E ngā mana, e ng reo e ngā rau Rangatira ma. Tēnā koutou katoa I runga I te kaupapa nui o te wiki nei. Ko te reo rangatira, te reo tūturu o Aotearoa. No reira tēnā koutou.
It is my honour as the Tiamana of Waitaha Whutupōro Māori, to contribute to our rugby whanau korero as our nation celebrates “Te wiki o te reo Māori” and as the CRFU prepares to deliver the first Te Tiriti O Waitangi workshops to our clubs. These themes are important for Waitaha Rugby as its purpose is to provide a safe environment where members can connect with Tikanga Māori and in most cases their identity as Maori. Our vision is “Growing Māori leaders through Rugby” This vision supports the desire to have Māori developing as leaders through sport and achieving their potential.
Waitaha Māori rugby is committed to providing a representative pathway for Māori, in an environment that is well organised and successful, whilst maintaining the values of Tikanga Māori. In 2023 we will have fielded more teams than ever before. Rangatahi teams from U16 and U18 are participating in region representative matches; the Waitaha U16s will participate in the South Island U16s Tournament for the very first time, that’s a “ka mau te wehi” moment! The Waitaha U15 and U17 Kohine (girls) and Tamaiti (boys) teams will participate in the Te Waipounamu Māori Rangatahi Ahurei in October. Waitaha Seniors have finished the year with some good learning for the future and several young men introduced to representative rugby and their Māori culture. Waitaha colts have a shortened campaign and in early 2024 Waitaha will enter Wahine Tane and Colts in the Te Waipounamu Māori Rugby Ahurei.
Waitaha Māori Rugby consider itself the fourth Sub Union in Canterbury (Waitaha) and its small core of dedicated volunteers work extremely hard to ensure we provide opportunities for our Māori rangatahi and tuakana develop as tangata whenua as sportsmen and women. We have a very proud alumni of tuakana and rangatira who are achieving in rugby and I would like to acknowledge those who will have donned the silver fern in 2023; Billy Harmon, Tahlor Cahill and Di Hiini, and a piki mihi to Lucas Te Rangi who was recently named in the Maori U18s Whatukura team. Several of our rangatira will be involved in the NZ Maori U18s campaign for Mareikura and Whatukura and I acknowledge Norm Bell, Willie Brown, Brendon Nolan, Jayson McRoberts, Steph Te Ohaere Fox, Te Rauoriwa Gapper and Joseph Tyro for their commitment to the development of our rangatahi.
2023 hasn’t quite finished yet and we still have some big commitments ahead of us, however 2024 will bring new challenges and opportunities and we must all work together to continue to grow the game in Waitaha “Canterbury”.
Ngā mihi,
Richie Milner
Chairman, Waitaha Māori Rugby
Community Welcome
Canterbury side ready for Southland battle in Ōtautahi
A return to Christchurch to round out a bruising storm week will see Reed Prinsep (Te Rārawa) return to lead Canterbury when they take on Southland in Sunday’s Bunnings Warehouse NPC fixture.
Prinsep has fought his way back from an achilles injury which largely kept him out of Super Rugby and most of this year’s NPC. The blindside will start alongside Joe Brial, who gets his first opportunity to start at number 8, and Tom Christie back at openside.
James Mullan gets his second chance in red and black following his debut against North Harbour and will be sandwiched between Joe Moody (Ngāi Tahu) and Carisbrook Toomalatai in the front row.
Senior lock Luke Romano will partner the energetic Tahlor Cahill (Ngāpuhi) to round out the starting pack.
“It’s great to have Reed back, “said Coach Marty Bourke (Tainui). “He’s a man that carries a lot of mana, so to have him back and out on the park is great for our group.”
“We’re really looking forward to seeing Joe apply himself at this level. He’s been playing really well for the Canterbury B’s and been in and around our group for a while now, so he deserves this opportunity.”
Dallas McLeod shifts back into the midfield alongside Ryan Crotty, with Mitchell Drummond starting at half back along side Fergus Burke at First Five. Ngatungane Punivai, Solomon Alaimalo and Chay Fihaki will again link up to create the back three.
Forecasted good weather awaits the two teams for Sunday afternoon footy, with tickets available from Ticketek here for the 2:05pm kick off.
16 Cantabrians named in Black Ferns and Black Ferns XV squads
Canterbury have had 16 players announced in the latest Black Ferns and Black Ferns XV squads, with both sides going into campaigns next week.
In the Black Ferns, Martha Mataele is set to earn her first cap, being called up for the first time. She will be joined by Christchurch teammates Rosie Kelly, Lucy Jenkins and Amy Du Plessis.
Lincoln University’s Amy Rule, Georgia Ponsonby, Alana and Chelsea Bremner will also feature as the Black Ferns prepare for the final Laurie O’Reilly Series and the WXV 1 series to be hosted in New Zealand.
The Blacks Ferns XV, who will be coached by Matatū’s Whitney Hansen, will feature players from all five Bascik Transport Premier Women’s clubs.
Lincoln University’s Maddi Robinson and Emma Dermody, HSOB’s Grace Brooker, Linwood’s Laura Bayfield, Christchurch’s Atlanta Lolohea and University’s Marcelle Parkes, Di Hiini and Holly Wratt-Groeneweg are all included in the squad to play Manusina next week in Auckland.
Congratulations to all the of our wāhine on another fantastic season, and some much deserved recognition for their continued excellent performances.
