RUGBY forward warrior Sam Rocher has joined a select band of Nelson Bay Gropers on the club’s 100 game honour roll.
The inspirational skipper marked a career milestone with a powerhouse performance in the recent triumph over Medowie Marauders to kickstart the Gropers’ 2025 Hunter Suburban Rugby campaign.
Rocher has proved a model of consistency over the past three seasons and was a vital cog in Nelson Bay’s all conquering 2023 side, which annexed both the minor title and Presidents Cup premiership trophy.
He is the son of legendary Gropers lock and current club president Gavin Rocher and pound for pound one of the hardest working forwards in the top grade competition.
A teak tough customer with natural ball skills, Sam also featured prominently in Nelson Bay’s impressive 57-12 drubbing of the Pokolbin Reds at Cessnock’s Drain Oval.
His bone-jarring defence, power running and clever line-out play inspired the revamped Gropers to their second win in this year’s Suburban Men’s series.
New coach Zion Takarua handed Rocher the first grade captaincy reins at the start of the season and the forward dynamo has revelled in the role.
Sam’s leadership qualities were evident back in 2022 when he captained the club’s Premier Three side and he continues to be a fine role model for the Nelson Bay rugby family.
The Gropers outclassed Pokolbin in a nine try rout with talented fullback Will Dunn crossing twice and key halves Kade Redmond and Khace Petera, centre Cody Ross, utility Dan Arnfield, Sam Ingham and forwards Jordan Byfield and hooker Ross Buchan posting five pointers with flanker Ryan Marshall booting six conversions.
With two victories and two losses from their opening four fixtures, the Nelson Bay team have moved into fifth spot on the ladder on 13 points – six behind competition pacesetters and reigning premiers Singleton Red Bulls (19).
The Hunter Suburban Rugby series resumes this Saturday when Nelson Bay hosts the Singleton Black Bulls at Bill Strong Oval at 3pm in conjunction with the club’s Memorial Day/Old Boys Day celebrations.
Smarting from a 31-0 loss to Wanderers at the Newcastle No 2 Sports Ground, the Nelson Bay women’s team are chasing a morale-boosting win over Maitland with kick off at 4.30pm.
By Chris KARAS
