Tena koe, We have seen the sun in the last two days and what a welcome sight across Canterbury.
To all those who played last Saturday, you survived, when the rain hit it registered for many as one of the coldest game days they can ever remember. Rugby is an all-weather sport!
Whilst we have all been knee deep supporting our club and school teams, young and old, I wanted to reference a couple of other stories that highlight the impact rugby can have in our communities
Firstly, the Canterbury Community Rugby Foundation recently donated funding to the Referees with assistance from Westfield for travel costs for those attending games in Kaikoura. The Foundation has been set up to give back and delivering to the communities needs and here is a great example.
Secondly, on Sunday morning despite the weather, the All Blacks were on hand and gifted a bench to the community at Lancaster Park in the knowledge that it takes a community to support a team. Ngāi Tūāhuriri, City Councillors, Ōtautahi rugby, Richie Mo’unga, Tamaiti Williams and local communities all engaged in a down to earth rugby occasion topped by the Ōtautahi juniors playing their competition games. It was awesome to see our All Blacks so engaged at the community level.
I’d also like to extend my thanks to the support that the Cantabrians club provide us to offer opportunities to our teenage players, giving opportunities through our U15 Development Camp and their own annual live-in coaching school at Burnham Camp for boys 16.5 to 18 years of age. It’s fantastic to have their passion help the next generation strive and provide opportunities that may not have been available otherwise.
This weekend, Cantabrians are treated to a stack of games, with community and high performance rugby to look forward to.
Friday in Hanmer. the NPC team have it’s only pre-season game against Tasman, and on Saturday, the FPC team play Bay of Plenty at Rugby Park with a 12:05pm kick off.
Then we are underway with our province-wide Division 1 and Premier club finals
Saturday afternoon at Kaiapoi in the Luisetti Seeds North Canterbury Division 1 final, Kaiapoi take on Glenmark-Cheviot as a part of North Canterbury Finals Day. At Waihora in the Luisetti Seeds Ellesmere Division 1 final, Waihora host Prebbleton at Ellesmere Finals Day.
Then on Sunday afternoon at Rugby Park in the Bascik Transport Metro Premiership final, Marist-Albion take on High School Old Boy’s.
We will be a bit tired on Sunday evening but what a weekend to look forward to and I wish all teams competing the very best.
Three days of red and black country support, so let’s get out there and engage as we all can and remember to Keep it Positive.
Ngā mihi,
Tony Smail
CEO, Canterbury Rugby Football Union
Community Welcome
Black Ferns highlight Canterbury team to host Bay of Plenty
Canterbury can call on all 10 of it’s contracted Black Ferns this weekend, as a strong side is named to host Bay of Plenty.
In the forwards, an all-Black Ferns front row of Pip Love, Georgia Ponsonby and Amy Rule will lead the charge, with locks Emma Dermody and Chelsea Bremner rounding out the tight five.
Vice-captain Marcelle Parkes is joined in the loose forwards by returning Captain Alana Bremner and Lucy Jenkins, providing Forwards Coach Sid Tauamiti plenty to plan with ahead of an exciting JJ Stewart Trophy defence.
In the backs, Rosie Kelly, Grace Steinmetz and Amy Du Plessis all feature, with Grace Brooker shifting into second five to accommodate her Matatū centre partner.
They’ll be joined by form trio Di Hiini, Martha Mataele and Karla Wright-Akeli, who have all put in notable performances at the start of the Farah Palmer Cup, presented by Bunnings Warehouse competition.
“It’s great to be able to welcome back our Black Ferns into the environment and give them the opportunity to express themselves in the red & black jersey.” said Head Coach Jimmy Sinclair.
“We’ve learnt a lot from these first two weeks, and the platform those two performances has given us means we can continue to build as the competition moves forward.”
Providing impact off the bench will be eight players who have stood up in the Black Ferns’ absence, showcasing the incredible depth Canterbury has to call upon.
“The eight ladies on the bench this weekend play as important a role as when they are starting.” said Sinclair, “We know that they’ll be raring to go and will give us a real edge when they are called upon.”
The Round 3 clash with Bay of Plenty is set to kick off at 12:05pm on Saturday at Rugby Park, with entry just $5 for adults and free for U16’s.
Bay of Plenty Volcanix team
Canterbury Rugby announce NPC squad for 2023 season
A couple of familiar faces join a sprinkling of new talent in Canterbury’s Bunnings Warehouse NPC squad for 2023.
