Rugby 2022

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RUGBY2022

CONTENTS HE 2022 4 TSEASON’S PREVIEW

UNNINGS WAREHOUSE UNNINGS WAREHOUSE 24 BNPC 45 BHEARTLAND FIXTURES

LL BLACKS 8 APLAYERS PROFILES

BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE NPC PREVIEWS CONTINUED TASMAN

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

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

We profile the 36 All Blacks who were selected for the 2022 Steinlager Championship.

GAMES 14 IAllNTERNATIONAL the details you need for the Bledisloe Cup, Rugby Championship, Black Ferns v Australia, and All Blacks end-of-year tour test matches.

PALMER CUP 16 FWeARAH preview the 2022 Farah Palmer Cup which is the final hit out for the Black Ferns players ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

ARAH PALMER CUP 17 FFIXTURES

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

UNNINGS 19 BWAREHOUSE NPC

We preview the revamped new competition and what has changed for 2022, with just one title up for grabs for the 14 provinces competing.

BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE NPC PREVIEWS

We preview all 14 teams, their hopes and aspirations ahead of the new season.

20 AUCKLAND 22 CANTERBURY

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

The game schedule for this year will see 14 teams play 70 matches before the play-offs in just 12 weeks.

CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES

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

26 28 MANAWATŪ 29 TARANAKI 30 NORTH HARBOUR 33 NORTHLAND 34 WAIKATO 36 HAWKE’S BAY 38 BAY OF PLENTY 39 WELLINGTON 40 OTAGO UGBY WORLD CUP 46 RNEW ZEALAND 2021 41 SOUTHLAND (PLAYING IN 2022)

We preview the women’s Rugby World 42 COUNTIES MANUKAU Cup to be played in Auckland and

BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE Northland in October and November.

44 HEARTLAND UGBY WORLD CUP CHAMPIONSHIP 47 RNEW ZEALAND 2021 Twelve teams will kick-off the Heartland Championship to try and become the next Meads Cup or Lochore Cup champions.

FIXTURES

All the fixtures for the women’s Rugby World Cup 2021.

COVER IMAGES: As pictured, clockwise: Black Ferns captain Ruahei Demant in action; Waikato teammates celebrate winning the 2021 Farah Palmer Cup; Nick Strachan, captain of South Canterbury, lifts the Meads Cup; Waikato NPC player Cortez Ratima in action; centre, Scott, Beauden and Jordie Barrett pictured after the All Blacks victory over Ireland in the first test at Eden Park on 2 July 2022.

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.

WILL JORDAN races away against Ireland.

ALL BLACKS UNDER PRESSURE, WOMEN’S

WORLD CUP AND GRASSROOTS RUGBY — 2022 HAS IT ALL

by PETER WHITE

So much has changed since the All Blacks took Ireland apart in the quarter-finals of Rugby World Cup in Japan in 2019.

From favourites to win the 2019 tournament, the All Blacks then lost to England in the semi-final and not much has gone right since – with defeats by Australia, Argentina, South Africa, France and Ireland (three times). Yes, you read that right: three times.

The two losses at home to Ireland in the 2022 Steinlager series in July has made it three defeats from the last four tests played against the men from the Emerald Isle. The All Blacks have now lost four of their last five test matches with defeats to Ireland and France on last year’s Northern tour.

Whatever psychological advantage the All Blacks once held over their main rivals has well and truly evaporated. Rugby has undergone a revitalisation in the Northern Hemisphere. There has been a quantum shift from a predictable territory-based game from France, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England to a faster-paced game based around physically powerful forwards who have the ball skills of the outside backs.

In the last 12 months, the All Blacks have simply been outplayed at times by technically better athletes with a different mindset in how they play the game. There has also been an increase in basic errors, which are holding back the All Blacks from consistently performing for 80 minutes.

The loss of their own lineout ball from inaccurate throws and overcomplicated calls is one indication of that but the amount of dropped ball is perhaps more concerning.

Is that a concentration issue or an inability to operate accurately under intense pressure? Either way, every error shifts the momentum to the opposition and rugby at the highest level is a game of momentum.

4 | RUGBY 2022

Poor discipline has been another glaring failure over the last two international seasons. The All Blacks seem to be getting more than their fair share of yellow and red cards. Rugby fans have been asking for months why the same mistakes resulting in cards continue to be made but there has been no obvious improvement.

The pressure on the All Blacks head coach Ian Foster, the group of coaches he assembled to work with him, and captain Sam Cane is building to levels perhaps not seen since Graham Henry’s All Blacks were bundled out of the 2007 World Cup in the quarter-final by France.

In any great sports team there is a harmonious synergy between the head coach and senior players that often makes the difference between winning and losing. In the current All Blacks side, it is hard to know from the outside whether the right messages are getting through to the players. Only those inside the camp would know that but the slow starts in all three tests against Ireland would indicate a lack of motivation before kick-off.

It may be time for a clean-out of coaching and playing staff. A fresh new broom to start again. But wholesale changes can indicate a state of panic and the All Blacks have rarely shown any of that over their illustrious history.

It is a time for clear, concise thinking rather than rushing into making changes that may not improve the situation. There is still time to get things right before next year’s Rugby World Cup in France.

WWW.ALLBLACKS.COM

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

Next up for the embattled All Blacks is possibly the worst-case scenario as they begin the defence of their Rugby Championship crown with two tests away in South Africa on August 7 and 14. The games will be a stern test for the All Blacks after the Springboks warmed-up with a 2 –1 series victory over Wales.

The All Blacks play six tests in the Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship.

Last year, the All Blacks defended the Bledisloe Cup against the Wallabies and won the Rugby Championship with five wins. They had an opportunity to complete the grand slam but narrowly went down to the Springboks in the last test of the tournament. That loss will be front of mind for both teams ahead of their first clash at Mbombela Stadium on August 7.

Australia, under former Chiefs coach Dave Rennie, have put some impressive performances together in the last year. There were back-to-back wins over the Springboks and the recent narrow 2 –1 series loss to England will give them confidence.

Argentina defeated Scotland 2 –1 in their home series ahead of the Rugby Championship. Los Pumas, inspired by former captain and Crusaders flanker Pablo Matera, will use their first-ever defeat of the All Blacks in 2020 as motivation for the matches ahead.

In November, the All Blacks play Wales, Scotland and England to complete a year that is unlikely to be forgotten.

For the Black Ferns, the looming Rugby World Cup is something very special indeed. The tournament (which was held back from last year due to COVID complications) is to be staged in New Zealand in October and November, with matches in Auckland and Whangarei. Eden Park will host the final on November 12 and the eagerly awaited opening clash for the Black Ferns against Australia on October 8. (See the tournament preview on page 46.)

Prior to this, the Black Ferns have two matches in the O’Reilly Cup against Australia. The first is on August 20 in Christchurch and the second is August 27 at the Adelaide Oval. The bulk of the preparation for the players will be done for their provinces in the competitive Farah Palmer Cup, which is already underway.

The decision to appoint former All Blacks coach Wayne Smith as head coach of the Black Ferns has already proved to be a master stroke.

The renowned player motivator and innovative tactician loves nothing more than playing attacking rugby. His players showed plenty of that in winning the Pacific Four series against Australia, the United States and Canada in June.

The men’s provincial competitions kick-off in August. The 12 unions contesting the Heartland Championship will this season have awards

RUBY TUI in action for the BLACK FERNS.

to play for in honour of former All Blacks Ian Kirkpatrick and Bill Osborne, as well as playing for the hugely competitive Meads and Lochore Cups.

The Bunnings Warehouse NPC has a new format in 2022 with the 14 provincial teams all competing for one supreme title for the first time since 2010. The 14 teams are split into two groups based on last season’s standings and will still play crossover matches. The difference this year is rather than two finals and promotion relegation, there will be just one grand final to be played on Saturday October 22.

WAIKATO players celebrate winning last year’s NPC FINAL.

WWW.ALLBLACKS.COM

RUGBY 2022

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7# 7

ALL BLACKS PLAYER PROFILES SAM CANE CAPTAIN

#1113

PLACE OF BIRTH: ROTORUA DATE OF BIRTH: 13 JANUARY 1992 AGE: 30 HEIGHT: 1.89m WEIGHT: 103kg POSITION: LOOSE FORWARD PROVINCIAL TEAM: BAY OF PLENTY SUPER RUGBY TEAM: CHIEFS TEST DEBUT: v IRELAND IN CHRISTCHURCH, 16 JUNE 2012 ALL BLACK TESTS: 80 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 75

AARON SMITH

BACKS

image credit: ALL BLACKS COLLECTION / GETTY IMAGES

At the time of print the All-Blacks squad to play in the 2022 Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup were not selected. We profile the 36 players who played in the 2022 Steinlager Series. All statistics were correct on 21 July 2022. 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: 33 HEIGHT: 1.73m WEIGHT: 83kg POSITION: HALFBACK PROVINCIAL TEAM: MANAWATŪ SUPER RUGBY TEAM: HIGHLANDERS TEST DEBUT: v IRELAND IN AUCKLAND, 9 JUNE 2012 ALL BLACK TESTS: 105 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 107

BEAUDEN BARRETT

#1115

PLACE OF BIRTH: NEW PLYMOUTH DATE OF BIRTH: 27 MAY 1991 AGE: 31 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: 104 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 708

STEPHEN PEROFETA

#????

PLACE OF BIRTH: WHANGANUI DATE OF BIRTH: 12 MARCH 1997 AGE: 25 HEIGHT: 1.81m WEIGHT: 85kg POSITION: FIRST FIVE-EIGHTH/FULLBACK PROVINCIAL TEAM: TARANAKI SUPER RUGBY TEAM: BLUES TEST DEBUT: YET TO PLAY FOR THE ALL BLACKS ALL BLACK TESTS: 0 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 0

RIEKO IOANE

#1156

PLACE OF BIRTH: AUCKLAND DATE OF BIRTH: 18 MARCH 1997 AGE: 25 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: 50 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 155

CALEB CLARKE

#1187

PLACE OF BIRTH: AUCKLAND DATE OF BIRTH: 29 MARCH 1999 AGE: 23 HEIGHT: 1.84m WEIGHT: 107kg POSITION: WING PROVINCIAL TEAM: AUCKLAND SUPER RUGBY TEAM: BLUES TEST DEBUT: v AUSTRALIA IN WELLINGTON, 11 OCTOBER 2020 ALL BLACK TESTS: 5 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 5

8 | RUGBY 2022

FOLAU FAKATAVA

#1203

PLACE OF BIRTH: NUKU’ALOFA, TONGA DATE OF BIRTH: 16 DECEMBER 1999 AGE: 22 HEIGHT: 1.77m WEIGHT: 80kg POSITION: HALFBACK PROVINCIAL TEAM: HAWKE’S BAY SUPER RUGBY TEAM: HIGHLANDERS TEST DEBUT: v IRELAND IN DUNEDIN, 9 JULY 2022 ALL BLACK TESTS: 2 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 0

FINLAY CHRISTIE

#1196

PLACE OF BIRTH: PEEBLES, SCOTLAND DATE OF BIRTH: 19 SEPTEMBER 1995 AGE: 26 HEIGHT: 1.77m WEIGHT: 82kg POSITION: HALFBACK PROVINCIAL TEAM: TASMAN SUPER RUGBY TEAM: BLUES TEST DEBUT: v TONGA IN AUCKLAND, 3 JULY 2021 ALL BLACK TESTS: 6 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 5

RICHARD MO’UNGA

#1167

PLACE OF BIRTH: CHRISTCHURCH DATE OF BIRTH: 25 MAY 1994 AGE: 28 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: 35 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 275

DAVID HAVILI

#1161

PLACE OF BIRTH: NELSON DATE OF BIRTH: 23 DECEMBER 1994 AGE: 27 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: 16 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 35

