by Paul Cook –

In researching my recent article on Ben Batger’s stellar achievements at Eastwood (click here) I managed to track down – thanks to NSWRU stats guru Steve Johnson – a copy of the team sheet for Ben’s 1st Grade debut back in July 2004, as printed in that weekend’s edition of Rugby News.

This was an Eastwood club that had dominated Sydney club rugby under the helm of Chris Hickey, winning the 2002 and 2003 Premierships (shown above), before going on to miss out on a hat-trick of titles with a loss to Randwick in the 2004 Grand Final.

The Woodies’ side that day contained a TG Millner legend in Scott Fava, as well as future Super Rugby talent in the shape of Ben Hand, Aaron Broughton-Rouse and of course, Batger. There was also a certain Leroy Houston packing down at no.8 in the 2nd Grade listings, the then 17-year-old going onto enjoy a successful career overseas with Bath after time at both the Waratahs and Queensland Reds.

There were some interesting names to be found on West Harbour’s side of the page too. Current head coach Joe Barakat was in his first tenure at the club and his assistants back then were former Wallaby Stephen James – father of current Pirates’ flyhalf Ben – and Vili Ala’alatoa – father of Pirates and Waratahs tighthead, Michael and Brumby Allan.

Their 1st Grade side that day included a future Wallaby – Rodney ‘Rodzilla’ Blake and Lote Tuqiri’s cousin, Elia, as well as future Woodies, Chris O’Young and Nick Reily.

But it was Batger’s team mates that were my focus. What became of the rest of the starting XV – where are they now?

Dave Rimmer playing against Eastwood in 2010 – Photo by Rob Gray/SPA Images

Scrumhalf Dave Rimmer, who himself played around 110 matches for Eastwood, including 75 in 1st Grade, was only to happy to help me out…

1. MARK LUAFALEALO – Was nicknamed ‘The Fonz’ and only played at the Woods for one year. He used to smoke in the sheds and started the biggest all in brawl I have ever been in against Penrith, the crowd was involved and everything.

2. JOSH CULLEN – Runs a commercial real estate business.

3. AARON BROUGHTON-ROSE – Went on to play 22 times for his state (7 Super Rugby caps), now sells orthopaedic devices for knees and hips. He actually had a hip replacement at the age of 34 as a result of all the scrums he’d put his body through.

4. BEN HAND – Played 21 times for NSW (10 Super Rugby caps) before heading down the Hume Highway and representing the Brumbies on 43 occasions. Is now captain of Grenoble in the French top 14 – he was best man at my wedding too.

5. CHRIS YOUNG – Lives in his native Queensland.

6. MARTY WILSON – Is a teacher and house master at the Kings School. He and another former ‘Woodie’, Jimmy Hilgendorf, coach the 1st XV.

7. WILL BRAME – Went on to captain both Manly and Northern Suburbs in a distinguished Shute Shield career. Now a PDHPE Teacher/Rugby Coach at NSW Department of Education and Communities.

8. SCOTT FAVA – With five Wallaby caps, 74 Super Rugby caps across a 10 year career with the Reds, Brumbies, Force and Waratahs, and the winner of a record three Ken Catchpole Medals, Fava is one of TG Millner’s most decorated sons. ‘Sex’ as he was known, was head coach at Northern Suburbs for five years and is now running five F45 gyms.

9. DAVE RIMMER – Played 110 times for the Woodies, I’m now selling pacemakers as Area Sales Manager for St. Jude Medical. I also coach Dural Under 6’s where my son and daughter play with Hugh Perrett’s son.

10. MATT NILAN – Now assistant coach to Simon Cron at Norths and is a builder by trade.

11. JUSTIN WHEATLEY – Lives in Albury and works in agricultural sales.

12. CHRISTIAN KERISIANO – ‘The Bus’ is actually still playing as a 4th grade prop at Eastwood and goes by the name Kris Hala now.

13. AL MCDONALD – Married our physio and he is a project manager.

14. FILIPO TOALA – Still running around as the flyhalf in Penrith 3rd Grade. He would be at least 45-years-old now.

15. BEN BATGER – Whatever did happen to Ben…

Coaches:

CHRIS HICKEY – Coached the Woodies to three Shute Shield Premierships before getting his chance at the next level with the Waratahs in 2009 as successor to Ewen McKenzie. Had three years in charge and left the role with the best winning percentage of any Waratahs coach in history.

JIM SWAN – Now General Manager of Direct Connect, a leading utilities connection provider.

If you have anymore info on the players listed above, please send it to: cookie-72@hotmail.com or alternatively, if there is a 1st Grade side from the last 10-20 years that stick in your mind or you wonder what happened to them, drop me a note at the same email address using the title ‘Where Are They Now?’ and we’ll do our best to track them down and maybe turn this one-off idea into an irregular series!