Sixteen years at the top flew by, says Weedon

By CHRIS RATTUE

Mark Weedon has little hesitation when asked to nominate the player who made the biggest impression on him during 16 years of top rugby.

"Olo Brown was the player I really admired," says Weedon of the fine All Black prop who was his Ponsonby team-mate.

"He just put his head down and did so much work - a very, very talented person and an intelligent person as well.

"He actually had a lot of flair - he could have been a great sevens player. But he just got on and did all the hard work on the field."

Weedon, the Bay of Plenty captain, is about to retire. Unless the Steamers go into the promotion-relegation game in a fortnight, this evening's match against Waikato could be the last for the 34-year-old lock.

He has more memories than many in a long career. He made his NPC debut as a schoolboy marking Andy Haden, played for the New Zealand Colts, won a couple of Gallaher Shield finals with Ponsonby, played for Auckland and Wellington Bs, lined up in the "crazy gang" North Harbour sides which he particularly enjoyed, captained Wasps to a major knockout trophy win in England, went through two formative years with the Crusaders, and now leads Bay of Plenty's first division survival campaign.

This last task continues this evening at Rotorua's International Stadium, the ground where just a few days after his 18th birthday, Katikati College student Weedon marked Haden, who was playing his 150th game for Auckland.

The Aucklander, in the cause of intimidation, duly reminded Weedon of his schoolboy status during the match, as the Bay were defeated 21-9 by a mighty Auckland lineup.

Weedon, who was also a promising wrestler at the time, won his side's player of the day award, and Haden's respect.

In those days, Bay of Plenty were a force to be reckoned with, winning half of their first division games in that 1986 season and finishing fifth.

Weedon reckons the game has essentially remained the same, apart from "tweaking" some areas like lineouts, and defensive patterns.

What has changed, though, is that Bay of Plenty, who won the first NPC title in 1976, now spend much of their time in survival mode.

"I've enjoyed some aspects of it," says Weedon of his two-season return to Bay of Plenty.

"But it is also very tough coming up against basically Super 12 sides.

"You are going into a lot of games where you know you will be very lucky to get any competition points, and it makes it very frustrating.

"Most of our guys work and they have to organise weight sessions and fitness work around their employment, and you can't have the continual team trainings other sides do.

"It's all right for a while, but it becomes very draining in the end."

Weedon said Waikato had been the side to impress him most this season.

"They've got players who have been together for a while and it has come together for them this season.

"It is a bit of a surprise. I had a bit to do with a lot of them in the Chiefs and they didn't click like that. Their confidence is up, and success breeds success."

Waikato coach Ian Foster has altered his lineup again. Captain Deon Muir starts off the bench, and Bruce Reihana, Michael Collins and Scott Linklater get rests.

Waikato are expected to win well, which would leave Bay of Plenty's fate depending on Southland and Northland's clash tomorrow, as the three cellar dwellers attempt to avoid the promotion-relegation game.

Weedon says the importance of this evening's task has overshadowed reflections on his own career, but he has had a quick peep backwards over the past week.

"It feels strange thinking this could be my last game," said Weedon, who with his English partner Lindsay James will return to England.

"Sixteen years have just flown by."

Teams:

Bay of Plenty: Jason Tiatia, Sam Hala, Allan Bunting, Dale Rasmussen, Anthony Tahana, Glen Jackson, Chris LeLievre; Clayton McMillan, Rodney Voullaire, David Duley, Greg Rawlinson, Mark Weedon (capt), Guy Shepherdson, Aleki Lutui, Simms Davison. Res: Robbie Simpkins, Fa'a Filise, Paul Tupai, Dave Gorrie, Rameka Poihipi, Damian Karauna, Grant McQuoid.

Waikato: Loki Crichton, Roger Randle, Regan King, Mark Ranby (capt), David Johnston, David Hill, Rhys Duggan; Scott Couch, Marty Holah, Steven Bates, Royce Willis, Keith Robinson, Deacon Manu, Greg Smith, David Briggs. Res: Guy Coleman, Tony Philp, Sean Hohneck, Deon Muir; Duncan Jamieson, Keith Lowen, Todd Miller.

Referee: Lyndon Bray (Wellington).

Kickoff: 5.35pm.