Rugby 2021

INSIDE ALL BLACKS PLAYER PROFILES PROFILE: LESLEY ELDER – BLACK FERNS CAPTAIN BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE NPC, HEARTLAND CHAMPIONSHIP AND FARAH PALMER CUP DRAWS NPC TEAM PROFILES AND MORE… WWW.OLIVERLEE.CO.NZ

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RUGBY2021

CONTENTS HE 2021 6 TSEASONS PREVIEW:

A preview of the upcoming seasons for the All Blacks, Bunnings Warehouse NPC, Farah Palmer Cup and Heartland Championship.

MANAGING EDITOR: Oliver Lee EDITOR: Peter White SUB-EDITOR: Elise McDowell COVER DESIGN: Ontime Associates Limited DESIGN & LAYOUT: HNZL 2014 Limited PHOTOGRAPHY: photosport.nz Getty Images PRINTING: Webstar Auckland PUBLISHER:

Box 331-667, Takapuna, Auckland 0740, New Zealand T: 09 486 6966 E: oliver@oliverlee.co.nz W: oliverlee.co.nz

LL BLACKS 9 APLAYERS PROFILES:

We profile the 36 All Blacks selected to contest the Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship.

NTERNATIONAL 14 IFIXTURES

All the details you need for the Bledisloe Cup, Rugby Championship, Black Ferns v Australia, and All Blacks end-of-year tour test matches.

RECORD YEAR 16 AAHEAD FOR THE

FARAH PALMER CUP

We preview what will be an historic season for the women’s provincial game, with live coverage of every game.

ARAH PALMER CUP 17 FFIXTURES

A draw of all the games in this year’s Farah Palmer Cup, including the results from rounds already played.

ELDER 18 LWeESLEY talk to the Black Ferns captain about the state of our women’s game a year out from the Rugby World Cup.

BNPC UNNINGS WAREHOUSE PREMIERSHIP PREVIEWS 21 TASMAN

22 AUCKLAND

UNNINGS WAREHOUSE 24 BNPC FIXTURES The game schedule for this year will see the teams play 70 matches before the play-offs in just 10 weeks.

BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE NPC PREMIERSHIP PREVIEWS CONTINUED

CANTERBURY

26

28 WELLINGTON

31 BAY OF PLENTY

32 HAWKE’S BAY

34 WAIKATO

BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE NPC CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEWS

OTAGO

36

37 NORTHLAND

38 COUNTIES MANUKAU

40 MANAWATU

41 NORTH HARBOUR 42 SOUTHLAND 43 TARANAKI UNNINGS WAREHOUSE 44 BHEARTLAND CHAMPIONSHIP

Twelve teams will kick-off the Heartland Championship to try and become the next Meads Cup or Lochore Cup champions.

UNNINGS WAREHOUSE 45 BHEARTLAND CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES

A draw of all the games in this season’s Heartland Championship.

UGBY WORLD CUP 46 RNEW ZEALAND 2021 (PLAYING IN 2022)

All the fixtures for the women’s Rugby World Cup to be held in New Zealand in 2022.

COVER IMAGES: As pictured, clockwise: Chelsea and Alana Bremner of Canterbury; South Canterbury co-captains Miles Medlicott and Nick Strachan; Tasman captain David Havili; Black Ferns captain Lesley Elder; centre Aaron Smith, who is set to play his 100th test for the All Blacks against the Wallabies at Eden Park on August 7, 2021.

NOTE: The TAB odds quoted throughout the magazine were correct on 26 July 2021.

ISSN 2463-7041 (Print) ISSN 2463-705X (Online)

COPYRIGHT: Reproduction in whole or in part by any means is prohibited. DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Although all material is checked for accuracy, no liability is assumed by the publisher for any loss due to use of material in this magazine.

RICHIE MO’UNGA in action against the Wallabies.

TASMAN celebrate winning the Premiership last season.

FROM GRASSROOTS TO A FULL-ON INTERNATIONAL SEASON —

2021 RUGBY HAS IT ALL

by PETER WHITE

There is something to excite all rugby fans in the months ahead, with a bumper All Blacks programme, the Bunnings Warehouse NPC, Heartland Championship and Farah Palmer Cup to enjoy.

For the All Blacks, home advantage will certainly play into their favour.

Nine of the 10 tests to be played before the end-of-year Northern Hemisphere tour are at home. The only away match is the second Bledisloe Cup test, which is in Perth on August 21.

To host nine home tests is a major advantage for All Blacks head coach Ian Foster. He did not have an easy first year in charge in 2020 with the six tests played producing three wins, two losses and a rare draw.

The Steinlager Series in July gave the All Blacks the opportunity to blood in some new players and trial different combinations. While the results against a severely depleted Tongan side (102–0) and far more competitive Fiji (won 57–23 and 60–13) went to plan, there were plenty of areas for the coaches to fine tune.

Three tests in quick succession against the Wallabies in Auckland, Wellington and Perth in August should get rugby fans on both sides of the Tasman revved up. The Wallabies, under former Chiefs boss Dave Rennie, defeated France in a three-test series, 2–1, at home in July.

The Rugby Championship takes centre stage in September and the first week of October.

The All Blacks have back-to-back tests against Argentina at Eden Park on September 11 and in Wellington on September 18, before two clashes against the Springboks – Dunedin on September 25 and Eden Park on October 2.

The match against the Springboks in Dunedin will be the one-hundredth played between the great rugby foes. It also commemorates the 100-year anniversary since the first test played between the All Blacks and Springboks in Dunedin on August 13, 1921. On that afternoon at the famous old Carisbrook ground the All Blacks won 13–5.

6 | RUGBY 2021

The Springboks will be well and truly match-hardened after playing three tests against the British and Irish Lions.

The much-anticipated Northern Hemisphere tour sees the All Blacks playing another four internationals to finish off a busy year.

First stop is the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on October 30 to take on Wales, who are coached by Kiwi Wayne Pivac. Then it is a game against Italy in Rome on November 6 before taking on Ireland in Dublin on November 13 and France in Paris on November 20.

While all this international rugby is being played, the three major domestic competitions will showcase the very best talent in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Bunnings Warehouse NPC features the top 14 men’s provincial teams, split into Premiership and Championship divisions. Last year, Tasman won their second consecutive Premiership title after beating favourites Auckland 13–12 in a thrilling final at Eden Park.

Hawke’s Bay were promoted to the Premiership after beating a gallant Northland in the Championship final. North Harbour were the unlucky team to be relegated from the Premiership.

It will be a special season for women’s rugby with all 44 matches in the Farah Palmer Cup to be broadcast live on Sky Television. The competition is based on similar lines to the NPC with the top 14 women’s teams split between the Premiership and Championship.

The Heartland Championship returns to a town near you after COVID-19 wiped out the competition last year. Twelve teams will contest the initial round-robin of eight matches each, before the top four teams compete for the Meads Cup and the next four teams will compete for the Lochore Cup. If you get a chance, go out and support grassroots rugby – you won’t be disappointed.

WWW.ALLBLACKS.COM

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ALL BLACKS PLAYER PROFILES SAM WHITELOCK CAPTAIN #1104

TJ PERENARA

PLACE OF BIRTH: PALMERSTON NORTH DATE OF BIRTH: 12 OCTOBER 1988 AGE: 32 HEIGHT: 2.02m WEIGHT: 115kg POSITION: LOCK PROVINCIAL TEAM: CANTERBURY SUPER RUGBY TEAM: CRUSADERS TEST DEBUT: v IRELAND IN NEW PLYMOUTH, 12 JUNE 2010 ALL BLACK TESTS: 125 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 30

PLACE OF BIRTH: PORIRUA DATE OF BIRTH: 23 JANUARY 1992 AGE: 29 HEIGHT: 1.84m WEIGHT: 90kg POSITION: HALFBACK PROVINCIAL TEAM: WELLINGTON SUPER RUGBY TEAM: HURRICANES TEST DEBUT: v ENGLAND IN AUCKLAND, 7 JUNE 2014 ALL BLACK TESTS: 99 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 65

AARON SMITH

BACKS

image credit: ALL BLACKS COLLECTION / GETTY IMAGES

The All Blacks squad for the 2021 edition of the Rugby Championship was named on Monday, 19 July. Here are profiles for the 36 selected players. All statistics were correct at time of going to press. For all up-to-date information on the All Blacks, visit www.allblacks.com

#1112

PLACE OF BIRTH: PALMERSTON NORTH DATE OF BIRTH: 21 NOVEMBER 1988 AGE: 32 HEIGHT: 1.73m WEIGHT: 83kg POSITION: HALFBACK PROVINCIAL TEAM: MANAWATU SUPER RUGBY TEAM: HIGHLANDERS TEST DEBUT: v IRELAND IN AUCKLAND, 9 JUNE 2012 ALL BLACK TESTS: 99 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 107

BEAUDEN BARRETT

#1115

PLACE OF BIRTH: NEW PLYMOUTH DATE OF BIRTH: 27 MAY 1991 AGE: 30 HEIGHT: 1.87m WEIGHT: 91kg POSITION: FIRST FIVE-EIGHTH PROVINCIAL TEAM: TARANAKI SUPER RUGBY TEAM: HURRICANES TEST DEBUT: v IRELAND IN HAMILTON, 23 JUNE 2012 ALL BLACK TESTS: 91 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 671

BRAYDON ENNOR

#1184

PLACE OF BIRTH: AUCKLAND DATE OF BIRTH: 16 JULY 1997 AGE: 24 HEIGHT: 1.87m WEIGHT: 94kg POSITION: CENTRE PROVINCIAL TEAM: CANTERBURY SUPER RUGBY TEAM: CRUSADERS TEST DEBUT: v ARGENTINA IN BUENOS AIRES, 20 JULY 2019 ALL BLACK TESTS: 1 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 0

RIEKO IOANE

#1156

PLACE OF BIRTH: AUCKLAND DATE OF BIRTH: 18 MARCH 1997 AGE: 24 HEIGHT: 1.89m WEIGHT: 103kg POSITION: WING PROVINCIAL TEAM: AUCKLAND SUPER RUGBY TEAM: BLUES TEST DEBUT: v ITALY IN ROME, 12 NOVEMBER 2016 ALL BLACK TESTS: 37 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 140

QUINN TUPAEA

#1193

PLACE OF BIRTH: HAMILTON DATE OF BIRTH: 10 MAY 1999 AGE: 22 HEIGHT: 1.86m WEIGHT: 97kg POSITION: MIDFIELD BACK PROVINCIAL TEAM: WAIKATO SUPER RUGBY TEAM: CHIEFS TEST DEBUT: v TONGA IN AUCKLAND, 3 JULY 2021 ALL BLACK TESTS: 1 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 0

* Note: # denotes each player’s ALL BLACK number.