FPC Season Gallery
It was another awesome year for the Canterbury Farah Palmer Cup team, and although they fell short at the end, it was certainly a memorable and successful season! Check out the best shots from the season below!
Planning for life after rugby
With a eye towards the future, Marist Albion’s Manasa Mataele undertook a behind-the-scenes role with the Farah Palmer Cup (FPC) side this season, working with Canterbury’s talented outside backs group.
Husband of newly named Black Fern Martha Mataele, Manasa was able to add a players perspective to trainings, proving invaluable to the team’s trainings and match preparation.
“I’ve been lucky to be a part of professional environments for 8 years now,” said Manasa, “and being a current player, I feel you can add certain perspectives to the game, ones that are also relatable to the players too.”
Having completed his Foundation Coaching Course (World Rugby Level 1) and planning on doing the Developing Rugby Coaches Course (World Rugby Level 2), Manasa talked to the excitement that he gets from coaching.
“I love seeing people grow and get better. I have been mentoring outside of rugby, and coaching provides the natural next step for me.”
“It’s been great to be involved in an environment such as the FPC team, seeing how they train, finding the time to dive deeper and have a discussion to lead them in the right direction, it’s very rewarding, seeing them grow and get positive answers.”
Outside of supporting the FPC team, Manasa has been an integral part of the Canterbury NPC side for the past four seasons, making 23 appearances for the province.
A Fijian international, Manasa has been rehabbing an injury sustained in Round 4, and will be looking to make a return in Canterbury’s run towards the postseason and a push at another Bunnings NPC title.
Senior Representative Draw - 16 September
Canterbury B team to play Tasman B
HSOB Light Bears set to challenge National Final
The HSOB Light Bears have progressed all of the way through to the Final of the U85 Club Cup, taking place this Saturday at North Harbour Stadium.
Taking on home side Takapuna, the Light Bears have the chance to lift silverware for the first time, in what would also continue a dominant run for the South Island in the competition, with the Southern Bush Pigs, who the Light Bears defeated in Round 3, the winners of the previous two iterations of the tournament.
The match kicks off at 2:05pm, and will be broadcast live on Sky Sport 2. Good luck team, and we know all of Canterbury will be right behind you!
New Zealand U18 representative sides named
The New Zealand U18 representative sides have been named for 2023, with seven Cantabrians named.
Miles Toyota Premiership winners Christchurch Boys’ High School have three players in the New Zealand Schools side, Jake Frost, Manumaua Letiu and Marshall Blakely, while Shaun Kempton represents Selwyn Schools in the side.
Tasman product Cooper Roberts, who played his club rugby this year for the University of Canterbury, has made the NZ Barbarians side alongside St Andrew’s Radford Powell.
Lucas Te Rangi (Ngāpuhi/Ngāti Tūwharetoa - St Andrew’s College) is Canterbury’s sole representative in the New Zealand U18 Māori Ngā Whatukura.
New Zealand Schools:
Jake Frost (Christchurch Boys’ High School)
Manumaua Letiu (Christchurch Boys’ High School)
Marshall Blakely (Christchurch Boys’ High School)
Shaun Kempton (Selwyn Combined)
NZ Barbarians:
Cooper Roberts (University of Canterbury)
Radford Powell (St Andrew’s College)
New Zealand U18 Māori Ngā Whatukura:
Lucas Te Rangi (Ngāpuhi/Ngāti Tūwharetoa - St Andrew’s College)
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:
Book launch - Smithy
Former Canterbury coach and dual World Champion Wayne Smith is launching his book at his beloved Belfast Rugby Club on the 5th of October.
Join Wayne and a number of different team mates, coaching partners and former charges as they talk to the success of one of New Zealand’s best coaches.
Wayne's Book will be on sale for Wayne to sign, you can apply online for Tickets to smithiesbook@gmail.com
Developing Rugby Coaches Course - World Rugby Level 2
Canterbury Rugby is excited to inform our community coaches that our Developing Rugby Coaches Course application are now open to register to attend.
When: Friday 6th October (4:00pm-8:00pm) and Saturday 7th October (8:30am - 5:00pm)
Venue: Rugby Park – CRFU Offices
Recommended for age-grade coaches: U14 and above.
The DRC course will include the following content:
Role of the Coach and Coaching Styles
Principles of Play
Skill Analysis and Coaching an Individual Skill
Identities of the game: Backline attack, Breakdown Attack, Breakdown Defence, Counterattack, Kick Starts, Restarts, Scrum & Lineout
Planning – Season/ Session Growth and Development
Coach Development Opportunities
Spaces are limited and successful coaches will be notified directly in due course. This course is tailored for coaches that have completed a NZR Level 1 Foundation course and are currently coaching an Under 14 side or above.
We will still consider coaches who are coaching below U14 as long as they have completed their Level 1 Foundation and coaches who haven’t completed their Level 1 as long as you can provide evidence that you have done some form of formal upskilling coaching upskilling within the past 12 months that isn’t Rugby Smart.
Preference will be given to those coaches that can prove in 2024 they can complete a minimum of 50 hours coaching and visits form CRFU Game Developer as required.
To register please fill in the online form here: https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/253717
Registrations close 5:00pm, Tuesday, 26th September
For any questions, please contact your local Game Developer:
Metro: Riki Tahere riki.tahere@crfu.co.nz or Mark Croft mark.croft@crfu.co.nz
Ellesmere: Nathan Brown rdo@ellesmererugby.org.nz
North Canterbury: Craig Mullan craigmullan@ncrugby.co.nz
