Howie Tamati moving against trend
PA New Plymouth Rugby league in Wellington is potentially as strong as it is in Auckland, according to a former New Zealand representative, Howie Tamati.
Tamati, a Taranaki and New Zealand league representative since the 19705, is the new coaching director and representative coach for the Wellington team. His wife, Aroaro Tamati (nee Bond) also wants to work in Wellington. The
couple were married in New Plymouth on Saturday. A presenter-reporter for Television New Zealand’s Auckland-based Koha programme, she met Tamati while doing a segment on Maori sportsmen in 1983. Tamati is moving against a northern trend by shifting south. Last week Canterbury’s Marty Crequer and Waikato’s Shane Horo announced their departures for Auckland, as well as rugby’s Greg Cooper (Otago).
“I feel the Wellington job has more future for me because it’s still in my own area. I understand the region’s football better than the Auckland area, said Tamati. “I’ve played all my life between the Taranaki and Wellington area and feel I can give a better service by staying in this region.” He had offers to play and coach in Auckland but they weren’t as attractive. Tamati announced his retirement from league at
the end of the Kiwis’ tour to Britain and France. The Wellington job means he does not have to play. After being Central Districts player-coach last season, he firmly believes the role is not for him. Wellington has left the decision on playing up to him, even though they have no established hooker. Wellington is a funny team, he says. It plays much better away from home. Tamati said one
reason for this was the side doesn’t get enough support from the Wellington public, and the other may be that Randwick, one of New Zealand’s top club teams in the last few years, dominates the side too much. But the area has the player ability, he says, so his ambition is to take it up to Auckland’s level. “There’s quite a lot wrong with the game (in Wellington) ... How it’s played and fitness levels,” Tamati said.
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Press, 4 February 1986, Page 38
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346Howie Tamati moving against trend Press, 4 February 1986, Page 38
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