ROGER TUIVASA-SHECK #1204 PLACE OF BIRTH: APIA, SAMOA DATE OF BIRTH: 5 JUNE 1993 AGE: 29 HEIGHT: 1.82m WEIGHT: 96kg POSITION: FULLBACK/WING PROVINCIAL TEAM: AUCKLAND SUPER RUGBY TEAM: BLUES TEST DEBUT: v IRELAND IN WELLINGTON, 16 JULY 2022 ALL BLACK TESTS: 1 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 0

QUINN TUPAEA

#1193

PLACE OF BIRTH: HAMILTON DATE OF BIRTH: 10 MAY 1999 AGE: 23 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: 9 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 10

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

WWW.ALLBLACKS.COM

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JORDIE BARRETT

#1159

PLACE OF BIRTH: NEW PLYMOUTH DATE OF BIRTH: 17 FEBRUARY 1997 AGE: 25 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: 39 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 229

WILL JORDAN

#1191

PLACE OF BIRTH: CHRISTCHURCH DATE OF BIRTH: 24 FEBRUARY 1998 AGE: 24 HEIGHT: 1.88m WEIGHT: 94kg POSITION: FULLBACK PROVINCIAL TEAM: TASMAN SUPER RUGBY TEAM: CRUSADERS TEST DEBUT: v AUSTRALIA IN BRISBANE, 7 NOVEMBER 2020 ALL BLACK TESTS: 15 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 95

SEVU REECE

DANE COLES

FORWARDS

#1182

#1117

PLACE OF BIRTH: PARAPARAUMU DATE OF BIRTH: 10 DECEMBER 1986 AGE: 35 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: 81 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 100

LEICESTER FAINGA’ANUKU #1200

SAMISONI TAUKEI’AHO

#1198

PLACE OF BIRTH: TONGATAPU, TONGA DATE OF BIRTH: 8 AUGUST 1997 AGE: 24 HEIGHT: 1.83m WEIGHT: 115kg POSITION: HOOKER PROVINCIAL TEAM: WAIKATO SUPER RUGBY TEAM: CHIEFS TEST DEBUT: v FIJI IN HAMILTON, 17 JULY 2021 ALL BLACK TESTS: 11 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 15

CODIE TAYLOR

#1143

PLACE OF BIRTH: LEVIN DATE OF BIRTH: 31 MARCH 1991 AGE: 31 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: 69 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 75

#1139

AIDAN ROSS

#1202

PLACE OF BIRTH: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA DATE OF BIRTH: 25 OCTOBER 1995 AGE: 26 HEIGHT: 1.89m WEIGHT: 111kg POSITION: PROP PROVINCIAL TEAM: BAY OF PLENTY SUPER RUGBY TEAM: CHIEFS TEST DEBUT: v IRELAND IN DUNEDIN, 9 JULY 2022 ALL BLACK TESTS: 1 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 0

PLACE OF BIRTH: MOTO’OTUA, SAMOA DATE OF BIRTH: 6 NOVEMBER 1991 AGE: 30 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: 41 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 0

GEORGE BOWER

#1165

PLACE OF BIRTH: NUKU’ALOFA, TONGA DATE OF BIRTH: 11 OCTOBER 1999 AGE: 22 HEIGHT: 1.88m WEIGHT:109kg POSITION: WING PROVINCIAL TEAM: TASMAN SUPER RUGBY TEAM: CRUSADERS TEST DEBUT: v IRELAND IN AUCKLAND, 2 JULY 2022 ALL BLACK TESTS: 2 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 0

PLACE OF BIRTH: NANDI, FIJI DATE OF BIRTH: 13 FEBRUARY 1997 AGE: 25 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: 20 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 70

NEPO LAULALA

JACK GOODHUE PLACE OF BIRTH: WHANGAREI DATE OF BIRTH: 13 JUNE 1995 AGE: 27 HEIGHT: 1.87m WEIGHT: 100kg POSITION: CENTRE PROVINCIAL TEAM: NORTHLAND SUPER RUGBY TEAM: CRUSADERS TEST DEBUT: v FRANCE XV IN LYON, 14 NOVEMBER 2017 ALL BLACK TESTS: 18 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 15

#1194

PLACE OF BIRTH: LOWER HUTT DATE OF BIRTH: 28 MAY 1992 AGE: 30 HEIGHT: 1.83m WEIGHT: 115kg Position: PROP PROVINCIAL TEAM: OTAGO SUPER RUGBY TEAM: CRUSADERS TEST DEBUT: v TONGA IN AUCKLAND, 3 JULY 2021 ALL BLACK TESTS: 14 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 0

WWW.ALLBLACKS.COM

ANGUS TA’AVAO

#1175

PLACE OF BIRTH: AUCKLAND DATE OF BIRTH: 22 MARCH 1990 AGE: 32 HEIGHT: 1.94m WEIGHT: 124kg POSITION: PROP PROVINCIAL TEAM: AUCKLAND SUPER RUGBY TEAM: CHIEFS TEST DEBUT: v ARGENTINA IN BUENOS AIRES, 29 SEPTEMBER 2018 ALL BLACK TESTS: 22 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 15

RUGBY 2022

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11

KARL TU’INUKAFE

#1171

PLACE OF BIRTH: AUCKLAND DATE OF BIRTH: 21 FEBRUARY 1993 AGE: 29 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: 27 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 5

SCOTT BARRETT

#1155

PLACE OF BIRTH: NEW PLYMOUTH DATE OF BIRTH: 20 NOVEMBER 1993 AGE: 28 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: 50 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 25

BRODIE RETALLICK

#1110

PLACE OF BIRTH: RANGIORA, NEW ZEALAND DATE OF BIRTH: 31 MAY 1991 AGE: 31 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: 95 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 30

TUPOU VAA’I

#1188

SAM WHITELOCK

#1104

PLACE OF BIRTH: PALMERSTON NORTH DATE OF BIRTH: 12 OCTOBER 1988 AGE: 33 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: 134 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 30

PATRICK TUIPULOTU

#1133

PITA GUS SOWAKULA

#1201

PLACE OF BIRTH: LAUTOKA, FIJI DATE OF BIRTH: 26 OCTOBER 1994 AGE: 27 HEIGHT: 1.95m WEIGHT: 110kg POSITION: NUMBER 8 PROVINCIAL TEAM: TARANAKI SUPER RUGBY TEAM: CHIEFS TEST DEBUT: v IRELAND IN AUCKLAND, 2 JULY 2022 ALL BLACK TESTS: 2 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 5

#1166

PLACE OF BIRTH: TOKYO, JAPAN DATE OF BIRTH: 16 JUNE 1995 AGE: 27 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: 14 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 5

DALTON PAPALII

#1176

PLACE OF BIRTH: AUCKLAND DATE OF BIRTH: 11 OCTOBER 1997 AGE: 24 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: 15 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 25

ARDIE SAVEA

#1147

PLACE OF BIRTH: WELLINGTON DATE OF BIRTH: 14 OCTOBER 1993 AGE: 28 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: 62 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 90

12 | RUGBY 2022

#1150

PLACE OF BIRTH: CHRISTCHURCH DATE OF BIRTH: 23 JANUARY 1993 AGE: 29 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: 42 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 30

PLACE OF BIRTH: AUCKLAND DATE OF BIRTH: 27 JANUARY 2000 AGE: 22 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: 12 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 15

AKIRA IOANE

OFA TUUNGAFASI PLACE OF BIRTH: NUKU’ALOFA, TONGA DATE OF BIRTH: 19 APRIL 1992 AGE: 30 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: 47 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 5

WWW.ALLBLACKS.COM

HOSKINS SOTUTU PLACE OF BIRTH: AUCKLAND DATE OF BIRTH: 12 JULY 1998 AGE: 24 HEIGHT: 1.92m WEIGHT: 106kg POSITION: NUMBER 8 PROVINCIAL TEAM: AUCKLAND SUPER RUGBY TEAM: BLUES TEST DEBUT: v AUSTRALIA IN WELLINGTON, 11 OCTOBER 2020 ALL BLACK TESTS: 10 ALL BLACK TEST POINTS: 5

#1186

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ALL BLACKS FIXTURES 2022

The All Blacks will play six tests in 2022 LIPOVITAN-D RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP and BLEDISLOE CUP, while the Black Ferns have two matches in the O’Reilly Cup against Australia.

The All Blacks will play England, Scotland and Wales on the end of season Northern tour.

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

2022 STEINLAGER SERIES DATE

MATCH

VENUE

SCORE

SATURDAY 2 JULY

All Blacks v Ireland

Eden Park, Auckland

42–19

SATURDAY 9 JULY

All Blacks v Ireland

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

12–23

SATURDAY 16 JULY

All Blacks v Ireland

Sky Stadium, Wellington

22–32

2022 MĀORI ALL BLACKS V IRELAND DATE

MATCH

VENUE

SCORE

WEDNESDAY 29 JUNE

Māori All Blacks v Ireland

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

32–17

TUESDAY 12 JULY

Māori All Blacks v Ireland

Sky Stadium, Wellington

24–30

2022 LIPOVITAN-D RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP AND BLEDISLOE CUP DATE SUNDAY 7 AUGUST

MATCH South Africa v All Blacks Argentina v Australia

VENUE Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela Estadio Malvinas, Mendoza

KICK-OFF TIME 3.05am 5.05am

SUNDAY 14 AUGUST

South Africa v All Blacks Argentina v Australia

Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg Estadio del Bicentenario, San Juan

3.05am 5.05am

SATURDAY 27 AUGUST

Australia v South Africa All Blacks v Argentina

Adelaide Oval, Adelaide Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch

5.30pm 7.45pm

SATURDAY 3 SEPTEMBER

All Blacks v Argentina Australia v South Africa

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton Allianz Stadium, Sydney

7.05pm 7.35pm

THURSDAY 15 SEPTEMBER

Australia v All Blacks*

Marvel Stadium, Melbourne

SUNDAY 18 SEPTEMBER

Argentina v South Africa

Estadio Velez Sarsfield, Buenos Aires

9.45pm 5.05am

SATURDAY 24 SEPTEMBER

All Blacks v Australia*

Eden Park, Auckland

7.05pm

SUNDAY 25 SEPTEMBER

South Africa v Argentina

Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban

2.05am

*Bledisloe Cup game

2022 O’REILLY CUP – BLACK FERNS FIXTURES SATURDAY 20 AUGUST

Black Ferns v Australia

Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch

7.05pm

SATURDAY 27 AUGUST

Australia v Black Ferns

Adelaide Oval, Adelaide

2.45pm

2022 ALL BLACKS NORTHERN TOUR SUNDAY 6 NOVEMBER

Wales v All Blacks

Principality Stadium, Cardiff

4.15am

SUNDAY 13 NOVEMBER

Scotland v All Blacks

Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh

3.15am

SUNDAY 20 NOVEMBER

England v All Blacks

Twickenham, London

6.30am

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FARAH PALMER CUP THE LAST HIT OUT BEFORE THE WORLD CUP

by PETER WHITE

The Farah Palmer Cup continues to grow in popularity thanks to live coverage of matches on Sky Sport and the increasing profile given to women’s rugby in mainstream media.

The competition, presented by Bunnings Warehouse, consists of two divisions. The Premiership is made up of seven teams: Waikato Women, Canterbury Women, Auckland Storm, Wellington Pride, Counties Manukau Heat, Bay of Plenty Volcanix and Manawatū Cyclones. The winner is crowned champion while the bottom team are relegated.

The six-team Championship comprises: Otago Spirit, Taranaki Women, Hawke’s Bay Tuis, North Harbour Hibiscus, Northland Women and Tasman Women. The winner of the Championship division is promoted to the Premiership.

Both divisions play a seven-week round robin, with the top four Premiership teams and top four Championship teams playing in semi-finals on September 2–4. The following weekend, the finalists will play-off for the Premiership and Championship titles.

