Canterbury’s NPC squad announced for 2022 season
New Zealand Under 20 representatives George Bell, Seb Calder and Joel Lam are the three newcomers to Canterbury’s Bunnings Warehouse NPC squad.
Lam (Burnside) will get the opportunity to learn from experienced halfback pair Willi Heinz and Mitchell Drummond, while Lincoln University’s Bell and Calder have the chance to serve their apprenticeships under Oli Jager and Brodie McAlister.
Superb club form has seen first five eight Alex Harford (HSOB) and loose forward Liam Allen (Lincoln University) both rewarded with full time contracts for the first time. So too for loose forwards Dominic Gardiner and Corey Kellow, who made the most of their Super Rugby seasons with the Crusaders.
“The talent that is in the Canterbury region is a testament to the work that’s going on at Club level and the pathways that are regularly producing players who are ready to take the next step in their careers,” said new Head Coach Marty Bourke. “I’m really excited about the next 14 weeks.”
Bourke is also graced with the services of outside backs George Bridge and Braydon Ennor as they fight their way back into All-Black contention.
“Whether it’s stepping up to NPC or tapping on the door of International or Super Rugby, there’s no better place to showcase your talent than NPC and I think that’s what excites me about this campaign. Bridgey and Braydon, along with the rest of the squad, have the chance to ensure people are taking notice of how capable they are.”
Manasa Mataele is set to bring the same excitement he’s brought to Fiji during their recent Pacific Nations Cup campaign, linking up with Chay Fihaki and Bridge to form a potent back three.
Tom Christie returns to the NPC after a season out with a shoulder injury, joining Cullen Grace, who has also been in career-best form during Super Rugby, Billy Harmon, Reed Prinsep, Gardiner, Kellow and Allen in the loose forwards.
“We have an immense amount of talent in this group,” said new breakdown coach Matt Todd. “Reed, Tom, Cully and Billy are all born and bred Cantabrians. They are itching to pull that red and black jersey on and represent our people.”
Youngster Zach Gallagher will partner with fellow former Christ’s College captain Sam Darry in the second row, with veteran Luke Romano and Mitchell Dunshea (currently injured) to provide leadership to the younger pair.
A Crusaders laden front row highlights the lower numbers with Fletcher Newell, Oli Jager, Tamaiti Williams, Finlay Brewis, Brodie McAlister and Shilo Klien linking up with Highlander’s loosehead Daniel Lienert-Brown.
“These guys are another year older, another year wiser, so this is their chance to really step up and impose themselves up front,” said Forwards Coach Craig Dunlea.
The Punivai brothers, Dallas McLeod, Rameka Poihipi and Fergus Burke are all banging the door down for game time, something Backs Coach Alex Robertson says is great for his side. “For one reason or another these guys haven’t had a heap of Super Rugby in the early part of the year, so they’re rearing to go. They’ve also had a couple of seasons to build up combinations, so it’s a case of going out there and taking their game to the next level.”
After a couple of disrupted seasons due to Covid, the side is looking forward to reconnecting with the people of Canterbury.
“Hopefully without any Covid interruptions, we can not only welcome our fans back to Orangetheory but also greet them with performances that make them proud to get in behind us. We hope to see them out in the community too, where we haven’t been able to do much over the past couple of seasons and it’s really important that we re-establish those connections. We want to inspire our youngsters to play rugby and our fans to be in the stands,” commented Head Coach Marty Bourke.
NPC Squad for 2022:
Liam Allen - Lincoln University
George Bell - Lincoln University
Finlay Brewis - HSOB
George Bridge - HSOB
Fergus Burke - University of Canterbury
Seb Calder - Lincoln University
Tom Christie - Christchurch
Sam Darry - HSOB
Mitchell Drummond - HSOB
Mitchell Dunshea - Springston
Braydon Ennor - University of Canterbury
Chay Fihaki - Burnside
Zach Gallagher - Burnside
Dominic Gardiner - Marist Albion
Cullen Grace - Lincoln University
Alex Harford - HSOB
Billy Harmon - New Brighton
Willi Heinz - Linwood
Oliver Jager - New Brighton
Corey Kellow - Lincoln University
Shilo Klein - HSOB
Joel Lam - Burnside
Daniel Lienert-Brown - HSOB
Manasa Mataele - Marist Albion
Brodie McAlister - Sydenham
Dallas McLeod - Christchurch
Richie Mo'unga - Linwood
Joe Moody - Lincoln
Fletcher Newell - Lincoln University
Rameka Poihipi - Lincoln University
Reed Prinsep - HSOB
Isaiah Punivai - Burnside
Ngatungane Punivai - Prebbleton
Luke Romano - Hurunui
Codie Taylor - Sydenham
Samuel Whitelock - Lincoln University
Tamaiti Williams - Burnside