?We?re just getting ourselves organised for the season ahead-we?re hoping to organise a trip away pre-season early next year.
By Tim O?Connell
A Petone legend reflects on his time on and off the paddock, as he prepares the next batch of talent to further the club?s legacy. An old boy of Hutt Valley High School, and now Manager of Petone Rugby Club?s Ken Gray Academy for up and coming rugby talent, Allan Hewson has had a long association with the Village. Now, with Petone?s 125th Anniversary on the horizon in 2010, Hewson?s aim is to have a strong group of players coming through the ranks for his old club?s future. ?We?re just getting ourselves organised for the season ahead-we?re hoping to organise a trip away pre-season early next year. ?We?ve been into a few of the schools and there?s some good players coming through.? While still having plenty to do with furthering the modern game, Hewson admits the game of rugby has come a long way since he last laced his boots. Perhaps, he says, a little bit too far. ?There?s a fair bit to get your head around these days-I don?t know about all this talk of cutting back on rucking though,? he says. ?In the end, it?s a good way to get the ball back in the breakdown, plus you?ll get some speedy ball delivered to your backs.? The former test fullback managed to squeeze plenty into a relatively short career of 34 matches between 1979 and 1984, which included 19 internationals. Among the notable feats that Hewson achieved in the black jersey was the world record total of 26 points in a single test against Australia in 1982. Hewson etched himself in All Black folklore during the volatile Springbok tour of 1981, when he kicked an injury time penalty goal to win the series for the All Blacks. Reflecting on the moment 28 years on, the Petone stalwart holds the kick ?not to mention the match itself-as a stand out memory from his career. ?It wasn?t much fun out in the backs that day, I can tell you that.? ?I was feeling quite positive about it really-I would have felt a lot worse if I?d missed it.? While the Springbok test and the record haul are foremost on Hewson?s highlight reel, like every All Black before and after him, the privilege of representing New Zealand stands out. ?Getting selected in the first place was a highlight, and being out there on the field was a big deal for all of us, really.?
