Nā te Kāpene
Welcome from the NPC Captain
Ko Maungatere te maunga
Ko Rakahuri te awa
Ko Takitimu te waka
Ko Ngāi Tūāhuriri te hapū
Ko Maahunui II te whare tupuna
Ko Tuahiwi te marae
Ko Tahu Potiki te Tangata
Ko Kāi Tāhu te iwi
Ko Billy Harmon ahau
Thank you to everyone for all of your support so far this season. The noise from the crowd makes such an impact to myself and the team when we’re on the field, and we really appreciate our fans being there. I would like to congratulate all of the players named in their representative teams year, this is where the mahi you put in to the game really gets noticed and I’m so proud of how our Canterbury rep teams have performed for 2024 so far.
It is Māori language week, and I feel we’re so lucky to be in a country that has such a rich culture. Whether you’re Māori or non Māori, you’re born and bred in New Zealand or you’ve arrived from overseas – it is a language and culture for everyone to explore. I’d love to challenge everyone to learn a new te reo Māori word or phrase this week! Check out how we have embraced Māori language week in this edition of the Red and Black, our social channels and at the ground this Saturday when go against Counties Manukau. See you at the game repping your club colours!
Huri noa i ngā papa tākoro
Around the grounds
Whilst there has been a bit of time since our club season has finished the Community Rugby train keeps rolling on with a heap of Community Rugby being played across the South Island!
Here is a bit of a summary of what’s been happening over the last week and what’s coming up!
Canterbury Under 19 Boys won the South Island Tournament in convincing fashion with a win over Otago 40 -19. After previous wins over Southland (46-24) and Tasman (66 -24). Lots of talent on display and names to watch in the future.
Christchurch Girls High School 1st XV defeated a very competitive St Andrews College 1st XV in the Miles Toyota Cup Final 46-20.
A great game and a big effort from CGHS to back up from their appearance last weekend at the national top 4 finals. Amazing effort too from St Andrews to improve throughout the season and make the final in their first season in the competition.
Canterbury B Mens: Had a close loss in their match against Wellington 21- 22. They will look to finish their campaign on a positive note as they travel North to take on Tasman B this weekend.
Under 18 Girls: Our 2 Canterbury Under 18 Girls team went toe to toe against each other in Round 1 of the South Island Under 18 Girls Competition with the Black team defeating the Red side 29 -12 in an awesome match at Tai Tapu. The girls then headed over to Prebbleton and were very vocal in their support of the FPC team! This weekend the Canterbury Red team head up to Murchison to take on Tasman, whilst the Black team has the Bye.
Under 16 Boys: Our 5 Sub Union Under 16 sides are in the round robin stages of the South Island Under 16 Tournament.
North Canterbury 7 v Canterbury Metro Red 43
Mid Canterbury 24 v Canterbury Metro Black 55
Waitaha 5 v Ellesmere 43
This weekend Metro Black V South Canterbury and Metro Red V Ellesmere is happening at Tane Norton Park on Saturday.
Under 85kg National Competition Quarter Finals:
We had 2 Canterbury teams competing in the national Under 85kg competition quarter finals with a win and a loss between them.
Old Boys Uni Scallywags (Wellington) 7 v HSOB Light bears 25
Auckland Uni Slugs 32 v Linwood El Toros 24
The Semi Final will now be played on Saturday as a curtain raiser to the NPC game!
HSOB Light Bears v Auckland Uni Slugs 11:35am Apollo Projects Stadium
Click here to check out the full draw for the weekend!
Ka whakakotahi te ahurea Māori i te Karapu Whutupōro o Ōtautahi
Ōtautahi Rugby Club unite members through culture
The Ōtautahi Sports Association has been serving as a community hub for Māori and Pasifika whānau for up to four generations. Its members share a love for rugby but celebrating culture is also something they hold dearly.
Kaiden Jackson Brown (Rongowhakaata) has been brought up in the club and is a third generation rugby player. He considers it as a second home, which is what drives him to pursue his aspirations. Kaiden’s Mother is the club President, his father a player, “And then my Koro, who is my mum’s dad, played rugby” he said, “And then my oldest brother plays for the Mana senior team and my youngest brother plays rippa for the under 6′s.”
