Wellington Lions 2023

[Stargazer]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/opinion/300846706/mark-reason-wellington-rugbys-finances-reflect-professional-rugby-teetering-on-the-brink

[maxwell]

Any response from the WRFU? Assumed they would have been out the gate to quell any concerns raised in this op-ed...then again it is Wellington

[Canes4life]

Not sure if this has been posted already but Brad Shields has been officially signed by the Lions for the NPC this year.

Good to have Brad back on board, I don't think he will start but his experience will be priceless for the likes of Delany, Lakai etc to learn from.

BRAD SHIELDS SIGNS WITH WELLINGTON RUGBY FOR 2023

[maxwell]

@Canes4life Cue all the fringe representative loose forwards looking elsewhere to stake their claim for higher honours

[Bones]

@maxwell said in Wellington Lions 2023:

@Canes4life Cue all the fringe representative loose forwards looking elsewhere to stake their claim for higher honours

Persico on the comeback too, let's get him back onboard.

[maxwell]

Tuitupou could prob do a job too...

[mikey07]

@Bones Imagine playing 10s and coming up against the rocket man.

[Darren]

Looks like Tamita Ellison is head coach for 2023

[Stargazer]

@Darren Yes.

https://www.forum.thesilverfern.com/post/814455

[Canes4life]

Wellington Rugby Football Union [WRFU] has today confirmed the three assistant coaches who will assist the recently appointed head coach, Tamati Ellison, for the 2023 Bunnings Warehouse NPC competition.

Current Wellington Lions scrum coach Greg Halford will be joined by Alando Soakai and Trent Renata, with the group to take up their respective roles ahead of the 2023 NPC season.

Wellington Lions wider coaching group confirmed

[Canes4life]

Connor Garden Bachop and Pepesani Patafilo have also re-signed with the Lions for 2023.'

[Winger]

@Canes4life

What happened to Tito. Shame as the forwards went well last year. I was hoping they could keep as many of the 2022 coaches as possible. Although at least it's Ellison's coaching team now

[foobaNZ]

@Winger good point mate. Completely slipped my mind Tito wasn't in that new group.
A shame if not he had that pack humming. I'd be pretty annoyed if he popped up elsewhere!

[mikey07]

@foobaNZ Surely can’t be a case of being unable to juggle the Blues and the Lions assistant coaching gig

[Nepia]

@maxwell said in Wellington Lions 2023:

Tuitupou could prob do a job too...

Bit embarrassing for a tough league forward to be taken out by a little rugby back.

[Canes4life]

Wellington Lions sign three up and comers on 2 year deals. I don't expect to see much of Ropeti unless injuries strike.

I'm hoping for a big year from Hugo Plummer, he's put on plenty of beef and is a sizeable lock with a good work-rate. In years gone past he's probably been a bit skinny for his height, but when he made his debut for the Canes against the Force this year, he looked significantly bigger than James Blackwell.

Wellington Lions Sign Three up-and-comers

Three talented local youngsters have inked deals with the Wellington Lions ahead of the 2023 Bunnings Warehouse NPC competition.

[Winger]

@Canes4life the article mentions the position of only one player. I looked it up and found there are two locks and one outside back .

[bobily2]

@Winger

Unless I missed something I don't think there are any outside backs there.

Hugo Plummer is a lock, Dominic Ropeti is a loose forward (but played lock for the U20 team recently - I'd be surprised if we saw him play there at NPC) and Bradley Crichton at prop.

[mikey07]

@Winger Yeah @bobily2 is right Crichton plays prop.

[Winger]

@bobily2 thanks. I quickly looked up his name and the position given was FB. My mistake

Shame the article didn't give some more info