Teams also compete for the JJ Stewart Trophy, named after the former All Blacks coach who was a strong supporter of women’s rugby.

Like the Ranfurly Shield, this challenge trophy must be defended by the holders in each of their home matches during the regular season.

The 2021 season was highlighted by Waikato finally claiming a first Farah Palmer Cup title.

The team had to do it the hard way, travelling down to Christchurch to take-on an in-form Canterbury side looking for their fifth straight title. It was also a repeat of the 2020 final when Waikato had the title taken from their grasp

when Canterbury scored deep into injury time to win it. This time there was to be a happy ending for the visitors as they held on to win 22–20.

Manawatū Cyclones proved too strong for Hawke’s Bay Tuis with a 55–12 win to take the Farah Palmer Cup Championship title in Palmerston North.

This year’s competition has even more importance than usual, as it is the final opportunity for the Black Ferns squad players to get into top form and impress coach Wayne Smith ahead of Rugby World Cup that begins in Auckland in October.

The Black Ferns showed plenty of improvement when beating Australia, Canada and the USA in successive matches to win the Pacific Four Series in June.

The Black Ferns have two tests against Australia in Christchurch on August 20 and Adelaide on August 27, but they do not play again before Rugby World Cup kicks off on October 8.

This leaves the Farah Palmer Cup as the crucial preparation ahead of the World Cup. Black Ferns will be available for their provincial unions for the majority of the Farah Palmer Cup but will miss rounds six and seven for the Australian tests.

With so much anticipation building ahead of Rugby World Cup, this is a golden opportunity for rugby fans to catch the Black Ferns stars in action for their provincial sides in the Farah Palmer Cup.

WAIKATO celebrate winning the Farah Palmer Cup in 2021.

16 | RUGBY 2022

FARAH PALMER CUP CHAMPIONS 2006 WELLINGTON, 2007 AUCKLAND, 2008 AUCKLAND, 2009 AUCKLAND, 2010 AUCKLAND, 2011 AUCKLAND, 2012 AUCKLAND, 2013 AUCKLAND, 2014 AUCKLAND, 2015 AUCKLAND, 2016 COUNTIES MANUKAU, 2017 CANTERBURY, 2018 CANTERBURY, 2019 CANTERBURY, 2020 CANTERBURY, 2021 WAIKATO.

WWW.PROVINCIAL.RUGBY/FARAH-PALMER-CUP

Canterbury’s JORJA MILLER is tackled during last year’s final against Waikato.

FARAH PALMER CUP DRAW WEEK 1: SATURDAY 16 JULY

DATE

Saturday 16 July

MATCH

* Double header opportunity with the BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE NPC, televised. ** Double header with BLACK FERNS. Finals dates are subject to operational and broadcasting logistics.

Times, dates and venues subject to change.

VENUE

TIME

5

Wellington

v

43

Canterbury

Jerry Collins Stadium, Porirua

12.05pm

33

Waikato

v

24

Manawatū

FMG Stadium, Hamilton

12.05pm

Auckland BYE: Bay of Plenty

v

20

Counties Manukau

Western Springs Stadium, Auckland

39

2.05pm

WEEK 2: SATURDAY 23 JULY — SUNDAY 24 JULY Saturday 23 July

Sunday 24 July

Canterbury

v

Auckland

Rugby Park, Christchurch

12.05pm

Taranaki

v

North Harbour

Gully Ground, New Plymouth

12.35pm

Hawke’s Bay

v

Otago

Hastings Sports Ground, Hastings

2.05pm

Northland

v

Tasman

Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei

4.35pm

Manawatū

v

Bay of Plenty

Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North 12.05pm

Wellington

Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe

2.05pm

Counties Manukau v BYE: Waikato

WEEK 3: SATURDAY 30 JULY — SUNDAY 31 JULY Saturday 30 July

Sunday 31 July

Bay of Plenty

v

Auckland

Blake Park, Tauranga

2.05pm

Tasman

v

Taranaki

Trafalgar Park, Nelson

2.05pm

Manawatū

v

Counties Manukau

Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North

2.05pm

Otago

v

Northland

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

4.35pm

North Harbour

v

Hawke’s Bay

North Harbour Stadium, Albany

12.05pm

Wellington

v

Waikato

Jerry Collins Stadium, Porirua

2.05pm

BYE: Canterbury

WEEK 4: SATURDAY 6 AUGUST — SUNDAY 7 AUGUST Saturday 6 August

Sunday 7 August

Counties Manukau v

Canterbury*

Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe

Auckland

v

Manawatū*

Eden Park, Auckland

11.35am 2.05pm

Waikato

v

Bay of Plenty*

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

2.05pm

Northland

v

Hawke’s Bay*

Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei

4.35pm

Taranaki

v

Otago*

Gully Ground, New Plymouth

11.35am

Tasman

v

North Harbour*

Lansdowne Park, Blenheim

11.35am

Tasman*

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

11.35am 2.05pm

BYE: Wellington

WEEK 5: SATURDAY 13 AUGUST — SUNDAY 14 AUGUST Saturday 13 August

Sunday 14 August

Otago

v

Hawke’s Bay

v

Taranaki*

MacRae Field, Napier

Northland

v

North Harbour

Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei

2.05pm

Manawatū

v

Wellington

Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North

2.05pm

Canterbury

v

Waikato*

Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch

v

Counties Manukau*

Tauranga Domain, Tauranga

11.35am

Taranaki

v

Northland*

TET Stadium, Inglewood

11.35am

Wellington

v

Bay of Plenty*

Porirua Park, Wellington

11.35am

North Harbour

v

Otago*

North Harbour Stadium, Albany

2.05pm

Tasman

v

Hawke’s Bay

Trafalgar Park, Nelson

2.05pm

Canterbury

v

Manawatū**

Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch

4.35pm

Waikato

v

Auckland

FMG Stadium, Hamilton

4.35pm

Bay of Plenty BYE: Auckland

4.35pm

WEEK 6: SATURDAY 20 AUGUST Saturday 20 August

BYE: Counties Manukau

WEEK 7: SATURDAY 27 AUGUST — SUNDAY 28 AUGUST Saturday 27 August

Wellington**

Eden Park, Auckland

Counties Manukau v

Waikato

Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe

Championship qtr final

Chamionshi Qtaaa v

Chamionshi Qtaaa

TBC

Championship qtr final

Chamionshi Qtaaa v

Chamionshi Qtaaaaaa TBC

Sunday 28 August

Auckland

Bay of Plenty BYE: Manawatū

v

v

Canterbury*

Tauranga Domain, Tauranga

12.05pm 2.05pm TBC TBC 11.35am

SEMI-FINALS: FRIDAY 2 SEPTEMBER — SUNDAY 4 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 9 SEPTEMBER — SUNDAY 11 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

RUGBY 2022

|

1 7#77

WAIKATO PLAYERS celebrate winning the NPC Premiership title in 2021.

NEW BEGINNINGS WITH REVAMPED NPC COMPETITION

by PETER WHITE

The new Bunnings Warehouse NPC format will feature all 14 teams playing for one title for the first time since 2010.

The National Provincial Competition (NPC) has been the shop window for New Zealand provincial rugby talent since it was first contested back in 1976.

With the All Blacks away in South Africa, it was Bay of Plenty who triumphed to win the inaugural title. The original format was retained until after the 2005 season when an overhaul of the National Provincial Competition saw two new competitions formed – the Air New Zealand Cup featuring the 14 provinces we have today and the 12-team Heartland Championship.

For the last 11 seasons, the premier 14-team competition, also known over the years as the ITM Cup, Mitre 10 Cup and currently Bunnings Warehouse NPC, has been based on the dual Premiership and Championship divisions. Both featured play-offs and a final, with promotionrelegation between the bottom Premiership team and top Championship team. Each team also played four crossover matches between divisions.

Now a new competition has risen from the old, with a revised format for 2022 onwards that will see all 14 teams competing for one supreme title.

The Bunnings Warehouse NPC splits the 14 teams into two conferences named Odds and Evens. The conferences are decided based on last season’s standings for round-robin matches and quarterfinals. Teams placed 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 are in the Odds conference and teams placed 2, 4, 6, 8, 10,

12, 14 form the Evens conference. The round robin includes four crossover matches per team between conferences.

In the quarter-finals, the top-four teams within each conference play for a spot in the semi-finals, with the two winners in both conferences then playing against each other to find the two finalists. All matches will be broadcast live and exclusive on Sky Sport.

NZ Rugby’s Head of Community Rugby, Steve Lancaster, says NZ Rugby, in consultation with the provincial unions, made the decision to review the Premiership and Championship format following last season.

“The consultation process has been extensive, with a range of options considered and all key stakeholders included. We are pleased with where the competition format has landed, shifting to a single national championship with seeded pools based on the previous year’s performance, provides for evenly balanced conferences and strong competition to qualify for the play-offs.

“Any team can now be crowned national champion, which is exciting not only for teams but also our wider rugby community who support them.”

The Bunnings Warehouse NPC will be played over 12 weeks from August 5, with the inclusion of a mid-week round for all teams.

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All competition matches carry full competition points.

An interesting sideline this campaign is how many head coaches are on debut in the NPC. It is an exciting time for players and coaches making the step-up to this level for the first time. Best of luck to you all.

The Ranfurly Shield has not been forgotten. Far from it. The format remains unchanged with the revered Log O’ Wood automatically up for grabs when the holder of the shield plays at home, excluding quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals.

Hawke’s Bay has already defended the Ranfurly Shield in early season matches against Heartland Championship sides South Canterbury and Poverty Bay. Counties Manukau has the next challenge on August 12.

BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE NPC 2022 The pools and seedings for the 2022 Bunnings Warehouse NPC are as follows: ODDS

EVENS

1. WAIKATO

2. TASMAN

3. HAWKE’S BAY 4. CANTERBURY 5. BAY OF PLENTY 6. AUCKLAND 7. WELLINGTON 8. TARANAKI 9. OTAGO 10. MANAWATŪ 11. SOUTHLAND 12. NORTH HARBOUR 13. COUNTIES MANUKAU 14. NORTHLAND

RUGBY 2022

|

1 7#97

AUCKLAND It is fair to say that Auckland players, coaches and supporters are revved up for the start of the new NPC season.

Last year, Auckland played just two matches – a home win over Canterbury and loss away to Tasman – before COVID-19 brought a premature end to the campaign.

Auckland will again field a top-class squad, full of former internationals, Super Rugby players pushing for higher honours, New Zealand Under-20 stars and fresh faces straight out the outstanding 1A First XV competition.

Head coach Alama Ieremia says there is a feeling of unfinished business after last year.

“I am very happy with the squad. We have most of them back, so it is a settled squad. We have lost Scott Scrafton, Jonathan Ruru and Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa, but we have young Caleb Tangitau and Che Clark from the All Blacks Sevens. Jock McKenzie and Corey Evans both debuted for the Blues this year.”

Five-eighth Harry Plummer will again captain Auckland. The 24-year-old has a wealth of experience and his courageous defending and ability to break the line is hugely important to his side.

There is ample front-row depth with Blues prop Alex Hodgman, Māori All Blacks prop Marcel Renata and Samoan international props James and Jordan Lay, experienced hookers Leni Apisai and Robbie Abel, plus Soane Vikena who is

AUCKLAND wing SALESI RAYASI takes on the Canterbury defence.

part of the Blues set-up. Ieremia is delighted some of Auckland’s best young talent is committing to the union – like loose forward Adrian Choat, halfback Taufa Funaki and midfielder Corey Evans.

“I am absolutely rapped that they are keen to stay in Auckland and be part of this campaign coming up. They are going to be pretty important for us.

Adrian has been a core member of the NPC campaign since joining the team through the Auckland Academy programme and has proved himself as a leader within the team.

