10 years on since Pakuranga’s first ever Gallaher Shield win and there is one thing that hasn’t changed and that’s Nev Shirley’s involvement with the premiers. 

These days you’ll see him on the side lines as one of the managers of the premier team, in 2013 he worked alongside Pita Alatini as a coach. 

A lot has been said by players we’ve talked to about the culture within the team in 2013 that that is something Nev highlights as one of his favourite memories of the season. 

“With the team we had everyone was on the same page and had the passion to win the Gallaher Shield,” said Nev. 

When recalling on field highlights it was late in the season, a win that had play off permutations. 

“We beat Marist at Marist which meant we would have a home semi-final, that was big.” 

And we all know what an epic encounter that semi-final turned out to be! 

Nev said players like Sam Prattley and Malakai Fekitoa were key, “they were really driven to perform that year.” 

Nev says there are too many highlights from the Finals day at Eden Park and back at the club afterwards to name them all. 

“At halftime I remember looking at the score and I couldn’t quite believe it. Afterwards, going back to the club was really special.”

Article added: Thursday 25 May 2023