WWW.ALLBLACKS.COM

#1132

BRAD WEBER

#1140

PLACE OF BIRTH: NAPIER DATE OF BIRTH: 17 JANUARY 1991 AGE: 30 HEIGHT: 1.72m WEIGHT: 75kg POSITION: HALFBACK PROVINCIAL TEAM: WAIKATO, HAWKE’S BAY SUPER RUGBY TEAM: CHIEFS TEST DEBUT: v SAMOA IN APIA, 8 JULY 2015 ALL BLACK TESTS: 9 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 25

RICHARD MO’UNGA

#1167

PLACE OF BIRTH: CHRISTCHURCH DATE OF BIRTH: 25 MAY 1994 AGE: 27 HEIGHT: 1.76m WEIGHT: 83kg POSITION: FIRST FIVE-EIGHTH PROVINCIAL TEAM: CANTERBURY SUPER RUGBY TEAM: CRUSADERS TEST DEBUT: v FRANCE XV IN LYON, 14 NOVEMBER 2017 ALL BLACK TESTS: 24 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 212

DAVID HAVILI

#1161

PLACE OF BIRTH: NELSON DATE OF BIRTH: 23 DECEMBER 1994 AGE: 26 HEIGHT: 1.84m WEIGHT: 88kg POSITION: OUTSIDE BACK PROVINCIAL TEAM: TASMAN SUPER RUGBY TEAM: CRUSADERS TEST DEBUT: v ARGENTINA IN BUENOS AIRES, 30 SEPTEMBER 2017 ALL BLACK TESTS: 5 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 15

ANTON LIENERT-BROWN #1153 PLACE OF BIRTH: CHRISTCHURCH DATE OF BIRTH: 15 APRIL 1995 AGE: 26 HEIGHT: 1.85m WEIGHT: 96kg POSITION: CENTRE PROVINCIAL TEAM: WAIKATO SUPER RUGBY TEAM: CHIEFS TEST DEBUT: v AUSTRALIA IN WELLINGTON, 27 AUGUST 2016 ALL BLACK TESTS: 50 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 45

JORDIE BARRETT

#1159

PLACE OF BIRTH: NEW PLYMOUTH DATE OF BIRTH: 17 FEBRUARY 1997 AGE: 24 HEIGHT: 1.96m WEIGHT: 95kg POSITION: OUTSIDE BACK PROVINCIAL TEAM: TARANAKI SUPER RUGBY TEAM: HURRICANES TEST DEBUT: v SAMOA IN AUCKLAND, 16 JUNE 2017 ALL BLACK TESTS: 25 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 106

RUGBY 2021 | 9

GEORGE BRIDGE

#1178

PLACE OF BIRTH: GISBORNE DATE OF BIRTH: 1 APRIL 1995 AGE: 26 HEIGHT: 1.86m WEIGHT: 96kg POSITION: WING PROVINCIAL TEAM: CANTERBURY SUPER RUGBY TEAM: CRUSADERS TEST DEBUT: v JAPAN IN TOKYO, 3 NOVEMBER 2018 ALL BLACK TESTS: 12 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 55

DAMIAN McKENZIE

#1154

PLACE OF BIRTH: INVERCARGILL DATE OF BIRTH: 20 APRIL 1995 AGE: 26 HEIGHT: 1.77m WEIGHT: 78kg POSITION: FIRST FIVE-EIGHTH PROVINCIAL TEAM: WAIKATO SUPER RUGBY TEAM: CHIEFS TEST DEBUT: v ARGENTINA IN BUENOS AIRES, 1 OCTOBER 2016 ALL BLACK TESTS: 30 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 85

FORWARDS

ASAFO AUMUA

#1163

PLACE OF BIRTH: LOWER HUTT DATE OF BIRTH: 5 MAY 1997 AGE: 24 HEIGHT: 1.77m WEIGHT: 108kg POSITION: HOOKER PROVINCIAL TEAM: WELLINGTON SUPER RUGBY TEAM: HURRICANES TEST DEBUT: v BARBARIANS IN LONDON, 5 NOVEMBER 2017 ALL BLACK TESTS: 2 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 0

CODIE TAYLOR

#1143

#1180

PLACE OF BIRTH: CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA DATE OF BIRTH: 16 MARCH 1996 AGE: 25 HEIGHT: 1.92m WEIGHT: 127kg POSITION: PROP PROVINCIAL TEAM: TASMAN SUPER RUGBY TEAM: HIGHLANDERS TEST DEBUT: v JAPAN IN TOKYO, 3 NOVEMBER 2018 ALL BLACK TESTS: 8 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 0

ANGUS TA’AVAO

#1175

PLACE OF BIRTH: AUCKLAND DATE OF BIRTH: 22 MARCH 1990 AGE: 31 HEIGHT: 1.94m WEIGHT: 124kg POSITION: PROP PROVINCIAL TEAM: TARANAKI SUPER RUGBY TEAM: CHIEFS TEST DEBUT: v ARGENTINA IN BUENOS AIRES, 29 SEPTEMBER 2018 ALL BLACK TESTS: 16 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 5

10 | RUGBY 2021

#1191

SEVU REECE

#1182

PLACE OF BIRTH: NANDI, FIJI DATE OF BIRTH: 13 FEBRUARY 1997 AGE: 24 HEIGHT: 1.79m WEIGHT: 87kg POSITION: WING PROVINCIAL TEAM: WAIKATO SUPER RUGBY TEAM: CRUSADERS TEST DEBUT: v ARGENTINA IN BUENOS AIRES, 20 JULY 2019 ALL BLACK TESTS: 10 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 35

DANE COLES

#1117

PLACE OF BIRTH: PARAPARAUMU DATE OF BIRTH: 10 DECEMBER 1986 AGE: 34 HEIGHT: 1.84m WEIGHT: 110kg POSITION: HOOKER PROVINCIAL TEAM: WELLINGTON SUPER RUGBY TEAM: HURRICANES TEST DEBUT: v SCOTLAND IN EDINBURGH, 11 NOVEMBER 2012 ALL BLACK TESTS: 76 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 85

PLACE OF BIRTH: LEVIN DATE OF BIRTH: 31 MARCH 1991 AGE: 30 HEIGHT: 1.83m WEIGHT: 108kg POSITION: HOOKER PROVINCIAL TEAM: CANTERBURY SUPER RUGBY TEAM: CRUSADERS TEST DEBUT: v ARGENTINA IN CHRISTCHURCH, 17 JULY 2015 ALL BLACK TESTS: 58 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 60

TYREL LOMAX

WILL JORDAN PLACE OF BIRTH: CHRISTCHURCH DATE OF BIRTH: 24 FEBRUARY 1998 AGE: 23 HEIGHT: 1.88m WEIGHT: 94kg POSITION: OUTSIDE BACK PROVINCIAL TEAM: TASMAN SUPER RUGBY TEAM: CRUSADERS TEST DEBUT: v AUSTRALIA IN BRISBANE, 7 NOVEMBER 2020 ALL BLACK TESTS: 5 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 45

WWW.ALLBLACKS.COM

NEPO LAULALA

#1139

PLACE OF BIRTH: MOTO’OTUA, SAMOA DATE OF BIRTH: 6 NOVEMBER 1991 AGE: 29 HEIGHT: 1.84m WEIGHT: 116kg POSITION: PROP PROVINCIAL TEAM: CANTERBURY SUPER RUGBY TEAM: CRUSADERS TEST DEBUT: v SAMOA IN APIA, 8 JULY 2015 ALL BLACK TESTS: 31 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 0

JOE MOODY

#1134

PLACE OF BIRTH: CHRISTCHURCH DATE OF BIRTH: 18 SEPTEMBER 1988 AGE: 32 HEIGHT: 1.88m WEIGHT: 120kg POSITION: PROP PROVINCIAL TEAM: CANTERBURY SUPER RUGBY TEAM: CRUSADERS TEST DEBUT: v AUSTRALIA IN SYDNEY, 16 AUGUST 2014 ALL BLACK TESTS: 50 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 25

KARL TU’INUKAFE

#1171

PLACE OF BIRTH: AUCKLAND DATE OF BIRTH: 21 FEBRUARY 1993 AGE: 28 HEIGHT: 1.82m WEIGHT: 135kg POSITION: PROP PROVINCIAL TEAM: NORTH HARBOUR SUPER RUGBY TEAM: BLUES TEST DEBUT: v FRANCE IN AUCKLAND, 9 JUNE 2018 ALL BLACK TESTS: 18 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 5

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OFA TUUNGAFASI

#1150

PLACE OF BIRTH: NUKUALOFA, TONGA DATE OF BIRTH: 19 APRIL 1992 AGE: 29 HEIGHT: 1.95m WEIGHT: 122kg POSITION: PROP PROVINCIAL TEAM: AUCKLAND SUPER RUGBY TEAM: BLUES TEST DEBUT: v WALES IN DUNEDIN, 25 JUNE 2016 ALL BLACK TESTS: 39 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 5

SCOTT BARRETT

#1155

PLACE OF BIRTH: NEW PLYMOUTH DATE OF BIRTH: 20 NOVEMBER 1993 AGE: 27 HEIGHT: 1.97m WEIGHT: 111kg POSITION: LOCK PROVINCIAL TEAM: CANTERBURY SUPER RUGBY TEAM: CRUSADERS TEST DEBUT: v IRELAND IN CHICAGO, 5 NOVEMBER 2016 ALL BLACK TESTS: 42 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 25

BRODIE RETALLICK

#1110

PLACE OF BIRTH: RANGIORA DATE OF BIRTH: 31 MAY 1991 AGE: 30 HEIGHT: 2.04m WEIGHT: 123kg POSITION: LOCK PROVINCIAL TEAM: HAWKE’S BAY SUPER RUGBY TEAM: CHIEFS TEST DEBUT: v IRELAND IN AUCKLAND, 9 JUNE 2012 ALL BLACK TESTS: 83 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 25

PATRICK TUIPULOTU

#1133

PLACE OF BIRTH: CHRISTCHURCH DATE OF BIRTH: 23 JANUARY 1993 AGE: 28 HEIGHT: 1.98m WEIGHT: 120kg POSITION: LOCK PROVINCIAL TEAM: AUCKLAND SUPER RUGBY TEAM: BLUES TEST DEBUT: v ENGLAND IN DUNEDIN, 14 JUNE 2014 ALL BLACK TESTS: 37 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 25

TUPOU VAA’I

#1188

PLACE OF BIRTH: AUCKLAND DATE OF BIRTH: 27 JANUARY 2000 AGE: 21 HEIGHT: 1.98m WEIGHT: 118kg POSITION: LOCK PROVINCIAL TEAM: TARANAKI SUPER RUGBY TEAM: CHIEFS TEST DEBUT: v AUSTRALIA IN WELLINGTON, 11 OCTOBER 2020 ALL BLACK TESTS: 4 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 5

SHANNON FRIZELL

#1172

PLACE OF BIRTH: TONGATAPU, TONGA DATE OF BIRTH: 11 FEBRUARY 1994 AGE: 27 HEIGHT: 1.95m WEIGHT: 108kg POSITION: FLANKER PROVINCIAL TEAM: TASMAN SUPER RUGBY TEAM: HIGHLANDERS TEST DEBUT: v FRANCE IN DUNEDIN, 23 JUNE 2018 ALL BLACK TESTS: 15 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 15

LUKE JACOBSON

#1195

AKIRA IOANE

#1166

PLACE OF BIRTH: TOKYO, JAPAN DATE OF BIRTH: 16 JUNE 1995 AGE: 26 HEIGHT: 1.94m WEIGHT: 113kg POSITION: LOOSE FORWARD PROVINCIAL TEAM: AUCKLAND SUPER RUGBY TEAM: BLUES TEST DEBUT: v FRANCE XV IN LYON, 14 NOVEMBER 2017 ALL BLACK TESTS: 4 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 0

#1183

PLACE OF BIRTH: CAMBRIDGE DATE OF BIRTH: 20 APRIL 1997 AGE: 24 HEIGHT: 1.91m WEIGHT: 107kg POSITION: FLANKER PROVINCIAL TEAM: WAIKATO SUPER RUGBY TEAM: CHIEFS TEST DEBUT: v ARGENTINA IN BUENOS AIRES, 20 JULY 2019 ALL BLACK TESTS: 5 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 5

ARDIE SAVEA

ETHAN BLACKADDER PLACE OF BIRTH: RANGIORA DATE OF BIRTH: 22 MARCH 1995 AGE: 26 HEIGHT: 1.90m WEIGHT: 111kg POSITION: LOOSE FORWARD PROVINCIAL TEAM: TASMAN SUPER RUGBY TEAM: CRUSADERS TEST DEBUT: v TONGA IN AUCKLAND, 3 JULY 2021 ALL BLACK TESTS: 2 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 0

#1147

PLACE OF BIRTH: WELLINGTON DATE OF BIRTH: 14 OCTOBER 1993 AGE: 27 HEIGHT: 1.90m WEIGHT: 99kg POSITION: LOOSE FORWARD PROVINCIAL TEAM: WELLINGTON SUPER RUGBY TEAM: HURRICANES TEST DEBUT: v WALES IN AUCKLAND, 11 JUNE 2016 ALL BLACK TESTS: 50 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 60

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DALTON PAPALII

#1176

PLACE OF BIRTH: AUCKLAND DATE OF BIRTH: 11 OCTOBER 1997 AGE: 23 HEIGHT: 1.93m WEIGHT: 113kg POSITION: FLANKER PROVINCIAL TEAM: COUNTIES MANUKAU SUPER RUGBY TEAM: BLUES TEST DEBUT: v JAPAN IN TOKYO, 3 NOVEMBER 2018 ALL BLACK TESTS: 5 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 5

HOSKINS SOTUTU

#1186

PLACE OF BIRTH: AUCKLAND DATE OF BIRTH: 12 JULY 1998 AGE: 23 HEIGHT: 1.92m WEIGHT: 106kg POSITION: No 8 PROVINCIAL TEAM: AUCKLAND SUPER RUGBY TEAM: BLUES TEST DEBUT: v AUSTRALIA IN WELLINGTON, 11 OCTOBER 2020 ALL BLACK TESTS: 6 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 0

RUGBY 2021 | 13

ALL BLACKS FIXTURES 2021

The All Blacks will play seven tests in the Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship, while the Black Ferns have two tests against Australia set down for September and October.

