Upper Hutt Rams looking forward to Jubilee Cup

They've been on Jubilee Cup qualification life support for at least two weeks, but the Upper Hutt Rams have stormed through the pack to take their place in the championship round, starting this Saturday.

The Rams got up to finish seventh - the highest they've been in the standings all season - after winning their second consecutive nail-biter on Saturday.

Up against Petone, the Rams found themselves down with the scoreboard clock fast counting down, but snatched the lead with a try to the competition's top points scorer, Joyner Key. They then sealed their win with a breakout try to wing Salesi Rayasi. That, and Northern United's loss to Tawa, had them Jubilee Cup bound.

It was a similar story the previous week against Poneke, winning 21-15 at Westpac Stadium, courtesy of a late flurry and a match winning try to new centre Dan Aunese. The Rams were on the ropes late in the first half of that match and if Poneke hadn't blown a try just before the break the Rams' Jubilee Cup aspirations were probably curtains right there and then.

The Rams won or drew their last five matches, their round 10 36-29 win over Wainuiomata (3-21 behind at halftime) and their round 11 24-24 draw with Hutt Old Boys Marist (3-12 behind at halftime) also proving key results.

Co-coach Adam Campbell agreed that the last few weeks have been a roller-coaster.

"Someone said to me after Saturday's game that it's really tough being a Rams supporter, but I said to them you should try and be a Rams coach!"

He explained that it's the character of the club at the moment that is helping to transpire to results on the field. "The feel at the club at the moment is really good," he said, "with the Premiers, the Premier Reserves and the Colts all working together. It's a real whanau feel to the club, it's about families and looking out for one another and also making a difference in the community."

As good as their recent results have been, the Rams made a slow start to 2016. Their only win in the first five rounds was a 20-15 victory under lights against Tawa in round 3.

"There are a whole lot of guys in our squad new to Premier rugby," said Campbell who coached the 2007 and 2014 Hutt Old Boys Marist teams to Jubilee Cup success.

"There are at least 10 guys who have had their first taste of it in 2016, and it takes time to adjust. It can be a big mental leap, as well as a physical one, to make the step up. You can be a bully in First XV rugby and then find out that you can't actually do that now."

The Rams are a fit side. "Our fitness trainer Joel Marshall has been doing an outstanding job. The guys wear their GPS units in training so they can monitor the frequency and intensity of it, and he monitors it all and spurs the guys on."

Against Petone, the Rams only used two substitutions.

"One of our key values is never giving up no matter what we do. It we can't run we walk and if we can't walk we crawl."

Campbell said it's very much a team effort on the field.

"We don't have one standout player that the team's built around. Other clubs might have a big ball carrying No. 8 or a go-to guy. But guys like our openside flanker Mitchell Markov and [utility] Hayden Schrijvers are really team-focussed.

"A classic example against Petone on Saturday was that Mitchell was crook as a dog. But he got himself off his sick bed, came and played and then went back home to bed."

There's also experienced guys in the side, such as centurion prop Apa Heemi and lock Ray Sio who has returned from recent seasons of injury to play his 100th Premier game.

"To have those guys back gives our side some steel, and helps bring through young guys like [Hayden's brother] Daniel Schrijvers and others."

Midfielder Joyner Key leads the points scoring with 127 points, one ahead of Brandyn Laursen of HOBM. Another player coming through is new centre Dan Aunese. "He's come to us from the Upper Hutt Tigers rugby league side, and was a leading player for them."

As well as the players, Campbell credited the support staff for moulding the team, with fellow coaches Ben Aoina, himself a recently retired 150-game player, and "Shaggy the Scotsman" Paul Assur, fitness trainer Marshall, long-serving and popular masseuse Dave 'Paints' Painter and new manager Dustin Brattle.

There are no easy games in the Jubilee Cup - this week the Rams play Cup holders and first round winners Old Boys University at in round one.

"Our focus this week is on travelling into the Basin Reserve and playing the defending champions, but when you play you the defending champion you come alive and that's where you want to be."

The hard work continues for the Upper Hutt Rams.

Jubilee Cup first round matches at a glance (all games 2.45pm kick-offs)

· Old Boys University v Upper Hutt Rams at the Basin Reserve

· Wellington v Wainuiomata at Hataitai Park

· Tawa v Marist St Pat's at Lyndhurst Park

Poneke v Oriental-Rongotai at Kilbirnie Park