THE AUCKLAND WELSH RUGBY

The idea of the Four Nations Rugby Tournament was first instigated by
Derek Rope, CEO of College Rifles Rugby Club, to give the Europeans of British heritage a chance to play and socialise together at the end of
the rugby season.  Derek Lewis was asked to put in place a team to
represent Wales, and this was done with the aid of Derek Williams and
Ross Thompson (ex Auckland and Abertillery player), with John Cook
assisting with the coaching.  The first team was made up of a mixture of ex-pat Welshman, the likes of Steve Nunnerly, Dai Campbell, Jamie
Bartlett, John Jones, Davis Williams Eddie Howe, and some committed
kiwi's.  Our first team was founded with the aid of sponsorship by Howe Electrical, Harbinson Real Estate, Keith Nelson Dentist, Pilchers
Waterproofing, Chester Plumbing & Bathroom Centre, ALByrne Waterway's, Southpac Trucks Ltd and D & L Plumbing Ltd more recently Champ Sports, Trendy Trims, Obriens Plumbing & Bathroom Centre and Mizone Rapid.  The team acquitted themselves well, improving week by week.  Unfortunately, they were unable to win a game at the first tournament, but at the forefront in the social stakes.

The tournament will be in its sixth year in 2009, but unfortunately
Wales are yet to lift the trophy.  The tournament organisers also select
a representative Auckland Lions side to play at an end-of-year game
against an Auckland Rep team. Our players have also been to the fore in the team over the years.