Kamo Rugby Club

19/08/2026

🏆 U23 Ces Whimp Cup – Player of the Year: Zae Mangu

After making a return of sorts to rugby this year, there were probably a few of us wondering whether we’d get Zae for the whole season. Turns out we did, and we were pretty happy about it.

Blessed with plenty of natural talent, Zae is strong across the back row, knows how to make metres and is a fairly hard man to stop with ball in hand. He can carry, clean, defend and has the fitness to keep doing it.

When he gets himself into the game, there aren’t too many young guys who can match what he brings- which makes him a pretty valuable part of our premier side.

Great to have him back playing some good footy and hopefully we see him back for another full season next year. 🤞👀

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15/08/2026

A good weekend of rugby for the club, with seven of our boys pulling on a Northland jersey. Callum got things underway for the U20’s on Friday night.

Today six more Kamo boys took the field for the Development side at Pohe Island. The side got their campaign off to a great start last weekend, getting up 33–29 over Bay of Plenty- the side’s first win in quite some time. Unfortunately they fell short today against Auckland.

Plenty of Kamo in the mix this year, and hopefully a few more opportunities at higher honours still to come for some of the boys. 👀 🤞

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14/08/2026

🏆 U23 Glen Fenwick Cup – Best Forward: Callum MacRury

With plenty of young talent coming through the club, there was no shortage of competition for this one. But for the second year running, the Glen Fenwick Cup stays in the same hands.

Callum is only in his second season of senior rugby, but you probably wouldn’t know it watching him play. Injuries saw him thrown in the deep end of Premier rugby last year and, rather than looking out of place, he took his opportunity and has continued to build from there. He’s backed that up this year too, earning himself a spot in the Northland U20s.

Strong on defence and certainly not someone I’d voluntarily run at. It’s safe to say, not too many people get past him, once he lines them up. And just as importantly, he goes alright in the aftermatch too.

A pretty solid all-rounder and we have absolutely no doubt that there’s plenty more to come from this young fella.

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06/08/2026

After a big win last week, our U14’s are off to the final this Saturday.

They are preparing for a big battle against a strong OBM side and would love to have your support on the sideline!

They are playing at home, so get down to the club for a 10:30am kick off and help the boys bring home the win!

Lets get along and support our amazing U14s Kamo team take on OBM in the final!!
Saturday, 10.30am, Kamo 🏉🏉🤍🖤

05/08/2026

🏆 U23 Chris Hull Cup – Best Back: Harry Lowther & Blake Beardsell

Two very different players with one thing in common. Both have spent plenty of time in the loose forwards before finding themselves on the wing for the Premier side out of necessity, covering injuries throughout the season.

Harry set the tone in the opening game, bagging two tries, and kept delivering all season. He did whatever the team needed, quite often playing out of position. Somehow, despite returning to the forward pack, finished the year with more tries than all of our wingers combined.

Blake made just as much of an impression. In one game alone on the wing for the Premiers, he went one better than Harry and crossed for four tries. Always showing plenty of pace on the outside, a handy chip and chase and some classy passes. Unfortunately, before we could see a lot more of the magic, injuries hampered his season.

Two young players who put the club and team first, embraced the challenge of a different position and made the most of every opportunity.

Where they’ll line up next season is anyone’s guess. 👀

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30/07/2026

Our U14’s have had an outstanding season- coming through undefeated.

As a result they’ve earned themselves a home semi against Hika this Saturday.

Let’s get down and support them, as they are the future of the club.

All the best boys!

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🏉 UNDER 14 SEMI FINAL – WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT! 🖤🤍
What a season it has been for our Te Kamo Under 14s Rugby Team!
In our very first year competing in the IMB grade, our boys have played an outstanding round-robin campaign, finishing up undefeated. And now, we couldn't be prouder to be hosting our first-ever semi-final at Te Kamo.
This team is something special and throughout this season have made us so proud with how they have united together. With a real mix of players - from boys playing team sport for the very first time, others playing multiple codes, gaining players new to Whangārei, many playing only their second season, and a bunch who have proudly worn the black and white colours for years. Together with the help of their coaches, they've trained so hard and built an incredible, encouraging team culture and have earned every success that has come their way.
This Saturday, we take on Hikurangi U14 – a talented side made up of many of our boys' friends, classmates, and representative rugby teammates. That familiarity is sure to make for an exciting, hard-fought semi-final.
📅 Saturday, 1 August
🕥 10:30am Kick-off
📍 Bottom Field, Te Kamo Rugby Grounds
The boys know they're in for a tough contest and would love to see plenty of black and white on the sidelines. Your support can make all the difference, so come along, bring your voice, and help cheer our boys into the final!

20/07/2026

👀 A couple of familiar faces in the Northland Taniwha Wider NPC squad.

Congratulations to Mason Hohaia and Marley Murphy on their selection.

Both have worked incredibly hard over a number of seasons and have earned this opportunity. They’re important members of our Premier team, and it’s great to see that their hard work rewarded with a shot at higher honours.

We can’t wait to see what they do with the opportunity and our fingers are crossed for some game time for you both. Well deserved, boys.

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And the wider squad for the 'Wha North

20/07/2026

🏆 Club Captain’s Trophy: Andre Abplanalp- Physio

We’ve been lucky enough to have the team at Whangarei Physio and Hand Therapy alongside Kamo Rugby for a number of years now. Last year this award went to Matt Kingi, and after the season we’ve had, it’s only fitting that it remains in the hands of our physio- with Andre taking it home.

Injuries were a constant again for us this season, and Andre played a massive role in assessing and treating players- helping keep as many of the boys on the paddock as possible throughout the year. His work behind the scenes each week played a huge part in keeping our teams going.

It’s also fair to say Andre’s talents aren’t limited to the physio table. He’s made himself at home at Kamo and, once he’s off the clock, has been known to put in quite the dedicated shift with the boys.

Thanks for everything this season and for fitting seamlessly into the team. 🫡

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19/07/2026

👏 A big THANK YOU to Reserves Coach Kurt Benney

With the Reserves awards all wrapped up, it only seems fitting to say a huge thanks to the man behind the team this season.

A bit of a Kamo legend, Kurt made the call to coach instead of play this year. That plan didn’t last long. Before we knew it, his name was back on the team sheet and he was pulling double duties as player and coach. As always, he brought his trademark physicality and set the tone every time he pulled on the jersey.

His hammy’s might not have let him spend as much time on the field as he could’ve… but they probably also stopped him from being out there long enough to pick up any cards.

Thanks for everything you’ve put into the reserves team this year, Kurt and to your little family for putting up with it. The time and effort spent getting a team on the field each week, didn’t go unnoticed.

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15/07/2026

🏆 Coach’s Award – Reserve’s Most Consistent: Logan Donelley

With a revolving door of players pulling the boots on for the reserves this season, only a handful managed to front up every week.

Logan was one of them. Week after week he quietly got the job done, turning in the sort of consistent performances every team needs. A young Todd Scotland of sorts, Logan leads through his actions more than his words, and whether it was on the field or stepping up after the match, he was always willing to do his bit for the team.

For that consistency, Kurt Benney’s inaugural Most Consistent award- a well-earned bottle of Fireball- found the right home. 🥃

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