Exciting JJ Stewart Trophy clash headlines Miles Toyota Club Round Double Header

The chance to lock away the JJ Stewart Trophy for the 2023 season awaits the Canterbury Farah Palmer Cup side, as they kick off Miles Toyota Club Round against Counties Manukau.  

Following two successful defences at Rugby Park, Saturday’s match is Canterbury’s final home game of the regular season, with Counties Manukau forming up as formidable opponents in what should be a physical encounter on a special day for the Canterbury Community.  

Alongside the home sides wearing their club socks, all 48 of Canterbury’s clubs will be celebrated throughout the day, continuing on a theme that started in the release of this year’s playing jersey, with the traditional red stripes of Canterbury carrying each club’s name.  

Running out in that iconic red and black strip is again a largely unchanged side from the week before against Hawke’s Bay, with only a couple of changes to talk about this week.   

In the starting side, Atlanta Lolohea is rewarded with a start at hooker, while Stacey Niao and Rosie Buchanan-Brown return to the bench after missing last week’s clash in Hastings.  

Other key areas of this week’s side include the outside backs, Grace Steinmetz, Martha Mataele and Karla Wright-Akeli, all of whom see their name on the competition’s top try scoring list, bringing a lot of excitement and firepower to an already mouthwatering match coming up at Apollo Projects Stadium.  

Tickets are available from Ticketek here, with the Women’s match followed on by the Men hosting Manawatu in the Bunnings NPC at 4:35pm.   

Canterbury side to play Counties Manukau: 

1.     Pip Love (Christchurch) 

2.     Atlanta Lolohea (Christchurch) 

3.     Amy Rule (Lincoln University) 

4.     Laura Bayfield (Linwood) 

5.     Emma Dermody (Lincoln University) 

6.     Alana Bremner © (Lincoln University) 

7.     Lucy Jenkins (Christchurch) 

8.     Marcelle Parkes (University) 

9.     Di Hiini (University) 

10.  Rosie Kelly (Christchurch) 

11.  Grace Steinmetz (Lincoln University) 

12.  Grace Brooker (HSOB) 

13.  Amy Du Plessis (Christchurch) 

14.  Martha Mataele (Christchurch) 

15.  Karla Wright-Akeli (Lincoln University) 

16.  Georgia Ponsonby (Lincoln University) 

17.  Maddi Robinson (Lincoln University) 

18.  Amy Milnes (HSOB) 

19.  Holly Wratt-Groeneweg (University) 

20.  Stacey Niao (University) 

21.  Rosie Buchanan-Brown (HSOB) 

22.  Hannah King (Lincoln University) 

23.  Hayley Hutana (Lincoln University)