For the latest Information on kick-off times and venue changes, visit www.allblacks.com

2021 BLEDISLOE CUP DATE SATURDAY 7 AUGUST

MATCH All Blacks v Australia

VENUE Eden Park, Auckland

KICK-OFF LOCAL TIME 7.05pm

SATURDAY 21 AUGUST

Australia v All Blacks

Optus Stadium, Perth

SATURDAY 28 AUGUST

All Blacks v Australia

Sky Stadium, Wellington

10.00pm 7.05pm

2021 RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP DATE

MATCH

VENUE

KICK-OFF LOCAL TIME

SATURDAY 21 AUGUST

Australia v All Blacks* Argentina v South Africa

Optus Stadium, Perth TBC, South Africa

SATURDAY 28 AUGUST

All Blacks v Australia* South Africa v Argentina

Sky Stadium, Wellington TBC, South Africa

7.05pm TBC

SATURDAY 11 SEPTEMBER

All Blacks v Argentina South Africa v Australia

Eden Park, Auckland Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney

7.05pm 5.00pm

SATURDAY 18 SEPTEMBER

Argentina v All Blacks Australia v South Africa

Sky Stadium, Wellington Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

7.05pm TBC

SATURDAY 25 SEPTEMBER

All Blacks v South Africa Australia v Argentina

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin TBC, Australia

7.05pm TBC

SATURDAY 2 OCTOBER

South Africa v All Blacks Argentina v Australia

Eden Park, Auckland TBC, Australia

7.05pm TBC

10.00pm TBC

*Bledisloe Cup game

2021 O’REILLY CUP – BLACK FERNS FIXTURES DATE

MATCH

VENUE

SUNDAY 26 SEPTEMBER

Black Ferns v Australia

Rugby Park, Christchurch

KICK-OFF LOCAL TIME 4.05pm

SATURDAY 2 OCTOBER

Black Ferns v Australia

Eden Park, Auckland

4:30pm

2021 TOUR OF USA AND EUROPE DATE

MATCH

VENUE

SATURDAY 23 OCTOBER

USA Eagles v All Blacks

FedExField, Washington

KICK-OFF LOCAL TIME TBC

SATURDAY 30 OCTOBER

Wales v All Blacks

Principality Stadium, Cardiff

TBC

SATURDAY 6 NOVEMBER

Italy v All Blacks

TBC

TBC

SATURDAY 13 NOVEMBER

Ireland v All Blacks

Aviva Stadium, Dublin

TBC

SATURDAY 20 NOVEMBER

France v All Blacks

Stade de France, Paris

TBC

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RECORD-SETTING YEAR AHEAD FOR FARAH PALMER CUP

by PETER WHITE

This season’s Farah Palmer Cup will break new ground. For the first time since the Women’s Provincial Championship began in 1999, all 44 matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sport.

Black Ferns and Bay of Plenty Volcanix captain Lesley Elder says having that level of exposure is really important to continue to grow the women’s game.

“I am a really big believer [that] if you can’t see something, you can’t be it. Getting female rugby players on the screen for young females all over the country to see is really helpful for our game.

“It also adds to that professionalism as well. Now we can watch our opposition, which is really cool from a playing, strategic point-of-view. There are heaps of girls across the country in the smaller regions who might not have got exposure.

So, for them having some screen time is always going to help as well.”

The Farah Palmer Cup includes seven weeks of round-robin action before the top four teams in the Premiership and Championship divisions contest the semi-finals on September 3–5. The following weekend, the winning teams will playoff for the Championship and Premiership titles.

Canterbury are chasing their fifth consecutive title after just sneaking past Waikato 8–7 in last year’s gripping final. Their opening round victory over a well-prepared Counties Manukau Heat side showed just how good they can be – winning 59–12.

Waikato are hoping to repeat last season’s run to the final. It was a stellar season under new head coach James Semple, the former Counties Manukau and North Harbour first-five.

Strengthened by the return of experienced front-rower Steph Te Ohaere-Fox and halfbacks Melanie Puckett and Dianne Hiini, Canterbury also has new recruits in Black Ferns Amy du Plessis and Rosie Kelly from Otago, and Marcelle Parkes from Wellington.

AUCKLAND STORM 44–12 BAY OF PLENTY VOLCANIX CANTERBURY 59–12 COUNTIES MANUKAU HEAT WELLINGTON PRIDE 13–5 OTAGO SPIRIT

Kendra Cocksedge has been named for her 15th consecutive Farah Palmer Cup campaign, with the Canterbury squad again captained by Alana Bremner and fellow Black Fern Grace Brooker as her deputy.

HAWKE’S BAY TUIS 31–46 NORTHLAND

Auckland Storm are looking very strong in 2021.

Bay of Plenty Volcanix found out just how strong in round one, when they were defeated 44–12 by the Storm.

The early rounds played have showcased just how entertaining the women’s game is, with plenty of tries scored. Canterbury and Auckland Storm look the teams to beat from the form shown so far.

Auckland’s debutant head coach Willie Walker has seven Black Ferns in Aleisha-Pearl Nelson, Aldora Itunu, Cristo Tofa, Eloise Blackwell, Charmaine McMenamin, Ruahei Demant and Natahlia Moors.

The Premiership teams are Canterbury, Counties Manukau Heat, Auckland Storm, Bay of Plenty Volcanix, Wellington Pride, Otago Spirit and Waikato.

It has been a while since the Aucklanders were champions. They were once the dominant force, winning the trophy 15 times in 16 seasons, but their last title was in 2015.

Manawatu Cyclones, Taranaki Whio, Hawke’s Bay Tuis, North Harbour Hibiscus, Northland Kauri and Tasman Mako will contest the Championship division.

The balance of power in the women’s game has shifted south since then. Canterbury have won the last four titles, after Counties Manukau Heat came out on top in 2016.

CANTERBURY celebrate winning the Farah Palmer Cup in 2020.

16 | RUGBY 2021

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FARAH PALMER CUP

ROUND ONE RESULTS

ROUND TWO RESULTS

NORTH HARBOUR HIBISCUS 35–32 TASMAN WAIKATO WOMEN 17–24 CANTERBURY MANAWATU CYCLONES 48–5 TARANAKI COUNTIES MANUKAU HEAT 21–13 BAY OF PLENTY VOLCANIX OTAGO SPIRIT 15–39 AUCKLAND STORM

LIV McGOVERN on attack for Canterbury in last year’s final against Waikato.

FARAH PALMER CUP DRAW WEEK 1: SATURDAY 17 JULY — SUNDAY 18 JULY

DATE

Saturday 17 July Sunday 18 July

MATCH

* Double header opportunity with the BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE NPC, televised.

Finals dates are subject to operational and broadcasting logistics.

Times, dates and venues subject to change.

VENUE

TIME

44

Auckland

v

12

Bay of Plenty

Eden Park, Auckland

59

Canterbury

v

12

Counties Manukau

Rugby Park, Christchurch

Wellington BYE: Waikato

v

5

Otago

Jerry Collins Stadium, Porirua

11.35am

12.05pm

13

12.05pm 2.05pm

WEEK 2: SATURDAY 24 JULY — SUNDAY 25 JULY Saturday 24 July

Sunday 25 July

35

North Harbour

v

32

Tasman

Windsor Park, North Shore

31

Hawke’s Bay

v

46

Northland

Tremain Field, Napier

17

Waikato

v

24

Canterbury

Marist Hamilton, Hamilton

1.00pm

21

Counties Manukau v

13

Bay of Plenty

Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe

2.05pm

48

Manawatu

v

5

Taranaki

Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North

Otago BYE: Wellington

v

39

Auckland

University of Otago Oval, Dunedin

12.05pm

15

1.00pm

2.05pm

WEEK 3: SATURDAY 31 JULY — SUNDAY 1 AUGUST Saturday 31 July

Sunday 1 August

Taranaki

v

Tasman

TET Stadium & Events Centre, Inglewood

12.05pm

Hawke’s Bay

v

North Harbour

Tremain Field, Napier

1.00pm

Bay of Plenty

v

Waikato

Blake Park, Mount Maunganui

2.05pm

Northland

v

Manawatu

Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei

7.05pm

Otago

Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe

12.05pm

Wellington

Rugby Park, Christchurch

2.05pm

5.05pm

Counties Manukau v Canterbury

v

BYE: Auckland

WEEK 4: FRIDAY 6 AUGUST — SUNDAY 8 AUGUST Friday 6 August

Manawatu

v

Hawke’s Bay*

Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North

Saturday 7 August

Otago

v

Waikato*

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

2.05pm

Wellington

v

Counties Manukau

Sky Stadium, Wellington

4.35pm

North Harbour

v

Taranaki*

North Harbour Stadium, Albany

12.05pm

Tasman

v

Northland

Sports Park, Motueka

12.05pm

Auckland

v

Canterbury*

Eden Park, Auckland

2.05pm

5.05pm

Sunday 8 August

BYE: Bay of Plenty

WEEK 5: FRIDAY 13 AUGUST — SUNDAY 15 AUGUST Friday 13 August Saturday 14 August

Sunday 15 August

Counties Manukau v

Auckland*

Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe

Manawatu

v

North Harbour

Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North 12.05pm

Hawke’s Bay

v

Tasman*

McLean Park, Napier

2.35pm

Canterbury

v

Bay of Plenty*

Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch

4.35pm

Waikato

v

Wellington*

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

12.05pm

Northland

v

Taranaki*

Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei

2.35pm

BYE: Otago

WEEK 6: FRIDAY 20 AUGUST — SUNDAY 22 AUGUST Friday 20 August

North Harbour

v

Northland*

North Harbour Stadium, Albany

5.05pm

Saturday 21 August

Bay of Plenty

v

Otago

TBC

12.05pm

Taranaki

v

Hawke’s Bay

TET Stadium & Events Centre, Inglewood

1.05pm

Waikato

v

Counties Manukau*

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

2.05pm

Wellington

v

Auckland

TBC

2.05pm

Tasman BYE: Canterbury

v

Manawatu*

Trafalgar Park, Nelson

11.35am

Sunday 22 August

WEEK 7: SATURDAY 28 AUGUST — SUNDAY 29 AUGUST Saturday 28 August

Otago

v

Canterbury

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

12.05pm

Bay of Plenty

v

Wellington*

Tauranga Domain, Tauranga

12.05pm

Auckland

v

Waikato

TBC, Auckland

2.05pm

Championship Qtr Final

Chamionshi Qtaaa v

Chamionshi Qtaaaaaa TBC

TBC

Championship Qtr Final

Chamionshi Qtaaa v

Chamionshi Qtaaaaaa TBC

TBC

BYE: Counties Manukau

SEMI-FINALS: FRIDAY 3 SEPTEMBER — SUNDAY 5 SEPTEMBER Premiership Semi-final 1

Chamionshi Qtaaa v

Premiership Semi-final 2

Chamionshi Qtaaa v

Championship Semi-final 1

Chamionshi Qtaaa v

Championship Semi-final 2

Chamionshi Qtaaa v

Chamionshi Qtaaaaaa Chamionshi Qtaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Chamionshi Qtaaaaaa Chamionshi Qtaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

TBC

Chamionshi Qtaaaaaa Chamionshi Qtaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Chamionshi Qtaaaaaa Chamionshi Qtaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

TBC

TBC TBC

FINALS: FRIDAY 10 SEPTEMBER — SUNDAY 12 SEPTEMBER Premiership Final

Chamionshi Qtaaa v

Championship Final

Chamionshi Qtaaa v

Chamionshi Qtaaaaaa Chamionshi Qtaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Chamionshi Qtaaaaaa Chamionshi Qtaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

WWW.PROVINCIAL.RUGBY/FARAH-PALMER-CUP

TBC TBC

7#77 RUGBY 2021 | 1

BLACK FERNS CAPTAIN SETS THE STANDARDS ON AND OFF THE FIELD

by PETER WHITE

Lesley Elder has more than one passion. She wants to win rugby games for her country, but she also wants the next generation of young women to be better people.

