* Corrected as Karl Thornton was coach of Cambridge High School First XV and not school principal.
David Morris can often be found washing dishes in the clubroom kitchen, but on Saturday the humble Hautapu rugby servant was on the field playing his 150th premier match. Jesse Wood spoke to him on the achievement.
David Morris slots a conversion in his 150th premier match. Photo: Matt Gould
David Morris had never kicked a conversion in club rugby before, but this was a special occasion, and no-one was about to argue when got the ball.
It was full time – Quentin Hill had scored under the posts – it was 88-10 and no harm would be done if he missed.
But he didn’t and he was engulfed by teammates when it sailed through the posts at Memorial Park in Cambridge on Anzac Day celebrating not only a resounding win over Melville but the end of his 150th game for Hautapu.
Regarded as a great leader on and off the park, Morris scored three tries and the conversion for a 17-point haul.
The 30-year-old also played the match at lock rather than his usual flanker position.
Club president Dave Simes acknowledged the achievement saying that Morris’ contribution to Hautapu went well beyond just playing the game.
“Dave has fully immersed himself in club life over the 11 years he has played, and he has brought his family along with him on that journey,” Simes said.
“Davey always makes time for people in the club, new and old members, enjoys the company of others, but has never compromised his on-field playing performances. He is a fine example of what we are about as a club.”
Mitch Jacobson (from left), David Morris and Jason Thomasen have played at Hautapu together since 2014. Photo: Matt Gould
Hautapu head coach Jackson Willison said “Davey’s day” was a perfect storm and they fielded a strong team.
“It was an easy motivation to get up for that one,” he said.
“Most people will see the value Davey adds on the field, his leadership, and credit to him, this year his form has been as good as I’ve ever seen it.
“What people might not have seen is his contribution off the park – whether it’s kitting the boys out, bringing our young guys through from a leadership point of view and doing the groundwork. He leads from the front.
“He’s often in the kitchen washing the dishes or up front leading the haka practices.”
Morris has scored 55 tries, 282 points and won 118 matches since his debut in 2014, a 78.7 per cent win rate.
He has been part of three club premiership-winning teams, the undefeated 2019 side, 2020 and 2023.
“Hautapu has been a big part of my life since leaving school,” he said.
“I don’t score too many tries, but to get three in the one game was pretty out the gate.”
Achieving 150 club games is a rare achievement these days.
“When I first started playing, we were able to tick over a few games in a season. We’d play 20 games. Nowadays the competition is much shorter. You only play 13 or 14 games if you make the finals,” Morris said.
“I guess not getting injured has probably helped [get me to here]. There’s also so many opportunities overseas these days to go play and travel, but it’s good to be loyal.”
Flanker David Morris scores Hautapu’s second try when Hautapu beat Hamilton Marist 41-33 to win its seventh Waikato Rugby Union grand final. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Apart from winning the premierships, Morris said playing alongside Mitch Jacobson and Jason “JT” Thomasen from game one to game 150 was a thrill as were appearances with club All Blacks Luke Jacobson, Tawera Kerr-Barlow and Liam Messam.
“The network and the people around the club are also a highlight. There are so many good families.”
Thomasen is next in line to play 150 games, currently sitting on 139.
“[David is] a huge part of what makes club rugby good. He loves getting out there with the boys and playing for Hautapu,” co-captain Mitch Jacobson said.
“He’s outstanding with all the old boys in the club rooms and always brings great energy to trainings and games.
“He’s also a bloody handy player, happy to play anywhere to help the team. The club is stoked to have had him involved since 2014 and he’s a great man to play alongside.”
Morris started playing rugby in the Hawke’s Bay at an early age, before the family moved to Australia when he was 8.
David Morris of the 2013 Australia Schools team. Photo: Supplied
He attended Newington College in Sydney and went on to represent the 2013 Australian Schools team on a UK tour, playing alongside future NRL and Super Rugby stars against England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
After high school, Morris headed back to New Zealand to study Business Management at Waikato University.
* His father knew then Cambridge High School First XV coach Karl Thornton, who recommended playing rugby for Hautapu.
More than a decade later, Morris has never looked back.
He represented Waikato Under-19 in his early years of club rugby and captained the New Zealand Harlequins XV two years ago.
Off the park, Morris has been Dynasty Sport’s account manager for five years across the Waikato and Central North Island.
David Morris makes a break against Melville. Photo: Matt Gould
