Bluff rebuilding for the next chapter

The Bluff senior team are rebuilding their squad this year and have welcomed an influx of debutants who are ready to help carry the club into its next chapter.

Last year was a challenging year for the Bluff team who had stepped up into the division one competition. The club was physically and mentally tested on and off the field. Wins were few and far between but there were many positives around the club.

Michelle Rogers-Hoff was in her fifth year as the junior convener for Bluff Rugby Club and was awarded the 2025 Rugby Southland Junior Rugby Volunteer of the Year.

This award honours someone whose dedication helped shape the future of junior rugby in Southland.

Michelle ensured every Bluff team had players, coaches and managers in place.

She sets up fields, organises gear, feeds visiting teams and makes sure no child misses out — going above and beyond to support whānau with travel and costs.

Michelle works tirelessly behind the scenes for the entire Bluff club — securing sponsorships, fundraising, managing uniforms, handling paperwork and even running the bar for games and private functions.

Michelle has helped the rugby club become more family-oriented, inclusive and more successful.

Another Bluff rugby-aligned person to succeed last year was Kayel Cousins, who was awarded the most promising school-aged referee.

Cousins made his senior rugby refereeing debut earlier this year.

Rugby Southland is proud to announce the Southland Women’s competition trophy will be named in honour of the late Makere Evelyn Te Awhe.

Makere died in February, aged 56.

Women’s teams will contest for the "Makere Cup". Having the trophy in Makere’s name recognises her outstanding contribution to women’s rugby, Māori rugby and the wider Southland community.

Makere was a respected player, coach, manager, mentor and community leader. She dedicated more than four decades to rugby in Southland.

Beyond rugby, Makere was a staunch leader, devoted friend and proud family woman and nan. Her strength wasn’t just in her voice, it was in her loyalty and her honesty (whether you wanted to hear it or not). She lived loud and laughed even louder.

Another Bluff rugby personality, Eric Tui, has this year started working as Rugby Southland’s head of community participation. Bluff were pleased to have Eric stop by the 212 to put the team through some training drills earlier this season.

Bluff was one of 16 teams that began the season in the combined division two and three competition.

Bluff won their first game 53-17 against Wrights Bush. Some of the debutants for Bluff that day were Nathan Ulaula, Memphis Ryan, Te Rua Fellows and Kalani-Joe Batchelor-Tata.

Dorian Mitchell was the best on show, while Kyah Fa’amoe-Ioane and Nathan Ulaula also impressed.

Bluff were beaten 41-7 by Central Pirates the following week. There were positives to take from the game but ultimately, the boys got outworked. Loose forward Jordaine Wixon was Bluff’s best, while prop Marc Nanai and midfielder Zaul’J Pirangi also played their parts.

Bluff lost their next game 29-26 at home against Drummond Limehills Star. First five-eighth Sonny Rangitoheriri was the best of the locals with front rowers Marc Nanai and Liam MacGregor also working hard.

After a weekend off rugby for duck-shooting, the boys earned a 25-22 win at home against Mossburn. Daniel Kapene was back to play in the red and white hoops alongside four debutants — Caleb Peseta, Matt Johnson, Manawai Brown and Rashan Ryan.

The Mossburn game was in the balance until the final whistle. The debutants handled themselves well, especially No8 Matt Johnson, who was man of the match. Openside Jordaine Wixon and halfback Layton Rangitoheriri were also key players in the victory.

Bluff were run off their feet by Midlands in Winton and lost 70-17. Bluff welcomed Matt Francis for his debut in the red and white, alongside the return of Junior Lafoga. Man of the match was front rower Liam Macgregor. Caleb Peseta and Layton Rangitoheriri also thrived under the pressure.

After winning two of those first five games, the Bluff team was assigned to division three for the remainder of the season. There was still plenty of excitement among the squad as the boys continued rebuilding their team.

Bluff won their first game 73-17 at the 212 against Blues B. Man of the match was loose forward Jordaine Wixon. Prop Liam Macgregor and fullback Kyah Fa’amoe-Ioane also shone on home turf. Centre Ysrial Matika debuted alongside the return of Tuki Hiko.

A 29-22 loss in Drummond against DLS was followed up by a 48-3 win at Wrights Bush. Nathan Ulaula, Memphis Ryan, Te Rua Fellows and Kalani-Joe Batchelor-Tata all made their debut against Wrights Bush.

A 15-12 win on Saturday in the mud at home was enjoyed against Waiau Star. Former Southland Stag halfback Sonny Rangitoheriri played his 100th game for Bluff and lock Darryn Jackson played his 50th.

This Saturday, Bluff are off to Queenstown to play against Wakatipu B. The following Saturday they play Marist B on Bluff’s Club Day.

The Bluff President’s grade team has recorded two wins and a draw from their first six games of the season. This week, the veterans’ team is playing against Pioneer in Gore. The team are at home for "Bluff Club Day" on July 4, against Waikiwi.

Bluff also has five junior teams (primary school-aged).

By John Langford