“I work in a space where I mentor and guide young female athletes aged 18 to 22 who have aspirations to succeed in rugby,” says the Black Ferns captain.

made some really good gains leading into the Farah Palmer Cup (FPC).

The girls have gone away from the Black Ferns to focus solely on FPC and we will be catching up again towards the end of the competition.”

“A lot of these girls are dealing with lots of things in life. It is on the rugby field where actually they feel safest and where they express themselves.

Elder took time off rugby last year to have her first baby, a beautiful daughter.

“Over the years I have been able to see what the game of rugby does for these young people. I use that as a catalyst to continue to empower them to become more than just a rugby player, through the learnings from the game – like teamwork, dealing with pressure and setbacks, and resilience.”

A major milestone in the women’s game this year was the debut Super Rugby women’s match played between the Blues and the Chiefs.

Elder says the Black Ferns players need that higher quality of rugby to get better as a team.

“That game was a similar level of intensity as the Black Ferns playing Australia. It was a huge stepping stone and another layer that is crucial to the game’s growth and on-going development.

“My big push is that we do it properly, so it is meaningful and really valuable for our women.”

Elder made her Black Ferns debut as an athletic flanker in 2015 and became captain in 2019.

She is a natural leader of the Volcanix, the Chiefs and Black Ferns. Her style of calm leadership, including making sure every single player in the group feels important, is fundamental to her success as a captain.

With the Black Ferns set to play at home in next year’s Rugby World Cup, there will be added pressure on the team to perform.

Elder says the group is progressing well to where they need to be.

She is full of praise for the work done by the New Zealand Rugby Players Association and New Zealand Rugby to support mothers and their babies while maintaining the needs of the squad.

It is a portent to the future and how players can feel comfortable with how the system works to support them.

“I was really fortunate the Parental Leave policy came in place, so I was lucky I was able to get the full support of the Black Ferns and my provincial union.

“There is still a huge area to learn and grow in that space. Obviously there have only been a few of us that have had children in the Black Ferns and returned to high-performance rugby.

“The fact there is a policy in place to support us to have a baby while playing rugby is great and we are pretty fortunate.”

LESLEY ELDER (NÉE KETU)

#188

PLACE OF BIRTH: TAUMARUNUI DATE OF BIRTH: 10 JANUARY 1987 HEIGHT: 1.66m

AGE: 34

WEIGHT: 62kg

POSITION: LOOSE FORWARD PROVINCE: BAY OF PLENTY VOLCANIX

“After some hard conversations as a leadership group and setting some clear objectives in terms of what we want to achieve, we are making some really good progression.

SUPER RUGBY: CHIEFS

“Obviously COVID-19 has thrown a spanner for everyone in life, so we have had to deal with that. At times that has set us back a little. We have

BLACK FERN TESTS: 18 BLACK FERN POINTS: 10

BLACK FERNS DEBUT: v CANADA IN CALGARY, 27 JUNE 2015

CARLA HOHEPA, LESLEY ELDER (CAPTAIN), AYESHA LETI-I’IGA and KENDRA COCKSEDGE celebrate winning the Laurie O’Reilly Memorial Trophy after their victory over Australia at Eden Park on Saturday 17 August 2019.

18 | RUGBY 2021

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Begin your bond at toyota.co.nz/hilux

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33 GAMES LIVE ON

JLR227397

BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE NPC PREMIERSHIP

Peter White previews the seven teams contesting the Bunnings Warehouse NPC Premiership.

Tasman Mako first-five MITCH HUNT.

LEICESTER FAINGA’ANUKU was in dazzling form for the Tasman Mako last season.

TASMAN: LAST YEAR’S CHAMPIONS

The Tasman Mako are used to having a lower profile than teams like Auckland and Canterbury. But it is not that way any longer, after they won back-to-back Premiership titles.

Tasman head into the 2021 NPC Premiership with a strong squad and the mindset that anything is possible – including a rare hat trick of titles.

Coach Andrew Goodman says it is an exciting challenge, but they are back on the start line with six other teams hungry to get their hands on the cup.

The quality of talent produced by Tasman is evident with seven players called-up to the first All Blacks squad and two to the Māori All Blacks.

But there are still plenty of X-factor players capable of turning matches in Tasman’s favour.

“Even with all those players out, we are really happy with the squad and the players selected for higher honours have done a great job in developing that next tier of players,” says Goodman.

Barnstorming midfielder/winger Leicester Fainga’anuku, halfback Finlay Christie and first-five Mitch Hunt are three of Tasman’s best.

“Hunty has had an amazing year at the Highlanders, starting week in and week out. He has done an awesome job down there and played some of

his best footy, I think. It is great to have him back leading our team around and he does a huge amount for us off the field. He is a massive part of our squad,” says Goodman.

“Leicester is one who some will say is a little bit unlucky not to get in the 36-man All Blacks squad. He is as motivated as ever to come back, keep getting better and try to push his way in there (All Blacks) if he can over the next year or two.

“Finlay, what a story he is getting an All Black call-up. We are really lucky we landed Finlay a few years ago out of club rugby. He is a livewire on the field and a great Mako man around our environment, a big leader around our defence, and with regular time at Super level with the Blues he has gone from strength to strength.”

Last year’s captain David Havili was integral to Tasman winning last year’s tense final at Eden Park. He may not be seen in Mako colours if he retains his All Blacks place but Goodman says his contribution to winning the last two titles cannot be underrated.

Hunt and All Blacks lock Quinten Strange are co-captains this season, with Strange back after recovering from injuries.

He will form a powerful engine room pairing with the impressive Pari Pari Parkinson. Flanker Sione Havili and prop Atu Moli are two other standout forwards.

COACH: ANDREW GOODMAN CO-CAPTAINS: MITCH HUNT, QUINTEN STRANGE

ADDRESS: PO BOX 7157, NELSON PHONE: 03 548 7030

HOME GROUNDS: TRAFALGAR PARK, NELSON; LANSDOWNE PARK, BLENHEIM

EMAIL: info@tasmanrugby.co.nz

WEBSITE: www.mako.nz

TAB ODDS: TASMAN $4.00

WWW.PROVINCIAL.RUGBY

TICKETS: mako.flicket.co.nz

7#17 RUGBY 2021 | 2

AUCKLAND: LAST YEAR’S RUNNER-UP It was meant to be Auckland’s final to win in 2020. The team had easily dispatched opponents Tasman 31–10 in round-robin action a month earlier and came through a tough semi-final against Waikato 23–18.

But finals in any sport can be unpredictable and so it proved at Eden Park, as Tasman beat the blue-and-whites 13–12 to defend their NPC Premiership title.

Head coach Alama Ieremia has an abundance of young talent to work with. Seven Auckland players made this year’s New Zealand Under-20 squad, the most from any union – hooker Soane Vikena who played for the Blues, No 8 Vaiolini Ekuasi, midfielders Corey Evans and Meihana Grindlay, props Josh Fusitua and Sione Ahio, and halfback Manu Paea.

Flanker Niko Jones made his debut last season and showed some of the outstanding attributes inherited from his father Michael Jones.

The young guns always need guidance and Auckland has plenty of experienced older heads in the wider group.

“The critical thing is leadership on and off the field,” Ieremia says. “We have our game drivers who can help guide us around the park in Harry Plummer, who can play 10 and 12, lock Scott Scrafton is a good lineout leader for us, loose

forward leader Blake Gibson, plus props Alex Hodgman, Jordan and James Lay, and fullback Zarn Sullivan.”

Other standouts are flanker Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa back from injury, Māori All Blacks prop Marcel Renata and Waratahs hooker Robbie Abel, who played a key part in the successful 2018 campaign for Auckland, which was Ieremia’s first in charge.

Brilliant try-scoring winger Salesi Rayasi had a superb season last year for Auckland and Caleb Clarke should be firing when he returns from the Olympics with the All Blacks Sevens team.

The arrival of rugby league superstar Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will be a major talking point ahead of the NPC.

COACH: ALAMA IEREMIA

The former New Zealand Secondary Schools representative has made the change back to the 15-man game after a dazzling league career.

The 27-year-old, known to all as RTS, played his junior rugby for East Tamaki Rugby Club and later College Rifles Rugby Club, while attending Otahuhu College.

HOME GROUND: EDEN PARK, AUCKLAND

CAPTAIN: HARRY PLUMMER

“The exciting thing for me with his arrival is we have tweaked a few things in our game, which is right down his alley in terms of his positional play, attack and defense. He comes into a team that is evolving,” says Ieremia.

“I see him on the wing first and eventually moving to centre. He has a roving role that I am pretty

ZARN SULLIVAN in action against North Harbour.

22 | RUGBY 2021

excited about. We as coaches feel he can offer a lot around that plus his aerial game, what he brings to our attacking game and his counterattacking game.”

WEBSITE: www.aucklandrugby.co.nz TICKETS: www.ticketmaster.co.nz ADDRESS: PO BOX 56-152, DOMINION RD, AUCKLAND 1446 PHONE: 09 815 4850 EMAIL: info@aucklandrugby.co.nz TAB ODDS: AUCKLAND $4.50

SALESI RAYASI scores another try for Auckland in 2020.

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2021 GAME SCHEDULE

The 14 teams involved will play 70 matches before the play-offs in just 10 weeks.

For all up-to-date information on the BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE NPC, and any changes to kick-off times, visit www.provincial.rugby

BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE NPC EXPLAINED 2021 BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE NPC PREMIERSHIP Auckland Bay of Plenty Canterbury Hawke’s Bay Tasman Waikato Wellington

The seventh placed team is automatically relegated to the 2022 Bunnings Warehouse NPC Championship.

2021 BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE NPC CHAMPIONSHIP Counties Manukau North Harbour Manawatu Northland Otago Southland Taranaki

The winner of the Bunnings Warehouse NPC Championship is automatically promoted to the 2022 Bunnings Warehouse NPC Premiership.

All Premiership teams will play each other once, and all Championship teams will play each other once (three home, three away matches).

In addition, all 14 teams will play four crossover matches (two home, two away matches) where Premiership and Championship teams meet.

All matches will carry full competition points.

FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION GO TO www.provincial.rugby

WEEK 1: FRIDAY 6 AUGUST — SUNDAY 8 AUGUST DATE

MATCH

Friday 6 August

Manawatu

v

Saturday 7 August

Taranaki

v

Wellington Otago Sunday 8 August

VENUE

TIME

Counties Manukau

Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North

7.05pm

Hawke’s Bay

Pukekura Park, New Plymouth

2.05pm

v

Northland

Sky Stadium, Wellington

2.05pm

v

Southland

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

4.35pm

Bay of Plenty

v

Tasman

Tauranga Domain, Tauranga

2.05pm

North Harbour

v

Waikato

North Harbour Stadium, Albany

2.05pm

Auckland

v

Canterbury

Eden Park, Auckland

4.35pm

North Harbour

Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe

7.05pm 2.05pm

WEEK 2: FRIDAY 13 AUGUST — SUNDAY 15 AUGUST Friday 13 August

Counties Manukau v

Saturday 14 August

Tasman

v

Auckland

Trafalgar Park, Nelson

Hawke’s Bay

v

Otago [RS]

McLean Park, Napier

4.35pm

Canterbury

v

Manawatu

Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch

7.05pm

Waikato

v

Wellington

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

2.05pm

Southland

v

Bay of Plenty

Rugby Park, Invercargill

2.05pm

Northland

v

Taranaki

Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei

4.35pm

Sunday 15 August

WEEK 3: FRIDAY 20 AUGUST — SUNDAY 22 AUGUST Friday 20 August

North Harbour

v

Southland

North Harbour Stadium, Albany

7.05pm

Saturday 21 August

Canterbury

v

Hawke’s Bay

Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch

2.05pm

Waikato

v

Taranaki

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

4.35pm

Auckland

v

Bay of Plenty

Eden Park, Auckland

7.05pm

Tasman

v

Counties Manukau

Trafalgar Park, Nelson

2.05pm

Northland

v

Otago

Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei

2.05pm

Manawatu

v

Wellington

Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North

4.35pm

Canterbury

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

7.05pm

Waikato [RS]

McLean Park, Napier

2.05pm

Sunday 22 August

WEEK 4: FRIDAY 27 AUGUST — SUNDAY 29 AUGUST Friday 27 August Saturday 28 August

Sunday 29 August

Otago

v

Hawke’s Bay

v

North Harbour

v

Tasman

North Harbour Stadium, Albany

4.35pm

Southland

v

Counties Manukau

Rugby Park, Invercargill

7.05pm

Bay of Plenty

v

Northland

Tauranga Domain, Tauranga

2.05pm

Taranaki

v

Manawatu

TET Stadium & Events Centre, Inglewood

2.05pm

Wellington

v

Auckland

Sky Stadium, Wellington

4.35pm

WEEK 5: FRIDAY 3 SEPTEMBER — SUNDAY 5 SEPTEMBER Friday 3 September

Southland

v

Northland

Rugby Park, Invercargill

7.05pm

Saturday 4 September

Bay of Plenty

v

Waikato

Tauranga Domain, Tauranga

2.05pm

Canterbury

v

Tasman

Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch

4.35pm

Wellington

v

North Harbour

Sky Stadium, Wellington

7.05pm

Taranaki

Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe

2.05pm

Sunday 5 September

Counties Manukau v Manawatu

v

Hawke’s Bay

Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North

2.05pm

Otago

v

Auckland

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

4.35pm

WEEK 6: FRIDAY 10 SEPTEMBER — SUNDAY 12 SEPTEMBER Friday 10 September Saturday 11 September

Hawke’s Bay

v

North Harbour [RS]

McLean Park, Napier

7.05pm

Taranaki

v

Southland

TET Stadium & Events Centre, Inglewood

2.05pm

Auckland

v

Manawatu

Eden Park, Auckland

4.35pm

Tasman

v

Wellington

Lansdowne Park, Blenheim

7.05pm

NOTE: [RS] = RANFURLY SHIELD CHALLENGE

24 | RUGBY 2021

WWW.PROVINCIAL.RUGBY

WEEK 6 CONTINUED: FRIDAY 10 SEPTEMBER — SUNDAY 12 SEPTEMBER DATE

MATCH

Sunday 12 September

Canterbury

v

Bay of Plenty

Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch

2.05pm

Northland

v

Counties Manukau

Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei

2.05pm

Waikato

v

Otago

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

4.35pm

VENUE

TIME

WEEK 7: FRIDAY 17 SEPTEMBER — SUNDAY 19 SEPTEMBER Friday 17 September Saturday 18 September

Sunday 19 September

Auckland

v

Southland

Eden Park, Auckland

7.05pm

Taranaki

v

Wellington

TET Stadium & Events Centre, Inglewood

2.05pm

North Harbour

v

Manawatu

North Harbour Stadium, Albany

4.35pm

Northland

v

Tasman

Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei

7.05pm

Waikato

v

Canterbury

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

2.05pm

Hawke’s Bay

v

Bay of Plenty [RS]

McLean Park, Napier

2.05pm

Otago

Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe

4.35pm

Counties Manukau v

WEEK 8: FRIDAY 24 SEPTEMBER — SUNDAY 26 SEPTEMBER Friday 24 September

Tasman

v

Waikato

Trafalgar Park, Nelson

7.05pm

Saturday 25 September

Southland

v

Canterbury

Rugby Park, Invercargill

2.05pm

Auckland

Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe

4.35pm

Counties Manukau v

Sunday 26 September

Manawatu

v

Northland

Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North

7.05pm

Wellington

v

Hawke’s Bay

Sky Stadium, Wellington

2.05pm

Otago

v

North Harbour

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

2.05pm

Bay of Plenty

v

Taranaki

Tauranga Domain, Tauranga

4.35pm

WEEK 9: FRIDAY 1 OCTOBER — SUNDAY 3 OCTOBER Friday 1 October

Canterbury

v

Counties Manukau

Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch

7.05pm

Saturday 2 October

Northland

v

Waikato

Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei

2.05pm

Manawatu

v

Otago

Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North

4.35pm

Bay of Plenty

v

Wellington

Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua

7.05pm

Auckland

v

Hawke’s Bay

Eden Park, Auckland

2.05pm

Taranaki

v

North Harbour

TET Stadium & Events Centre, Inglewood

2.05pm

Tasman

v

Southland

Lansdowne Park, Blenheim

4.35pm

Sunday 3 October

WEEK 10: FRIDAY 8 OCTOBER — SUNDAY 10 OCTOBER Friday 8 October

Wellington

v

Canterbury

Sky Stadium, Wellington

7.05pm

Saturday 9 October

Waikato

v

Auckland

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

2.05pm

Hawke’s Bay

v

Tasman [RS]

McLean Park, Napier

4.35pm

Otago

v

Taranaki

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

7.05pm

North Harbour

v

Northland

North Harbour Stadium, Albany

2.05pm

Southland

v

Manawatu

Rugby Park, Invercargill

2.05pm

Bay of Plenty

Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe

4.35pm

Sunday 10 October

Counties Manukau v

SEMI-FINALS: FRIDAY 15 OCTOBER — SATURDAY 16 OCTOBER Friday 15 October

BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE NPC SEMI-FINAL ONE

7.05pm

Saturday 16 October

BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE NPC SEMI-FINAL TWO

2.05pm

Saturday 16 October

BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE NPC SEMI-FINAL THREE

4.35pm

Saturday 16 October

BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE NPC SEMI-FINAL FOUR

7.05pm

FINALS: FRIDAY 22 OCTOBER — SATURDAY 23 OCTOBER Friday 22 October

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7#57 RUGBY 2021 | 2

CANTERBURY: FIFTH LAST YEAR Last year was one to remember for all the wrong reasons for Canterbury fans as they suffered the rare feat of missing out on the play-offs.

Between 2008 and 2017, Canterbury won nine out of 10 Premiership titles – so to miss the semi-finals all together in 2020 was a surprise.

Head coaches Reuben Thorne and Mark Brown had a new squad of players to work with, plus a run of close losses that saw Canterbury lose three games by a single point.

Thorne says COVID-19 was a factor in evening out the teams across the board and it also coincided with a year of change in playing personnel in his team.

“We talked to a few people who had worked with him and he came highly recommended. We were really impressed with him as a person and his thoughts around attack and how the game should be played,” says Thorne.

“We just think he is going to be a good fit and challenge our boys.

Hopefully, he can take our young group to another level in their attack.”

One player who will be missed by Canterbury is lock Mitchell Dunshea.

The All Blacks squad member will miss the entire season after neck surgery but there is still good depth there with veteran Luke Romano and New Zealand Under-20s representative Zack Gallagher in the mix, plus Cullen Grace and captain Reed Prinsep have played lock in the past.

“We had a big cohort of young players that came into the group and a lot of those guys were only playing their first season of club rugby, let alone provincial rugby.”

Looking ahead to this campaign, Thorne says most of the young players who came in last year have had time in a Super Rugby professional programme.

“Guys like Tamaiti Williams, Chay Fihaki and Fletcher Newell have had opportunities, so they will be better for that. They certainly got a taste of it last year and will have a better understanding of what’s required.

“We are looking forward to seeing their development and I am sure we will see that in their performances this year.”

Another young player to watch is midfielder Rameka Poihipi, who slotted in well for the Chiefs at Super Rugby level.

The new signings are headed by former All Blacks winger Waisake Naholo.

The 30-year-old Fijian-born winger played the last of his 27 tests in 2018, before leaving New Zealand for London Irish at the end of 2019.

Australian first-five Jack Debreczeni and Samoan No 8 Henry Stowers have also joined up with Canterbury.

Highly regarded attack coach Marty Bourke is a new addition to the coaching group. He masterminded the attacking might of the Bay of Plenty Steamers, who beat Canterbury 44–8 last season.

Canterbury’s No 8, CULLEN GRACE, in possession.

JOSH McKAY on the break for Canterbury.

CO-COACHES: REUBEN THORNE, MARK BROWN CAPTAIN: REED PRINSEP HOME GROUND: ORANGETHEORY STADIUM, CHRISTCHURCH TICKETS: www.ticketek.co.nz

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WELLINGTON: SIXTH PLACE LAST YEAR Sometimes the bare bones of the points table do not tell the full story. The Wellington Lions are proof of that.

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Last year the Lions finished outside the play-offs in sixth spot, but when at full strength produced some outstanding performances.

Beating Auckland 39–21 at Eden Park and rolling high-flying Bay of Plenty 32–10 were impressive performances but for a union of Wellington’s size and stature, last season was below what is expected.

Head coach Leo Crowley’s assistant coaches this season are Greg Halford, Tamati Ellison and Paul Tito.

Crowley says it will be a different feel for the forwards to be coached by Tito, who recently returned from France and will have some different ideas.

“I am looking forward to how the boys adapt to Paul’s style. We are lucky Tamati has been working in the Super competition, so he’ll front the defence and I’ll go back to attack.”

The Lions had momentum for a period of last season’s competition but lost it at a crucial stage, which is a work-on for this campaign.

The Lions have recruited two experienced campaigners in former All Blacks lock Dominic Bird, returning from France, and halfback Richard Judd who is back from Japan.

An added bonus is the prospect of All Blacks halfback TJ Perenara being available for the opening two rounds.

There is the usual churn of players in and out, but Crowley is excited to be working with some young talent that has come through the Wellington Academy system.

“A few years ago, Wellington had a really impressive group in the Academy and now we have a new group coming through. Players like Keelan Whitman and New Zealand Under-20 guys Sam Smith, Iona Apineru and Tyrone Thompson, who exploded on to the stage last year.

“So, we have quite a young group, especially in the loose forwards, and we also have Aidan Morgan and Ruben Love (also New Zealand Under-20s) to run the cutter for us at first-five.”

Love made quite a statement on debut for the Hurricanes earlier this year.

Crowley says the key is not to push him and Morgan too much, too quickly in such a crucial position.

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“They are definitely in the development stage of their careers. The good thing is they have some experienced players around them. We look forward to giving them the opportunity to take control at 10 and with Jackson Garden-Bachop out for the season we will be relying on the young boys.”

Inspirational openside flanker Du’Plessis Kirifi will again captain the Lions.

The 24-year-old is a natural leader of teams and inspires by doing rather than talking, Crowley says.

“He is not that old himself and has adapted to the captaincy role really well.

If Du’Plessis is playing well, then Wellington is playing well. He is definitely a leader by actions.”

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BAY OF PLENTY: LAST YEAR’S SEMI-FINALISTS Bay of Plenty’s upward momentum in recent seasons looks set to continue this year with a strong squad boosted by some five-star recruits.

In 2019, the Steamers won the Championship final to join the big boys in the Premiership. Last season, they showed plenty of form to make it through to the semi-finals before losing to eventual champions Tasman.

With Clayton McMillan contracted to the Chiefs, Fiji assistant and former Waratahs boss Daryl Gibson takes over as head coach. The former Crusaders and All Blacks midfielder suffered from a lack of playing resources at the Waratahs, but he does not have that problem with the Steamers.

“The squad is in really good shape in terms of the roster going forwards.