“Both Taufa and Corey are following suit since leaving college. It is great to see that they will be representing the Blues as well as the Auckland rugby community and we are looking forward

COACH: ALAMA IEREMIA HOME GROUND: EDEN PARK, AUCKLAND WEBSITE: www.aucklandrugby.co.nz Hooker SOANE VIKENA charges ahead against Canterbury.

to working with them as they continue to grow as players.”

Ieremia says it is a great opportunity for Auckland rugby as a whole.

Auckland’s season will kick-off with the highly anticipated Battle of the Bridge against North Harbour. It is part of a triple header with the Auckland Storm playing Manawatū in the Farah Palmer Cup and the 100th Gallaher Shield club final.

“I certainly think it will be quite a festive day and some pretty awesome rugby to be played as well.”

A second triple header at Eden Park will be on August 27 with Auckland facing Otago in the NPC, Wellington in the Farah Palmer Cup and the 1A First XV final.

TICKETS: www.ticketmaster.co.nz ADDRESS: PO BOX 56-152, DOMINION ROAD, AUCKLAND 1446 PHONE: 09 815 4850 EMAIL: info@aucklandrugby.co.nz

FASHION IN THE FIELD 12 NOVEMBER

CANTERBURY Canterbury rugby fans are used to winning silverware.

Between 2008 and 2017, the red-and-blacks won nine out of 10 Premiership titles, so the pressure to win again is building.

There is a new coaching group in charge this season, head coach Marty Bourke and assistants Alex Robertson and Craig Dunlea. Canterbury stalwart Matt Todd will also join the coaching staff as he transitions from playing in Japan.

In 2021, Bourke joined Canterbury from Bay of Plenty, where he was an assistant. He replaces last year’s dual head coaches Reuben Thorne and Mark Brown who were unavailable.

Bourke says he is honoured to be given the opportunity to lead a great group of people in this year’s campaign.

“Our players and support staff are all passionate about Canterbury rugby and its success. We are extremely excited about stamping our mark and adding to the 143-year-old legacy of Canterbury rugby.”

Canterbury will field a very strong squad packed with former internationals, Super Rugby players, New Zealand Under-20 representatives and other promising youngsters fresh out of high school.

Bourke says he is not feeling any extra pressure to bring home the title this year.

RICCARTON PARK

“My focus is bringing these guys back from their respective environments and gelling them together to play a brand of footy that we are all proud of. That brand is going back to what Canterbury was good at through their history: being really physical, highly skilled and confident. I believe we have a group that has that in stacks.

“The NPC is a competition with less pressure than Super Rugby where players can really showcase their natural ability. We want to nail down our identity, to enjoy our weeks and really have fun.”

Last year’s captain Reed Prinsep will again be a cornerstone of the leadership group.

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Hospitality packages on sale now GA & Members’ area tickets on sale 1st September 2022 riccartonpark.co.nz CANTERBURY’s RAMEKA POIHIPI takes on the Waikato defence.

22 | RUGBY 2022

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CANTERBURY halfback MITCHELL DRUMMOND in possession.

Bourke says Prinsep has a massive amount of respect in the squad and will always do what’s best for Canterbury rather than what’s best for him, which is the ethos of the team this year.

Canterbury is strong in all positions but particularly in the No 9 jersey.

Former All Black halfback Mitchell Drummond had another solid campaign with the Crusaders, while former England halfback Willi Heinz returns home for this year’s NPC for the first time in seven years. The 35-year-old wants to finish his career off winning another title with Canterbury.

Talented young first-five Fergus Burke played well for Canterbury last year but went up a few levels with his performances for the Crusaders.

He will be a key figure tactically and with his goal-kicking.

Canterbury’s forwards will match any pack with quality players in lock Luke Romano, flanker Tom Christie, hookers Shilo Klein and Brodie McAlister, and props Daniel Lienert-Brown, Oli Jager, Fletcher Newell and Tamaiti Williams.

COACH: MARTY BOURKE HOME GROUND: ORANGETHEORY STADIUM, CHRISTCHURCH TICKETS: www.ticketek.co.nz ADDRESS: PO BOX 755, CHRISTCHURCH PHONE: 03 379 8300 WEBSITE: www.crfu.co.nz EMAIL: info@crfu.rugby

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RUGBY 2022

|

7#23 7

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2022 GAME SCHEDULE

The 14 teams involved will play 70 matches before the play-offs in just 12 weeks.

For all up-to-date information on the BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE NPC, and any changes NOTE: [RS] = RANFURLY SHIELD CHALLENGE to kick-off times, visit www.provincial.rugby

BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE NPC EXPLAINED 2022 BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE NATIONAL PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP The Bunnings NPC will see Provincial Unions seeded into two conferences based on the previous season standings for round-robin matches and quarter-finals. Teams placed 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 sit within the Odds conference and teams placed 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 sit within the Evens conference for the season ahead. The round robin includes four crossover matches per team, where teams from the Odds conference will play teams from the Evens conference.

The quarter-finals include the top four teams within each conference playing for a spot in the semi-finals. With the top two teams across the conferences playing against each other in the semi-finals, to then see the top two qualifiers play-off in the NPC final.

All competition matches carry full competition points and the Ranfurly Shield format remains unchanged.

The pools and seedings for the Bunnings Warehouse NPC Championship are: ODDS EVENS 01. Waikato 02. Tasman 03. Hawke’s Bay 04. Canterbury 05. Bay of Plenty 06. Auckland 07. Wellington 08. Taranaki 09. Otago 10. Manawatū 11. Southland 12. North Harbour 13. Counties 14. Northland Manukau

ROUND 1: FRIDAY 5 AUGUST — WEDNESDAY 10 AUGUST DATE

MATCH

Friday 5 August

Manawatū

Saturday 6 August

Counties Manukau v

Sunday 7 August

Wednesday 10 August

v

VENUE

TIME

Canterbury

Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North

7.05pm

Otago

Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe

2.05pm

Waikato

v

Hawke’s Bay

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

4.35pm

Auckland

v

North Harbour

Eden Park, Auckland

7.05pm

Taranaki

v

Northland

Pukekura Park, New Plymouth

2.05pm

Tasman

v

Southland

Lansdowne Park, Blenheim

2.05pm

Wellington

v

Bay of Plenty

Sky Stadium, Wellington

4.35pm

Manawatū

v

Auckland

Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North

7.05pm

ROUND 2: FRIDAY 12 AUGUST — WEDNESDAY 17 AUGUST Friday 12 August

Hawke’s Bay

v

Counties Manukau [RS]

McLean Park, Napier

7.05pm

Saturday 13 August

Otago

v

Tasman

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

2.05pm

Northland

v

Waikato

Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei

4.35pm

Canterbury

v

Wellington

Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch

7.05pm

Bay of Plenty

v

Taranaki

Tauranga Domain, Tauranga

2.05pm

Southland

v

Auckland

Rugby Park, Invercargill

2.05pm

North Harbour

v

Manawatū

North Harbour Stadium, Albany

4.35pm

Otago

v

Hawke’s Bay

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

7.05pm

Waikato

Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe

7.05pm

Sunday 14 August

Wednesday 17 August

ROUND 3: FRIDAY 19 AUGUST — SUNDAY 21 AUGUST Friday 19 August

Counties Manukau v

Saturday 20 August

Taranaki

v

Canterbury

Pukekura Park, New Plymouth

2.05pm

Wellington

v

Northland

Jerry Collins Stadium, Porirua

2.05pm

North Harbour

v

Tasman

North Harbour Stadium, Albany

4.35pm

Auckland

v

Bay of Plenty

Eden Park, Auckland

2.05pm

Southland

v

Otago

Rugby Park, Invercargill

2.05pm

Manawatū

v

Hawke’s Bay

Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North

4.35pm

Sunday 21 August

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

ROUND 4: FRIDAY 26 AUGUST — WEDNESDAY 31 AUGUST Friday 26 August

Saturday 27 August

Sunday 28 August

Wednesday 31 August

Tasman

v

Canterbury

Lansdowne Park, Blenheim

5.35pm

Waikato

v

Manawatū

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

7.35pm

Hawke’s Bay

v

North Harbour [RS]

McLean Park, Napier

2.05pm

Auckland

v

Otago

Eden Park, Auckland

4.35pm

Bay of Plenty

v

Counties Manukau

Tauranga Domain, Tauranga

2.05pm

Wellington

v

Taranaki

Sky Stadium, Wellington

2.05pm

Northland

v

Southland

Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei

4.35pm

Canterbury

v

North Harbour

Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch

7.05pm

ROUND 5: FRIDAY 2 SEPTEMBER — WEDNESDAY 7 SEPTEMBER Friday 2 September Saturday 3 September

Sunday 4 September

Wednesday 7 September

24 | RUGBY 2022

Manawatū

v

Tasman

Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North

7.05pm

Northland

v

Auckland

Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei

2.05pm

Taranaki

v

Waikato

Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth

2.05pm

Southland

v

Wellington

Rugby Park, Invercargill

4.35pm

Canterbury

v

Hawke’s Bay

Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch

2.05pm

Otago

v

Bay of Plenty

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

2.05pm

North Harbour

v

Counties Manukau

North Harbour Stadium, Albany

4.35pm

Tasman

v

Wellington

Trafalgar Park, Nelson

7.05pm

WWW.PROVINCIAL.RUGBY

ROUND 6: FRIDAY 9 SEPTEMBER — WEDNESDAY 14 SEPTEMBER DATE

MATCH

VENUE

Friday 9 September

Waikato

v

Auckland

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

7.05pm

Saturday 10 September

Hawke’s Bay

v

Southland [RS]

McLean Park, Napier

2.05pm

North Harbour

v

Bay of Plenty

North Harbour Stadium, Albany

4.35pm

Counties Manukau v Sunday 11 September

Wednesday 14 September

TIME

Manawatū

Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe

7.05pm

Tasman

v

Taranaki

Trafalgar Park, Nelson

2.05pm

Wellington

v

Otago

Sky Stadium, Wellington

2.05pm

Canterbury

v

Northland

Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch

4.35pm

Waikato

v

Southland

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

7.05pm

ROUND 7: FRIDAY 16 SEPTEMBER — WEDNESDAY 21 SEPTEMBER Friday 16 September

Taranaki

v

Manawatū

Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth

7.05pm

Saturday 17 September

Counties Manukau v

Canterbury

Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe

2.05pm

Sunday 18 September

Wednesday 21 September

Auckland

v

Tasman

Eden Park, Auckland

4.35pm

Hawke’s Bay

v

Wellington [RS]

McLean Park, Napier

7.05pm

Bay of Plenty

v

Southland

Tauranga Domain, Tauranga

2.05pm

Otago

v

Waikato

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

2.05pm

Northland

v

North Harbour

Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei

4.35pm

Taranaki

v

Counties Manukau

Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth

7.05pm

ROUND 8: FRIDAY 23 SEPTEMBER — WEDNESDAY 28 SEPTEMBER Friday 23 September

Canterbury

v

Auckland

Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch

7.05pm

Saturday 24 September

Bay of Plenty

v

Hawke’s Bay

Tauranga Domain, Tauranga

2.05pm

Sunday 25 September

Wednesday 28 September

Tasman

v

Northland

Trafalgar Park, Nelson

2.05pm

Wellington

v

Waikato

Sky Stadium, Wellington

4.35pm

Manawatū

v

Otago

Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North

2.05pm

North Harbour

v

Taranaki

North Harbour Stadium, Albany

2.05pm

Southland

v

Counties Manukau

Rugby Park, Invercargill

4.35pm

Bay of Plenty

v

Northland

Tauranga Domain, Tauranga

4.05pm

ROUND 9: FRIDAY 30 SEPTEMBER — SUNDAY 2 OCTOBER Friday 30 September

Hawke’s Bay

v

Tasman [RS]

McLean Park, Napier

7.05pm

Saturday 1 October

Southland

v

North Harbour

Rugby Park, Invercargill

2.05pm

Auckland

v

Taranaki

Eden Park, Auckland

4.35pm

Otago

v

Canterbury

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

7.05pm

Counties Manukau v

Wellington

Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe

2.05pm

Northland

v

Manawatū

Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei

2.05pm

Waikato

v

Bay of Plenty

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

4.35pm

Sunday 2 October

QUARTER-FINALS: FRIDAY 7 OCTOBER — SUNDAY 9 OCTOBER Friday 7 October

BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE NPC QTR-FINAL ONE

7.05pm

Saturday 8 October

BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE NPC QTR-FINAL TWO

2.05pm

Saturday 8 October

BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE NPC QTR-FINAL THREE

4.35pm

Sunday 9 October

BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE NPC QTR-FINAL FOUR

2.05pm

SEMI-FINALS: FRIDAY 14 OCTOBER — SATURDAY 15 OCTOBER Friday 14 October

BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE NPC SEMI-FINAL ONE

7.05pm

Saturday 15 October

BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE NPC SEMI-FINAL TWO

7.05pm

FINAL: SATURDAY 22 OCTOBER Saturday 22 October

BUNNINGS WAREHOUSE NPC FINAL

7.05pm

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TASMAN There have been few more consistent performers in provincial rugby than Tasman since the hybrid union formed from Marlborough and NelsonBays and entered the Premiership in 2014.

