The North Harbour Tigers will take a special memory of prop Ben Valeni, who dropped dead on their training field, into their playoff game against Counties-Manukau Jetz in the national league finals today.
Valeni had been in the Bartercard Cup since its inception in 2000 with the Glenora Bears andonly shifted across the bridge for this season, but had cornered great friendship and respect among his new team-mates.
They have named calls in their game after him and his sayings. They have his name and the inscription R.I.P July '05 embroidered on their jerseys.
"Because of what happened we have a cause as well," coach Karl Benson said. "It's not about saying, 'We'll do it for Ben,' because what if you lose? But we all remember him. We talk about what happened all the time. There's a few Christian boys in the team. It's helped everyone to talk about it."
Valeni suffered a heart problem when preparing for his second game with the Tigers, collapsed and died despite a prolonged effort to keep him alive by team-mates, then paramedics.
The 33-year-old, married with two children, was a teacher and league coach at De La Salle College, and had featured in representative teams over the years, most recently the New Zealand A side.
"It took us a while to recover. It is a motivation for us now," Benson said, ahead of their knockout semifinal against the Tigers at Ericsson Stadium today.
The Jetz lost Roman Hifo at the judiciary mid-week when he was suspended for two games for a late charge during the game against Canterbury last weekend. Sam Wallace was cautioned for a high tackle but is free to play, subject to a swollen knee recovering in time.
The Tigers have to be fancied against an injury-ravaged Jetz side, though the South Aucklanders bring a physical game that can upset the best.
Tomorrow Mt Albert should have too much firepower and too much finals experience for the visiting Canterbury Bulls.
They have been using a stable line-up who have flair in the forwards and backs, with the steady game-running of five-eighth Steve Buckingham a real plus for them.