We have good depth, good playing strength, and we will be looking to improve and go one-step forward to get into that final and give ourselves a chance,” says Gibson.

Māori All Blacks Sean Wainui, Whetukamokamo Douglas and Manaaki Selby-Rickit may be the three best signings of the pre-season.

No 8 Douglas and lock Selby-Rickit will add steel to a forward pack that boasts some of the best front rowers in props Aidan Ross, Jeff Thwaites and Tevita Mafileo, Blues hooker Kurt Eklund and former All Blacks rake Nathan Harris.

Wainui joins All Blacks Sevens stars Regan Ware and Joe Webber, plus Fijian flyer Emoni Narawa, out wide. Utility back Chase Tiatia and fullback/first-five Kaleb Trask are high-class attacking weapons.

Closer to the pack, Blues star Otere Black will run the show at first-five.

There is strong competition at halfback, with former All Black Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Hurricanes’ Luke Campbell and New Zealand Under-20 representative Leroy Carter all battling for the No 9 jersey.

Gibson has also put together a high-quality coaching team. Bay of Plenty legends and former All Blacks Tanerau Latimer and Mike Delany have joined forces with former Hurricanes’ assistants Dan Cron and Richard Watt.

Speedy winger REGAN WARE beats a tackler.

“A lot of our work has gone into providing an environment to build on the stuff that was done last year,” says Gibson.

“We are trying to take that next step and working hard to improve ourselves to do that. I am looking forward to seeing our established Super Rugby players really stand-up and performing well at this level.”

Consistency of results has never been part of the Steamers make-up, despite being the third-largest union in New Zealand in overall playing numbers.

Gibson says it is always going to be a region that throws up talent.

“But it is what we do with that talent and how we nurture that is probably the most critical thing.”

CHASE TIATIA is a key attacking force for the Steamers.

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HAWKE’S BAY: LAST YEAR PROMOTED FROM CHAMPIONSHIP Hawke’s Bay Magpies move up to the Premiership after a successful promotion run last year.

Mark Ozich, head coach since 2018, has a real affinity for working with talented young players from his days as Hastings Boys’ First XV coach.

The Magpies style is about being uncompromising but also utilising the intrinsic talent within the playing group.

“We want to go to our lineout drive, we want to maul and set-piece very well. We want to challenge teams there and hopefully they worry about us in that space,” he says.

“But we also want to play at speed, move the ball smartly, and play in a style where guys have some structure. But when there are opportunities, we want them to be confident and to have the skills to act on those.”

Staying in the Premiership is a given for every team in the top division but for Ozich it is more than just accumulating points.

“It is the manner in how we do that, it is the manner in how we train. Our challenge since my time here has been the consistency of performance.

Certainly in the Premiership, there are no easy weeks or weekends off in a combative, physical sense.

“There is a fair bit of belief in what we do in our group. The challenge for me and the coaching staff, and the leaders in the team, is to ensure we get the selections right and we get the mental and emotional energy right during the week to build on.”

Hawke’s Bay are the Ranfurly Shield holders, which will add both passion and focus for the players. It also means the opposition will arrive at McLean Park with more incentive to win than usual.

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Leading the Magpies into battle will again be highly respected Māori All Blacks and Highlanders captain Ash Dixon.

The veteran hooker will ensure the set-piece is a high priority but off the field he is a wonderful role model for the younger generation of players coming through.

Ozich says the way Dixon connects with young players, like former New Zealand Under-20s captain and hooker Kianu Kereru-Symes, is one of his strengths.

“It is great for them to watch him operate and do their apprenticeship under him. That’s how it is supposed to be. We are really lucky to have him on board.”

Ozich has retained most of the squad from last year. He has lost outstanding halfback Folau Fakatava with a long-term injury but there are plenty of big-game players like Jonah Lowe, Mason Emerson, Lolagi Visinia and Will Tremain.

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WAIKATO: LAST YEAR’S SEMI-FINALISTS Waikato celebrate 100 years as a union in 2021, and what better way to commemorate this feat than by winning the NPC Premiership title. New head coach Ross Filipo would dearly love to mark his debut season with something special.

“What an exciting challenge for me as a young coach. It is a significant place the union is moving into this year. I want to make sure the 100 years that have gone beforehand are recognised and acknowledged in the right way.

“Obviously for us as a team, the best way we can do that is to have the best season out on the field and try to play finals footy, with the ultimate goal to win the Premiership.”

The Mooloos have a well-balanced squad with some fine, young talent rubbing shoulders with Waikato legend Liam Messam.

Filipo says the 37-year-old’s playing record speaks for itself.

“He is committed to maintaining the highest standards he can. Our young men in the group get to see real life professionalism in front of their eyes. Having guys like him in our environment is critical. It is another pathway for us as coaches to help players accelerate their learning.”

Another veteran, loosie Adam Thomson, has moved into a coaching role with the team; he is in charge of the lineouts.

At the younger end of the scale, there is talent to burn with prop Ollie Norris and blindside flanker Samipeni Finau, who both made an impact for the Chiefs this year.

“Ollie played exceptionally well for the Chiefs and has gone from strength to strength every

FLETCHER SMITH makes a clean break against Tasman.

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week. The more games he has had, the better he has become,” says Filipo.

“Samipeni, exactly the same. These guys are now maturing into really good and significant leaders in our group.

“The maturity levels of this team have been raised a lot since last season.

It is exciting to see the evolution of our players over the course of 12 months.”

Filipo says midfielder Quinn Tupaea, 22, who made his All Blacks debut against Tonga this year, is an inspiration to all the younger players coming through the union’s development system.

“He did a fantastic job working on his game and has been rewarded. A lot of our other young men can see there is a clear pathway if they really commit to development and challenge themselves.”

All top rugby sides have a quality first-five driving the team around the park. In Waikato’s case that man is Fletcher Smith.

The 26-year-old somehow missed a Super Rugby contract this year but has been outstanding for Waikato since moving north from Otago in 2018.

A big season from him could well have those centenary wine corks popping at the end of the NPC.

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BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE NPC CHAMPIONSHIP

Peter White previews the seven teams contesting the NPC Championship.

JOSH IOANE will be a key player for Otago.

Halfback KAYNE HAMMINGTON clears from a scrum.

OTAGO: LAST YEAR’S SEMI-FINALISTS

Otago have been in the NPC Championship since it began in 2011, without ever managing to win promotion to the top tier Premiership.

backs Jona Nareki, Freedom Vahaakolo, Vilimoni Koroi and Sam Gilbert.

Could 2021 finally be the year that happens?

Former All Black Ioane could be the key to Otago’s season.

Former All Blacks lock Tom Donnelly played 82 games for Otago and last year, after three seasons as assistant coach, he took the top job.

Donnelly says Ioane “is at his best when he is working hard, has something to strive for and is enjoying himself.

Gaining promotion is a big focus for the team and there are plenty of top-class players.

“So, if we can get the combination of that right then I think we can get the best out of him.”

“I am pretty excited about the whole squad to be honest. We definitely have some quality in our backline but we also have some tough, hardworking forwards as well,” says Donnelly.

“We have good experience with the likes of Matt Faddes back in the side and some youthful players who are going to bring heaps of energy.”

The backline is full of Highlanders in halfbacks Kayne Hammington and James Ar scott, first-five Josh Ioane, midfielders Thomas Umaga-Jensen and Sio Tomkinson, plus outside 36 | RUGBY 2021

Southland midfielder Ray Nu’u and Tongan Sevens representative Viliame Fine add further depth to the backline.

Up front there is plenty of grunt as usual, with hooker Liam Coltman, props Jermaine Ainsley, Josh

Hohneck and cousins Abraham Pole and Tevita Pole, lock Josh Dickson, plus loose forwards Slade McDowall and Dylan Nel. Otago will be captained by hardworking flanker James Lentjes, who Donnelly says is someone who sets high standards for himself and those around him.

“He is very experienced and has big shoes to fill in Michael Collins, who has been our captain a long time. James has his chance to put his mark on the team and the legacy he will leave for the Otago jersey.”

Teenage lock Fabian Holland is one of five players out of the Highlanders Under-20 side, along with flanker Sean Withy, halfback

Nathan Hastie, midfielder Giovanni Leituala and first-five Cam Millar.

Those players will be developed over the season but should all get varying amounts of game time.

All squad players are affiliated with local clubs, which is fundamental to the philosophy Donnelly and the Otago union want to encourage.

“Something we have driven pretty hard is the success of our team is as a result of how good our club competition is down here. We try to promote and support the clubs as much as we can.”

Highlanders’ skills coach Riki Flutey and retired prop Jamie Mackintosh join Donnelly as assistant coaches.

COACH: TOM DONNELLY CAPTAIN: JAMES LENTJES HOME GROUND: F ORSYTH BARR STADIUM, DUNEDIN WEBSITE: www.orfu.co.nz TICKETS: www.ticketek.co.nz ADDRESS: PO BOX 691, DUNEDIN 9054 PHONE: 03 477 0928

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NORTHLAND: RUNNER-UP LAST YEAR

New Zealand’s most northern union has produced some great players over the decades, including Johnny Smith, the Going brothers, Ian Jones, Norm Berryman, and their most recent All Black, Jack Goodhue.

In recent times, a lack of consistency has seen plenty of up-and-down seasons for the Northland Taniwha but results have been improving with the team making the Championship play-offs in 2017 and 2018.

Last season the Taniwha, under new head coach George Konia, went a step further to make the final against the Hawke’s Bay Magpies in Napier.

With the game level 19–19 at halftime, it was anyone’s title but eventually the Magpies pushed ahead to win 36–24.

It was the first national final for the Taniwha since their 1997 NPC second-division triumph.

He is a Northland boy with silky skills and a liking to attack the line. He is a solid goalkicker and should form a top-class combination with Nock.

Allan Craig made the 2020 New Zealand Secondary Schools and is a highly regarded, skillful lock. He previously captained Northland at Under-15 and Under-18 levels.

Leka Tu'ungafasi, younger brother of All Black Ofa, is a powerhouse prop and should learn plenty playing next to hooker and captain Jordan Olsen, who was one of the best-performing players last season.

Konia says last season’s success was based on three fundamental principles: fitness, growing team culture, and growing leadership within the group.

“Leading into this year, the key learning from last season was our belief that grew throughout the year and is still evolving and growing.

“Just believing in ourselves that we are a team that can play good rugby.

We want to continue doing that based on the foundation from last year.”

The Taniwha have quality Super Rugby players in flanker Tom Robinson, midfielder/fullback Scott Gregory, lock Josh Goodhue, centre Rene Ranger and halfback Sam Nock to set the standards.

“They bring a lot of experience back from their Super Rugby campaigns and are a great sounding board for us coaches as well,” says Konia.

“They lead from the front and it is quite heartwarming how keen they are to come back and play for the Taniwha, contribute where they can and be leaders amongst the team.”

COACH: GEORGE KONIA CAPTAIN: JORDAN OLSEN HOME GROUND: SEMENOFF STADIUM, WHANGAREI WEBSITE: www.taniwha.co.nz

Other quality players in the squad include flanker Kara Pryor, wingers Pisi Leilua, Jordan Hyland and Jone Macilai, who joined the Blues this year after four seasons with the Crusaders.

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There have also been some encouraging new signings ahead of the new campaign.

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Chiefs first-five Rivez Reihana made his name firstly at St Kentigern College (where he spent a remarkable five years in the First XV), then Waikato and this year’s campaign with the Chiefs.

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Northland winger PISI LEILUA at full speed against Manawatu.

Halfback SAM NOCK makes a break against Hawke’s Bay.

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7#77 RUGBY 2021 | 3

COUNTIES MANUKAU: SIXTH LAST YEAR Counties Manukau will field one of the biggest packs fronting up in this year’s NPC. The Steelers already impressive tight-five has been strengthened with the arrival of a homegrown player who went on to international fame.

quite a robust review at the end of the year and have made some changes around recruiting. We are definitely in a better place than we were last year.

“I think overall there is better quality in the depth we have and it goes back to our Cavaliers development and Academy programme, plus our club rugby is improving.”

