Jason O'Halloran

I guess as far as a memory from schoolboy rugby goes I can certainly recall the excitement attached to being appointed as a ball boy to one of the "Senior A" games as they were known all those years ago. Back in the early 80's I can recall my favourites being Hewie, Mike Clamp and Peter Green, who always seemed to get involved in some sort of stoush with the opposition halfbacks, which just seemed to endear him more to the Petone fans...the one eyed nature of the support in those days was glorious! With the relative accessibility of the Petone players compared to the more mythical nature of the All Blacks, who played far fewer tests in those days, it was only natural that every young schoolboy saw playing for the Senior A's as the holly grail of a budding rugby career, in much the same way as todays youngsters all want to be All Blacks.

Moving on a few years I was lucky enough to play for the Premiers and I think without doubt my fondest rugby memory at any level, along with Wellington's NPC victory in 2000, would have been the double triumph of winning the Jubilee and Hardham Cups on finals day at Athletic Park. I think the year was either '93 or '94. That was the greatest joy you could ever hope to experience as a rugby player. To take the field after watching the B's, with my brother Grant playing first-five stitch up Tawa in the curtain raiser and then defeat the old enemy MSP, with so many of your most enduring mates on the field, with you was awesome. The depth of talent in the club during that period was ridiculous, and the fact that many guys who could have been playing premier rugby elsewhere were prepared to stick with Petone was testament to the outstanding comradery within the club at that time. The celebrations that afternoon at "The Park" and then on into the evening back at the clubrooms were unparalleled, although my memory is a little blurry given the copious amounts of bubbly stuff that was consumed in one of those glorious dungeon like changing rooms under the old stand...a perfect setting for 40 odd history making mongrels and their handlers!

Life is a little more sedate nowadays. I'm lucky enough to have a great wife, Shelley and 2 beautiful children, Ethan 3 and Brooke 20 months. We are living 20 minutes out of central Tokyo in a place called Urayasu where I am coaching with the Kubota club, having played three seasons after finishing up in New Zealand. The culture shock at first was marked, but we are now very settled and loving life. My son is an avid Sumo wrestling fan and his favourite dish is chicken and rice, which says it all I guess!

I have been lucky to be involved with some great players during my time with Kubota, notably Willie Ofahengaue and for the last three seasons Toutai Kefu, who I believe could certainly solve the Wallabies back row problems at present if they are smart enough to get him back for the World Cup! We have Marty Veale from Harbour on board this year and previously had Liam Barry with us, who I see had an involvement with the Blues this year, so we have a steady stream of Kiwi's as well as Aussie's. The mix of rugby cultures has been stimulating and I am really enjoying my job.

Best regards to everyone at the club.

Jason O'Halloran (2006).
Memoirs of a Villager

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