Rugby: Veteran ready for States

Mark Harper splits some firewood in the build-up to the Hawke's Bay Barbarians rugby team's trip to the United States. Photo / Duncan Brown

When Mark Harper played the last of his 102 premier rugby games for Hastings Rugby and Sports in 2013 he thought it was a definite full stop.

"I've been travelling to Spain, Germany and Holland to work as a machinery driver during June and July for the past four years so I didn't want to commit to anything down the grades either," the versatile loosie explained.

An international tournament was the furthest thing from his mind. However Harper, 46, will be the oldest player in the Hawke's Bay Barbarians team which will travel to Missoula for the May Montana Maggotfest tournament in the United States.

"Because I'm one of the old hands I'm hoping there will be rolling subs and I will only have to play five or 10 minutes each half," Harper said.

"I've started running and I don't mind admitting it ... I'm hurting. I've been enjoying splitting the firewood we've been cutting up as a fundraiser ... it's one way of keeping fit and we also make a few bucks towards the trip."

Harper pointed out there was a good mix of players in the 19-strong squad which will be the first New Zealand team to play in the tournament which had already had 39 editions and regularly attracts more than 35 men's teams and at least eight women's.

"Our youngest player is 19 ... us older ones will be coming off first," he joked.

Harper is the ideal bloke to be selected for the trip as has played in the United States and Canada previously so will have an idea of the standard of play required.

He added he may have to play a few division three games for Hastings Rugby and Sports before May to get match-hardened again.

Former Maori All Black lock and flanker and former Magpies captain Reece Robinson, who finished his first class career with Manawatu in 2012, and former Magpies loosie Glenn Varcoe will provide plenty of grunt in the Barbarians pack.

Napier Technical premier halfback Scott Mogford is likely to be a kingpin in the backline.

United States player AC Collings and Englishman Simon Poole will give the Barbarians an international flavour.

Former Hastings Rugby and Sports loosie Jared Thompson has played more polo than rugby in recent years so will be reasonably fit.

"We'll play four games within three days at the tournament and all have 20-minute halves. We should cope all right," co-player-coach and co-manager, Napier Old Boys Marist stalwart Paul Teddy, said.

"We've got the host team first up and they've won the last few tournaments. So we will know how we're trucking after that one," Teddy said.

The trip will cost $60,000 and the Barbarians' major fundraiser is the cutting and selling of 90 tonnes of firewood.

"This is an ongoing project. We're also looking for individual player sponsors as well as a major sponsor for the team.

Anybody keen to assist can contact me or Mark," Teddy added referring to Hastings Rugby and Sports' Mark Solomon.

Hawke's Bay Barbarians team:

Paul Teddy, Glenn Varcoe, Reece Robinson (all NOBM), Nick Sowman, Dan Davies, Mark Davies, Mark Harper, Brendon Street, Mark Solomon, Jared Thompson, Cy Unverricht, David Russell, Wayne Te Whaiti (all Hastings Rugby and Sports), Vaughan Nolan, Scott Brocklehurst (both Clive), Scott Mogford (Napier Technical), Greg Lorkin (Hastings Celtic), Simon Poole (England), AC Collings (United States).