Stormy McCarthy brought up 150 games for Piopio against Waitete on June 13. Photo: Dan Tasker
It’s a week for milestones as rugby clubs Piopio and Waitete honour two of their long-serving players.
Two Saturdays ago, first five-eighth Stormy McCarthy celebrated his 150th cap for Piopio in their 30-26 win against Waitete.
Halfback Jayden Higgins celebrated 100 games for Waitete against Taupō Marist in Te Kūiti on Saturday after debuting for the Te Kūiti club 12 years ago.
Halfback Jayden Higgins played his 100th game for Waitete against Taupō Marist in Te Kūiti on Saturday. Photo: Laura Adams
Higgins started his club career with Waitomo in 2012 after finishing his education at Te Kūiti High School, but he was soon coaxed to Waitete by coach Chris Strachan who started him at fullback in 2014.
Shortly after making the club final with Waitete that year, he was offered a plumbing apprenticeship with Waitete man Nigel Neustroski, a career he has continued in ever since.
“Rugby’s actually what got me into my trade. After our final in 2014, I was talking to Nigel at Sunday School. I asked him what he did for work and he said he was a plumber and I said, ‘I wouldn’t mind getting into that trade’,” Higgins said.
“A couple of weeks later, we had to call him up for some work at home and he said, ‘I’ve been thinking about what you said and I’ve got a job for you if you want it’,” he said.
Fast-forward to 2019 and Higgins moved to Te Awamutu for a new job in civil plumbing, where he played under-85kg rugby for Ōtorohanga and Leamington for three seasons before shifting to Hawera.
After a couple of serious injuries and time counting against the 32-year-old, Higgins decided to commit himself to traveling back to Waitete to try and notch 100 games in 2026 before retiring from rugby.
“I always thought, ‘I’ve done 89 games for Waitete, I might as well go back and try and crack the 100. (Captain) Ryan Joyes has been at me for a couple of seasons to come back and help out and jump on the field and I just decided I’m coming back this year to get my 100 games and retire from rugby happy,” Higgins said.
“It was about three hours to get the training, and I’d just come up on a Thursday night and stay up there until Saturday or Sunday, but once the Awakino Gorge shut then the journey got to about four and a half hours.
“I guess for me, I committed to the team this year; I’ve got no excuses, I want to be there. Hopefully the other boys will turn up and show face if someone’s travelling that far, that was my thought on it anyway,” he said.
On Saturday, Higgins donned the blue jersey for the 100th time cheered on by friends, family and local people who have had a lasting impact on his life.
“That club means a lot to me, they took me in as a fresh-faced 20-year-old and looked after me,” Higgins said.
“Waitete is like my second family, a lot of the players and even the coaching staff, I’ve got along real well with them. There’s been quite a few supporters that have always had my back as well at the club. I just wanted to give back to them and show my support to them and come back and repay the favour,” he said.
Stormy McCarthy brought up 150 games for Piopio against Waitete on June 13. Photo: Dan Tasker
