Rugby: Team boasts rare combinations

Two fathers and their sons are representing Kahukura this season. Pictured are (from left) Steve and Keegan Orr and Jayden and Brad Savage. Photo/Stephen Parker

It's rarer than hen's teeth - witnessing a father and son combination play for the same rugby team.

In fact, the only time you may see it will be at a Kahukura rugby match.

The Kahukura senior A team boast two sets of father and son combinations this year, with Brad and Jayden Savage and Steve and Keegan Orr.

All four players featured in the club's big win on Saturday, against Marist St Michael's, which fired them into the Baywide Division One semifinals.

"All my years playing rugby I don't know if I have met someone else playing with their son. It is pretty unique," Brad said.

Brad has played more than 100 games for Whakarewarewa and Kahukura during his career, and lined up alongside his son Jayden, 17, for the first time this season.

Brad said it was a bit of a shock to the system having to take orders from his son on the field this year, who plays as a first or second five-eighth.

"Actually he barked a few orders at me last week, that was a bit of a change.

"After the game I had a quiet word with him and told him to make sure that attitude stays on the field," he laughed.

"But I guess I have to take a few orders from him, being the first five." Brad has played in the forwards this year, as a No8 or flanker.

Teammate Steve Orr agreed it was very rare to see a father and son combination playing together, especially for a senior A rugby team.

"You don't see it a lot. I can't think of any off the top of my head. There are heaps of cousins and brothers but not many fathers and sons."

Steve and son Keegan, 18, play in the front row together at Kahukura and have been a big part of the club's success this year.

"This is my second year in the As with him. Prior to that he used to come down after his school games and played senior Bs," Steve said.

"Lucky I had him young or else I would be running around with a zimmer frame."

Steve coached Keegan when he was young and decided to keep playing competitive rugby as his son progressed.

He said he was glad he carried on. "When we played in the semifinal together last season that was a pretty big moment. When he scored his try in the semi, yeah, it was pretty special."

Steve is playing as a tighthead prop this year while Keegan is playing at hooker. Steve said sometimes he would have to try and calm his son down on the field. "We talk a little bit ... he drives me and I calm him sometimes, you know how young fellas get, a bit hot-headed.

"He is young and so is Jayden so they can get a bit fired up. So I say 'don't worry about it, just get on with the next job'."

Steve said his side were going well this year and they had plenty of potential for the playoffs and future. "I think the side we have got this year is better than what we have had in the last few years."