Hauiti-Parapara enjoying his time at Tawa

Last year’s New Zealand Secondary Schools halfback Kemara Hauiti-Parapara is in his first season playing Premier rugby in Wellington and playing for Tawa who are hoping to nail their spot inside the top eight at the end of the first round and qualify for the Jubilee Cup. 

Hauiti-Parapara left Wellington College in 2014 with a Wellington Rugby Academy contract, NCEA Level 3 and a roofing job. So why did the halfback do a u-turn and go back to school in 2015?

"I was trying to balance the hours of my job with the rugby academy, but it wasn't working. I quit the job, but I had no money and little structure in my day. That's when I chose to go back to school. I didn't have enough credits for University entrance either," Hauiti-Parapara explains.

Back at Wellington College the experienced Hauiti-Parapara gained UE and was an automatic choice for First XV captain, but the season proved to be extremely tough with Wellington losing more often than they won.

"We built a reputation for being the big dogs around town, but when we lost to HIBS in 2014 and Wairarapa College last year the dog lacked bite," Hauiti-Parapara laments.

Failing to meet the high expectations of the past was a big burden to carry, but a valuable learning experience to.

"I think the biggest thing I learned was to back myself more. I was a senior player in the team, but I was quiet and would distribute when I could have a run. That's not to say I should have been greedier, but I would go into my shell when I shouldn't have," Hauiti-Parapara reflects.

A timid disposition wasn't apparent to the New Zealand Secondary Schools' selections. Hauiti-Parapara was chosen as the top halfback for the Australian tour, which was a roaring success. New Zealand won every game and beat Australia by 32-8 in the annual test match - the biggest win in that fixture since 1995.

"It was a great tour. I learned what Lincoln Rawles and Greg Sharland were teaching me at Wellington College makes a lot of sense. They are really good coaches. The stuff they teach is simple but sensible and applies at a rep level," Hauiti-Parapara says.

Wellington College wasn't all doom and gloom. In 2013 they reached the National Top Four and won the Premier One title in Wellington, but a miss communication at the end of the final nearly spelled disaster.

"The siren went for fulltime and we had the ball in the middle of the field on the ten-meter line inside Silverstream's half. I retreated to kick the ball out, but our fullback run towards me seeking the ball. I didn't want to kick him in the face so I passed the ball over his head. I chased it so hard to get it out," Hauiti-Parapara laughs.

Wes Goosen (Hurricanes), Leni Apisai (Hurricanes), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Melbourne Storm) and James Blackwell (Wellington Lions) all played for the 2013 First XV. Hauiti-Parapara says it was a great joy to have been a part of such a talented team.

Tawa has a strong Wellington College presence. Hauiti-Parapara highlights the appeal.

"Half of the 2014 First XV backline is from Wellington College. There is Sharn Robinson,  Pepesana Patafilo, Bradd Forster ,who thinks he's a back, and me. We all live out in Johnsonville or Porirua, but Tawa is just a good place to be. It's accessible and the culture of the club is real good."

Tawa hit some early season roadblocks losing to Wellington and Upper Hutt in the first month of the Swindale Shield. Five wins in a row followed where they scored 210 points. Recent losses to MSP and Old Boys University have Tawa in seventh place with three games to play. Hauiti-Parapara is confident that Tawa will make the Jubilee Cup because they are playing better than their position suggests. Last week they lost to the defending champion Billygoats by a solitary point.

"That was a really good game. The last play went for ages. We really gave it to them, but a couple of mistakes cost us. I have a big pack behind me which is real good. I think we are going well," Hauiti-Parapara insists.

The part time goal-kicker has scored 50 points this season, including four tries.

In addition to rugby Hauiti-Parapara works in a joinery factory and is a very accomplished softball player. Typically a pitcher he was selected for the New Zealand Under-17's after helping Wellington win a National title in the same age group. Earlier this year he made the Wellington men's team who were runners up to Auckland at the Senior Nationals. Hauiti-Parapara was reluctant to give away softball, but says making the Wellington Under-19's rugby team is his main focus at present.