Waikohu on the brink of history

Tapu Dixon holds the Lew Patterson Trophy after Waikohu’s senior 1 final win against Athletic in 2015. Also in the photo is the late Starr Rutene (far left in sunglasses) — an inspirational figure in the Te Karaka community and Waikohu Sports Club. His memory will be motivation for Waikohu in the premier final against HSOB on Saturday. Pictures by Paul Rickard

DO it for those who came before you. For the communities. For club. For whanau. And, of course, for yourselves.

That will be the message drummed home to members of the Waikohu team before they take the field for their historic first appearance in the Poverty Bay premier club rugby final.

Aon Waikohu face the might of defending champions Earthwork Solutions High School Old Boys in the Lee Bros Shield grand final at Rugby Park on Saturday afternoon.

It is the culmination of a 16-year journey for Waikohu Sports Club and the chance to pay Te Karaka community stalwart the late Starr Rutene and other notable identities the ultimate on-field tribute.

Getting to this moment and the opportunity to produce the finest hour in the club’s rugby history has not been smooth.

Since its formation in 2001, Waikohu has faced its share of battles in a bid to make the top echelon of Poverty Bay club rugby.

Historically, the Waikohu area has a proud tradition.

Originally a sub-union of Poverty Bay, it boasted teams from districts such as Motu, Mangatu, Matawai, Rangatira, Puha, Whatatutu and Te Karaka. But a rural population decline saw many of these disappear until only Whatatutu and Rangatira were left.

Waikohu have gone about reviving the rugby tradition under one club banner, overcoming the odd setback along the way.

Premier division playoffIn 2002, the club attempted to break into the premier division in a playoff game against Pirates.

But a lack of players resulted in a 72-7 demolition, raising questions about commitment, and Waikohu instead competed in the senior 1 competition.

In 2005, they again had the chance of promotion only to lose 2012 to Wairoa’s Celtic in a premier playoff match.

The door opened in 2006 when Celtic decided to play in Hawke’s Bay. Waikohu were offered their spot and on Saturday, April 1, played their first premier game – unfortunately for them a 57-19 loss to Tapuae.

They returned to senior 1 in 2007 — losing 25-20 to Tapuae in the final — but were back in the premier fold in 2008. They missed out on the playoffs but made the minor final, where Tapuae beat them again, 12-0.

Senior 1 runners-up finishes followed from 2010 to 2012 and in 2013, under current coach Tahi Hiroki, they got another taste of premier rugby when it was decided to have two pools involving premier and senior 1 teams for round 1.

They did not advance from there but ended up winning the senior 1 final that year — thrashing Horouta 51-0.

OBM beat them 35-12 in the senior 1 final in 2014 but Waikohu bounced back in 2015 when Terry Reeves coached them to senior 1 glory, defeating Wairoa Athletic 26-17 in the final.

Last season, in the centenary year of the Waikohu sub-union, Waikohu competed in the premier division. While they missed out on the playoffs, the foundation was laid to where they find themselves today.

They go into Saturday as the No.1 qualifiers, holders of the first and second round trophies, and 80 minutes from Waikohu being engraved for the first time on the Lee Bros Shield although HSOB will have a large say in that.

Hiroki is at the coaching helm and with him are a core of long-term players who have contributed immensely to the cause over the years — players such as Tapu Dixon, Matt Ruru, Ra Marshall and Hayden Rutene.

And if the players need any more inspiration, all they need do is look to the sky on Friday night and nod to the Starr-man.