Nerang Bulls Team of the Decade selections revealed
The best players to pull on the maroon of the Nerang Bulls have been honoured by Gold Coast Bulletin rugby reporter Nic Darveniza.
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The Nerang Bulls’ decade has been characterised by a delicate juggling act, balancing their roots as a family club with the need to evolve.
The club made a difficult decision to withdraw from first grade in 2017 to re-examine what they wanted to be.
The selection of two sets of brothers and the younger of an iconic father-son duo in their team of the decade is proof of the answer officials found.
Family bonds run tight throughout the club and helped inspire the Bulls to the second grade title in 2018.
The team qualified for the finals in 2019 but fell to eventual premiers Helensvale.
“I think our decade as a club has been about surviving adversity,” team of the decade hooker Pani Reti said.
“It brought out club closer and now some of our players kids are playing for our juniors.
“Bryce Chapman had his 20th anniversary at the club, Tom Bird had his 20th last year.
“Cameron Turei has been here 18 years and previously played in the same team with his dad.
“We’re a family club and that’s the one we want to be.”
Eight selections in the Bulls team of the decade for 2010-2019 will play on into the next decade.
Nerang Bulls Team of the Decade
1. ARAPETA TE PAKI
Since arriving at the club in 2012, Te Paki has played both prop and hooker. The front row stalwart was a First Grade workhorse and former captain who is planning on making a comeback in 2021.
2. PANI RETI
Reti joined the club alongside Te Paki and has served as the team’s primary hooker for eight years, missing just one season. The wide running hooker is a former captain of the team who may have played his last match for the club.
3. CALEB ENOKA
Enoka is one of the club’s youngest first graders but officials believe he’s the future of their front row. In his first season of senior rugby Enoka made the GCDRU team of the season.
4. AMOSA ALE
Ale was the team’s physical leader for the latter half of the decade, inflicting pain with or without the ball. Ale will return in 2020 to stake his claim on the next team of the decade.
5. DAVID WILLIAMS
Williams is one of the club’s oldest players but made his mark on first grade in 2019 with his lineout skill. Williams got around the park well for an old fella but will step down to third grade for the next decade.
6. BRAD ECCLES
Eccles started his career at fullback but transitioned into the forwards, where his strengths clearly lay. Hard on the ball, a set piece contributor and a lover of running straight at the 10.
7. MATIU IRWIN
Another former captain, Irwin remains one of the most respected players at the club for consistently punching above his weight. A classical openside with a flair for support play.
8. COREY TE RUPE ©
The standout candidate to captain the Bulls’ team of the decade. Te Rupe’s departure to his native New Zealand left a void at Nerang that will be impossible to fill.
9. WILL BIRD
The younger Bird brother is a playmaker extraordinaire and future captain, capable of creating magic from anywhere on the field. Bird scored the matchwinning try against Colleges in the club’s sole grand final triumph this decade.
10. BRYCE CHAPMAN
The veteran Bulls flyhalf celebrated 20 years at the club in 2017. Ice flows through his veins and there’s no-one the club would rather trust to take a game-winning kick.
11. THOMAS BIRD
Another 20-year veteran, the elder Bird joined first grade straight out of high school and left his mark on the competition immediately. Few have scored more tries this decade.
12. DANE CHAPMAN
If Bryce prefers to slice through the line with the ball, his younger brother prefers to smash through it. Chapman is a valuable commodity at 12 for his big hitting and platform-setting carries.
13. CAMERON TUREI
If you wanted to know how dearly loved Cameron Turei is by his teammates, here is how one of them described him to the Bulletin.
“The only word I can say is the G.O.A.T (greatest of all time). He’s our god.”
High praise but Turei has earned it after 300 first grade games. He’ll earn even more caps in 2020.
14. JOSHUA EDMOND
The Bulls’ first grade captain’s nickname is Grubby but teammates say he’s the least grubby player they know. The former Sunnybank ace led the Bulls to the Second Grade championship in his first year back from Premier Grade.
15. TAMATI TAMAKEHU
Tamakehu’s utility value cannot be overstated by fullback is where the Bulls’ resident magician did his best work. An elusive outside back who could make defenders miss and punish them for it with his speed.
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