With talent like Finlay Christie, David Havili, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan, Shannon Frizell and Ethan Blackadder in the ranks, Tasman Mako won back-to-back titles in 2019 and 2020 and made last year’s final against Waikato.

But a memorable title three-peat was not to be. An uncharacteristically error-prone performance saw the Mako lose 23–20 in Hamilton. Two wayward passes gifted Waikato’s Bailyn Sullivan runaway tries, which made the difference.

That’s all in the past now as Tasman front-up to the new NPC competition with two new head coaches working in tandem. Gray Cornelius and Dan Perrin, both former assistant coaches, replace long-standing head coach Andrew Goodman and assistant Shane Christie. Former Tasman Mako player James Marshall and former Southland Stags player and coach Hoani MacDonald are the new assistant coaches.

Despite a raft of key players away with the All Blacks, the Mako will still present a well-balanced side with plenty of strike power.

Outstanding 20-year-old loose forward Anton Segner has made every post a winner since leaving his native Frankfurt, Germany to board at Nelson College. New Zealand Secondary Schools, New Zealand Under-20s, Tasman and Blues selections were achieved in rapid succession. There is no limit to what he can achieve in the game.

His energy, defensive skills and ball-winning ability will greatly enhance Tasman this season.

Mitchell Hunt remains one of the best first-fives in the competition despite his loss of form for the Highlanders in Super Rugby Pacific.

At his best, he is an excellent tactician, brave defender and runs the ball to the line well.

ANTON SEGNER scores the winning try against Wellington last season.

Halfback LOUIE CHAPMAN makes a break.

Coaches Cornelius and Perrin need to get the best out of him.

Chiefs midfielder Alex Nankivell will enjoy more space to operate in at NPC level and has always been one of the best for the Mako.

Lock Quinten Strange continues to mature as a top-class lock.

Spending a few months every year training and playing with the

Crusaders has improved his game considerably. He has been on the fringes of the All Blacks for the past few years and has developed into a highly mobile athlete.

Prop Sam Matenga has had recent success playing in the Major League Rugby competition in the United States, while former All Black prop Atu Moli has had a nightmare run of injuries but should be available

CO-COACHES: GRAY CORNELIUS, DAN PERRIN HOME GROUNDS: LANSDOWNE PARK, BLENHEIM WEBSITE: www.mako.nz

26 | RUGBY 2022

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for the Mako. Tongan representatives Sam Moli and Quentin MacDonald give the Mako good depth at hooker, while No 8 Hugh Renton was one of the better performing Highlanders.

Promising halfback Louie Chapman had an excellent season last year and will be after the starting halfback jersey.

ADDRESS: PO BOX 7157, NELSON PHONE: 03 548 7030 EMAIL: info@tasmanrugby.co.nz TICKETS: mako.flicket.co.nz

BRAYDEN IOSE makes a typical charge for MANAWATŪ.

JASON EMERY in action for the TURBOS against Counties Manukau.

MANAWATŪ The turnaround in fortunes for the Manawatū Turbos in 2021 was as dramatic as it was heartwarming for their loyal fan-base.

In 2020, the Turbos won just one game to finish in last position of the 14 NPC teams. Last season, a rejuvenated Turbos side kicked-off their campaign with an excellent 39–21 win over Counties Manukau, followed by a narrow three-point loss to Canterbury in Christchurch. Wins then followed over Northland, Otago and Southland before unbeaten Taranaki were given one of their hardest games of the season.

The Turbos deservedly qualified to host a semi-final against Otago but were outclassed by the visitors on the back of a Josh Ioane masterclass.

The vagaries of the draw have given the Turbos the two biggest drawcards at home in Palmerston North in rounds one and two of this year’s NPC. For the second consecutive year, the Turbos will host the opening match of the season when they welcome Canterbury on August 5 followed four days later by the visit of Auckland.

As big as those games will be, it is the matches against local rivals Taranaki and Hawke’s Bay that mean the most to the players, coaches and supporters.

Former captain Jamie Booth’s shift to North Harbour has come as a shock to the loyal Manawatū faithful. After 60 games for the Turbos over seven

seasons, the feisty halfback was after a change of scenery so has moved north of the Auckland harbour bridge to replace Japan-bound Bryn Hall.

Booth’s surprise move opens the door for Hurricanes halfback Logan Henry to grab the starting halfback jersey and he will not let anyone down. The 25-year-old, who is originally from Wellington, is a powerful runner around the ruck and has an eye for the try line.

The return to Manawatū of outstanding first-five/fullback Brett Cameron from Japan is the best piece of news for the coaches. The former All Black was in irresistible form last season after moving north from Canterbury.

His goalkicking, attacking skills and tactical smarts were pivotal in the Turbos improvement.

Other players to watch for the Turbos are prop Sean Paranihi, lock Micaiah Torrance-Read, openside flanker Slade McDowall (who has played 41 games for Otago), and talented loose forwards TK Howden and Brayden Iose who have had a taste of Super Rugby. Midfield back/fullback Taniela Filimone impressed on debut last season after his shift to the Manawatū from Bay of Plenty, while experienced second-five Jason Emery will again have a key leadership role.

Another to take his chances with the Hurricanes is No 8/blindside flanker Tyler Laubscher. At 1.94 metres tall and 104kg, he has real physical presence and should be a standout player for the Turbos.

COACH: PETER RUSSELL 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

28 | RUGBY 2022

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TARANAKI There was no doubt who the best side in the land was in last season’s NPC. The Taranaki Bulls easily won the Championship division and were the only Premiership or Championship side to win all eight games, including the prized scalp of Premiership winners Waikato.

Head coach Neil Barnes returned after six seasons as an assistant coach at the Chiefs. He got the very best out of a squad that was bristling with quality Super Rugby players and some of the country’s best up-and-coming talent.

The Bulls played an exciting brand of rugby that ignited the senses and made supporters throughout the country sit-up and take notice.

Expect more of the same in 2022, plus a few changes that the coaching squad hopes will improve the team from last year.

“I am proud of the management and the players to break away from the way the game has been played of late,” says Barnes.

“We seem to have this game where no-one is prepared to have a crack, all playing a safety game, box kicking and not expressing themselves. I’d rather die trying to play positive rugby than resort to risk-free, boring rugby that no-one really wants to be a part of.”

Taranaki have again gone with influential co-captains Mitch Brown and Teihorangi Walden. The team will be well led and can expect to get more than their fair share of

quality, front-foot ball from a tough, mobile forward pack.

The strong family connection at the Bulls continues with halfback Logan Crowley and hooker Bradley Slater again set to be the key drivers in the team. New Zealand Under-20s winger/fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens is a quality finisher and gained further experience with the Blues in this year’s Super Rugby Pacific.

Fiji-born Chiefs winger Kini Naholo showed he is regaining some of his dazzling form last season after overcoming two years of serious leg injuries. Openside flanker Kaylum Boshier should dominate at this level after showing promise for the Chiefs. He is adept at winning turn-over ball and needs a good run free from injuries.

The big news off the field is the return to playing three home games at Yarrow Stadium. The home fortress has been undergoing a $50 million refurbishment after the two main grandstands were declared earthquake-prone and closed in 2017 and 2018. A new East Stand is set to be finished in 2024 with the West Stand expected to be ready for the visit of Waikato on September 3.

The opening two home games of the NPC season will be played at Pukekura Park. Last year, the Bulls played at the iconic cricket ground for the first time since 1945.

BRADLEY SLATER was a key part of TARANAKI’s success last season.

COACH: NEIL BARNES HOME GROUND: PUKEKURA PARK, YARROW STADIUM TICKETS: www.iticket.co.nz ADDRESS: PO BOX 5004, NEW PLYMOUTH PHONE: 06 759 0167 WEBSITE: www.trfu.co.nz EMAIL: info@trfu.co.nz

Halfback LOGAN CROWLEY is a key part of the TARANAKI backline.

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NORTH HARBOUR

Last year’s disrupted campaign meant North Harbour played just two games, so there is even more urgency among players, coaches and supporters ahead of the new NPC season.

Daniel Halangahu is back as head coach with highly respected assistants, Steve Jackson and Ben Afeaki.

tries. Joining the powerful midfield pairing of Moana Pasifika’s Fine Inisi and Henry Taefu is new signing Denny Solomona.

Halangahu is excited about the season ahead and the quality of the squad Harbour has put together.

The former England wing and rugby league star is a tremendous addition to Harbour’s attacking force. Blues winger Mark Telea, who is in the All Blacks frame after being called-up as cover ahead of the Ireland series, and the ever-reliable Shaun Stevenson are two other renowned try-scorers who will enjoy having plenty of space to run into.

“There are a bunch of North Harbour players who didn’t get to show the competition all the hard work they put in last year. Now we get the chance to show what North Harbour is all about.”

The Harbour squad looks to have depth across all positions with some excellent new recruits, including Hurricanes prop Alex Fidow and former Blues and Highlanders flyer Tevita Li. A regular starter on the left wing for Harbour from 2013 through to 2018, 27-year-old Li scored 36 tries in 55 games before he moved to Japan.

“Tevita didn’t need to play for us; he just wanted to. Suntory have been kind enough to allow him a sabbatical from Japanese rugby. He gets to give back to Harbour, which was his springboard into everything he has achieved in the game,” says Halangahu.

“Alex is another player we are excited to have in the squad. We all know how good a ball carrier he is and we are excited to see all the other parts of his game come together as well.”

Li will add to an already dangerous back division for Harbour that should have no trouble scoring

Chiefs first-five Bryn Gatland and recently signed Hurricanes and former Manawatū halfback Jamie Booth are key players. Booth will bring experience to the mix and help to fill the massive gap left by long-serving halfback Bryn Hall, who has left to play in Japan.

Halangahu says Booth will add greatly to the halfback group alongside Siaosi Nginingini and Ben Fuhiniu.

“Everyone who has played with or coached Jamie speaks so highly of his work ethic and his approach to the game. He has added a lot already and will share his experience with the other guys.”

Harbour kick-off their campaign with a much-anticipated Battle of the Bridge clash against Auckland at Eden Park.

First-five BRYN GATLAND will again captain NORTH HARBOUR.

30 | RUGBY 2022

COACH: DANIEL HALANGAHU HOME GROUND: NORTH HARBOUR STADIUM, ALBANY 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

Outstanding wing SHAUN STEVENSON scores another try for Harbour.

