La Zeppa  was the venue for the inaugural meeting of Brecon RFC Former Players Overseas Social Club – New Zealand Branch (BRFCFPOSCNZB) with about ¼ of the Brecon RFC’s 2003-2004 1st XV present. 

Attendees were (from left to right):

1. Scott Patrick (winger). Cardigan RFC, British Territorial Army RFC,  University of Wales Institute Cardiff RFC, Taffs Well RFC, Brecon RFC, Brynmawr RFC, Brecon RC,  Brynmawr RFC, Brecon RFC (possibly). Brecon policeman Scott is on a sabbatical touring around Australia and New Zealand. He claims he’s an Aussie but is actually Welsh and in his job  once stopped a bullet using only his clenched abs. He is famous for being the only player in Welsh rugby whose biceps are bigger than his thighs
2. Sam Walsh (2nd row). New Zealand U19 Trialist, Autaba RFC (Waikato, New Zealand), Takapuna RFC (Auckland, New Zealand), Brecon RFC. Ex-Shortland Street actor (think gay doctor) Sam is  originally from Auckland, New Zealand and played for Brecon RFC between 2003 and 2005  fulfilling his lifelong ambition by playing for a WRU founder club. As Sam put it ‘ever since Huw Richards was feld by a Wayne Shelford punch in the semi final of the 1987 Rugby World Cup I have had a burning desire to play for one of the Welsh Rugby Union’s founder clubs. When I approached Brecon and explained my ambition, they were only too pleased to help me out’.
3. Brett Johnson (back row)  Waikato Secondary Schools and South Canterbury representative sides, Taraunga Sport, Bay of Plenty, Brecon RFC. Brett joined Brecon RFC the season before Sam and was instrumental in persuading Sam to join the club. Brett must rank as one of the best players Parc de Pugh has seen in recent times. Brett’s back row play was exceptional and he would surely have had a long career with Bay of Plenty in New Zealand’s National Provincial Championship but for a broken elbow. As Brett put it ‘we went over to play Waikato at Waikato Stadium and Aleki Lutui came through and busted my arm out of its socket’.  Bay of Plenty’s loss was Brecon’s gain and after a lengthy recovery Brett`s Brecon exploits have become the stuff of legend perhaps best exemplified by him playing on for a full 60 minutes when he broke his jaw in a home game.
4. Johnny Morris (open side / centre / winger / full back) Abercraf RFC, St Peters RFC, Andover RFC, Newbury RFC, Brecon RFC, College Rifles RFC. And you know a bit about me already.

Anyway, a good night was had by all and BRFCFPOSCNZB intends to meet up on regular basis and, with more Brecon RFC player around or planning a visit (Huw Baldwin is in the country, Howell Havard is arriving later in the year and Huw ‘Jock’ Jones is planning a trip once blue tongue diseases restrictions are lifted and he has sold his suckler calves) we may even be able to form a sevens team !!