MSP and Sciascia running into Swindale Shield form

After a slow start to this year’s Swindale Shield, perennial contenders Marist St Pat’s have stepped up a gear over the past three weeks with wins over Hutt Old Boys Marist (27-14), Northern United (64-15) and Tawa (31-20).

The Red Machine is now safely ensconced inside the ‘top 8’, albeit 15 points back from clear-cut leaders Old Boys University, and favoured to ease into this year’s Jubilee Cup competition at the end of the 13-round Swindale Shield.

It’s no coincidence that MSP’s mid-round form surge is in part due to the return of halfback Peter Sciascia, the most experienced halfback in the competition returning after the best part of 12 months off after breaking his leg against Poneke in early April 2015.

Sciascia marked his return a fortnight ago by scoring a brace of tries in MSP’s win over Norths at Jerry Collins Stadium and collecting three points from that match in the Best and Fairest competition, and last week he proved a guiding hand in a hard-fought win over Tawa.

It was suggested by many that breaking his leg last year had also forced his hand into retirement, but he rehabilitated and worked his way back into fitness through his other sport, CrossFit.

“I had surgery the day after breaking it, but was able to start rehabilitation after a couple of months of not walking,” he said. “I’ve been a CrossFit coach for two years now and I got back into it with CrossFit.”

The CrossFit is based in Taranaki St, and his brother owns the business. “I coach there one morning a week and on Sunday afternoons.”

He’s also busy at present with his job as a quantity surveyor – a job he started just before breaking his leg last year – and also with night classes in the evenings for qualifications for that.

Why return to rugby? “I had actually planned to have another year off rugby this year, but watching a few games and talking to the coaches about a way of working my way around the studies, I’m been able to come back. I also didn’t want to do this half-baked and play a little bit here or there, I wanted to be committed to it.

Sciascia’s return is not only MSP’s gain, but a huge positive for the competition. Since his arrival from the Hawke’s Bay to the Avalon club (2004-07) and latterly to MSP (2008 - ) he’s consistently been one of the best halfbacks in the competition and his experience is invaluable.

He won the Billy Wallace Best and Fairest competition in 2006 with Avalon, at a time when some players in this year’s Swindale Shield weren’t long out of the sandpit.

He’s also re-formed his partnership with another vastly experienced player, first five-eighth Fa’atonu Fili.

“Fa’atonu and I often have a laugh about how many years we’ve played and how many games we’ve got under our belts. We’re building good depth as well, which is one of the reasons I was reluctant to come back as they don’t really need me there but I think I can add something to the mix.”

“When you’re not playing and watching those young fellas coming through its easy to think that maybe you won’t be able to play again – so a fear of missing out and a fear of not being able to do it again are also reasons motivating my return this year.”

Sciascia also praised second five-eighth Isaia Petelo for being named in the Samoan squad this week, for upcoming June internationals against Georgia, Fiji and Tonga.

“There are guys now in the team who were youngsters five or so years ago who are now making really big strides. We’ve still got a young forward pack, compared to some of the packs I’ve played with.”

What differences are there from when he started in 2004?

“One thing that has changed is the introduction of artificial fields and less wet weather and heavy field rugby and fewer traditional forward battles.

“It’s changed the way some teams play. Avalon were always forwards dominated and all of a sudden the forward play went a bit out the window because you’re playing on such dry tracks, and not just the artificials. Others such as Porirua Park and the Hutt Rec are so good now – half the time you’re playing above the ground instead of below it.” 

Swindale Shield Round 10 matches this Saturday (2.45pm kick-offs):

Marist St Pat’s v Petone at Evans Bay Park

Hutt Old Boys Marist v Oriental-Rongotai at the Hutt Rec

Paremata-Plimmerton v Johsonville at Ngatitoa Domain

Wainuiomata v Upper Hutt Rams at Maidstone Park

Northern United v Avalon at Jerry Collins Stadium

Poneke v Wellington at Kilbirnie Park

Old Boys University v Tawa at Nairnville Park