Rugby: Clive to toast new double centurion

DOUBLE CENTURION: Nathan Bruce will play his 200th match for the Clive premier rugby team at Farndon Park today. PHOTO/Duncan Brown

NATHAN BRUCE reckons after 200 games of premier rugby he deserves to be thinking about social lower grade play.

"I can see myself there next year or the year after with some of my mates having a bit of fun. It's hard to commit to premier play these days with three daughters and a wife who works nights. I have to rely on family members to help me out," Bruce says.

The loosehead prop will play his 200th match for K9 Petfoods Clive in their sixth round Tui Nash Cup fixture against Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports at Farndon Park today. Bruce, 34, will become the fourth player at the club to receive a double centurion blazer.

"It's awesome to be up there with the likes of Gavin Lindsay, Sam Ebbitt and Simon Christy," Bruce says referring to the trio who achieved the milestone before him and likely teammates again in the future.

A second generation Clive player, who played all of his JAB rugby for the club before attending Karamu High School, Bruce, also represented the club at colts level before moving up to the premier ranks. A couple of seasons ago Bruce was the toast of the club when he travelled from Wellington to play for the riversiders when he and wife Ciara were living and working in the capital.

"Those were the days when we were short of players and I wanted to help the club out. This year we've got plenty of depth and a bench which is a huge help as well as good coaches and players with a good attitude," Bruce recalls.

He agrees the third placed Clive team have the necessary ammunition to be a serious threat come Maddison Trophy semifinal time in August. While Bruce has tasted Nash Cup glory in the past he has yet to receive a Maddison Trophy winner's medal.

"At the same time I'm not looking too far ahead and prefer to take things week by week. This week it's Pirates, a team we always have a good battle with and while one is always confident you can never take them lightly," Bruce says.

Two former Pirate players, former Maori All Black, Highlander and Magpie Clint Newland, and former Magpie Tom Symes, are who Bruce ranks as the opponents he has had the most respect for over the years.

"Well that's apart from big Al who always gave you a torrid workout at trainings," Bruce says referring to former Magpie and former Clive teammate Alex Tuhi.

A Karamu High School E grade team coach when he isn't following his oldest daughter Millie's netball and BMX pursuits, Bruce, played in the 2008 Clive team which lost to Havelock North in the Maddison Trophy final and in the 2005 side which lost to Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports in the semifinals.

"In 2005, the Pirate players kept kicking the ball for Karl Mudzamba to run on to and nobody could catch him," Bruce recalls.

A plasterer with Atlas Fibrous Plaster Co for the past 14 years Bruce can expect a decent fuss to be made of him at tonight's after-match function.

Recent form suggests Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports are likely to spoil Bruce's milestone day with a five-point victory.

MAC should beat Tamatea by 11 points in their Ron Giorgi Park encounter, Carters Frame and Truss Taradale have the potential to win their home match against Northfuels Central by 13, unbeaten leaders HBI Insurance Brokers Napier Old Boys Marist are likely to spoil Progressive Meats Havelock North's club day celebrations with a seven-point victory and, providing their discipline improves from last week, Tech Group of Companies could pip Ansin & Monteith Hastings Rugby and Sports with a six-point win at Elwood Park.

We couldn't leave Bruce without getting him to name his "Clive Selection" a team of players he considers the best he has played alongside during his 15 years of premier rugby with the club.

IT IS: Herman Ah Kiong, Ray Karauria, Paul Bailey, Billy Ropiha, Piripi Moa, Mano Flutey, Leon Phillips, George Naoupu, Karl Lowe, Simon Christy, Sven Hogenesch, Jason Bellamy, Alex Tuhi, Jamie Lowe, Sona Taumalolo.

Substitutes, forwards: Shae Tamati, Orcades Crawford, Gavin Lindsay, Sam Ebbitt.

Backs: Dan Montaperto, Marty Lloyd, Jonah Lowe.