NPC - news, injuries etc
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@Stargazer said in Mitre 10 Cup - news, injuries etc:
F*ck them! Really great if you can't live in your home province and go to games!
New Zealand Rugby will ask Sky TV to consider a domestic competition where some games arenât shown live. The radical shift is being driven by a survey of 2500 fans around the shape of the Mitre 10 Cup as NZR prepares to go the broadcast market after the existing deals expires this year. Sky is in the box seat but they are no longer the only option, with Spark keen to increase its sports coverage. NZRâs head of participation and development, Steve Lancaster, told me on Radio Sport that the survey showed fans like the Mitre Cup, its format and the fact itâs a national competition. âBut it doesnât take a lot to figure out that crowds have declined at matches over recent years.â One reason for that is Skyâs saturation coverage - something NZR now wants to reconsider. âOne thing we are considering and are putting to them (the fans surveyed) is âare the times of days and days of the week this competition is played something that is impacting your decision as to whether you want to go along and watchâ? âWhat we are hearing is more afternoon games would be positive and more games on the weekend. âIf you put more games on the weekend you will have two games at the same time potentially, which is a consideration for the broadcaster who likes to broadcast every game live. âBut, equally, if every game is not broadcast live there might be more incentive for people to get along and watch it themselves.â This potential shift in the broadcast agreement comes at a time when Lancaster is considering a raft of potential innovations in an effort to rejuvenate the game for fans and players.
Live NPC matches may be axed in TV deal
New Zealand Rugby will ask Sky TV to consider a domestic competition where some games arenât shown live.
Just wondering, if they decide not to broadcast certain games live on Sky tv, does that in any way impact live commentary on Radio Sport? Will we still be able to follow non-televised games live on the radio? @Steven-Harris, do you know?
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@Stargazer that will be interesting,I am not to sure..
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Confirmed
The Hawkeâs Bay Rugby Union this morning announced the return of former Magpies Captain and talisman, Brendon OâConnor and the signing of exciting young Hurricanes and New Zealand Maori lock Isaia Walker-Leawere to the Magpies squad for the 2019 Mitre 10 Cup.Both players hail from Poverty Bay, having been schooled at Gisborne Boys High School.
âBrendon is an extremely popular figure around the Bay for the commitment and uncompromising standards he set while playing here between 2013 and 2015 and will be fondly remembered for leading the Magpies during their successful shield tenure. It is fantastic to have a player of his professionalism and character in our leadership mix for the upcoming campaignâ HBRU CEO, Jay Campbell stated today.
OâConnor has been plying his trade with the Leicester Tigers in the English Premiership since leaving the Magpies and has played an integral part, playing 73 games over the 4 years with the Tigers. Magpies Head Coach, Mark Ozich added. ââweâre extremely honored he chose to return to the Magpies over many other unions who were chasing him for his services. Heâll certainly add to our depth across our loose forwards and provide vital leadership in what looms as an exciting and tough season ahead,â
âPlaying and living in HB was a real highlight in my playing career and Iâm excited to be able to return and play in the black and white hoops and I will be doing everything asked of me to help the Magpies and secure a successful campaignâ OâConner said today.
Exciting young Hurricanes and NZ Maori lock/loose forward Isaia Walker-Leaware has signed a three-year contract to play his provincial rugby for Hawkeâs Bay.
The former Gisborne Boys High School and age group star moved to the capital after school and has represented Wellington in the Mitre 10 Cup and is currently a permanent feature of any Hurricanes match 23.
Walker-Leaware says ââIâm really excited for a new challenge with Hawkeâs Bay and challenging the experienced guys in the team for a starting spot and helping the Magpies win trophies. Iâve heard through my mates within the âcanes and Maori about how much fun the environment is and I am looking forward to being part of it.
Walker-Leaware also confirmed that ââThe move to the Bay also helps me get closer to my family in Gisborne and also my partners family based in Waimaramaââ
Magpies coach Mark Ozich confirmed that ââItâs great to have Isiah commit to the Magpies. He is a powerful ball carrying forward who will compliment others in our forward pack well. The fact that he can play lock and loose forward is a real bonus and we are looking forward to adding his abilities into a very capable team. Itâs great that Izzieâs parents and family will be in closer proximity to him and having them here during home games will no doubt make these games even more specialââ
Hawkeâs Bay Rugby Chief Executive Jay Campbell confirmed ââHawkeâs Bay rugby tried securing Isiah to join our academy when he was a raw boned promising talent at Gisborne Boys High but sometimes the timings and circumstances donât align. We certainly welcome him with open arms, now that he wishes to make the Hawkeâs Bay his home.ââ
ââThat Izzie (and Choona) have committed to Hawkeâs Bay Rugby illustrates the great culture and environment that our coaching and management staff are creatingââ
OâConnor is expected to return to New Zealand from travelling through Europe at the end of the month and be available for the Magpies pre-season game against Waikato in Taupo towards the end of July. While Walker-Leaware will report for Magpies training alongside his Hurricanes team-mates once their super rugby commitments are over.
