Thanks for your support through the season, we’ve really appreciated having you in the stands backing the boys.
Earlier in the year against Taranaki was a really special encounter, taking the game to Rangiora for the first time, and if that game is anything to go by, we’re in for a real thriller again tonight.
Our fans helped us get over the line that day, and we know wherever you are, you’ll be cheering us on loudly as we look to take one step further towards achieving our goal for 2023.
A home final is not off the cards either, so stay tuned and keep supporting!
Ngā mihi,
Billy Harmon
Bunnings NPC Captain, Canterbury Rugby Football Union
Community Welcome
Canterbury after momentum in New Plymouth
Building momentum is the overarching theme for Canterbury as they look to lock in a spot for next week’s Bunnings NPC Grand Final.
First Five Alex Harford is the only change to the starting line up that beat Auckland in the Quarter Final, as Head Coach Marty Bourke looks for consistency and continuity in his side to play Taranaki in New Plymouth on Friday. “Harfy put in a man of the match performance against Taranaki earlier in the year, he’s been really consistent and taken his opportunities when they’ve come his way, so we expect him to do that again on Friday.”
Harford comes in for the injured Fergus Burke, who injured his achilles against Auckland.
Experienced prop Joe Moody’s fit, so returns to the bench, alongside energetic youngster Tahlor Cahill, who replaces the injured Dominic Gardiner, while Joel Lam comes in for Willi Heinz at reserve halfback.
“There’s been a real edge at training this week,” said Bourke, “there’s a few bumps and bruises as expected for this time of the year, but the boys know what’s at stake.”
“We haven’t played our best rugby yet, but we’ve earned the right to be here fighting for another week, so we’re looking to get it right this week.”
Rameka Poihipi, who was exceptional stepping into first five due to the early injury to Burke last week, has again been named as second five, offering a second pivot option to Harford. Experienced Mitchell Drummond will lead the backline from halfback, while Dallas McLeod whose performances have also been building over the past few weeks will start at centre. Speedsters Manasa Mataele, Solomon Alaimalo and Chay Fihaki will combine as the back three, with lightning quick Blair Murray covering the outside backs.
Daniel Lienert-Brown, George Bell and Oli Jager will take the fight to the Bulls up front, with Zach Gallagher and Sam Darry packing down in the second row. Workhorse Billy Harmon will lead the side from the blindside, forming a formidable trio with Tom Christie and Cullen Grace in the loose.
Kick off is at 7:05pm on Friday and will be broadcast on SKY Sport.
Bedean Alaimalo enjoying the opportunity to pull on the red and black once again
Solomon Alaimalo has led a nomadic existence on the New Zealand provincial rugby landscape, but has relished the opportunity to return to Christchurch in 2023 and play for his home province.
Making his debut for Northland before stints with Tasman, Waikato and Southland, Alaimalo made his Canterbury debut against Wellington in Round Four, and has since become a mainstay in the side, forming a formidable back three with Manasa Mataele and Chay Fihaki for the majority of this year’s Bunnings NPC.
It’s a move the 27-year-old has loved, getting back to his roots and enjoying his rugby, after playing much of the season at his beloved Sydenham Rugby Club too.
“I’ve really enjoyed being a part of this campaign.” said Alaimalo, “I’ve always wanted to (play for Canterbury), and to have it come to fruition, I’m really grateful for the coaching staff in giving me an opportunity to come back.”
A member of the Crusaders Academy out of school, Alaimalo has also enjoyed the opportunity to connect with faces both new and old in the Canterbury environment.
“It’s been great to reconnect with those familiar faces. When we’re in the academy, you get to interact with those older guys like Romano and Moods, people like Drummy too, so it’s been good to get to know them more.”
“It’s been good to connect with some of the new guys too, the likes of Ngane, Chay and Blair too, it’s a great group of boys’.”
Heading into the semi finals of the Bunnings NPC, the goal is clear for both Alaimalo and Canterbury.
“It’d be special to have the chance to lift a title with the province I played my age grade stuff for. This group has worked so hard but we know we have to earn it this week in order to be here again next week.”
Alaimalo starts on the left wing in Canterbury’s Bunnings NPC semi final with Taranaki, with kick off 7:05pm on Sky Sport.
Misco Joinery proud to continue involvement in Rugby
Family operated business Misco Joinery has been proud to partner with Canterbury Rugby this season, as they proudly watch their name on the number 11 FPC and number 12 NPC jersey each week.
With humble beginnings working from the family home in 1988, Misco Joinery now employs over 50 staff and are excited to be coming on board with the red and blacks this season.
Director Glenn Colenso says he sees many similarities in Canterbury Rugby and Misco Joinery, in particular a “loyalty and pride” in wearing their badge. Speaking of his staff Colenso says, “The guys get a lot out of it and you feel like part of the team,” in particular watching Misco Joinery on the back of the Canterbury jersey “the players wearing our jersey have done pretty well!”
Understanding how important grassroots rugby is, Colenso began Misco Joinery’s connection with the sport by partnering his home club New Brighton, “grassroots is where is comes from” says Colenso.
His passion for rugby didn’t begin with just partnerships though – Colenso played for New Brighton before becoming a referee and plans to take refereeing back up again next year. “I’ve always been a Canterbury Rugby guy, from playing to refereeing.”
2023 Canterbury Rugby Awards - Community Team of the Year Finalists
Finalists for team of the year will be a tight knit group who have achieved more than the sum of their parts. They may not have been world-beaters, but they will have qualities as a group that embody everything that is great about rugby. They will have contributed to their club, community and whanau beyond game-time. They will embody diversity and inclusion, have helped out where needed, been a positive influence for the current and up-and-coming players around them - demonstrating what it means to be a member of their team and club in a positive way.
Check out why this year’s teams were nominated for the 2023 award!
Halswell-Wigram Battlers (Metro Classics)
The Battlers are a bunch of guys from all backgrounds and ages, whom wanted to play rugby and be involved with like-minded men. They have a huge emphasis on family's first, rugby second, games are played with the community in mind as well as supporting causes that affect each and everyone of us at some stage, with games being held to fundraise for mental health and breast cancer every year. Being the only senior team of the club, these men through subs and support are giving back to the junior side of the club to grow the community through sports and family supported environments. They have embraced classics rugby by hosting teams when playing at our home grounds with bbqs and making sure their families ate welcome and to be a part of what we share.
HSOB Light Bears (U85kg Club Cup)
The Light Bears took out the U85kg Club Cup, taking on team’s from around the country on their way to the title. They are a team made up of players from all mens grades in the club, with teams represented in the form of the Premier Mens, Prem Reserves Mens, Colts White and Blue and the Keiths from the Classics grade. They are coached by club legend Jack Hyde, who is assisted by Patrick Coady. The club gets right into behind these lads, who play an exciting brand of rugby and are leading the way in this space.
Oxford U18 (Combined U18 competition)
It would have been easy for this team to not have gone ahead this year as we could not field an U16 side this season but here we have a group of awesome young men who varied in ages from 15 upwards at the start of the season, some not very large boys but happy to go up against often bigger and older opposition to be able to play the game they love as this was the only team available within their club. Some of them have only been playing rugby for a couple of seasons, while some have been playing together through the grades since U6. They have turned around a two year drought of no wins to improve their game to start winning and eventually go all the way to win their U18 North Canterbury Final. They are a polite, humble and diverse group of young men who have varied interests from farming to gaming, yet they all share a love of rugby, have each other’s backs both on and off the field and enjoy socialising together.
The 2023 Canterbury Rugby Community Award winners will be announced alongside our High Performance and Representative winners at the end of October!
