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V8’s back on track for anzac This year, the last post will coincide with the roar of engines during the ITM 500 Auckland V8 Supercars in Pukekohe. Organisers of the event – running during ANZAC weekend – have confirmed the Returned Services Association (RSA) will be their official charity. V8 Supercars CEO, James Warburton, says the RSA is the perfect beneficiary.
Serious business – Rugby World Cup All Black Jerome Kaino greets fans.
Photo Wayne Martin
Papakura’s prodigal son returns? Most often associated with Auckland rugby, Blues loose forward, Jerome Kaino, actually grew from local grassroots, as he explains to JON RAWLINSON. Competing in the Japanese Top League or a Rugby World Cup final may seem a world away from Prince Edward Park, home of the Papakura Sea Eagles Rugby League Club. However, Jerome Kaino says it was while living in Papakura that he made a decision that would affect his life from there on.
Although he transferred to Pakuranga’s Saint Kentigern College in Year 11, Jerome remained living in Papakura until the age of 21 when his family moved to Manurewa.
“When I was growing up, it was more a touch rugby, rugby league town. I played league up to the age of 14 or 15 for Papakura Sea Eagles.
“I didn’t really look at becoming an All Black [while at college]; I was just hoping to make Auckland Secondary Schools. I was stoked and shocked at how fast my career escalated.”
“At that time, Counties Manukau Rugby Union started doing a lot more in the area and our first fifteen gained a big following, so I decided to switch to rugby.” Originally from American Samoa, Jerome’s family moved to New Zealand when he was four years old. He attended Kelvin Road School, Papakura Intermediate and Papakura High.
In a meteoric rise, he quickly shot through the grades, both during and after leaving secondary school.
Jerome played 84 games for the Blues and 48 tests for the All Blacks before being named runner-up IRB (International Rugby Board) Player of the Year, following the 2011 World Cup. He then headed offshore for a two-year stint in Japan. Recently returned, he says the decision to once again fall in with the Blues camp was an obvious one,
although the back-to-back, Super Rugby champion Chiefs was an outside chance to claim his services. “I told JK [Blues coach, John Kirwan] right off the bat that I wanted to come back; it was just a case of finding a spot,” he says. “When I [initially] heard they had a full roster, the only other region I would have considered was the Chiefs. I had a few words with Dave Rennie, but I was very happy that the Blues found a spot for me.”
“It is an honour to stage this event during ANZAC weekend, which holds enormous significance on both sides of the Tasman. With ATEED [Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development], our event partners and the RSA, we will ensure the legend of the ANZAC is respected and remembered.” He says the RSA and V8 Supercars have been working together on a number of initiatives, including sale of poppies at the event, a ‘Meet the Drivers’ event at Pukekohe RSA (April 23), merchandise sales and the ANZAC Day services. In addition, RSA members and current armed forces personnel will receive free trackside entry on April 25. “We are indebted to the RSA for their support of our event,” says Mr Warburton, “and we are committed to partnering with them to assist with their invaluable charitable programmes.” V8 fans will experience support category action on Thursday, April 24, before an afternoon start on ANZAC Day featuring the first 100km race. Two 100km races will be staged on Saturday and one 200km race on Sunday.
Looking to the future, Jerome says, while he has always been committed to the Blues franchise, he wouldn’t totally reject the chance to return to his old, local stomping ground. “I wouldn’t turn down the prospect of playing under Tana Umaga,” Jerome laughs, “I’d be open to it, as long as I could still play for the Blues, that is.”
Photo Mark Horsburgh
Rural Living — March - April 2014 — 47