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Ta$man HP squad for the preseason game in and against Wellington on Wed 3 July:
Central Rugby Club
Braden Stewart, Timoci TavatavanawaiMarist Rugby Club
Samiuela Moli, Leopino Maupese, Julius Togafau, Jacob Norris, Taina Fox-Matamua, Sam Briggs, Jamie SpowartMoutere Rugby Football Club
Ben FinauNelson Rugby Football Club
Kershawl SykesâMartin, Sosefo Vaka, Isaac Salmon, Isaiah Miller, Willi Havili, Tima Faingaanuku, Nick FoxleyRenwick Rugby Club
Mike Vaeno, Quinn Harrison-JonesStoke Rugby Club
Blair Prinsep, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Anty Burnett, Declan SmithWaimea Old Boys Rugby Club
Campbell Parata, Michael StringerWaitohi Rugby Club
Taine Cragg-Love, Fetuli Paea
So, despite being spotted in Auckland, Willi Havili is still with Ta$man.
Tima Fainga'anuku has returned from France. -
Anyone posted the Canterbury WTG? As below. Great spread of clubs represented. Despite finishing the initial club season round robin in third, Marist Albion once again doesn't feature at all. No Crusaders obviously. I'd say there is only six guys in this group who've played NPC.
2019 Canterbury Wider Training Group:
Jarvis Wallace (Belfast)
Mena Tukana (Belfast)
Sorby Sorvea (Belfast)
Connor McManus (Burnside)
Dustin Coveney (Burnside)
Junior Ratuva (Burnside)
Cam Bailey (Christchurch)
Henry Saker (Christchurch)
Hugh Renton (Christchurch)
Will Tucker (Christchurch)
Alex Harford (High School Old Boys)
Hamish Munroe (High School Old Boys)
Mitch Gibson (High School Old Boys)
Ollie Knopp (High School Old Boys)
Antonio Shalfoon (Lincoln University)
Harrison Courtney (Lincoln University)
Josh Bokser (Lincoln University)
Nic Souchon (Lincoln University)
Rameka Poihipi (Lincoln University)
Sam Gilbert (Lincoln University)
Troy Hallett (Lincoln University)
Gibson Popoalii (Linwood)
Inga Finau (Linwood)
Tepasu Thomas (Linwood)
Seb Siataga (New Brighton)
Tim Murgatroyd (Prebbleton)
Tom Brand (Prebbleton)
Richie Asiata (Shirley)
Suia Maile (Shirley)
Cameron Powell (Springston)
Sam Cottam (Springston)
Matt Tuala (Sumner)
Samu Tawake (Sumner)
Judah Gawith (Sydenham)
Brodie McAlister (Sydenham)
Caleb Aperahama (Sydenham)
Josh Aileone (Sydenham)
Sam Matenga (Sydenham)
Matt Letoga (University of Canterbury)
Harry Kirk (Waihora)
Players unavailable due to NZ U20 commitments:
Shilo Klein (High School Old Boys)
Cullen Grace (Lincoln University)
Fergus Burke (University of Canterbury)
Dallas McLeod (Christchurch)
The 2019 Mitre 10 Cup campaign kicks off on 8 August, with Canterbury's first game away to Waikato on Saturday 10 August. Maddock will name his 2019 Canterbury Mitre 10 Cup squad in July.
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@Chris said in Mitre 10 Cup - news, injuries etc:
@shark A bunch of The Canterbury u/19s from last season in that group but a lot of Crusaders plus Daniel Lienart-Brown,Sali Tokalani,Reed Prinsep,Josh McKay maybe Luke Whitelock if he doesn't make WC to come into the M10 squad.
Yeah of course. Plus potentially the U20s. The actual Canterbury squad won't resemble the WTG at all.
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I doubt they'll play, but good to see Tepasu Thomas and Gibson Popali'i get shown some recognition with good club form. Thomas is in the Romano mould where he's very strong in the tight and Popali'i can play at 10 or 12 and has been one of Linwood's best this year. I was impressed with his distribution and especially his running game from what I've seen of him.
Could do with some more New Brighton players however haha.
