Dogs of War (rugby)

Dogs of War (DOW), Poneke rugby union team who play in the Wellington Rugby Football Union Under 85 Kg competition.

History

Born into obscurity during the mid 90’s, this team never really offered much in the late 90’s and early 00’s, often mockingly dubbed the ‘Puppies of Peace’. But it was from these modest beginnings that sprouted possibly the most successful 80/80 team ever and certainly without peer over the last 3 years. The Paremata Plimmerton sides of 1996-1999 claim to boast a record with a similar strike rate, however records suggest that they were more of a one season wonder.

The turn around point came in 2002, when the previously Division 2 cellar dwellers matched their performances in the clubrooms on Saturday night into performances on the paddock on Saturday afternoons. That year they were beaten Division 2 finalists but had shown an insight into what this team could be capable of.

It was over the 2002 off season that the team made possibly its most critical signing, that of Coach Steve Matthews. Buoyed by a new coach, this highly charged team entered the 2003 season with modest goals, first and foremost being making it into the top flight, Division 1. So into the grading games they went and although the games may not have gone according to plan, the goal was realised, Division 1 was their new home. From here they again set another modest goal, to make the top four in the 1st round. Well needless to say the Dogs thoroughly underestimated their ability and trounced through the entire season unbeaten, in the process acquiring both the JC bowl and the Paul Potiki Shield.

As 2004 beckoned confidence was high in the camp and mix of old and new faces set about repeating the heroic efforts of 2003. A pre season loss to Johnsonville offered insight into what the year held, with these two 80/80 giants to meet in the final at the end of this season. But along the way the team was ravaged by injuries and retirements, struggling to put 15 men on the field at points. But under the unique captaincy of Tony Matthews the boys proved that they weren’t about to back down, not losing another game for the remainder of the year until the final, where they went down to Johnsonville 18-13.

The DOW avenged their 2004 final loss be romping through the 2005 season unbeaten. Being tested only once in the semi-final by a fired up Eastbourne side, they went on to comfortably win a memorable final 27-16 against MSP.

Once again in 2006 the DOW strolled through the first round to pick up their 4th consecutive JC Bowl, only once being pushed in a closely contested 10-3 victory over Petone. A 98-0 demolition of the Cavaliers and an ill-disciplined match against Avalon will probably go down as the most memorable games of the round. Injuries took their toll in the second round and culminated in the DOW being beaten by Eastbourne in their first lost since the 2004 final. However, true to form, the DOW bounced back and comfortably won all of their remaining fixtures to take out the Paul Potiki Shield.

Wellington U85kg Representatives

Jamie Wall - Hooker
David Jackson - Lock
Tony Matthews - Lock
Lance Williams - Halfback
George Hiotakis - Flanker
Tristan "obviously dominated someone" Patterson - prop forward
Jack Doig - Open Side Flanker
Daniel Payne - Outside Centre, Fullback

Trophies Won

JC Bowl - 2003
Paul Potiki Shield - 2003
JC Bowl - 2004
JC Bowl - 2005
Paul Potiki Shield - 2005
JC Bowl - 2006
Paul Potiki Shield - 2006
JC Bowl - 2007
Paul Potiki Shield - 2007

DOW Hall of Fame (non-current players only)

Jamie 'Gerry' Bowers - 100+ games
Lance 'Pretzel' Williams
Jack 'Big Hands, Bubba, Slave, TFC, OGR Hall of Famer' Doig
Ashley 'The Italian Stallion' Cacciopoli
Myles 'Jailbird' Raharaha
Gerard 'Without a Trace' Tindling (Note: 'Without a Trace' was sighted at Kilbirnie Park on Saturday 9th June watching the DOW vs Wellington)
Steve 'Cold Fingers' Reynard
Dan 'Cham-Payne' Payne
Brydon 'Lenny' Tweedie

MVP Awards

Best Back

2000 - Doug
2001 - David Taylor
2002 - Tristan Patterson
2003 - David Taylor
2004 - Dan Payne
2005 - David Taylor
2006 - Tristan Patterson
2007 - Jarad Warren

Best Forward

1998 - Dave Tofts
2000 - Jun
2001 - Jamie Bowers
2002 - Leon Gallagher
2003 - Jack Doig
2004 - Tony Matthews
2005 - Bryce McCaw
2006 - Ross Billingsley
2007 - Wilson Auld

Players Player of the Year

2007 George "Cesar" Hiotakis

Eddie King Memorial Trophy (Most Points in Club)

2003 - Cameron Hadfield
2004 - Cameron Hadfield
2005 - Dan Payne
2007 - James Terry

2007 Results

JC Bowl

2007 JC Bowl Table

Paul Potiki Shield

2007 Paul Potiki Shield Table

Finals Teams

Semi-Final XV

Final XV

2007 Squad

Forwards

Wilson Auld
Dave Tofts
Rory Spray (Vice-Captain)
Jamie Wall
Jonno Broomhall
Tony Matthews (Captain)
Ross Billingsley
Callan Dean
Bryce McCaw
Brydon Tweedie
Jarrod Greenfield
George Hiotakis
Mel Warren

Backs

Miles jr Redhill
Nick Shanks
Tristan Patterson
David Taylor
James Terry
Scott Price
skippy benchy McRae
Tyler Kendall
Isaac Howell
Jarad Warren
Gene Jacobs
Cameron Hadfield
liam gumboot