NPC - news, injuries etc

[Canes4life]

Stuff

This article suggests Fraser Armstrong (Manawatu) will be playing for Wellington this year.

[mikey07]

@Canes4life Yay 🙄 I used to think he was a good player but he has been shown up considerably in the last 2 games.

[mikedogz]

Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union

Experience and plenty of local talent key features as Cavaliers squad named

[Tim]

@mikedogz Interesting to see Matt Storm named. Will be good to see him at NPC level.

[Stargazer]

PIC Steelers announce Kerr and additional 2020 signings

Long-time PIC Steelers representative Baden Kerr will return to the province for the Mitre 10 Cup in 2020 with the union announcing 12 signings for this season.

The former Blues first-five eighth has been playing for the Honda Heat in Japan but returned home during the Covid-19 outbreak and is set for a third stint with his hometown team.

With first-five being such a pivotal position and the experienced Kerr being back in the region it became an obvious thing to ask the 39-cap Steeler to commit to playing the 2020 season.

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The 31-year-old made is a reliable pivot and outstanding goal-kicker. He will join returning PIC Steelers players Riley Hohepa and skipper Orbyn Leger as candidates to play in the number 10 jersey this season.

Also joining the union is Blues front rower Ezekiel Lindenmuth and former Auckland lock Lyndon Dunshea – the latter has linked with Waiuku Brian James Contracting for the club season.

Manurewa pair Pele Cowley (halfback) and Viliame Taulani (loose forward) have been rewarded for strong club form and have been given 2020 contracts.

Lock Mickey Woolliams returns to the PIC Steelers on the back of playing for Karaka in club rugby while All Blacks Sevens star Sione Molia will also represent the province this season with the Sevens program on hold.

Highlanders wingers Kirisi Kuridrani and Tevita Nebura have also both picked up PIC Steelers contracts once again while Johnathan Kawau (Bombay), Kalione Hala (Karaka) and Joseph Casey (Ardmore Marist) have also been rewarded with contracts.

The union will add some more signatures in the coming weeks.

[Stargazer]

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See also this media release on the Mako website: https://www.tasmanrugby.co.nz/news/mako-wider-training-group-side-to-play-wellington-named

[Bovidae]

Shalfoon has moved around in 12 months. Canterbury -> Waikato -> Ta$man.

[Bovidae]

Good to see some provinces have been proactive after the cancellation of the Heartland competition.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/sport/122113261/new-competition-saves-south-canterbury-rep-rugby-season

[Stargazer]

I haven't been paying a lot of attention to Sky's tv guide, but I just noticed that they're broadcasting the 1996 NPC 2nd Division Final between Northland and Southland on Sky Sport 1 (9.30pm).

I wish I'd kept an eye on it; I may have missed some good games.

[mikey07]

@Stargazer I was just watching it looking a sprightly David Howell, you should’ve they’ve had some good games on. It’s been really good seeing them the old players etc.

[Higgins]

@mikey07 And scrums not taking two to three minutes from start to finish.

[Stargazer]

[Stargazer]

Preseason games

Wed 22 July 2020 - 6.30pm - Massey Park, Papakura
Counties Manukau Cavaliers v North Harbour

Wed 29 July 2020 - 2.30pm - Lansdowne Park, Blenheim
Ta$man WTG v Wellington WTG

Fri 28 Aug 2020 - 4.30pm - Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe
Counties Manukau Steelers v Northland

Fri 4 Sep 2020 - time TBC - venue TBC
Bay of Plenty v Counties Manukau

Sat 5 Sep 2020 - 1.00pm - Ōtaki Domain
Manawatū Turbos v Wellington Lions

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If you know about more preseason games, please, post them here!

[Machpants]

@Stargazer Wow coming up fast!

[Stargazer]

@Machpants Yep, Mitre 10 Cup starts in less than 8 weeks!

[Yeetyaah]

Hoping for another preseason game in some random town in Waikato like the Taranaki v Auckland in Te Awamutu, was a good little game to go watch.

[Snollygoster]

I had heard that :-

Fri 28th August Katikati .. BOP v North Harbour.

Fri 4th September Whakatane.. BOP v Counties.

[Stargazer]

So, who do you think?

[Yeetyaah]

@Stargazer Liam Messam maybe? Facebook comments reckon it's Messam or Kerr-Barlow. Doesn't look like Kahui unfortunately.

[Stargazer]

@Yeetyaah Isn't Kerr-Barlow still in France?

Edited: I just checked. TKB is still contracted to La Rochelle. It won't be him.