NELSON Bay Rugby Club has appointed forward leader Zion Takarua as men’s first grade coach for the 2025 season.

The personality-prop will take over the reins from premiership-winning mentor Michael Wiringi, who is having a twelve month sabbatical away from the code.

At the age of 36, the experienced Takarua still has much to offer.

He will take on the Head Coaching role and continue to nurture the club’s new generation of forwards on the art of scrummaging, defensive technique and ball play.

The fearless forward will still be available to play for the Gropers and is tipped to celebrate his 100th match milestone for the club during the early rounds of the 2025 Hunter Suburban Men’s Rugby series.

With his blockbusting runs and leadership qualities, the giant prop has proved a valuable member of the Gropers’ champion top grade men’s squad since linking with the club back in 2016.

Takarua is no stranger to coaching.

He enjoyed a three year stint with Medowie Rugby Club – leading them to a Divisional Major premiership triumph in 2020 before taking on the player coach role in 2022 and guiding the Marauders to Divisional Minor Premiership honours.

Zion transferred back to Nelson Bay in 2023 and played a key role in the Gropers’ undefeated minor premiership and Grand Final-winning double.

Keen judges regard the rampaging forward as one of the toughest Nelson Bay players to have ever laced on a boot.

Zion hails from the small town of Shannon in the North Island of New Zealand where he grew up playing for the historic Shannon Community Rugby Club, which was formed in 1899.

He emigrated to Australia in 2012 and had brief stints with both the Wanderers and Hamilton rugby clubs in Newcastle before joining the Gropers.

After bowing out to Cooks Hill Brown Snakes in the 2024 preliminary final, a steely Takarua is determined to bring back the Presidents Cup championship trophy to the “Groperdome.”

By Chris KARAS