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NORTHLAND

Northland Taniwha had to settle for a disappointing result last year, with just one win all season. This followed what had been their best season in years when they went all the way to the 2020 final against Hawke’s Bay. But that one win in 2021 came against Premiership champions Waikato and was yet another example of what the Taniwha are capable of if all the various team factors click together.

Head coach George Konia has to deal with the loss of three notable players not pulling on the famous Cambridge blue jersey this campaign.

Regular captain and Canada international Jordan Olsen has made himself unavailable for NPC rugby due to work and family commitments.

The hard-working hooker’s accurate lineout throwing and leadership will be missed.

Veteran wing/fullback Jordan Hyland has retired and is now a Northland Rugby board member, while Highlanders utility back Scott Gregory is another non-starter for family reasons. But there is always plenty of talent to choose from coming through the Northland Academy and the addition of some quality players will help fill the gaps.

Tighthead prop Chris Apoua is a huge signing in more ways than one, with the former Southland representative proving his credentials after making five appearances for Moana Pasifika in the Super Rugby Pacific competition. Irish prop Conán O’Donnell, who has played for Counties Manukau and the Highlanders, Ross Wright and Coree Te Whata-Colley add size and strength to the front-row stocks.

Māori All Blacks and Hurricanes outside back Josh Moorby arrives from Southland. He could be one of the signings of the year. The 23-year-old lit up Super Rugby Pacific, scoring nine tries in his debut season including a hat trick against Fiji Drua.

Former captain and hooker Matt Moulds is back to add to his 54 games for the Taniwha. He has played in England and more recently in Major League Rugby in the United States. Skilful halfback Lisati Milo-Harris, son of former Northland coach Richie Harris, was part of the Blues campaign earlier this year.

COACH: GEORGE KONIA HOME GROUND: SEMENOFF STADIUM, WHANGAREI

The nucleus of the Northland squad is made up of evergreen midfielder Rene Ranger, Highlanders lock Sam Caird, and Blues players Sam Nock, Josh Goodhue, Tamati Tua and Tom Robinson.

First-five Rivez Reihana looked comfortable at Super Rugby level with his performances for the Chiefs this year. His ability to run the cutter with some class will be invaluable for the Taniwha. The 22-year-old grew up in Northland before making his name during five years in the First XV with St Kentigern College in Auckland, then at NPC level with Waikato before shifting to play for Northland last year.

WEBSITE: www.taniwha.co.nz TICKETS: www.eventfinda.co.nz ADDRESS: 50 KIOREROA ROAD, WHANGAREI PHONE: 09 438 4743

Another positive acquisition is former Northland representative Marty Veale who is joining Konia as an assistant coach. Veale has just coached Rugby New York to their first Major League Rugby title in the United States.

EMAIL: tash.m@northlandrugby.co.nz

NORTHLAND centurion RENE RANGER is set for another season of NPC rugby.

SAM NOCK makes a break for NORTHLAND last season.

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WAIKATO Waikato celebrated 100 years as a union in 2021 by winning the NPC Premiership title. Head coach Ross Filipo has the task of refocusing his group and setting new goals.

“The process had to start again and last year is history now. Any references to last year will not help this new campaign, so we are looking forward,” he says.

The return of Damian McKenzie to Mooloo colours is the biggest news. The brilliant attacking runner returns from playing in Japan and will add to his 26 caps for Waikato, gained since his debut back in 2014.

“Damian is just a great man. He is going to bring a lot to this team. He is vastly experienced, always willing to help, really inclusive of his teammates and management, and obviously world-class,” says Filipo.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to work with Damian.”

Prop Ayden Johnstone and loose forward Mitch Jacobson will co-captain Waikato this year. Filipo is happy with the leadership they will bring to the group.

“Our captains are under no illusion they have to perform week-in, week-out like everyone else to maintain their spot because there is good healthy competition within this team.”

The set piece is the cornerstone of every successful team. Waikato’s pack will more than

Halfback CORTEZ RATIMA in action for WAIKATO.

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hold its own, with plenty of Super Rugby talent. Filipo says there is strong competition for places, particularly in the front row.

“Players like looseheads Ollie Norris and Robb Cobb are competing with Ayden Johnstone. We are very fortunate to have the calibre of front rowers that we have got in the group. It is all about trying to better the team and not better themselves.”

Māori All Blacks and Chiefs midfielder Bailyn Sullivan was one of Waikato’s best performers last season.

Expect another big shift from him in the months ahead.

Rhys Marshall, Steven Misa and Sam Cooper will contest the hooker’s jersey.

They all have different skills and the energy needed when they get their chance to make a difference.

Openside flanker Luke Jacobson missed out on the All Blacks squad again this year. His omission surprised many rugby pundits, Filipo included, but he will definitely be a major boost for Waikato.

“He is a natural-born leader. He doesn’t have to say much to lead. He has a real presence about him. He has come back with a fantastic attitude towards this campaign and puts his hand up to contribute on a daily basis. He is world-class and very welcoming to our young players.”

BAILYN SULLIVAN scores one of his two tries in the 2021 final.

Halfback will be another keenly contested position with the Chiefs young guns Cortez Ratima and Xavier Roe fighting it out, along with Rhys Dickinson.

COACH: ROSS FILIPO HOME GROUND: FMG STADIUM WAIKATO, HAMILTON WEBSITE: www.mooloo.co.nz TICKETS: www.flicket.co.nz ADDRESS: PO BOX 9507, HAMILTON PHONE: 07 839 5675 EMAIL: admin@mooloo.co.nz

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HAWKE’S BAY A new era begins for the Hawke’s Bay Magpies with popular head coach Mark Ozich leaving to join the Western Force as an assistant coach.

Ozich has a real affinity for working with talented young players, developed from his days as Hastings Boys’ First XV coach. This is also a major strength of his replacement, Josh Syms, who has been assistant coach at Hawke’s Bay since 2018.

Syms has impressive credentials coaching secondary school teams at Tauranga Boys’ College, St Patrick’s Silverstream, Kelston Boys’ High School, St Kentigern College, Southland Boys’ High School and Hastings Boys’ High School.

He has a long-standing relationship with Hawke’s Bay’s major new signing Chase Tiatia that dates back to Tiatia’s days at St Patrick’s Silverstream. Utility back Tiatia has represented both Wellington and Bay of Plenty at NPC level, as well as having played for the Hurricanes and Chiefs. He is a devastating attacking player and in 2019 was awarded the coveted Duane Monkley Medal for most outstanding NPC player.

Joining Syms as new Magpies assistant and attack coach is Brock James.

Australian-born James had a distinguished playing career, including over 280 games for Clermont in France before coaching stints with Bordeaux in France and then Ospreys in Wales.

A large contingent of Hawke’s Bay players has prepared for the NPC with international rugby. Anzelo Tuitavuki, Joe 'Apikotoa and Solomone Funaki (Tonga), Neria Foma'i, Danny Toala and Lolagi Visinia (Samoa) represented their countries at the Pacific Nations Cup held in Fiji in early July.

The Manu Samoa and Tongan players join Māori All Blacks Tyrone Thompson, Isaia Walker-Leawere and Brad Weber as ready for the new Hawke’s Bay season with plenty of top-class rugby under their belts.

The Magpies front-row stocks have been strengthened with the arrival of Chiefs and Wellington hooker Tyrone Thompson. Coach Syms says with the departure of Ash Dixon it is great to add Thompson to the roster.

Halfback EREATARA ENARI sparks another HAWKE’S BAY attack.

“His style of play will complement both Jacob (Devery) and Kianu (Kereru-Symes) and will provide us with another robust ball carrier as he is lethal with ball-in-hand.”

Brendon O’Connor and brothers Bryn and Gareth Evans are the leaders of a strong pack, while in the backs there is plenty of youthful promise from halfback Ereatara Enari and first-five Lincoln McClutchie, and the try-scoring ability of wings Jonah Lowe and Lolagi Visinia.

Hawke’s Bay are the Ranfurly Shield holders, which adds both passion and focus for the players. It also means the opposition will arrive at McLean Park with more incentive to win than usual, so there will be no easy home games.

The Magpies began their defence with wins over South Canterbury and Poverty Bay. The next challenge to come is from Counties Manukau on August 12.

COACH: JOSH SYMS HOME GROUND: McLEAN PARK, NAPIER WEBSITE: www.hbmagpies.co.nz TICKETS: www.sporty.co.nz ADDRESS: P O BOX 201, NAPIER 4140 PHONE: 06 835 7617 LOLAGI VISINIA on his way to the try line.

36 | RUGBY 2022

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BAY OF PLENTY Mike Delany was an innovative, attacking first-five who played 75 games for the Steamers and was an All Black in 2009. Now the 40-year-old is stepping up from assistant coach to be the new head coach of the Steamers.

“Look, I’m really excited. Obviously, they are big shoes to fill with Clayton (McMillan) being pretty successful here over the years,” says Delany.

“Hopefully we can play some rugby that our supporters can be proud of this year. It all starts with getting the environment right, building a unique team culture, and getting the right people involved with the right character.”

Delany also has a new coaching team with former Steamers players Damian Karauna and Pingi Tala’apitaga joining up with former Hurricanes assistant Richard Watt. They will want more consistency in performances.

Last season, the Steamers used 58 players and finished outside the play-offs with just three wins from eight games.

Kurt Eklund was a revelation in Super Rugby Pacific. The first hooker to score a hat trick for the Blues has cemented his place among the nation’s top-rated rakes. He will captain the Steamers for the first time this season.

Justin Sangster had a debut season to remember last year and was picked up by the Hurricanes. The highly skilled lock will form a strong second-row with Māori All Black Manaaki Selby-Rickit. “(Sangster) is very diligent about his work and his preparation. He just showed what can happen when you get stuck in and give it a go,” says Delany.

“It was great last year to get him involved as a local boy and to see him succeed for the Hurricanes was awesome.”

First-five Otere Black has departed for Japan but the Steamers are fortunate to have one of the best young talents in the country ready to take over the jersey. Lucas Cashmore debuted last season for the Steamers and earlier this year guided New Zealand Under-20s to a demolition of Australia.

Chiefs utility Kaleb Trask is equally adept playing at 10 or 15 but with Chase Tiatia jumping ship to join Hawke’s Bay, it may be Trask or brilliant attacker Emoni Narawa who takes the fullback role.

STEAMERS halfback LEROY CARTER fires out a pass.

Another departure is halfback Luke Campbell to Manawatū. The Steamers moved quickly for Luke Donaldson (Canterbury 2020–2021) and former Scotland halfback Jamie Dobie to join sevens star Leroy Carter.

Openside flanker Jacob Norris arrives from Tasman. The 23-year-old Māori All Black grew up in Tauranga. Nigel Ah Wong and Anaru Rangi are experienced campaigners who will be excellent additions to the squad.

Ah Wong is a powerful, ball-carrying midfielder who has had a long career in Japan, while Rangi is a dynamic hooker who returns from Japan after making his name in Super Rugby with the Rebels and Force.

EMONI NARAWA pushes off a Waikato defender.

38 | RUGBY 2022

COACH: MIKE DELANY

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COACH: LEO CROWLEY HOME GROUND: SKY STADIUM, WELLINGTON WEBSITE: www.wellingtonlions.co.nz TICKETS: www.flicket.co.nz ADDRESS: PO BOX 7201, WELLINGTON SOUTH 6242 PHONE: 04 389 0020 Inspirational WELLINGTON LIONS captain DU’PLESSIS KIRIFI.

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WELLINGTON

Lions head coach Leo Crowley has taken plenty of learnings from last season’s disappointing campaign of three wins and five losses.

“It’s about realising we had good periods last year but also down periods.

We lost key moments through ill-discipline and conceding penalties that we need to put right,” he says.

“Coming out of the COVID break was tough for us as we probably thought we were ready, better than how we actually played. A lot of that comes down to training in our own little bubble as we didn’t get enough people in to train against us as opposition.”

