Tribute : Horace Lewis (1968-2019)
HE MAIMAI AROHA
E nga mana, e nga reo , e nga karangatanga maha
Kua hinga tetahi totara i te wao nui a Tane Mahuta
Kua ngaro te toki haemata ki te po uriuri, te po tangotango
E te Rangatira, moe mai, okioki ai
The Ngati Porou East Coast Rugby Union is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Horace Lewis .Horace was a genuine large as life character, renown for his uncompromising attitude on the playing field and loving generous heart off it. He returned home in 1999 to play for NPEC having already compiled an impressive Rugby C.V representing Poverty Bay, North Harbour, Otago, Hawkes Bay and the Central Vikings. In 1992 he was selected for the NZ Maori Team who played a Bay of Plenty side.
A proud product of Gisborne Boys High School 1st XV , he never forgot his humble beginnings growing up in Tokomaru Bay where he kicked off his representative career with the East Coast South Under 13 team.
Horace’s trademark was barnstorming runs up field with the ball in one hand and fending off would-be tacklers with the other. For such a big guy he had a surprising turn of speed and was an imposing figure when on the charge in sky blue colors.
Horace played his last game of rugby in the 2016 Grand Final for his beloved club, Hikurangi at the tender age of 47. He had an outstanding game and finished a glittering career on a highly satisfying note.
He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Our sincere condolences go out to his wife Pia and extended whanau at this very sad time.
Ma te Atua tatou e manaaki, e tiaki
Career:
1987 – Poverty Bay (GMC) (6g)
1991/92/95/99 – North Harbour (Glenfield)(Marist), 12g, 3t, 14pts
1992 – Northern Maori
1992 – NZ Maori
1993 – Otago (Alhambra-Union)
1993 – Otago XV (3g)
1996/98 – Hawke’s Bay (Hastings Sports)(13g), 2t
1997 – Central Vikings (Hastings Sports) (3g)
1999/2000/01/02/03/04/05/06/07/08/09
Ngāti Porou East Coast
(Marist, North Harbour) (Hastings Sports, HB) (Hikurangi)
87 games, 14 tries
2000 – Poverty Bay-East Coast, Captain , 1t
POVERTY BAY-EAST COAST vs SCOTLAND
Rugby Park, Gisborne June 13, 2000
Career: 129g, 20t, 99pts- Flanker