Welcome to Farah Palmer Cup Finals week, with both Canterbury’s NPC and FPC sides taking on the old foe Auckland this Saturday!
Our women’s side are hosting Auckland in a rematch of last year’s Grand Final, with Canterbury successful in that one, 41-14.
This weekend’s Premiership Final at Rugby Park is the sixth time in a row that Canterbury will feature in the showpiece match of the Farah Palmer Cup, and the fifth time in a row that we have hosted it, winning five titles in that time.
This team has grown so much over the last few years, evidenced by the strength in our player depth, and the increase in recognition of our top players, with 10 contracted Black Ferns and a number in line for selection in the Black Ferns XV side to be named on Monday too.
I’m proud to be a board member of an organisation that is leading the way in our funding and support of the women’s and girls’ game, through our investment in coaches and support staff. Investing in Jimmy Sinclair and the new coaching group this year has also added to the strength of this group, and I look forward to getting behind the team on Saturday.
Tickets are just $10 at the gate, with U16’s free, so come down and join us as we cheer on our side to hopefully another title!
Ngā mihi,
Natasha Wong
Board Member, Canterbury Rugby Football Union
Community Welcome
Canterbury name strong side for home Final
Canterbury have the luxury to name and start all ten contracted Black Ferns on Saturday, as they name a strong side to play Auckland in their fifth home Premiership Final in a row.
Previously winning 5 out of the last 6, Canterbury will be looking to add another title to the resume, but will come up against a physical Auckland side that will be determined to go one better than they did in 2022.
“Auckland is a great challenge for us.” said Head Coach Jimmy Sinclair, “we know they can really take it to us, and they showed that when we played them at Eden Park. We had to fight really hard to come back and win that game, and we know Saturday will be no different.”
Chelsea Bremner is promoted to a starting position following a successful return to play in last week’s semi final, while Karla Wright-Akeli returns to the fullback jersey, after impressing throughout this year’s competition.
On the bench, Vice-Captain Marcelle Parkes returns from an injury sustained against Counties Manukau, while Kelsyn McCook and Atlanta Lolohea also return to the bench.
“Our whole squad has played an important role in getting us to this point, and we know that this group will be better for the work we have all done at training.” said Sinclair.
“It’s now about getting out there and enjoying the moment, playing like we know we can and ultimately achieve our main goal from the start of the season.”
The Final will be refereed by North Harbour’s Natarsha Ganley, with Canterbury’s George Haswell and Karl Hancox the Assistant Referees, and David Rumble as TMO.
Kick off in the Farah Palmer Cup, presented by Bunnings Warehouse, Premiership Final is scheduled for 2:05pm at Rugby Park, with the Canterbury U18 Black side hosting the curtain raiser against the Hanan Shield U18 team at 11:35am.
Tickets are just $10 on the gate, with U16’s free.
Miles Toyota Player of the Week car
As the official Community Partner of Canterbury Rugby and on the front of the women’s jersey, Miles Toyota have been proud supporters of our Farah Palmer Cup side, including providing a brand new Hilux to the team’s Player of the Week!
Check out this season’s recepients below!
vs Wellington - Emma Dermody
Emma put in a shift against Wellington in Round 1, stealing two lineouts and hitting 22 attacking rucks.
vs Waikato - Grace Brooker
Grace returned from international duty with the Black Ferns early and was straight to her best, creating three linebreaks, three offloads and one turnover.
vs Bay of Plenty - Karla Wright-Akeli
Karla has been near the top of the try scroing list this season, adding two tries, gained 81 metres and created three linebreaks.
Development vs Otago Development - Kalesi Taga
Kalesi was a member of the Development team during our bye week and helped the side to a 41-5 win over the Otago Development side.
vs Hawke’s Bay - Martha Mataele
Martha was a women on a mission against Hawke’s Bay in Hastings, scoring two tries and gained 147 metres while beating seven defenders.
vs Counties Manukau - Laura Bayfield
Laura has been one of the breakout stars of the FPC season, and beat 6 defenders with the ball, while on defence, made 13 tackles and winning a turnover.
vs Auckland - Georgia Ponsonby
Adding to the try scoring feats of the backs with two of her own, Georgia also gained 63 metres while winning a turnover on defence too.