The Lions will again be captained by inspirational openside flanker Du’Plessis Kirifi who epitomises what it means to lead from the front.

“We will definitely get the benefit of him coming off a good Hurricanes season. When Du’Plessis is full of energy, so is the team,” says Crowley.

The Lions have a strong forward pack, particularly at lock with James Blackwell, Dominic Bird and Caleb Delany outstanding. Hooker Asafo Aumua missing out on All Blacks selection means improved go-forward and scrummaging power for the Lions.

Crowley says Aumua is a massive part of their game.

“He is a quality player and will strengthen up that front row, which for us is pretty young this year. We have a few boys in the club environment we can call on if we get injuries there. We certainly have some fire power in certain areas but we just have to be on the ball right from the start.”

Another to miss out on the All Blacks is halfback TJ Perenara, who will mentor the other halfbacks, Connor Collins and Richard Judd.

Crowley says it is always a tricky situation with All Blacks as you never know when they might be re-selected, but Perenara’s knowledge of rugby and the way he looks out for the younger guys will be huge inspiration for his teammates.

Outside the halfbacks, there are three talented first-fives in Jackson Garden-Bachop, Ruben Love and Aidan Morgan. Midfielder Peter Umaga-Jensen will want to display consistent form to showcase his skills and attract the interest of the All Blacks selectors. Promising New Zealand Under-20s centre Riley Higgins is highly regarded and will make his debut this campaign.

Young LIONS halfback CONNOR COLLINS makes a break.

One of the best nurseries for young rugby talent in New Zealand has to be the Wellington Academy. Season after season, top-quality players come through the Academy to make their debuts for the Lions.

Crowley says last year’s group was very special with Higgins, New Zealand Under-20s flanker Peter Lakai and loose forward Sione Halalilo gaining fulltime contracts with the Lions this year.

“There are several other special projects coming through the Academy that hopefully will serve Wellington well in the coming years.”

WWW.PROVINCIAL.RUGBY

RUGBY 2022

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3 7#97

OTAGO

The early indications are looking positive for Otago ahead of the Bunnings Warehouse NPC. Jermaine Ainsley is a key signing.

The 27-year-old, 122kg tighthead prop will be the cornerstone of the Otago pack with his scrummaging power a major asset. The son of former All Blacks prop Joe McDonnell went to Otago Boys’ High School before shifting to Australia. He played three tests for the Wallabies in 2018.

The front-row stocks are further strengthened by young Highlanders prop Saula Ma’u. Ma’u came down to Otago from Auckland Grammar School and made his debut aged 18 in 2019. Injuries have slowed his progress since, but he impressed during his appearances for the Highlanders earlier this year.

what is looking to be a strong Otago squad that has the bulk of last year’s group back.

“Jermaine has been outstanding this year in Super Rugby for the Highlanders and he is a very dependable and experienced player to have secured in our front row,” says Donnelly.

“Ray has been carving up over the ditch for the Melbourne Rebels and we can’t wait to see him showcase those new learnings and skills in the Otago jersey for 2022.

Thomas has been dominating in the Highlanders space, which is really exciting to see and we know

Midfielders Raymond Nu’u and Thomas Umaga-Jensen are outstanding young players with definite prospects of national honours in the future.

Head coach Tom Donnelly is delighted to have four more talented players to bolster

Promising OTAGO halfback JAMES ARSCOTT.

40 | RUGBY 2022

he is going to bring that fire to the NPC format.

“It has been awesome to see Saula finally back playing after a long two years being on the sidelines. We are stoked to have him on board for the next three seasons. He is definitely a front rower to watch.”

Ainsley, Josh Ioane and Josh Dickson were selected in the Māori All Blacks team that defeated Ireland in the first match of the series played in June.

Ioane shifted north to join the Chiefs for Super Rugby Pacific and the change of scene seems to have reignited his game. At his best, the one-test All Black is a gifted all-round first-five/fullback

with the ability to cut through the tightest defensive lines. How he plays this season may well dictate if Otago make the play-offs or not.

Dickson is one of the best up-andcoming locks in New Zealand rugby.

At two metres tall and 109kg, he has the physical presence to dominate the lineouts and his impact at scrum time is massive.

He was called up to train with the All Blacks ahead of the second test against Ireland – a clear indication he is on the selectors’ radar.

All Blacks loosehead prop George Bower is unlikely to play but his influence as a mentor to the other Otago front rowers is significant.

COACH: TOM DONNELLY HOME GROUND: FORSYTH BARR STADIUM, DUNEDIN WEBSITE: www.orfu.co.nz TICKETS: www.ticketek.co.nz ADDRESS: PO BOX 691, DUNEDIN 9054 PHONE: 03 477 0928 EMAIL: orfu@orfu.co.nz

JOSH IOANE will be crucial to OTAGO’s chances.

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SOUTHLAND’s JOSH MOORBY takes on the Tasman defence.

ISAAC SALMON on the charge for the STAGS.

SOUTHLAND The prospect of former stalwarts Josh Bekhuis and Morgan Mitchell wearing the maroon Southland Stags jersey again in 2022 is a huge boost to the province.

Bekhuis returns after playing in Japan. The 36-year-old lock has played 115 games for the Stags. Head coach Dale MacLeod says having his experience back is great news ahead of the new campaign.

“The experience and hardened professional edge that he will bring and pass onto our younger players will be invaluable. It's important we get the balance right between our experience and youth blend.”

Quality tighthead props are hard to find at all levels of rugby but particularly so when you have the small playing resources that Southland have to select from.

COACH: DALE MacLEOD

So, the return to the Stags of 28-year-old Mitchell is a massive lift to the team. The 123kg tighthead played his 50th and last game for Southland in 2019 before heading overseas.

HOME GROUND: RUGBY PARK STADIUM, INVERCARGILL

MacLeod is obviously excited to have him back in a Southland jersey.

ADDRESS: 120 LEET STREET, INVERCARGILL 9812

“He was a standout in his last season. He brings a no-nonsense attitude to our forward pack and this is something that is needed if we are to compete with the best teams in the comp and make the semis in 2022.

If the Stags deliver on the field, then don’t be surprised if Morgy is playing Super Rugby in 2023.”

PHONE: 03 216 8694

The Stags have some quality in their front-row stocks. High-profile loosehead prop Ethan de Groot may well be available for the season after missing out on All Blacks selection in June. Another loosehead, Joe Walsh, the most capped player on show last season with 53 appearances, is well-established down south after shifting from Waikato in 2016.

Locks Caleb Aperahama, Ben Morris and Grayson Knapp, loose forwards Arese Poliko and Charles Alaimalo, and loosehead prop Niko Manaena are all younger talent on the rise.

Hookers Flynn Thomas and Jacob Payne will need to step-up with the loss of experienced rake Greg Pleasants-Tate, who is out with a broken ankle.

TICKETS: www.ticketek.co.nz

WEBSITE: www.rugbysouthland.co.nz EMAIL: reception@rugbysouthland.co.nz In the backline, one of Southland’s favourite sons is returning in 2022 after nearly a decade away in Japan. Gifted first-five/fullback Robbie Robinson is now 32 but still a talented ball-runner and tactically very smart.

Watch out for 21-year-old flyer Michael Manson on debut if he gets some clear space to run. The outside back, who was a star at secondary school level, is one of the fastest playing the game with a personal best time of 10.8 seconds over 100 metres.

Cult hero Marty Banks is a quality first-five, while experienced outside back Solomon Alaimalo makes a welcome return to rugby after taking a year away from the game to focus on his mental health.

WWW.PROVINCIAL.RUGBY

RUGBY 2022

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4 7#17

COUNTIES MANUKAU The introduction of Fiji Drua and Moana Pasifika into this year’s Super Rugby Pacific competition has given several Counties Manukau players the opportunity to test themselves at a higher level.

The benefits of being involved in a fully professional environment are likely to flow through to the performance of a strong Counties Manukau Steelers squad.

Graham has coached representative rugby through the grades and led Counties Manukau to National Sevens titles in 2016 and 2017, as well as a runner-up finish in 2018.

Moana Pasifika stars returning for another campaign with the Steelers are halfback Jonathan Taumateine, loose forward Sam Slade, prop Ezekiel Lindenmuth, flanker Alamanda Motuga and lock Alex McRobbie.

It is encouraging to see local talent selected from club rugby with winger Benji Malimali and lock

Fiji Drua teammates Zuriel Togiatama and Viliame Rarasea are two of the most durable forwards. Lock Rarasea has been a consistent performer for the Steelers since making his debut back in 2013, while hooker Togiatama has been a constant starter in the solid front-row of the Steelers over the last two seasons.

COACH: REON GRAHAM HOME GROUND: NAVIGATION HOMES STADIUM, PUKEKOHE WEBSITE: www.steelers.co.nz TICKETS: steelers.flicket.co.nz ADDRESS: PO BOX 175, PUKEKOHE PHONE: 09 237 0033 EMAIL: admin@steelers.co.nz

Loose forward SAMUEL SLADE in possession for the STEELERS.

42 | RUGBY 2022

The Steelers will field a huge pack filled with Super Rugby experience and led by former Wallaby prop Sekope Kepu. The Moana Pasifika captain’s impact on and off the field last season was hugely significant and he will be a key leader again this campaign.

All Black forwards Nepo Laulala, Dalton Papali’i and Hoskins Sotutu may get some game time during the season for the Steelers.

“Both Vili and Zuriel have been great players for the PIC Steelers before and they bring a lot of experience but also that understanding of what it is to represent the local community.

There is wide-spread support throughout the Counties Manukau region for long-serving Patumahoe coach Graham being appointed the new head coach. Graham replaces Tai Lavea, who has taken up an offer to coach in Japan.

Former Irish international flanker Sean Reidy returns home after leaving for Ireland in 2014 – a year after he scored the match-winning try for the Steelers when they famously won the Ranfurly Shield.

Flanker Alamanda Motuga has made quite an impression in his two seasons with the Steelers, while centre Tanielu Tele'a showed his potential for the Blues. Chiefs star Etene Nanai-Seturo and Hurricanes halfback Cameron Roigard should be stand-outs for the Steelers.

Newly appointed Steelers head coach Reon Graham is grateful to have that experience coming back to play.

“We know that big game experience is key and having significantly more Super Rugby players in our midst this year will be a real bonus, but I’m also pleased that they are home-grown talent as well because they get what we are all about.”

forward Steven Leavasa set to make their Steelers’ debuts after outstanding form for their clubs.

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TANIELU TELE’A in action for the STEELERS against Manawatu.

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ALL BLACK GREATS HONOURED HEARTLAND CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

by PETER WHITE

The strong connections between the provincial heartland and All Black greats will be further enhanced this season.

Every year since 2006, 12 provincial sides have contested the initial round-robin of the Bunnings Heartland Championship. Each team plays eight matches, with the top-four teams then competing in the Meads Cup and the next highest four in the Lochore Cup. The prestigious trophies are named after two of our greatest All Blacks who farmed and played in the heartland – Sir Colin Meads from Te Kuiti and Sir Brian Lochore from Masterton.

And now the names of former All Blacks Bill Osborne and Ian Kirkpatrick have been added to the heartland hall of fame.

Last season, the Bill Osborne Taonga was contested for the first time when Poverty Bay defeated Mid-Canterbury in the Lochore Cup fifth-place play-off. The Bill Osborne Taonga has the same rules as the Ranfurly Shield. It is in honour of former NZ Rugby President Osborne, who started with Whanganui before playing 48 matches, including 16 Tests, for the All Blacks from 1975–1982.

The 2022 Heartland Championship Player of the Year will be awarded the Ian Kirkpatrick Medal in recognition of the legendary former All Blacks captain, loose forward and current NZ Rugby Patron.

Kirkpatrick played 113 matches for the All Blacks, including 39 Tests, and was captain for 43 matches.

