Tutauha’s 13th try for Whanganui was typical of the forward-dominated style he had developed in the mighty Ohakune area with the Ruapehu Rugby & Sports Club.
A large contingent of them travelled alongside his wife Mandy and their daughters to congratulate him on his milestone, while several Ruapehu and Taihape people delivered a stirring haka for the veteran at the aftermatch function.
“It’s just a big reflection on our community – nice and tight and little, bringing a lot of love,” Tutauha said.
“My family support’s been awesome over my career. I wouldn’t be anywhere in my career, or anywhere close to it, without my lovely lady and the work she does supporting me and my girls.
“Also the family friends and everyone, it’s real humbling.”
Tutauha debuted in his early 20s in the 2012 Ranfurly Shield challenge against Taranaki in New Plymouth, one of three Shield games he has played.
Since then, he has made 61 starts at hooker and 39 appearances off the bench, winning three Meads Cups (2015-17) and two Lochore Cups (2014, 2021).
His stalwart service was recognised with a call-up to the NZ Heartland XV for their game against NZ Police last November, scoring a try.
“You’re just so fixed on trying to make one [game]. Had to do a bit of work to try to make the team, it just starts from there,” Tutauha said about his career.
“One game, then get through the season, and you’re like ‘I enjoy it’, and it just keeps coming and sooner or later it just keeps ticking away.
“You never set out to make those milestones – 50, 75, 100 – but when you enjoy it, you just keep going until you can’t.”
Having learned from the veterans who came before him, one of whom, 120-game veteran Peter Rowe, presented him with his blazer with “100 games” embroidered on it, Tutauha carries their mantle and imparts wisdom to the next generation of Whanganui players.
“I won’t say it’s a job, it’s the way of the Heartland team – you learn, and then you pass on,” he said.
“It’s just teaching the little nitty-gritty things on what’s required, and what it means to actually put a jersey on like our one.
“It’s special for me, it’s brought the best out in me, made me want to better myself as a player because you never know when your last game is, and I just want to keep that fight going.”
Captain Dane Whale could only express his admiration for his team-mate’s achievement.
“He’s one of the nicest guys you could have in your rugby team.
“Me and him used to sit on the bench a bit, so we grew that bond in those earlier days.
“I’m very proud of him and it’s something that, at the start of the season, I really wanted to tick off for him [playing a semifinal to get to 100] and Lindsay [Horrocks] so it was a core goal to be able to get those boys through to that situation.”
Happenings
MEADS CUP: Defending two-time Meads Cup champions South Canterbury will host Steelform Whanganui in the final for the second year in a row after overcoming a brave Ngāti Porou East Coast 34-17 in the other semifinal at Pleasant Point. In their first Meads semifinal since 2012, East Coast led 17-3 shortly after halftime, the fifth time an undefeated South Canterbury have trailed at the break this season. However, a mounting penalty count and two sin-binnings let the home side finish strongly with 31 unanswered points for their 30th consecutive win. No 8 Siu Kalala scored his 13th try in the competition to tie with Whanganui’s Alekesio Vakarorogo, both of them one try off the Heartland record of 14.
LOCHORE CUP: West Coast will host the Lochore Cup final against Poverty Bay after both eliminated the higher seeds in away semifinals on Saturday. Trying to win their first NPC title since their 1890 formation, the only current active New Zealand union yet to do so, West Coast held off a late charge by Wairarapa Bush to win 33-27 in Masterton. Poverty Bay upset heavy favourites North Otago 40-35 in Oamaru after they trailed 25-7 at halftime.
HURRICANES U18: The Hurricanes Under 18 squad and their host of Whanganui Collegiate 1st XV players were beaten 47-38 by the Crusaders Junior XV at Blenheim’s Lansdowne Park on Saturday. Pita Manamanaivalu played the first half for Hurricanes “Yellows” at fullback, with Rudy Ioasa and James Hardy on the bench. Oscar Mabin started the second half with Hurricanes “Black” at lock.
