Team's amazing legacy

UNSTOPPABLE: The successful Whakarewarewa under-13 rugby team (pictured) have raked in the trophies over the years. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

A near unbeatable Whakarewarewa junior rugby team will be remembered at the club for many years to come after an incredible stretch of results spanning eight years.

The Whaka under-13 rugby team played their last season together this year after eight seasons moving through the grades. The Rotorua team started in the under-6s in 2008 and have been nearly unbeatable as they have risen through the age groups.

Their coach Boxer Smith said they had a record of 109 wins from 111 games over the years, with a win percentage of 98 per cent.

"It is quite a record. I personally think they have just had a good bond right from the start," Smith said.

They have won every Central Bay title they have contested over the years and have won three out of four Baywide champion of champions titles, losing to Greerton in 2013.

"We probably had about four really good players from the start and their knowledge of the game from young kids was as good as you get really," he said.

He said every team had one or two star players but they just seemed to have the edge on their opposition. He said their incredible run of results over the years saw them pick up the best team award out of the entire Whakarewarewa club three times, including this year.

He said it was quite emotional giving a speech at the end of this season as all the boys were now moving on to high school.

"I have seen these young kids develop from young boys into young men and can see in the next few years some could make a name for themselves in the sport," he said.

He said the only losses they had suffered in the past eight seasons were to Greerton in 2013 and to Kawerau during the regular season this year.

Nine of the players in the team this year played in the Tai Mitchell tournament for both Rotorua Gold and Rotorua Maroon. Three of those boys made the Bay of Plenty Roller Mills team.

Smith said they were having their break-up this weekend.

- 2015 Whaka under-13 team:

Dawson Smith (c), Xavier Mitchell-Windsor, Taatau Te Whata, Robert Fiaola, Fraser Raukawa, Te Ahikaaroa Tumai, Sonny-Rei Gifkins, Desmond Whakatau, Saiona Charteris, Kalem Cardon, Tiare Herewini, Kasey Nathan, Awanuiarangi Gardner, Kahutia Te Hau, Javis Hemopo, Kereti Mikaere, Tawhao Webster, Te Aomihi Paul, Josiah Davies.