But sport is not the only purpose of this club. Club Chairman Aromia Merito of Ngāti Awa says culture is another habit of the club they like to foster.
“Other cultural activites and community kaupapa that we’re involved with, we have a hauora programme that we run, that includes mahi toi, māori arts and crafts, and we do waiata practice with our whānau and wider community,” she says.
Division two rugby coach Corey Te Rupe says he grew up around Ōtautahi, as his father was an early member of the club.
“I’m a second generation here in Ōtautahi. My Father was one of the early members in the club. He brought us in. From five-years old we were running around getting amongst it with everybody here, and grew up with a lot of the people that are still involved with the club today,” he says.
“Our kaupapa is heavily fostered on whanaungatanga and manaakitanga and what that means for our whānau who have come from the North Island,” Aromia says.
The Christchurch-based Rātā Foundation supports Ōtautahi Sports’ important kaupapa, and chief executive Leighton Evans says the club’s impact will be felt for generations to come.
Words by Michael Cugley for Te ao Māori News
Ko Te Kura o Hine Waiora te kapa whakaihuwaka
Christchurch Girls High School win Miles Toyota Cup Final
Canterbury Under 19s
Photographer: Kate Jensen
Photographer: Kate Jensen
Ngā āheinga whakawhanake mai te kapa Waitaha
Two players pathways to being selected for the Canterbury NPC side began through representing Canterbury Waitaha.
Canterbury NPC captain, Billy Harmon and 2024 debutant Tyson Belworthy both started from New Brighton rugby club and worked their way up to being named for NPC by playing for the Canterbury Maori representative side.
Belworthy, who has also played for Canterbury Bs, said the Waitaha team is rich in culture and an extraordinary environment not just for developing rugby skills, but growing a connection to his culture and heritage.
Both men, although playing for the side a few years apart, spoke about connection being “next level” with both players within the team and their supporters. “They encourage everyone” said Harmon, “everyone within the team is at different stages in their journey, but there is so much encouragement, they’re really great”.
Pathways through Canterbury Māori
“It’s an awesome environment to be in” said Belworhy, “it opened my eyes a wee bit, I saw a lot of Maori culture growing up, but nothing to the extent of the Waitaha team. The haka, pre match and after match traditions, singing waiata for the other teams… It’s pretty special”.
Harmon who played for the side a few years prior to Belworthy and has since captained the Maori All Blacks, says he’s seen the growth of Waitaha becoming a true pathway into NPC, “It was awesome for me, we had such a good time. I think back then it wasn’t an obvious pathway for people to carry on to the next level, but that view has definitely changed now. Using Waitaha and now the Pasifika team, it means more opportunities for more up and coming players”.
Te arotakenga o ngā kēmu NPC me te FPC
NPC and Farah Palmer Cup wrap up
RAUNA 5
ROUND 5
FPC V NORTHLAND
The Canterbury wāhine got to Kaitaia and it was donuts for dessert! Nine minutes in Palamo get’s five points on the wing, a few fierce minutes against the defence ended with Dermody dotting the ball down right on the post, then just five minutes after Gapper scores the conversion Laikong gets the third try of the game after a pick and go with the help of momentum from Dermody right behind her. The score was 19-0 to Canterbury at half time. Northland came back to the second half fighting, but the Canterbury defence was just too strong holding up a try at 50 minutes on the clock after multiple pick and go’s from the women in blue. The only points in the second half came from Palamo’s second try of the game bang on full time ending in 24-0 to the red and black!
NPC V OTAGO
NPC headed down south getting up 3-7 after just six minutes thanks to a beautiful try going through the hands of half the line up before getting put down by Rova. Half time we were down 7-16, but not for long. A penalty, then a try by McLeod after another hugely supported play got them up by one point. Just two minutes later McLeod showed the crowd his speed again, Christie took it further down the paddock then Brewis muscled through the defence and got down the try! On the 78th minute McAllister threw a line out, joined the back of the maul, ran it out and charged over the line – getting us that well deserved bonus point. Final score – 34-16.