Former Wallaby prop Sekope Kepu is back where it all began for him. The 35-year-old has impressed in early Steelers training with his conditioning and willingness to help the younger players in the squad.

Flanker Alamanda Motuga made quite an impression in his NPC debut season last year, highlighted by a hat trick against Manawatu that ended an unwanted 11-game losing streak for the Steelers.

Head coach Tai Lavea says Kepu is a massive presence in the squad.

“We had Kieran Read last year for half a season and it feels like you have got someone of Reido’s stature and knowledge but fulltime this season. First and foremost, he is from the region. He went to Wesley College, played for Manurewa and the Steelers.

“He is still in really good shape, trains hard and you can see the levels lift at training when he is around. He gives a lot of confidence to the younger players but helps us as coaches as well. We lean on him for leadership stuff, making sure we are on track and doing the right things. He’s been great.”

“I think we have a group of players we can move forward with. We have put a lot of attention into our tight five and we have a really good blend of experience and youth.

The Samoan Sevens star is a freakish athlete who Lavea says “was phenomenal for us last year. He took his opportunity and the rest is history”.

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Last season was Lavea’s first as head coach.

He was happy with the progress made despite the Steelers finishing sixth in the Championship.

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“Within our performances last year, we were close in most games, which was pleasing. We had

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Other young talented players in the Steelers’ squad are 20-year-old first-five Cameron Roigard, who was with the Hurricanes earlier this year, and lock Alex McRobbie, the grandson

of Ean McRobbie, who played 129 games for the Steelers.

Former Māori All Blacks hooker Joseph Royal, experienced Tongan prop Sila Puafisi, loose

SAM SLADE dives for the line against Hawke’s Bay.

forward Sam Slade and the Chiefs duo of flanker Viliami Taulani and fullback/winger Luteru Laulala will add plenty of steel to Counties Manukau in the season ahead.

LUTERU LAULALA on the charge for the Steelers.

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LIAM MITCHELL rises high to win another lineout.

Turbos halfback JAMIE BOOTH has recovered from a serious leg injury.

MANAWATU: SEVENTH LAST YEAR When you finish in last position out of the 14 NPC places, there really is only one way to go.

Coach Peter Russell will be hoping his third season in charge will bring more wins for the Turbos, who ended the 2020 Championship with just one victory and nine losses.

Russell, who will be assisted by former Manawatu prop Greg Fleming, has defensive systems on his mind after the Turbos leaked 37.7 points per match last season.

There has been plenty of movement in the squad from last year with several quality signings from outside the region.

Inspirational halfback and captain Jamie Booth returns after he broke his right leg and tore ligaments against Hawke's Bay last October. Griffin Culver and Wellington import Logan Henry are the other halfbacks in the squad.

Crusaders first-five and former All Black Brett Cameron is a new Turbo.

The 24-year-old grew up in Whanganui and wanted to be closer to his family before he leaves for Japan at the end of the NPC. “It is a good new challenge for me and it is also a chance to be close to home, which is pretty cool. I am pretty excited to get alongside a young team and test myself in a new environment and keep growing as a player,” says Cameron.

The loss of tighthead prop Michael Alaalatoa to Leinster has been off-set by the signing of former Sunwolves and Auckland prop Jarred Adams, 33-year-old Ropate Rinakama has plenty of overseas experience, and Tietie Tuimauga impressed for the Turbos last year. Another new signing is prop Harrison Allan, who played for New Zealand Under-20s, the Crusaders and Canterbury.

At the other end of the experience scale are promising 19-year-old loosehead prop Joe Gavigan and flanker TK Howden, who both made the New Zealand Under-20s this year. Howden played in nine of the 10 games for the Turbos last year in his first season out of school.

There is plenty of height and power in the locking department. Hurricanes’ Liam Mitchell joins Micaiah Torrance-Read and Wellington’s James Poloniati.

Samoan international winger Ed Fidow returns to New Zealand after three years with the Worcester Warriors. Another new winger is Tima Fainga’anuku from Tasman, the older brother of Crusaders wing Leicester Fainga’anuku.

Jason Emery return to play for the Turbos four years after his last match.

The talented utility has been in Japan since 2018. Chiefs Development player Taniela Filimone can play centre or wing.

Blues hooker Ray Niuia started for Manu Samoa against the Māori All Blacks and Tonga in June and July. Tongan international Siua Maile and 2019 New Zealand Schools representative Ben Strang are the other hookers.

COACH: PETER RUSSELL CAPTAIN: JAMIE BOOTH HOME GROUND: CENTRAL ENERGY TRUST ARENA WEBSITE: www.turbosrugby.co.nz TICKETS: ticketfairy.com ADDRESS: CENTRAL ENERGY TRUST ARENA, 61 PASCAL STREET, PALMERSTON NORTH PHONE: 06 357 2633 EMAIL: info@manawaturugby.co.nz TAB ODDS: MANAWATU $18.00

40 | RUGBY 2021

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NORTH HARBOUR: RELEGATED IN 2020 It was only two points in the end, but how crucial those two points were.

North Harbour were relegated out of the Premiership on the final day of the season but were just two points off fourth place and a spot in the semi-finals.

Harbour blew a 21–0 lead to lose to Bay of Plenty in the final round-robin match while Canterbury beat Auckland in injury time to avoid relegation.

But a new season brings renewed hope with a fresh coaching group of Daniel Halangahu, Steve Jackson and Ben Afeaki joining forces.

Head coach Halangahu, assistant coach at the Blues, is positive ahead of this NPC campaign.

“There will be a lot of change this season with the players probably taking a lot more control.

The guys are extremely passionate about the jersey. Our job as a coaching group is to really facilitate the way the boys go out there, to play with pride in who we are and who we represent.

“But Harbour is not one of the big-dog unions.

Never has been. We are about fighting above our weight, I guess. That’s what we want to do, what we want to be known for.

“It’s a local team. Ninety per cent of the team are local players.”

There are no better performers in the NPC at 9 and 10 than Harbour’s two Bryns – halfback Hall and first-five Gatland. Hall is a stalwart of the team, with the Crusaders No 9 a key

strategist in how Harbour play, while Gatland is a superb kicker for goal and open-field space.

New recruits in midfield are Samoan international midfielder Henry Taefu, who impressed with the Western Force in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, and Tongan representative Fine Inisi. They will add to the midfield depth alongside the consistent James Little.

Halangahu says the front row was the point of difference last year.

There was no doubt Harbour’s front row was magnificent and the catalyst for the two best wins of the season over finalists Auckland and Tasman.

COACH: DANIEL HALANGAHU

Crucially, the key front-rowers are all back.

Tighthead Sione Mafileo bends to no-one and again will be the foundation for the Harbour scrum, along with experienced loosehead prop Nic Mayhew. Dynamic hooker Luteru Tolai had a fine Super campaign but will have a tough battle for the starting jersey with Rhys Marshall, who has returned from Munster.

HOME GROUND: ORTH HARBOUR STADIUM, N ALBANY

Lock Jacob Pierce was a standout last season and will be better for the experience he gained from another campaign with the Blues. He will be the senior lock with outstanding Blues performer Gerard Cowley-Tuioti moving overseas to play in Japan.

Harbour will have co-captains this campaign, Gatland and dynamic flanker Murphy Taramai.

MURPHY TARAMAI will co-captain Harbour in 2021.

CO-CAPTAINS: BRYN GATLAND, MURPHY TARAMAI

WEBSITE: www.harbourrugby.co.nz TICKETS: www.iticket.co.nz ADDRESS: LEVEL 2, NORTH HARBOUR STADIUM, STADIUM DRIVE, ALBANY, AUCKLAND PHONE: 09 447 2100 EMAIL: harbour@harbourrugby.co.nz TAB ODDS: NORTH HARBOUR $2.88

Harbour halfback BRYN HALL clears from a ruck.

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7#17 RUGBY 2021 | 4

Southland winger AMANAKI NICOLE looks for support.

Southland captain TONY LAMBORN on attack.

SOUTHLAND: FIFTH LAST YEAR Southland gained back some much-needed confidence last season with their best performance in years.

Recent times have been rather grim for the proud Stags – highlighted by their 2017 and 2018 seasons when they did not win a game. Under new head coach Dale MacLeod, they bounced back with three wins and brought the crowds and smiles back to Rugby Park.

MacLeod says it should have been even better had they won their last two games against teams below them on the table.

“Everyone says you can’t make it from Southland, you have to shift away, but we are part of the Highlanders and we are making good progress. We want to become a genuine pathway, so we need more boys in the Highlanders.

“Ethan has sort of kicked the door open a bit for us. He was always destined to be something special. The traits he has got, you just can’t coach.”

Blues flanker Tony Lamborn will again captain the Stags.

“I was really happy with the first eight weeks of the comp. I was really disappointed how we finished the season and there were a few reasons for that.

“But as a group we have really grown around what the jersey meant to put on and I think that was the biggest shift. We went from the worst defensive team across all Premiership and Championship teams to the best defensive record in letting in tries.

“That showed we have made some big shifts around our mindset but we will not be taking that for granted this year.”

The return of cult hero Marty Banks from Japan will ensure plenty of early season attention for the Stags. The 31-year-old is a quality first-five who adds depth to the position alongside the capable Marty McKenzie and Greg Dyer.

Former Highlanders halfback Josh Renton is another new signing for the season and joins Lisati Milo-Harris from the Chiefs and Liam Howley.

“We have three good tens and three good nines, which is great. We are trying to build competition within our whole group,” says MacLeod.

Versatile Ben Fotheringham is back after missing the 2020 season through injury. He is a huge plus for the Stags as he can cover lock and all three loose-forwards positions.

Southland has the smallest player budget out of any NPC province and one of the smallest player pools to pick from. An injury crisis among the props in the region is the last thing they need.

COACH: DALE MACLEOD CAPTAIN: TONY LAMBORN HOME GROUND: RUGBY PARK STADIUM, INVERCARGILL TICKETS: www.ticketek.co.nz ADDRESS: 8 SURREY PARK ROAD, GLENGARRY, INVERCARGILL PHONE: 03 216 8694 WEBSITE: www.rugbysouthland.co.nz

But the Stags still have some quality props in Joe Walsh, Chris Apoua, Tom Ross imported from the Brumbies, and Paula Latu.

EMAIL: reception@rugbysouthland.co.nz

MacLeod says loosehead prop Ethan de Groot making the All Blacks is a massive boost to Southland rugby.

TAB ODDS: SOUTHLAND $23.00

42 | RUGBY 2021

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TARANAKI: LAST YEAR’S SEMI-FINALISTS Last season, Taranaki Bulls made it through to the semi-finals but came up against a red-hot Hawke’s Bay side that kicked-on to win the final a week later.

The Bulls welcome back Neil Barnes as head coach after he spent six years at the Chiefs as assistant coach.

First-five/fullback Stephen Perofeta struggled for game time in the latter part of the Blues’ season but he is a proven player at NPC level.

Barnes has a strong squad with plenty of experience to work with and few changes made from last year’s playing group.

If Perofeta is selected at fullback, Daniel Waite is a quality performer at first-five and can also slot into midfield if needed.

“When I look across our team, it is not like we have a lot of stars.

We have a lot of hard working, good players so if we get them pointed in the right direction then results will follow,” he says.

New Zealand Under-20s winger Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens was part of the successful Blues squad in Super Rugby TransTasman and can play fullback, wing and centre.

Family and community are at the heart of the Taranaki support base.

Players with the surnames Crowley and Slater have been involved with famous Ranfurly Shield wins and victories over touring teams for decades.

Another Fiji-born Chiefs player is winger Kini Naholo who has overcome two years of serious leg injuries to finally be able to showcase his dazzling speed.

That legacy continues in 2021 with halfback Logan Crowley and hooker Bradley Slater set to play key roles.

Crowley returns from time away in Southland and will likely start at halfback.

Competition for places will be keen in all positions but particularly at hooker where Slater and Ricky Riccitelli go head-to-head to wear the No 2 jersey.

There will be plenty of emotional support behind outstanding openside flanker Lachlan Boshier who is off to Japan at the end of the NPC. Taranaki fans are not the only ones wondering why he did not get an All Blacks jersey.