He began his career with the combined Poverty Bay-Ngāti Porou East Coast side.

“You never forget your roots and where it all started,” says Kirkpatrick.

“To have my name attached to the Heartland Player of the Year award is a great honour and something I am truly humbled by. Heartland rugby remains an integral part of our game, its pathways and its deep connection to rural New Zealand.”

It is also a great honour for Osborne to be recognised with a taonga that represents his deep connection with rugby, his province Whanganui and all 12 Heartland unions.

“It’s a special honour to represent your whēnua and your community in rural New Zealand. I’m sure it (taonga) will be fought for and valued in the true spirit of Heartland Championship rugby,” he says.

Last year, the race for the coveted Meads Cup places came down to bonus points. South Canterbury, Thames Valley, Whanganui and North Otago made the top four.

North Otago finished round-robin play just a single point ahead of Poverty Bay, Mid-Canterbury and Horowhenua-Kapiti, who contested

Whanganui’s CAMPBELL HART with the LOCHORE CUP won by his team in 2021.

the Lochore Cup along with Ngāti Porou East Coast.

to go with two previous Lochore Cup victories.

South Canterbury won all eight games ahead of the play-offs and continued that form to win the final 35–16 against Thames Valley in Timaru. It was the first Meads Cup title won by South Canterbury

Whanganui beat North Otago 22–16 to win the Lochore Cup for the second time. They have also won the Meads Cup a record six times and finished runners-up on five other occasions.

BUNNINGS HEARTLAND CHAMPIONSHIP MEADS CUP PAST WINNERS

WHANGANUI 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, NORTH OTAGO 2007, 2010, 2019, MID-CANTERBURY 2013, 2014, EAST COAST 2012, THAMES VALLEY 2018, WAIRARAPA BUSH 2006 and SOUTH CANTERBURY 2021.

LOCHORE CUP PAST WINNERS

SOUTH CANTERBURY players celebrate after winning the Meads Cup last season.

44 | RUGBY 2022

WWW.PROVINCIAL.RUGBY/HEARTLAND-CHAMPIONSHIP

POVERTY BAY 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, NORTH OTAGO 2009, 2016, SOUTH CANTERBURY 2013, 2019, WHANGANUI 2014, 2021, BULLER 2012, HOROWHENUA-KAPITI 2018, KING COUNTRY 2015, WAIRARAPA-BUSH 2010 and MID-CANTERBURY 2017.

HEARTLAND CHAMPIONSHIP DRAW * Dates subject to operational and broadcasting logistics Times, dates and venues subject to change Bill Osborne Taonga (BOT)

DANE WHALE passes wide for Whanganui against King Country.

WEEK 1: SATURDAY 20 AUGUST

WEEK 7: SATURDAY 1 OCTOBER

Buller v Mid Canterbury

Westport

2.30pm

Buller v King Country

Westport

2.30pm

East Coast v Horowhenua Kapiti

Ruatoria

2.30pm

East Coast v Wairarapa Bush

Ruatoria

2.30pm

King Country v Poverty Bay

Te Kuiti

2.30pm

Horowhenua Kapiti v Whanganui

Levin

2.30pm

South Canterbury v Thames Valley

Temuka

2.30pm

Mid Canterbury v South Canterbury

Ashburton

2.30pm

Wairarapa Bush v North Otago

Masterton

2.30pm

North Otago v West Coast

Oamaru

2.30pm

West Coast v Whanganui

Greymouth

2.30pm

Poverty Bay v Thames Valley

Gisborne

2.30pm

Horowhenua Kapiti v South Canterbury

Levin

2.30pm

King Country v North Otago

Taupo

2.30pm

Mid Canterbury v East Coast

Ashburton

2.30pm

South Canterbury v East Coast

Geraldine

2.30pm

North Otago v Buller

Oamaru

2.30pm

Thames Valley v Horowhenua Kapiti

Te Aroha

2.00pm

Poverty Bay v Wairarapa Bush (BOT)

Gisborne

2.30pm

Wairarapa Bush v Buller

Masterton

2.30pm

Thames Valley v West Coast

Te Aroha

2.00pm

Whanganui v Mid Canterbury

Whanganui

2.30pm

Whanganui v King Country

Whanganui

2.30pm

West Coast v Poverty Bay

Greymouth

2.30pm

Buller v Poverty Bay

Westport

2.30pm

WEEK 9: SATURDAY 15 OCTOBER LOCHORE CUP SEMI-FINALS

East Coast v Whanganui

Ruatoria

2.30pm

King Country v Thames Valley

Taumarunui

2.30pm

Mid Canterbury v West Coast

Ashburton

2.30pm

South Canterbury v North Otago

Fairlie

2.30pm

MEADS CUP SEMI-FINALS

Wairarapa Bush v Horowhenua Kapiti

Masterton

2.30pm

Horowhenua Kapiti v King Country

Levin

2.30pm

North Otago v Mid Canterbury

Kurow

2.00pm

Poverty Bay v East Coast (BOT)

Gisborne

2.30pm

Thames Valley v Wairarapa Bush

Te Aroha

2.00pm

WEEK 10: SATURDAY 22 OCTOBER* MEADS CUP FINAL

Whanganui v South Canterbury

Whanganui

2.30pm

Winner semi-final 1 v winner semi-final 2

West Coast v Buller

Greymouth

2.30pm

Buller v Thames Valley

Westport

2.30pm

East Coast v West Coast

Ruatoria

2.30pm

Mid Canterbury v King Country

Ashburton

2.30pm

North Otago v Horowhenua Kapiti

Oamaru

2.30pm

Poverty Bay v Whanganui (BOT)

Gisborne

2.30pm

Wairarapa Bush v South Canterbury

Masterton

2.30pm

Horowhenua Kapiti v Mid Canterbury

Levin

2.30pm

King Country v East Coast

Te Kuiti

2.30pm

South Canterbury v Poverty Bay

Waimate

2.30pm

Thames Valley v North Otago

Whitianga

2.00pm

Whanganui v Buller

Whanganui

2.30pm

West Coast v Wairarapa Bush

Greymouth

2.30pm

WEEK 2: SATURDAY 27 AUGUST

WEEK 8: SATURDAY 8 OCTOBER

WEEK 3: SATURDAY 3 SEPTEMBER

WEEK 4: SATURDAY 10 SEPTEMBER

WEEK 5: SATURDAY 17 SEPTEMBER

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

Venue TBC

TBC

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

Venue TBC

TBC

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

Venue TBC

TBC

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

Venue TBC

TBC

Venue TBC

TBC

Venue TBC

TBC

SUNDAY 23 OCTOBER* LOCHORE CUP FINAL Winner semi-final 1 v winner semi-final 2

WEEK 6: SATURDAY 24 SEPTEMBER

SIRELI BULIRUARUA of South Canterbury celebrates after scoring in last year’s Meads Cup final.

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RUGBY 2022

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4 7#57

The BLACK FERNS celebrate winning RUGBY WORLD CUP 2017.

WOMEN’S RUGBY TO SHINE: RUGBY WORLD CUP 2021 IS HERE

by PETER WHITE

The rise of women’s rugby is set to continue when the much-anticipated Rugby World Cup 2021 finally gets underway in New Zealand later this year.

It has taken five long years, after a 12-month COVID postponement, but the pinnacle event of women’s rugby is back.

with an unbeaten streak of 23 games. Last year, they defeated the Black Ferns 43–12 and 56–15 in the November internationals played in England.

Eloise Blackwell, last season’s Black Fern Player of the Year Kennedy Simon, 38-test prop Aleisha-Pearl Nelson and 2017 World Cup winner Charmaine McMenamin.

Add sevens stars Kelly Brazier, Portia Woodman and Stacey Fluhler, who may be available after the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and the Black Ferns will have excellent depth.

Rugby World Cup takes place over five weeks in October and November, with 26 matches to be played across Auckland’s Eden Park and Waitākere Stadium, and Whangarei’s Northland Events Centre.

Earlier this year New Zealand Rugby appointed former All Blacks coach Wayne Smith as Black Ferns head coach. He wasted no time getting into his work and, along with assistant coaches Wesley Clarke and Whitney Hansen, has quickly turned things around. In June, the Black Ferns defeated Australia, Canada and the United States to comfortably win the Pacific Four series held in New Zealand.

The pool phase will feature triple-header match days giving fans the opportunity to see three international rugby matches with just a single ticket. The knockout stages will feature double-header match days, along with festivities, entertainment, food and activities for the whole family.

While that series was not against England or second favourites France, who also defeated the Black Ferns in two tests in November, it was a positive step forward. Smith was pleased with the attacking mindset shown by his team, despite the difficult playing conditions they encountered.

Ticket prices start from $5 for children and $10 for adults, which represents outstanding value in today’s entertainment market.

The Black Ferns have won five of the eight titles contested for since the tournament began in 1991, with England champions in 1994 and 2014 and runners-up five times.

The Black Ferns blooded 11 test debutants in the Pacific Four series, about one-third of the squad, which is encouraging for the upcoming O'Reilly Cup games (against Australia on August 20 in Christchurch and August 27 at the Adelaide Oval) and Rugby World Cup games to follow.

There is no doubt England will start as massive favourites. Their recent dominance of international women’s rugby has been total,

There are several experienced players who missed the Pacific Four series who could return for those games, including former vice-captain

The ninth edition of the tournament will be hosted by reigning champions New Zealand for the very first time.

46 | RUGBY 2022

WWW.RUGBYWORLDCUP.COM/2021

The opening round of Rugby World Cup has thrown together some mouth-watering matches, none bigger than the one that will headline the opening day at Eden Park. In pool A, the Black Ferns take on the Australian Wallaroos in what is sure to attract a bumper crowd to the home of New Zealand rugby.

The two sides met in Tauranga in June during the Pacific Four series. The Wallaroos scored the opening try but the Black Ferns replied with tries from Ayesha Leti-I’iga (2), Alana Bremner and Kaipo Olsen-Baker to win 23–10.

With pool games to come against Scotland and Wales, the winner of that opening-round trans-Tasman clash will be in prime position to progress through to the quarter-finals.

Favourites England and France are drawn together in pool C. Their pool game on October 15 at the Northland Events Centre in Whangarei will be fascinating to see which of the Northern Hemisphere powerhouses can take an early advantage.

MATCH SCHEDULE POOL

POOL

A

POOL

B

C

NEW ZEALAND

CANADA

ENGLAND

AUSTRALIA

usa

FRANCE

WALES

ITALY

SOUTH AFRICA

SCOTLAND

JAPAN

FIJI

Sat 8 Oct - 19:15 Eden Park

Sun 9 Oct - 12:45 Northland Events Centre

Sat 8 Oct - 14:15 Eden Park

AUSTRALIA V NEW ZEALAND

usa V ITALY

SOUTH AFRICA V FRANCE

sun 9 Oct - 17:45 Northland Events Centre

sun 9 Oct - 15:15 Northland Events Centre

Sat 8 Oct - 16:45 eden park

waLES V SCOTLAND

JAPAN 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

SCOTLAND V AUSTRALIA

usa V JAPAN

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

ITALY 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

JAPAN V ITALY

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 SCOTLAND

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 5 NOV - 16:30 EDEN PARK

SAT 12 NOV - 16:30 EDEN PARK

SAT 5 NOV - 19:30 EDEN PARK

FINAL SAT 12 NOV - 19:30 EDEN PARK

#RWC2021 RUGBYWORLDCUP.COM/2021 ALL MATCHES ARE NZST/NZDT. TM © RUGBY WORLD CUP LIMITED 2007-2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

*SHOULD THE HOST NATION REACH THE QUARTER-FINAL STAGE OF THE TOURNAMENT, THEIR FIXTURE WILL BE SCHEDULED IN THIS QUARTER-FINAL SLOT.

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