NEW ZEALAND MARIST SAMOA SEVENS TOUR 2009
February 18th - 24th

We are very proud to announce NZ Marist as the winners of the Samoa Sevens Plate, 2009, with a final score of 33-5.

Check out our photos - click here

And we have cause for a double-celebration following this year's Samoan Sevens tour, with the selection of Chris Slade (of Marist St Pat's, Wellington) as non-travelling reserve for the Samoan National Sevens Team to compete at the World Cup in Dubai, March 2009. Congratulations Chris!

Our Winning Sevens Team:

Isa Nawaqa - Whangarei Marist
Tekori Luteru - Ardmore Marist
Alex Tulou - Marist St Pat's, Wellington
Anzac Luteru - Ardmore Marist
Kaino Kaino - Ardmore Marist
Malu Lino - Hastings Rugby & Sports
Nigel Walshe - Hastings Rugby & Sports
Johnathan Malo - Hamilton Marist
Hayden Steed - Ardmore Marist
Chris Slade - Marist St Pat's, Wellington
Augustine (Gus) Leilua - Marist St Joseph's Club, Samoa
Keneti Sio - Marist St Joseph's Club, Samoa

A great result guys!

Full credit to our able team in bringing the Plate to New Zealand - the third time in 13 years!

Excerpt from Samoa Observer, 23 February 2009: by Filo Taituuga

"NZ Marist Federation delivered a solid all round performance of sevens rugby to dismiss a fatigued looking Global Fiji Barbarians in the final of the plate 33-5 on Saturday.

NZ Marist left no stone unturned and emptied out the tank, going into the final all guns blazing, and proving too good for their counterparts.

The Barbarians, last year's runners up in Cup final, had no answer to NZ Marist onslaught and often got caught playing a physical confrontation game opposed to their accustomed open free running rugby.

NZ Marist capitalised early turning over possession and sending Alex Tulou in for their opening try, the conversion wilting away from the cross bar, the score 5-0.

Anzac Luteru added another try to Marist tally and converted it to head into the break with a 12-0 margin.

NZ Marist captain Kaino Kaino used his strength and agility to rid two Barbarian defenders on his way to the try line, building a healthy 19-0 lead, with the conversion slotted.

Jonathan Malo to put the game out of reach for the Barbarians, scoring two tries with conversions successful. The Barbarians had the final say, scoring a late consolation try on the final hooter, NZ Marist eventual winners 33-5."

Further reports and photographs will follow soon ...