Howick Hornets are now the current holder of the Roope Rooster, a trophy which will be challenged for at each Fox Memorial home game for the remainder of the season. The holder at the end of the season get's their club name inscribed on the trophy, Howick last appeared on the Roope in 2012.

The first challenge for the Rooster will be Saturday 8 June, when Manurewa venture onto Paparoa Park. This will also be a live-streamed game.

When asked why a rooster, Mr Dick Roope who donated the trophy to the Auckland Rugby League in 1915 for a knock-out competition is quoted as saying "So the team that won it would have something to crow about". Indeed since 1915 the trophy has become a symbol of the cost to thousands of players in so much sweat and blood, and caused so many tears and cheers, for more than a century.

Welcome back to the Hornet's Nest - 🐝 The Rooster is in the Nest 🐝

Article added: Sunday 26 May 2019