Statement from the Chairperson re the 2026 Season

Kia ora e te whānau.

While it's incredibly disappointing that our Premiers' Hardham Cup campaign has come to an end, given the circumstances, this also marks the end of the season for our Premier team.

As a club, we also need to recognise that our players, coaches and management are processing the end of their season. There is always a great deal of emotion that comes with finishing a campaign, especially when it ends sooner than hoped.

On behalf of the club, I would like to acknowledge Dallas Paotonu, Andrew, Paul Wharakura, Andy Ellis, Lee Rautao, and Lauren Hannah . Thank you for your dedication, commitment and the countless hours you have invested in our Premier team throughout the season. From weeknight trainings to game days, your passion, leadership and service have not gone unnoticed.

We also extend our sincere thanks to your whānau. Thank you for sharing your time with us and for the sacrifices you've made throughout the season. The many hours spent away from home are appreciated more than words can express.

To our Premiers. Thank you for sticking with the club. It's been a season of highs and lows, with wins and losses. We're absolutely gutted for you all, but we're proud of the heart, commitment, and resilience you've shown every week.

We go again in 2027!

To those for whom this was your final season, thank you for being such an important part of our whānau and the Hawks Village. Your contribution to the club won't be forgotten, and we look forward to celebrating you all at Prizegiving.

At the same time, congratulations to our Premier Reserves on securing your place in the semifinal. The 85s who made their semi finals, last week, unfortunately didn't go their way.

We wish the Premier Reserves all the very best as you continue your campaign. The whole club is behind you!

To everyone who has represented our club this season, thank you. We are proud of what you've achieved and look forward to supporting our remaining teams, Cripples, Pressies, and the 85s (National Cup) in the weeks ahead.

Up the Hawks!

Nga mihi nui

Susan.

Susan Poutoa

Chairperson

JRFC Committee

WRFU Update: Season Format & Competition Outcome

Following consultation with councils regarding venue availability and scheduling options, WRFU has carefully explored opportunities to provide clubs with the option of rescheduling Premier and Premier 2 fixtures during the coming week.

While there was a genuine desire and attempt to create playing opportunities where possible, WRFU carefully considered the feedback received on Monday’s call, alongside venue availability, scheduling constraints, and the broader implications for the competition. We explored a range of alternatives, including mid-week fixtures and the availability of artificial turf venues, in an effort to provide clubs with a pathway to complete these matches. However, ongoing weather impacts, limited venue availability and the challenges associated with organising meaningful competition fixtures at short notice ultimately constrained those options.

While mid-week rugby can work in some circumstances, delivering playoff rugby mid-week with only a few days' notice presents significant challenges for players, coaches, volunteers, officials, and clubs alike. It would also have created the prospect of some teams being required to play two high-stakes matches within a matter of days, creating additional concerns around player availability, welfare, and competitive equity.

Having weighed our available options, it has been determined that maintaining the current season conclusion date of 25 July represents the fairest and most practical outcome for clubs, match officials, venue partners, and the wider rugby community.

As a result, the highest qualifiers from each Premier Men’s and Premier 2 Men’s scheduled playoff matchup will progress to next week's playoff fixtures.

Please see attached for the updated playoff brackets.

Acknowledging the Impact:

This decision has not been made lightly. We recognise the effort, preparation, and commitment that teams have invested throughout the season and appreciate that this outcome will be particularly disappointing for those clubs that had earned the opportunity to compete in the opening week of the playoffs.

After exhausting viable options and carefully considering the broader impact on the competition, WRFU believes this approach provides the greatest certainty for all participants while preserving the integrity of the season's conclusion.

Competition Updates:

We will work through the competition updates and draw amendments in due course. Come Monday updated competition tables and playoff fixtures will be published on RX and circulated to clubs as per usual.

The full competition arrangements will apply:

All scheduled round-robin fixtures will be recorded as Match Not Played, with both teams receiving three competition points.

The U85kg Final will be rescheduled to 18 July.

The highest qualifiers from each Premier Men's and Premier 2 Men's scheduled playoff fixture will advance to the 18 July playoffs.

College rugby is largely unaffected, with no fixtures scheduled this weekend.

The season will continue as planned, with club finals remaining scheduled for 25 July at Porirua Park.

Supporting Match Officials:

WRFU met with WRRA on Tuesday evening to discuss opportunities to further align our collective efforts in supporting match officials and reinforcing a positive, safe, and respectful rugby environment.

Thank you:

We acknowledge the frustration and disappointment many within our rugby community will feel and thank our clubs, players, coaches, volunteers, officials and supporters for their understanding, patience, and ongoing commitment to the values of our game.

Nga mihi

Tony Giles

Chief Executive Officer

Wellington Rugby Football Union

No Games Saturday 11 July 2026

There will be no rugby on Saturday 11 July 2026 as the Wellington Rugby Referees Association will not provide referees.

Here is their statement:

𝙒𝙍𝙍𝘼 𝙈𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙖 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙣 𝙍𝙚𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝘼𝙗𝙪𝙨𝙚:

The President and Chair of the Wellington Rugby Referees Association (WRRA), Ben Van Berkel, confirms that the Executive Committee of the WRRA has decided to not appoint referees to any grade for a weekend of 10-12 July. We had previously advised the WRFU of our intent to not appoint referees if referee abuse continued to occur and following three more referee abuse incidents on Saturday, no referees will be appointed next weekend.

Van Berkel noted that this season already, we have had 19 reported incidents of verbal abuse towards referees, which is not acceptable to his association. He also pointed out that the abuse has occurred across junior club rugby, secondary schools’ rugby and senior club rugby, not all reports have come from within the referees, with some being submitted by members of the public and the abuse has come from players, club and school volunteers and spectators.

“The WRRA continues, and will continue, to support Wellington Rugby but we have a duty and obligation to support and protect our members first and foremost” Van Berkel says. He reiterates that this decision by the Executive Committee was not made lightly, but given the widespread nature of this continued abuse, we believe all reasonable options have been exhausted and need to take this stand to support and protect our members.

The WRRA has advised Tony Giles, CEO of the Wellington Rugby Football Union, of their decision and looks forward to working closely with him regarding this issue.

This is the club's comment to this:

Kia ora whānau,

Like many of you, we're disappointed that there will be no Wellington club rugby this Saturday following the decision by the Wellington Rugby Referees Association not to provide referees.

While it's disappointing for players, coaches, volunteers, supporters, and clubs, it's also a timely reminder of why this decision was made.

Referee abuse has no place in our game.

Our referees and match officials give up their time each week because they love rugby. They deserve to be treated with the same respect we expect for our players, coaches, and volunteers. Without referees, there is no game.

We all have a role to play in changing the culture, whether you're a player, coach, manager, parent, supporter, or club member. Challenge poor behaviour, lead by example, and help create an environment where everyone feels safe and valued.

Next time emotions are running high, remember that the person in the middle is someone's son, daughter, mum, dad, brother, sister, partner, or friend. Treat them with the kindness and respect you would want your own whānau to receive.

Let's use this moment to reflect, learn, and commit to making our game better for everyone.