Sports: Hurricane Rugby Club

In February 2003, North Shore Rugby Club’s head coach Patrick Price was preparing to move from his native Southern California to O’ahu, Hawai’i. He had just recently retired from playing rugby and was looking forward to moving to Hawai’i with his fiancée’ Val, who grew up on the north shore. While on a pre-move visit to Val’s home in Kahuku, he met a group of local rugby players in the park across the street from the house. One of these players included the person who would become one of his closest friends as well as assistant coach: Kulisi Pakalani. After practicing with them for the week, Kulisi asked Patrick if he would coach their team when he returned from the mainland a few weeks later, to which he readily agreed.

During the ensuing season the team developed into a formidable unit, however there were logistical problems. Most of the players were students living on campus at BYUH in neighboring La’ie. They were on tight class schedules and transportation to and from the practice field in Kahuku was problematic. Needless to say, there were many nights where there were only seven or 8 players at practice and it showed on the game field.

Because of the large number of rugby players in and around the La’ie area, the following fall Patrick and Kulisi came up with the idea of creating a rugby club in La’ie. Their goal was to provide high-quality rugby education in a safe, controlled environment that was centrally-located. The team would not be exclusive to La’ie residents or BYUH students, but would welcome athletes from all over the north shore of O’ahu. Thus, North Shore Rugby Club was formed. Their mascot: the Hurricanes.

Interestingly enough, the first team fielded by the Hurricanes was not the men’s team, but was instead an Under-19 team made up of local boys from La’ie and Kahuku. They competed in the first annual Aloha 7’s U-19 tournament in 2005, in which they won 2nd place overall. This was really quite impressive for a bunch of kids who didn’t really know the game before this.

In the fall of 2006, it was decided that the Hurricanes would compete in the local rugby union competition. As the word got out, players flocked to the practice field to get themselves ready for the season. To the coaches’ amazement, the team rapidly grew to over forty players, coming from as far away as Mokule’ia and Sunset Beach in the far north and Punalu’u in the south . The cultural mix of the team is incredibly diverse as well, including players from Tonga, Samoa, Western Samoa, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and the mainland United States.

During the ensuing union competition, the Hurricanes proved themselves the superior team, averaging twenty points per game while allowing opponents an average of only eight points. They finished the season with a record of six wins and one loss, entering the finals as the top seed and defeating all of their opponents before pulling out of the competition after their semifinal win. This was due to the union’s inability and unwillingness to provide proper security at the game field to protect players and spectators.

Fullback Leonard Whippy (FIJ) was the top points scorer for the season, scoring 24 points, followed by winger Noah Momo (FIJ) who had 20. The Hurricanes’ back line, including Whippy and Momo, were blazingly fast and adept ball-handlers. They included scrumhalf Sitani Filimoe’ulie (TON), flyhalves Cleveland Langi (TON), Abete Batini (FIJ) and Opetaia Baba (FIJ); centers Isei Gata (FIJ), Kelepi Ta’ai (TON), Sikoti Manumua (TON), Christopher Tafa (TON), Asaeli Ngauamo (TON); wingers Kai Kelligreen (USA) and Vernon Ale (USA); and fullback Paula Noru (TON), to name a few.

The Hurricanes’ forwards were a potent force all season, not necessarily for their size (their opposition were usually much larger), but their fitness and speed helped them to dominate the opposition at every breakdown as well as the scrums. Led by #8 Samiu Finefangonofo (TON), the pack consisted of hooker Simi Tuifu’a (TON); props Taniela & Sione Moleni (TON), Taniela Ikaikoula (TON); lock Silivenusi Maile (TON), Atelea Foukimoana (TON) and Tetakinga Niu (NZ); flankers Toekava’Eliesa (TON), Alex Thomson-Corrao (USA), Enitosi Tumanuvao (SAM) and Ludwick Pamumum (PNG).

“This is the most athletically-gifted group of athletes I have ever had the pleasure to coach” says Patrick, adding “On top of that, they are all really outstanding individuals”. About the club’s goals, Patrick says “Many of our players come from rugby-playing countries, but prior to coming to us they have had no formal coaching, nor any vehicle for them to advance into upper-level rugby. It is our goal to educate these athletes using the latest techniques, so that they learn the modern game of rugby. By traveling and playing in high-profile tournaments, we want to give them the opportunity to showcase their talents in front of recruiters from other larger rugby organizations, ultimately giving them increased exposure and hopefully the opportunity to play professionally.” To that end, in early October, the Hurricanes sent a group of twelve men to central California, where they competed in the annual Fiji Day 7’s tournament. They were undefeated until the semifinal match, narrowly losing on a controversial call in the closing seconds. North Shore took 3rd Place overall, which was again another big accomplishment since they had no previous experience playing 7’s.

In December, the team is planning to travel to southern California to participate in a 15’s tournament. It will be their first taste of true mainland-style USA rugby, as there will be many well-known teams from all over southern California and the west coast.

Look for more information on the Hurricanes of North Shore Rugby Club at www.hurricanerugby.com .