Manawatu, now playing in the amber and black of Taranaki. IRANZ wishes Jason all the best for the future and takes real delight in the part we have played in identifying and helping his undoubted talent.

IRANZ Graduates named in 2005 NPC Teams

Northland: Mike Rowe
North Harbour: Anthony Boric, Jon Elrick, Rudi Wulf (injured)
Auckland: Jamie Helleur
Taranaki: Jason Eaton
Wellington: Cory Jane, Jeremy Thrush, Serge Lilo
Southland: Richard Apanui, Adam Clarke, Tim Boys, Jason Rutledge
East Coast: Ben Aoina
Poverty Bay: Joe Ritchie
Hawkes Bay: Richard Bousefield, Kevin Ward
Horowhenua-Kapiti, Thomas Atiilaoa
Manawatu: Paul Rodgers, Matt Stehlin
Wanganui: Brendon Bartley
Nelson Bays: Robbie Malneek
King Country: Daniel Alofa
Wairarapa Bush: Rob Foreman, Bart Viguurs

Players

Super 12 - Ben Nolan, Jason Rutledge, Rudi Wulf
NPC - Richard Apanui, Craig Clare, Rob Foreman, Jamie Helleur, Cory Jane, Ben Nolan, Hayden Roche, Jason Rutledge, Rudi Wulf
NZ Divisional XV -- Craig Clare, Cory Jane
NZ Age-Group Teams - Ben Chisholm, Nick Crosswell, Henry Johnston, Serge Lilo, Rudi Wulf
NZ 2005 U21 Trial Squad - Tim Boys, Ben Chisholm, Brett Goodin, Serge Lilo, James McGougan, Jeremy Thrush
England U19 & U21 Teams - Nick Abendanon, Adrian Jarvis, Tom Youngs

Coaches

Charlie McAlister (HPC July 2004) - has now progressed to Manawatu NPC Coach in 2005. Encouraged Bruce Hemara to attend HPC Feb 2005 before starting role as assistant coach for Manawatu
Paul Mitchell (HPC July 2004) - appointed King Country NPC Coach
Wayne Love, Nelson Bays NPC Coach (HPC June 2004) - won NPC Second Division 2004
Peter Russell, Wairarapa Bush NPC Coach (HPC June 2003) - finalist NPC Third Division 2004
Craig Sandlant attended our first HPC course as a young coach in 2002. His premier club team from Tauranga has since won several competitions. He was recently appointed as Chiefs Development Team coach and pays tribute to IRANZ for his progression up the coaching ladder.
Steve Haturini (HPC June 2002) - his team, Norths, won WRFU Premier title in 2003 for the first time ever, and again in 2004. He is now Andorran national coach.