WEST COAST RFU – 2009
Acknowledgments to the NZ Rugby Almanack Franchise:
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2009 Season
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For the first time in 10 seasons West Coast scored more points than it conceded and against Buller, in the semi-final, posted a record score against any opposition. Highlight of the season, and a memorable day in West Coast history, was hosting the Lochore Cup final at Greymouth. On a warm, sunny afternoon the Coasters hoped for a repeat of their shock defeat of North Otago two weeks earlier. It wasn’t to be.
Perhaps there was some complacency after having compiled nearly 90 points in the previous two games. Such convincing high scoring wins in succession had never been witnessed west of the Southern Alps. It was a hard fought final and had the referee and match officials decisions been a little kinder the result could have been different. The game, and the atmosphere, exemplified the spirit of Heartland rugby.
Much of the team’s success could be attributed to consistent selection and the efforts of coach Anthony Lawry and management. The season commenced with an encouraging 32-30 win over Marlborough in a warm-up game. In the championship the Coast lost all three away games and won all home games – until the final. The front five were never bettered in any game and the scrum power of front-rowers Sam Durie, Gordon Iafeta, Rowan O’Gorman and former Nelson Bays rep Blair Mirfin was a huge factor in giving the inside backs freedom to control the games. Hooker O’Gorman scored five tries in two games and finished the year by scoring both tries in NZ Marist’s win over the Heartland team. Peter Nicholls, Tere Wycliff and Chris Mason toiled hard in the second row and were useful loose forwards when required. Alan Monk, Mitchell Sincock , Brad Houston and Mark De Goldi were experienced loose forwards.
Halfback and captain James Ferguson became stronger with each game and his selection for the Heartland team was deserved. So too was Josh Cornish who consistently produced polished efforts. Jason Merrett showed promise but lacked experience. Rob Thomson was a rock at fullback, his powerful punts gaining much territory. James Ward at centre provided space for the wingers, 19 year old Luke Hughes and the speedy Maleli Tora, to capitalise on. Jared Cropper, the union’s * Player of Origin, started on the wing but proved far more effective in midfield.
* PLAYER OF ORIGIN
In the Heartland competition match squads of 22 players may have up to three players loaned from outside the union. In 2009 the NZRU introduced, as a trial, the Player of Origin concept, additional to the three allowable loan players. A Player of Origin is defined as a person who from the age of 12-18 played rugby in the relevant Heartland union, either for a school or club, for at least three years who is now playing rugby outside the union.
Higher honours went to:
New Zealand Heartland XV : Cornish, Ferguson
WEST COAST TEAM RECORD 2009
| Sun 25 Apr | 2:30 pm | H |  Canterbury |
05 - 32 | Match Center | |
| Sat 15 May | 2:30 pm | H |  Buller |
25 - 20 | Match Center | |
| Sat 05 Jun | 2:30 pm | H |  Nelson Bays |
15 - 14 | Match Center | |
| Sun 08 Aug | 2:30 pm | A | Buller |
16 - 21 | Match Center | |
| Sat 21 Aug | 2:30 pm | A | Nelson Bays |
15 - 11 | Match Center | |
| Tue 07 Sep | 2:30 pm | A | Canterbury |
35 - 00 | Match Center | |
| Sat 25 Sep | 2:30 pm | A |  Mid Canterbury |
28 - 16 | Match Center |
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AA REWARDS HEARTLAND RUGBY – POOL A
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| . |
P
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W
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D
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L
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Pts
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Wanganui
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5
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4
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–
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1
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20
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|
Horowhenua-Kapiti
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5
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4
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–
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1
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18
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|
Wairarapa Bush
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5
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3
|
–
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2
|
14
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|
West Coast
 |
5
|
3
|
–
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2
|
12
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|
Buller
 |
5
|
1
|
–
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4
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8
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|
East Coast
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5
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–
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–
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5
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0
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AA REWARDS HEARTLAND RUGBY – LOCHORE CUP
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| . |
P
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W
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D
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L
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Pts
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West Coast
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8
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5
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–
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3
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21
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North Otago
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8
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4
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–
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4
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20
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King Country
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8
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4
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–
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4
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20
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|
Buller
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8
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3
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–
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5
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17
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East Coast
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8
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1
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–
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7
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4
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Thames Valley
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8
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–
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–
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8
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4
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