New Brighton’s Ryan Crotty gets the chance to add to his 68 Canterbury caps joining Hurunui’s Ben Funnell (80 caps) and Luke Romano (70) in returning to the red and black, adding strength to positions that have seen gaps through national selections and a couple of injuries.
Like Crotty, St Bede’s old boy Solomon Alaimalo returns home, joining Sydenham teammates James Mullan and Torian Barnes for the first time in Canterbury colors, so too Oxford junior and former Christchurch Boys High school 1st XV Skipper Jamie Hannah and Marist Albion’s Tahlor Cahill and Nic Shearer.
Prop Tom Heywood, who made his debut for Canterbury off the bench last year has also earned a full-time contract for the first time so too speedsters Blair Murray and Jone Rova and lose forward Joe Brial.
“It’s great to have guys like Ryan, Luke and Ben who are all passionate and keen to continue to give back to Canterbury.” Said Head Coach Marty Bourke. “With Dallas and Braydon away with the All Blacks, we had a spot open up in the midfield so to have the chance to bring Ryan home is pretty special. Sam Darry and Zach Gallagher are a couple of weeks away from returning to play so Luke is a solid go-to to cover the second row and Ben has been playing great footy for Hurunui this year, so he’ll fill in nicely for Brodie who’s working his way back from injury.”
“It’s awesome to have some young country guys coming through the system too. Jamie and James both from North Canterbury.”
“Tahlor has had a strong club season before heading away with the New Zealand Under 20’s.”
Young halfback Nic Shearer continues his progression with an opportunity at NPC level, playing alongside Mitchell Drummond and Willi Heinz.
Marist Albion and High School Old Boys’ to contest Bascik Transport Metro Premier Final.
Marist Albion and High School Old Boys’ will clash in the Bascik Transport Metro Premier Final for the first time in 20 years, as both clubs look to add to their legacies in the competition.
Featuring in the final in each of the last four years, Marist Albion have proven to be most consistent team in the Metro Premier competition, sustaining a run of form that has seen them labelled as the team to beat in recent seasons.
“The biggest thing for us has been the consistency of both our core playing and coaching groups.” Said Marist Albion Head Coach Ian Robinson.
“Having a core group of guys that have been in the squad over the last few seasons, the likes of Moeaki Toma, Elliot Smith and Joe Taylor, to name a few, who have experienced it (the final), helps to keep coming back, but also having a number of new guys who have made a significant impact too.”
Robinson also spoke to the strength of the coaching group of Ben Blair, Ross Kennedy and Robbie Harlow, with Blair involved in that 2003 finals season.
“Four years ago, we had Ben Blair, and then the last three years, I’ve been around, it’s been massive having that consistency. Having guys like Ross involved too is massive, it’s been a big collaboration between the group.
“Having a group of people involved who are all so knowledgeable and passionate gives you a lot of confidence.” Robinson said.
High School Old Boys’ on the other hand will feature in their first final since winning the competition in 2019, and will be eager to complete their spectacular run of form that lifted them into finals contention over the latter half of the season.
“There’s excitement anytime you get to the business end of the season.” Said High School Old Boys’ Captain Alex Grogan.
“To get to the final step is pretty nice, we’ve faltered at the last hurdle in the last few seasons so we’re raring to go.”
“We went on a bit of run at the back end of the round robin, I think we took a bonus point win in each of our last 5 or 6 games, so to come in with a little bit of momentum is not bad at all.”
George Haswell will referee the match, with the support of Assistant Referee’s Dan Moore and Will Todd, and Christopher Woods as subs controller.
Kick off at Rugby Park is scheduled for 2:45pm on Sunday the 30th, with entry free for all spectators.
Bascik Transport Premier Men’s - Final
Form teams meet in Luisetti Seeds Ellesmere Division 1 Final
As the top two teams in the Luisetti Seeds Ellesmere Division 1 competition, Waihora and Prebbleton will have the chance to meet for the final time this season, with the Coleman Shield the prized possession for the victor.
Meeting twice already this season, Waihora will be hoping it will be third times a charm on home turf, with Ellesmere Senior Finals to be held at Rhodes Park in Tai Tapu.
“It’s exciting to have the opportunity to play a home final.” said Waihora Head Coach Ross Soper.
