Rugby: Response to 'SOS' call paying off for Clive prop Kereama Peni

Clive prop Kereama Peni on the job as a truck driver for Bin Hire Company. Photo / Warren Buckland

Clive prop Kereama Peni may not have planned on playing rugby this season but that hasn't stopped him featuring on the list of weekly MVP winners.

"I've got two young children aged 3 and 1. The plan was to spend more time with them and then I got an SOS call from the boys which I had to respond to," Peni explained.

The sixth-season K9 Petfoods Clive premier player responded in admirable fashion. His head coach Vaine Maui said Peni was the fittest he had been in his career and was playing his best rugby.

Peni, 29, was a key architect as the riversiders bounced back from an 84-12 drubbing to WIT Napier Old Boys Marist the previous weekend to beat MAC 60-36 during last weekend's Tui Maddison Trophy sixth round fixtures. This meant the son of former Hawke's Bay Tuis prop Vicki Peni became the week 14 winner in the battle for the McDonald's-Hawke's Bay Today Club Rugby Player of the Year award.

"I noticed the preparation during the week before the MAC game was really good. The boys were really focused because we know we have to win every game to get into the top four.

"I'm confident the boys can make the final for the second consecutive year. You shouldn't be playing if you don't believe you can make the final," Peni said.

He was quick to reply when quizzed on the secrets to his increased fitness levels this season.

"I take the dog for regular runs and there is plenty of walking involved when I'm duck shooting. I also play a bit of indoor netball when I can."

A truck driver for the Bin Hire Company, Peni has heard talk suggesting Clive will be hard to beat when all of their first-string backs are available at the same time. A backline featuring the likes of Bronson Hokianga, Tiaan Falcon, Tianua Poto, Sasa Tofilau, Jonah Lowe, J J Taulagi and Charlton Karauria.

"It might be this week," Peni revealed.

"It's a huge game for us ... Havelock North on their turf. If we beat them we're in the top four."

"Traditonally our club's premier side has always been known for having strong forward packs. Now we've got all these speedsters with the x factor. All us forwards have to do is feed them the ball."

Considering Peni was a late starter in rugby, he has made rapid progress. He played hockey until his year 11 studies began at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori O Te Ara Hou in Napier.

Rugby players at the school had the opportunity to play for St John's College and he had three years in their 1st XV.

"When I was younger, mum used to give me plenty of tips and tell me about all the little things I did wrong ... all in good humour," Peni recalled.

Once he was selected for the Clive premier team he was able to receive tuition from club stalwarts Alex Tuhi and Nathan Bruce.

"People often ask me about the toughest prop I have marked. I tell them it was always Nathan when we had opposed scrummaging at training ... he has a big head and such a strong neck."

Bruce and Tuhi have every right to be proud of the boxes Peni has ticked in recent seasons.

Best & fairest

Clive v MAC:

3, Kereama Peni (Clive); 2, Solomone Funaki (MAC); 1, J J Taulagi (Clive).

Taradale v NOBM:

3, Nathan Tweedy (Taradale); 2, Matt Gardner (NOBM); 1, Joe Apikotoa (Taradale).

Hastings v Havelock North:

3, Paulo Nu'u (Hastings); 2, Jason Long (Hastings); 1, Adam Bradey (Havelock).

Tamatea v Pirate:

3, Kianu Kereru-Symes (Tamatea); 2, Ted Symes (Pirate); 1, Mason Kean (Tamatea).

Central v Napier Technical:

3, Jason Cutbush (Central); 2, Trei Nepe-Apatu (Central); 1, James Hughes (Tech).

Leaderboard:

14 points: Chris Johnston (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), Ricky Hayes, Hannon Brighouse (both NOBM), Lincoln McClutchie (Tamatea), Fa'alemiga Selesele (MAC). 6: Jason Long (Hastings), Michael Buckley (NOBM), J J Taulagi (Clive), Kianu Kereru-Symes (Tamatea), Mark Braidwood (Tech).