Navy and North Shore Rugby Club join forces

Rugby players from the Navy will play under the auspices of North Shore Rugby Club in an understanding reached between the two organisations.

The Navy currently has no teams in the North Harbour competition and, with declining numbers and the pressure of ship postings, has struggled to field sides in recent years.

North Shore has for the last 20 years talked to the Navy about teaming up.

A somewhat unofficial alliance developed over the years, with Navy players often turning out for Shore teams.

This has been less controversial than when Shore was thought to “nab” promising Navy players.

The most prominent of these was All

Black great Wayne ‘Buck’ Shelford, who started his playing career with the Navy then switched to Shore.

Navy had in recent years entered a premier B side in the North Harbour competition, but this year did not have the numbers to do so.This prompted renewed negotiations with Shore.

Under the new alliance, the Royal New Zealand Navy Rugby Club will retain its name, so it can enter teams in inter-services and international armed-services competitions. However, on a week-by-week basis, players will turn out for teams based at Shore.

Shore Club captain Chris Tankard said it was a win for both organisations.

“It’s huge. It’s very hard to attract players to the club because of the problems getting to Devonport along Lake Rd – and obviously the Navy is based here.”

From the Navy standpoint, the chance to play for a historic and high-achieving club could be a selling point when recruiting young people from the regions.

“You’ve got a young guy from the Gisborne Boys first XV who may not be able to get a job in Gisborne – he can join the Navy in Devonport and keep playing rugby with North Shore,” Tankard said.

“Imagine we have a Navy Day once a year at the club, and we get the Navy Band involved. It is very exciting. They could have a recruitment-information stand and we encourage the whole of Devonport to come along.”

Injuries leave key Shore players as spectators

One is out for five months, the other permanently.

Lochie McNair and Adam Batt, two of North Shore Rugby Club’s premiers’ starting lineup at the opening of the 2023 season, were on the sideline cheering on their teammates against Takapuna last Saturday.

Both were injured two weeks earlier, in Shore’s win over Massey: McNair (22) suffered a compound fracture to his lower right leg and Batt (28) popped a pectoral.

“I’m feeling good,” said McNair, even though the injury has put an end to his season.

A converted flanker, McNair was “just finding my feet” as a hooker playing for Shore this season. In fact, his form had been so good he had secured a trial with North Harbour in a couple of weeks.

“I’m looking forward to next year now,” said McNair, who has been told it will be five months before he can return to training again.

For Batt, who celebrated 100 games for Shore last season, the injury has spelt retirement.

He has two shoulder reconstructions booked in, with his first surgery on 27 June.

“You don’t really choose when it’s the time to hang up your boots – I’m a bit gutted, but this is it for me.”

“I’ve played 100 games for Shore and 100 games overseas – I’ve loved every minute of it and travelled the world.”

Batt was also pleased to turn out for Shore in its historic 150th season.

He would always be attached to North Shore – “my childhood club” – and was more than likely to take up a coaching or mentoring role at some stage.