Brecon RFC’s Former Players Overseas Social Club – New Zealand Branch Social Evening

Brecon RFC’s Former Players Overseas Social Club - New Zealand Branch (BRFCFPOSCNZB for short) recently met in La Zeppa Bar Auckland, New Zealand to recount tall stories of exceptional exploits on Parc de Pugh and other rugby pitches of South Wales (see photograph). Present for the evening (left to right) were Scott Patrick, Sam Walsh, Brett Johnson and Johnny Morris.

Having been a New Zealand U19 trialist Sam joined Brecon in 2002 and played for the club for 3 successful seasons before joining Llandaff North and Pontypridd RFC. Sam is now living in Auckland and is a Commercial Manager and Producer for radio stations Newstalk ZB and Radio Sport (equivalent to Radio 5 Live in the UK). He also acts professionally and while preferring serious acting parts will take almost anything if the money is right. I had the pleasure of attending the opening night performance of the critically acclaimed production of Harold Pinter’s play ‘The Homecoming’ where Sam played opposite New Zealand ‘A’ grade celebrity and sex symbol Lisa Chappell from McLeod’s Daughters . The play required Sam and Lisa to ‘act’ (?) the longest sex scene I have witnessed since visiting a rather dubious bar during Brecon RFC tour to Prague in 2004. Sam followed up this successful production with a lucrative 3 second slot in a McDonalds advert promoting their fresh coffee beans (I kid you not).

Brett joined Brecon RFC the season before Sam and was instrumental in persuading Sam to join the club. While Sam was a key part of Brecon’s successful 2002 – 2005 seasons providing reliable line out possession, locking a rock solid scrum and the occasional canter in broken play, Brett must rank as one of the best players Parc de Pugh has seen in recent times (apart from Trigger of course). Brett’s back row play was exceptional and he would surely have played for Bay of Plenty in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship but for a broken elbow in the first 3 minutes of the final trial. Bay of Plenty’s loss was Brecon’s gain and Brett`s Brecon exploits became the stuff of legend perhaps exemplified by him playing on for a full 60 minutes when he broke his jaw in a home game.

Brett has been back in New Zealand for 2 years and is a policeman in Te Puke (near Tauranga). On a gloriously sunny Saturday earlier this year (my first weekend in New Zealand) I had the privilege of attending his wedding where he married Nicola - on a beach with the reception in a surf club. It was a great day with several former Brecon RFC players in attendance – Brett (obviously), Sam (who was best man), Matthew Lewis (who now plays centre for Builth), Ben Taylor (a Kiwi who played briefly for the Brecon 2nds in 2003) and myself.

Scott is on a one year sabbatical from his job with Dyfed Powys Police and arrived in New Zealand 4 months ago having stopped off in Thailand and Australia on the way. Scott played for Brecon between 1997 and 2002 and in his prime was a supporters' favourite making huge yardage down the left wing with his ‘John Kirwain’ style of wing play and scoring and creating dozens of tries. However, in season 2002/03 he played for Brecon, then Brynmawr, then Brecon, then Crickhowell, then Brecon and then Crickhowell again – what a tart.

Which leaves me – Johnny Morris. I’m half way through a two year stint working in Auckland. I’ve been playing for one of Auckland’s oldest rugby clubs, College Rifles RFC. ‘College Rifles’ – named after a Boar War brigade – runs Rugby, Netball and Lacrosse teams and has over 800 playing members. Despite more than 20 years in senior rugby I am still surprised by the strange experiences rugby throws at me. The highlight this season has been standing alongside my fellow players to perform the Haka before a game against Korean Universities RFC - I knew neither the words nor the actions but somehow carried it off !!

Anyway, Brecon RFC’s Former Players Overseas Social Club - New Zealand Branch (BRFCFPOSCNZB) intends to meet up on regular basis and, with Huw Baldwin (current Brecon RFC) in the country, Howell Havard arriving 3rd December and Huw ‘Jock’ Jones planning a trip (once blue tongue diseases restrictions are lifted and he has sold his suckler calves) we may even be able to form a sevens team !!