Rugby: Improved belief and attitude inspires Maroons

Taradale winger Wade Woolly on the job as an events team leader at Pettigrew-Green Arena. Photo/Warren Buckland

Quizz Taradale Rugby and Sports winger Wade Woolly on the recipe behind his team's recent improvement in Hawke's Bay's premier club rugby competition and he's quick to reply.

"We've got more belief in each other and our own abilities. Our attitude is really good too. We've always had the skills and ability but it's important to have the attitude and belief."

A veteran of 93 games for the side since his debut in 2013, Woolly, 24, pointed out the unbeaten Mighty Maroons targeted the fifth round Tui Maddison Trophy encounter against Altherm Window Systems Napier Technical three weeks ago to change their season. Their biggest winning margin before that was a six-point victory against bottom-of-the-table Tamatea.

Taradale walloped the Texans 69-5, beat defending champions WIT Napier Old Boys Marist 37-31 the following week and last weekend thrashed MAC 69-8. Woolly scored four tries against MAC it was the first time he managed this feat at any level.

"It was a pretty good effort. The boys put me into space so I just had to catch the ball and score the tries," the modest Woolly recalled.

He did more than that and was the logical choice for the week 15 winner in the battle for the McDonald's-Hawke's Bay Today Club Rugby Player of the Year award.

The events team leader at Taradale's Pettigrew-Green Arena agreed he is having his best season at premier level. He pointed out it is because he has had the most starting XV appearances.

"There's also plenty of competition for wing spots with the likes of Ashton Tuck and Brynn Uriarau. I've got more responsibility and can't be called the young guy any more."

While he has played in every backline position Woolly prefers the wing and doesn't mind which side. The Taradale High School old boy who progressed to the premier ranks via the club's colts is anticipating a tough encounter against Progressive Meats Havelock North at the Tareha Recreation Reserve on Saturday.

"It is always a good game with Havelock because we play for the Cooper-O'Dwyer Cup.

Havelock have to win to keep their semifinal hopes alive so we have to get up for it and keep building because we've got Hastings [the other unbeaten side] the following week."

"We're reasonably confident of making the final. Trainings have been good and we're slowly but surely building."

Woolly hopes to have a playing stint overseas in the near future.

"It will be good to get some experience. I can always come back to play my 100th."

If he keeps playing like he has been in recent weeks Woolly's teammates might be tempted to hide his passport so he can't leave the country.

Best & fairest
Taradale v MAC: 3, Wade Woolly (Taradale); 2, Angelo Mufana (Taradale); 1, Nathan Ramsay (Taradale).
Hastings v Tamatea: 3, Jacob Devery (Hastings); 2, Ausage Fomai (Hastings); 1, Te Maangi Hamlin (Tamatea).
Pirate v Napier Technical: 3, Ormond Heather (Pirate); 2, Misi Lealaisalona (Tech); 1, Nick Agnew (Pirate).
Clive v Havelock North: 3, Rocky Pohatu (Clive); 2, Jonah Lowe (Clive); 1, Phil McRoberts (Havelock).
NOBM v Central: 3, Hannon Brighouse (NOBM); 2, Lewis Marshall (Central); 1, Michael Buckley (NOBM).
Leaderboard: 14 points: Chris Johnston (NOBM). 10: Hannon Brighouse (NOBM). 9: Johnny Ika (MAC), Mason Kean (Tamatea), Pouri Rakete-Stones (Pirate). 8: Solomone Funaki (MAC), Aleki Vuki (Hastings), Tom Parsons (Central). 7: Ben Hamelink, Danny Toala, Timo Vaiusu (all Hastings), Michael Buckley, Ricky Hayes (both NOBM), Lincoln McClutchie (Tamatea), Fa'alemiga Selesele (MAC). 6: Jonah Lowe, JJ Taulagi (both Clive), Jason Long (Hastings), Kianu Kereru-Symes (Tamatea), Mark Braidwood (Tech).