Taranaki’s LACHLAN BOSHIER offloads the ball against Canterbury.

Loose forward Pita Gus Sowakula made the most of playing minutes he got in a Chiefs jersey while Josh Lord should ensure a constant supply of top-quality lineout ball.

The 2.02-metre-tall lock benefited from being coached by Barnes at the Chiefs.

The Bulls have co-captains this campaign – midfielder Teihorangi Walden and loose forward Mitch Brown.

All home games, except the season opener, will again be played at Inglewood’s TET Stadium with Yarrow Stadium undergoing a $50 million refurbishment.

For the first time since 1945, the Bulls will play at the iconic cricket ground Pukekura Park.

The opening game against Hawke’s Bay on August 7 celebrates 100 years since Taranaki drew 0–0 with the Springboks at Pukekura Park in 1921.

PITA GUS SOWAKULA passes in last year’s final against Hawke’s Bay.

COACH: NEIL BARNES CO-CAPTAINS: MITCH BROWN, TEIHORANGI WALDEN

ADDRESS: PO BOX 5004, NEW PLYMOUTH PHONE: 06 759 0167

HOME GROUND: TET STADIUM, INGLEWOOD

WEBSITE: www.trfu.co.nz EMAIL: info@trfu.co.nz

TICKETS: www.iticket.co.nz

TAB ODDS: TARANAKI $5.00

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7#37 RUGBY 2021 | 4

REP RUGBY RETURNS TO THE PROVINCIAL HEARTLAND

by PETER WHITE

Something special will happen at rugby grounds far and wide across New Zealand on Saturday, August 21.

From Ruatoria on the East Coast to Hamilton in the north and Oamaru in the south – matches in the 2021 Bunnings Warehouse Heartland Championship will kick-off.

There won’t be too many flash corporate boxes available and vehicles will likely be allowed inside the ground to give the home team some extra support from tooting horns. It is what makes the atmosphere at Heartland Championship games so unique.

Hamilton is the unusual home venue for Thames Valley’s opener against Mid Canterbury. This game is part of a unique triple header at Waikato Stadium featuring the Heartland Championship, Farah Palmer Cup and NPC matches to celebrate the Waikato union’s centenary.

The rugby heartland of New Zealand missed out last year due to COVID-19 restrictions, so the good rugby folk have had a long wait to see their favourite teams in action.

Twelve teams will contest the initial round-robin, which is made up of eight matches each and will determine the top four teams. The top four will contest the Meads Cup while the next four teams will play for the Lochore Cup. It is only right and proper that the two prestigious trophies are

named after two of our greatest All Blacks who farmed and played in the heartland – Sir Colin Meads in Te Kuiti and Sir Brian Lochore in Masterton.

NZR General Manager Community Rugby, Steve Lancaster, says the provincial competition unites rugby communities throughout New Zealand and never more so than in the last year.

“We’re seeing some strong increases in participation at the grassroots level this season, with junior and women’s rugby numbers up and senior numbers rebounding to pre-COVID levels and better in some cases.

“Kiwis are showing genuine eagerness to return to the game and support local rugby. With the Heartland Championship returning to the rugby calendar this year, following its cancellation in 2020, we’re looking forward to a cracking provincial rugby season across all three of our national championships.”

The fight to make the play-offs in the last Heartland Championship played for in 2019 was one of the most competitive in years, with just five points separating the first seven teams.

The top four of Thames Valley (30), North Otago (29), Wairarapa Bush

KALAVINI LEATIGAGA makes a break against West Coast in the LOCHORE CUP final.

(29) and Whanganui (28) made it through to the semi-final play-offs for the Meads Cup, with West Coast (27), Buller (26), South Canterbury (25) and Poverty Bay (20) contesting the Lochore Cup. In the Meads Cup, Whanganui beat Thames Valley 20–15 away in Paeroa in one semi-final, while North Otago just beat Wairarapa Bush 27–25 in Oamaru. In the final it was the North Otago Old Golds who

LACHLAN KINGAN of North Otago in action during the MEADS CUP final against Whanganui.

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proved too strong for Whanganui, winning 33–19.

The Lochore Cup semi-finals saw West Coast down Poverty Bay 41–36 and South Canterbury defeat Buller 56–24.

The final was much closer with South Canterbury beating the wild Greymouth weather and the local West Coast side to win 23–19 and lift the Lochore Cup.

HEARTLAND CHAMPIONSHIP DRAW * Date subject to operational and broadcasting logistics **Televised as a double-header with BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE NPC Times, dates and venues subject to change

WEEK 1: SATURDAY 21 AUGUST

PENIJAMINI NABANIVALU of Whanganui on the ball during the Meads Cup final of 2019.

WEEK 7: SATURDAY 2 OCTOBER

Thames Valley v Mid Canterbury**

Hamilton

11.35am

East Coast v Buller

Ruatoria

North Otago v South Canterbury

Thames Valley v Buller

Te Aroha

2.00pm

2.30pm

Horowhenua Kapiti v East Coast

Otaki

2.30pm

Oamaru

2.30pm

Mid Canterbury v North Otago

Ashburton

2.30pm

Poverty Bay v King Country

Gisborne

2.30pm

Poverty Bay v West Coast

Gisborne

2.30pm

Wairarapa Bush v West Coast

Masterton

2.30pm

South Canterbury v King Country

Timaru

2.30pm

Whanganui v Horowhenua Kapiti

Whanganui

2.30pm

Whanganui v Wairarapa Bush

Whanganui

2.30pm

Buller v North Otago

Westport

1.00pm

Buller v Horowhenua Kapiti

Westport

2.30pm

Horowhenua Kapiti v Thames Valley

Levin

2.30pm

East Coast v South Canterbury

Ruatoria

2.30pm

King Country v Wairarapa Bush

Te Kuiti

2.30pm

King Country v Whanganui

Taumarunui

2.30pm

Mid Canterbury v Poverty Bay

Ashburton

2.30pm

North Otago v Poverty Bay

Oamaru

2.30pm

South Canterbury v Whanganui

Timaru

2.30pm

West Coast v Thames Valley

Greymouth

2.30pm

West Coast v East Coast

Greymouth

2.30pm

Wairarapa Bush v Mid Canterbury

Masterton

6.00pm

Thames Valley v King Country

Te Aroha

2.00pm

WEEK 9: SATURDAY 16 OCTOBER LOCHORE CUP SEMI-FINALS

Buller v West Coast

Westport

2.30pm

2.30pm

Gisborne

2.30pm

5th ranked team from pool round v 8th ranked team from pool round

Venue TBC

Poverty Bay v East Coast Horowhenua Kapiti v Wairarapa Bush

Levin

2.30pm

6th ranked team from pool round v 7th ranked team from pool round

Venue TBC

2.30pm

South Canterbury v Mid Canterbury

Timaru

2.30pm

MEADS CUP SEMI-FINALS

Whanganui v North Otago

Whanganui

2.30pm

Top ranked team from pool round v 4th ranked team from pool round

Venue TBC

2.30pm

Thames Valley v Whanganui

Te Aroha

2.00pm

2nd ranked team from pool round v 3rd ranked team from pool round

Venue TBC

2.30pm

Wairarapa Bush v East Coast

Masterton

2.30pm

Mid Canterbury v Buller

Ashburton

2.30pm

North Otago v King Country

Oamaru

2.30pm

WEEK 10: SATURDAY 23 OCTOBER* MEADS CUP FINAL

Poverty Bay v Horowhenua Kapiti

Gisborne

2.30pm

Winner Semi-final 1 v Winner Semi-final 2

Venue TBC

TBC

West Coast v South Canterbury

Greymouth

2.30pm

Venue TBC

TBC

WEEK 2: SATURDAY 28 AUGUST

WEEK 8: SATURDAY 9 OCTOBER

WEEK 3: SATURDAY 4 SEPTEMBER

WEEK 4: SATURDAY 11 SEPTEMBER

WEEK 5: SATURDAY 18 SEPTEMBER

SUNDAY 24 OCTOBER* LOCHORE CUP FINAL Winner Semi-final 1 v Winner Semi-final 2

Buller v South Canterbury

Westport

2.30pm

King Country v Mid Canterbury

Te Kuiti

2.30pm

North Otago v East Coast

Oamaru

2.30pm

Wairarapa Bush v Thames Valley

Masterton

2.30pm

Whanganui v Poverty Bay

Whanganui

2.30pm

West Coast v Horowhenua Kapiti

Greymouth

2.30pm

Horowhenua Kapiti v North Otago

Levin

1.00pm

East Coast v Thames Valley

Ruatoria

2.30pm

King Country v West Coast

Taupo

2.30pm

Mid Canterbury v Whanganui

Ashburton

2.30pm

Poverty Bay v Buller

Gisborne

2.30pm

South Canterbury v Wairarapa Bush

Timaru

2.30pm

WEEK 6: SATURDAY 25 SEPTEMBER

North Otago’s ADAM JOHNSON celebrates scoring in the Meads Cup final.

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7#57 RUGBY 2021 | 4

MATCH SCHEDULE POOL

POOL

A

POOL

B

C

NEW ZEALAND

CANADA

ENGLAND

AUSTRALIA

usa

FRANCE

WALES

EUROPE 1

SOUTH AFRICA

FINAL QUALIFIER WINNER

asia 1

FIJI

(FQW) Sat 08 Oct - 19:15 Eden Park

Sun 09 Oct - 12:45 Northland Events Centre

Sat 08 Oct - 14:15 Eden Park

AUSTRALIA V NEW ZEALAND

usa V EUROPE 1

SOUTH AFRICA V FRANCE

sun 09 Oct - 17:45 Northland Events Centre

sun 09 Oct - 15:15 Northland Events Centre

Sat 08 Oct - 16:45 eden park

waLES V FQW

ASIA 1 V CANADA

FIJI V ENGLAND

SAT 15 Oct - 15:00 Northland Events Centre

sat 15 Oct - 17:30 Northland Events Centre

SAT 15 Oct - 20:00 Northland Events Centre

FQW V AUSTRALIA

usa V asia 1

FRANCE V ENGLAND

SUN 16 Oct - 15:15 Waitakere StadiuM

SUN 16 Oct - 12:45 WAITAKERE STADIUM

Sun 16 Oct - 17:45 WAITAKERE STADIUM

WALES V NEW ZEALAND

EUROPE 1 V CANADA

FIJI V SOUTH AFRICA

SAT 22 Oct - 14:15 Northland Events Centre

SUN 23 Oct - 12:45 WAITAKERE STADIUM

SAT 22 Oct - 19:15 Northland Events Centre

AUSTRALIA V WALES

ASIA 1 V EUROPE 1

FRANCE V FIJI

SAT 22 Oct - 16:45 Northland Events Centre

SUN 23 Oct - 15:15 WAITAKERE STADIUM

SUN 23 Oct - 17:45 Waitakere Stadium

NEW ZEALAND V FQW

CANADA V USA

ENGLAND V SOUTH AFRICA

QUARTER-FINAL 1

QUARTER-FINAL 2*

QUARTER-FINAL 3

QUARTER-FINAL 4

Sat 29 OCT - 16:30 Northland Events Centre

Sat 29 OCT - 19:30 Northland Events Centre

SUN 30 OCT - 13:30 Waitakere Stadium

SUN 30 OCT - 16:30 Waitakere Stadium

SEMI-FINAL 1

BRONZE FINAL

SEMI-FINAL 2

SAT 05 NOV - 16:30 EDEN PARK

SAT 12 NOV - 16:30 EDEN PARK

SAT 05 NOV - 19:30 EDEN PARK

FINAL PROUD HOST

SAT 12 NOV - 19:30 EDEN PARK

*SHOULD THE HOST NATION REACH THE QUARTER-FINAL STAGE OF THE TOURNAMENT, THEIR FIXTURE WILL BE SCHEDULED IN THIS QUARTER-FINAL SLOT. ALL MATCHES ARE NZST/NZDT. TM © RUGBY WORLD CUP LIMITED 2007-2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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