RAUNA 6
ROUND 6
FPC V HAWKE’S BAY
With lots of potential in the first few minutes, Yoshida got the first try of the game, and her first in the jersey from the wing 9 minutes in. Anglesey made a huge run at 33 minutes on the clock, passing to Palu who charged to the try line, ignoring the boot that flew off her foot, flicked the ball up to Bodle who gets it over. Not even five minutes later, Ryan gets another try on the same wing. The wāhine got the crowd at Prebbleton going as the team carried the ball close to the try zone but lost it right on half time – leaving them up 15-7. Canterbury defence was tested at 57 minutes as they held up Hawkes Bay, then Vea put showed her power on the front line but spinning through the defence for the first try of the second half. Gapper made a clean intercept in our half and raced it to get five more points, then Vea rinse and repeats after a quick tap from Lynch Brown with just two minutes to go. Final score – 36-7 to Canterbury!
NPC V SOUTHLAND
Back down to the south again, one minute on the clock and Shearer has his first try in the red and black jersey! Three minutes later we’re at the try line again with a line out, Bell throws it long to Christie who pops it to Punivai then another pop pass to McLeod who gets the try! The hooter for half time goes and we’re back at the try line again, battling against the defence, the ball gets sent wide through McLeod, McNicoll then to Punivai who get’s it over the line. Half time score 24-17 to Canterbury. One minute into the second half the ball flew between Fihaki, Kellow, Ennor, back to Fihaki then in the hands of Shearer – dodging maroon all over the show resulting in Shearer getting his second try for Canterbury! Bell got the ball out from a rolling maul, it gets flicked out to the other side of the field and Punivai gets another try in the 49th minute. With eight minutes left, both teams have a bonus point, but we’re not finished yet – another show of the ball reaching from one side of the field to the other and back again, ending in Crotty putting it down over the line! Final score – 41-29 to Canterbury.
Tapanga tīma mō te rauna tuawhitu
Round 7 Team Lists
Ngā whakataetae me ngā kēmu e haere ake nei
Upcoming tournaments and fixtures
21 September
High Performance
Canterbury FPC
V Bay of Plenty Volcanix
Rotorua
12:05pm
Canterbury NPC
V Counties Manukau
Apollo Projects Stadium
2:05pm
Canterbury B
V Tasman B
Trafalgar Park
12:00pm
U85kg National Cup
HSOB Light Bears
V Auckland Uni RFC Slugs
Apollo Projects Stadium
11:30am
South Island U16 Boys Tournament
Canterbury Metro Red
V South Canterbury
Tane Norton Park
12:30pm
Canterbury Metro Black
V Ellesmere
Tane Norton Park
11:00am
North Canterbury
BYE
South Island U18 Girls Tournament
Canterbury Red
Murchison
12:30pm
V Tasman
BYE
Canterbury Black
Senior Boys
North Canterbury
Pleasant Point RFC
V South Canterbury
12:00pm
Rhodes Park
V Waitaha
Ellesmere
1:00pm
Junior Boys
North Canterbury
Woodend RFC
V Waitaha
1:00pm
Koru Games
24th & 25th September at Lincoln Domain. See Selwyn Sport Trust for complete draw
Ray White Rugby Volunteers Day
Is your rugby club like a second home? Whether you've been coaching, managing a team, helping out on committees, fundraising, or even whipping up kai in the kitchen, we want to say a huge thank you for making the game we love possible!
Come join us for a free fun-filled day at Ray White Rugby Volunteers Day, where we celebrate YOU and your amazing contributions!
Enjoy:
Sausage sizzle and refreshments
Canterbury stripes face painting
Meet and greet with NPC and FPC players (and maybe even join a touch rugby game!)
Bouncy castle and games
Behind-the-scenes Canterbury Rugby gym tour with NPC head coach Marty Bourke
Great deals on supporter merchandise
A chance to win a fabulous family corporate box experience!
Reconnect with your family after a busy season and enjoy a day of celebration and fun. We can’t wait to see you there!
Tuesday 1st October
4 - 5.30pm
Rugby Park, 5 Malvern Street St Albans