“We broke it down at the start of the season and the Coleman Shield was our priority. To make the final is the first goal achieved and to have the luxury of having it at home is great, from the home support to the familiarity of the ground will hopefully be a good bonus for us, but at the end of the day, Prebbleton are a really good team so we just need to knuckle down and play good footy.” said Soper.
“We’ve got a bit of experience from the last few times we have been in the finals, but it’s been great this year to see the progression of our club and to see eight of our Colts players from last year stepping up to be a key part of the culture we’re growing here at Waihora.”
Prebbleton have already experienced finals rugby this season with a trip to the Luisetti Seeds Combined Country Final, and will be looking to go one better in the search for the club’s first Coleman Shield since 1974.
In the same vain to Soper, Prebbleton captain Tom Brand talked to the excitement amongst the Prebbleton side.
“We’re really excited to be back in the final. The end goal we set at the start of the season in pre-season focused on the Coleman, so we’re pretty keen to tick it off this year.” said Brand.
“We’ve gained some good experience from our past few finals. We haven’t done a lot wrong in either performance but it’s slipped away, so Saturday will be about putting our heads down and realising that those little moments mean a lot in the finals.”
Prebbleton will feature in almost every final on the day, with the club developing a great environment and culture that has shown with results on the field too.
“The club’s been tracking well over the last few years, creating a great environment. I think everyone that plays out at Preb just enjoys it which helps with the keeping good numbers and people around.” Brand said.
Hayden Cook will referee his first Coleman Shield Final, with Rob Goodman and Sam O’Reilly in support. Andrew Brosnahan and Daryl Sullivan will act as sub controllers.
Kick off is set for 3pm at Rhodes Park, Tai Tapu.
Luisetti Seeds Ellesmere Finals
Old foes meet again in North Canterbury final
North Canterbury powerhouses Kaiapoi and Glenmark Cheviot will meet once again in the final of the Luisetti Seeds North Canterbury Division 1 competition.
Played alongside North Canterbury Finals Day at Kaiapoi, the showcase event is one that we’ve seen before, with bragging rights back on the line between two proud clubs.
Glenmark Cheviot went through the Division 1 competition unbeaten, culminating in an impressive 33-0 win in challenging conditions last weekend over Hurunui.
“That’s probably one of the coldest games the boys have ever played,” said Glenmark Cheviot captain Andrew Hull, “but to be up 12-0 at half time going into the wind in the first half, was certainly a highlight for us.”
“It’s definitely exciting (to make the final), we’ve worked hard back in the North Canterbury rounds, so it’s quite pleasing to have the result of being in this weekend’s final.”
“Going unbeaten in the round robin is just a result of how we’ve been playing, the main focus was to play well, and that has been a good result of getting it done so far this season.”
Glenmark Cheviot may have topped the round robin, but with the full North Canterbury Senior Finals Day taking place at Kaiapoi, it gives the ‘Poi the opportunity to run back out for the final time this season in front of their fans.
“We were lucky to have that opportunity two years ago,” said Kaiapoi captain Jacob Hurring, “we managed to get over the line that time two years ago, so it’d be awesome to do it again this weekend.”
“We’ve also got the women’s and Division 2 in action on the day, so it’ll be pretty awesome to have everyone out there on Saturday.”
“Glenmark Cheviot are the team in form, we know that you’ll have to play the full 80 to beat them, we found that out on Super Saturday, so this is the one we want to respond well in and get the win.” Hurring said.
Karl Hancox will referee the final, with Gavin Cate and Cyril Le Gros as Assistant Referees. Neil Wilkinson and George Welch will manage the sideline as the sub controllers.
Kick off is at 3pm at Kaiapoi.
Luisetti Seeds North Canterbury Finals
You’re invited to Ray White’s Biggest Open Home!
Ray White's Biggest Open Home is taking place on Monday the 31st of July, with Ray White and Canterbury Rugby opening the doors of Rugby Park!
A fun rugby festival, the 2023 squads will be on hand for a meet and greet, skills and drills and the opportunity to peek behind the curtain at the home of Canterbury Rugby!
Miles Toyota Premiership & Championship - Semi Finals
Pathways Partners Jersey Draw
The Canterbury Rugby Partnerships team ran a successful Back of Jersey draw for sponsors before the NPC, with individual sponsors names gracing player’s jerseys this season.
As Pathways Partners, sponsors have the opportunity to feature on both the NPC and FPC Back of Jerseys, with a random draw done to decide who has the pleasure of being on each jersey!
