The Rod Father - Rod Plimmer 50 and still loving rugby
It's 1988, George Michael is top of the charts, David Lange is Prime Minster and Rod Plimmer is on the wing for the now defunct Hutt Valley Marist Premiers. That season he would play against All Blacks Steven Pokere and Hika Reid who were plying their trade at Hutt Old Boys who will soon amalgamate with Marist.
Fast forward 28 years and Plimmer is still playing. He is a starting winger in the Eastbourne U85kg division I team. He is 50 years old.
"Some people call it crazy, others call it inspirational, but I see it as good for me. Rugby is such a great game. I have a lot of fun and it keeps me fit. I will keep on playing as long as I don't let my teammates down," Plimmer enthuses.
After a career in senior rugby which saw him encounter All Blacks Bernie Fraser, Jon Preston, Murray Mexted and Alama Ieremia, Plimmer relocated to Australia where he lived for seven years. He returned to the Hutt around the turn of the millennium and was encouraged to join the Eastbourne rugby club.
"I was living in Eastbourne and the club was struggling for numbers. I have been lucky to come across some great coaches and been a part of a great environment here. The younger guys are really supportive and their enthusiasm keeps me going," Plimmer says.
Former Wellington rep Greg Halford (Bar Manager at Shepherds Arms Hotel) and Barry Luke are coaches of the 85's this season - the club's only team.
Eastbourne have played eight games in 2016. They have suffered five defeats; four of them have been by less than 10 points. They have won their last two games and on Saturday defeated the Old Boys University Bunnies 29-7 on the occasion of their Old Timers' day.
"I think the club and the competition are in pretty good shape. There are only two divisions, when I started playing there was three divisions, but if you look at the results there isn't a lot between any of the teams. We have dress suits and try to have a barbecue and speeches after the match. We encourage people to stick around and get involved with the club, those traditions are important," Plimmer says.
Eastbourne has won three Division II championships and made the semi-finals of Division I during Plimmer's long involvement with the club. What are the highlights of his long tenure and who are the hardest opponents he has encountered?
"The highlight has been making friends. I have played against a lot of fathers and with a lot of sons which is pretty unique."
"The toughest team I think was the Poneke Dogs of War a few years back. They played at a similar speed to Premier sides and were the team to beat for a while. David Rice at MSP was a good opponent, not necessarily tough, but very smart. He would find a way to beat you, anyway he could beat you," Plimmer reflects.
Plimmer can't remember how many tries he has scored over the years, but a recent try against Old Boys University was a standout.
"That was really a makeup try. I dropped the ball under the posts earlier in the game, but scored in the last minute and we won," Plimmer laughs.
During the week Plimmer is a senior project manager for the IT company, Intergen. He is also a prominent athletics coached who serves on the Hutt Valley Sports Awards Committee.
In his present stable of athletes, Plimmer coaches a National Secondary School sprinting champion in Nick Smith as well as his daughter Kate Plimmer who has represented New Zealand.
"Athletics helps me keep fit in the summer. I enjoy working with young men and women. I think the key is to listen to them, encourage them and offer a firm hand when you need to," Plimmer concludes.