Semi Final vs Hawke’s Bay - Holly Wratt-Groeneweg
Scoring a first half hattrick from Openside Flanker, Holly broke the line three times for 57 metres, in a breakout performance!
Who do you think will take out the final Player of the Week award?
Canterbury NPC side named for second Auckland match up of the day
Speedster Solomon Alaimalo gets his first start for Canterbury when they go up against old foes Auckland at Eden Park on Saturday night.
The St Bede’s Old Boy impressed off the bench against Taranaki last week and has earnt his spot on the right wing.
Promising Hooker George Bell has also made his way back into the starting 15 after being held back due to a quad strain early in the competition, while Oli Jager too gets a crack at tighthead prop following a poke in the eye less than 2 minutes into his 50th cap two weeks ago.
Mitchell Dunshea returns to the engine room following a week off, partnering Sam Darry who’s all too familiar with Eden Park in the second row, while Fergus Burke slots back into the driver’s seat at first five eight.
“This is a busy time for us” said Head Coach Marty Bourke, “this is the first leg of our storm week, so our bodies need to be right and up for the challenge that Auckland are coming at us with.”
“We know how much history there is between these two sides, and we have to be prepared to match what they throw at us.”
Billy Harmon will again lead the side from Blindside Flanker with Tom Christie and Cullen Grace in 7 and 8. Reed Prinsep is set to back the trio up from the bench, while Zach Gallagher will look to add his frame to the cause covering the second row.
Daniel Lienert-Brown, Ben Funnell and Seb Calder will be required to finish the match up front with Coach Marty Bourke opting for a 5, 3 split on the bench. “It’ll take all 23 to break this Auckland side down, each and everyone of them will have a job to do, we’re fully aware of the assignment ahead of us.”
Ryan Crotty slips back to the bench with Rameka Poihipi and Dallas McLeod again paring up in the midfield, Mitchell Drummond and Willi Heinz will provide a one-two punch at halfback while Ngatungane Punivai and Chay Fihaki join Alaimalo to make up the back three.
Senior Representative Draw - 9 September
Southbridge Shield Gallery
Returning the Showgrounds to Rugby
Taking rugby back to the Rangiora Showgrounds was no mean feat for Canterbury Rugby, not least because there hadn’t been rugby played at the historic home of Rangiora RFC for 13 years.
Stepping up to the plate to produce a world class pitch however were Grounds & Services LTD (GSL), who have looked after the Rugby Park training surface for both Canterbury and the Crusaders since 2015.
While it looked immaculate, it required a signifcant piece of work to turn the grounds around from the Showgrounds, to return it to a rugby ground once again, with GSL supported by the local groundsman too in creating a fantastic facility for last weekend’s Bunnings NPC fixture.
The result was a ground that could be rated up there as one of the best in Canterbury, still looking a picture after two brutal and entertaining fixtures, with the home side triumphing twice, meaning they must have been doing something right!
GSL, who have been a partner of Canterbury Rugby’s since 2012, operate in the landscape, roading maintenance and construction industries, specialising in turf maintenance and earthwork construction, work that sees them operate from Rugby Park in St Albans, to places like the Showgrounds and much, much more.
Larry’s South Island Club 7’s
Canterbury Rugby is excited to host Larry’s South Island Club 7’s this November, taking on the hosting duties as sevens is re-energised in the South Island following a COVID enforced hiatus.
Played on the 11th and 12th of November on the hard and fast grounds of Ilam Fields, there will be both Male and Female grades, with a $5000 prize pool on offer to the teams that enter.
For more information, follow the button below:
VOP survey
New Zealand Rugby’s Voice of the Participant survey is out now, giving you, our community, the opportunity to have your chance to provide feedback to your clubs and schools, with data fed back to all parties, including Canterbury Rugby and NZ Rugby.
Follow the button below to fill in this year’s survey, which will only take about 15 minutes of your time.
South Island U19’s Tournament Gallery
The Canterbury U19’s have taken out this year’s U19 South Island Tournament, beating Tasman (29-21), Southland (45-7) and Otago (38-17) in the three match series culminating in Dunedin last weekend.
