NPC 2023
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Counties keeping it local for coaching.
Wheeler confirmed as Steelers assistant - Counties Sports Hub
McNamara Cup-winning coach Paul Wheeler has been confirmed as an assistant coach for the PIC Steelers for the upcoming Bunnings Warehouse NPC season. Wheeler was one of the key architects of Bombay’s five McNamara Cup titles in six seasons from 2014-19 and is renowned for possessing an exceptional...
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Any players you are particularly interested in watching this season?
For Hawke's Bay, Devan Flanders, because he's now becoming one of our more experienced players and he's had a great SRP season, so I kind of have high expectations now.
Then there's Tyrone Thompson, who'll now come into his 2nd year for us and with an extra year of SRP under his belt.
If he's not in the ABs, Folau Fakatava. He'd be disappointed, but hopefully keen to prove a point and get back into his best form. His restored combo with McClutchie should be good.
And probably our most exciting prospect, Harry Godfrey. He should get a lot more game time than last year. Hopefully Brock James is a better head coach and selector for us than Josh Syms, who didn't give him much of a chance.
We've lost several players to retirement, and will have more players unavailable due to the RWC than in other years, so there will be quite a few new players. No idea who they are yet, because the HBRU has been completely silent on signings.
Keeping my fingers crossed we get at least one Sullivan, this year. And, possibly, a younger Flanders.
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@mikedogz Is Miracle Fai’ilagi playing for Counties this season?
I haven't heard anything. If he turns up in team club team sheets that will give a clue. It looks like Potu Leavasa is back to counties. Sekope Kepu is back from injury, playing club rugby. Too old to be considered but interesting to see former Southland player Joe Tuineau playing for Karaka.
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Signed for The Manawatū Turbos We are excited to announce that The Manawatū Rugby Union have signed John Poland for the Bunnings NPC season!
John is an experienced halfback - he has represented Munster and more recently the New England Free Jacks in the MLR. John is well known as an attacking 9 with a real nose for the try-line as well as having an extremely strong kicking game.
We spoke to John about signing with the Turbos and coming to the Mighty Manawatū:
“The opportunity to play professional rugby in New Zealand has been a dream of mine and knowing some of the boys and Mike Rogers made signing a no brainer. Hopefully I’ll be lucky enough to pull the jersey on and represent the community and my family with pride. I’m looking forward to meeting all the people involved in Manawatū & travelling a beautiful country. Also hopefully growing as a player and a person."
What is Johns best rugby moment:
“Making my URC debut for Munster”
Manawatū Turbos Head Coach, Mike Rogers speaks on what stood out about John:
‘When searching for an experienced 9 to compliment Luke Campbell and Jordi Viljoen, John really stood out with the maturity of his play and his strong kicking game. John is an experienced professional player and will really complement our other two halfbacks.’
✨Congratulations John, we are looking forward to having you join the team!✨
#MakingManawatūProud #WeAreManawatū
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With Sanzar considering this,
Super Rugby to run from May to September, and the Rugby championship being played in October/November to an unprecedented autumn spot that aligns better with the northern hemisphere
or shifting the Rugby Championship from a winter/spring slot to the southern autumn, in which the four-team tournament would likely start in March..Under a proposal discussed at the SANZAAR table, Super Rugby would continue through the July Test window, with Test players absent. Sources say the three Tests could even be played as midweek fixtures, like State of Origin, and involve bye or split rounds to minimise the impact on Super Rugby, without halting the competition.
Where would that leave NPC.Chris the idea of RC moving to March was binned, I know Hamish McMouth said it was being considered still, bit Sanzaar basically said another case of Hamish mouthing rubbish. It won't work early for anyone including from money clubs in NH.
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Tasmanmako We’re excited to welcome Tom Marshall and Tim O'Malley back to our team for the season ahead
*possibly the worst-kept secret in Ta$man.
Tom joins us from his Japanese club @nec_gr_official and Tim returns after a stint overseas in 2022.
More signing announcements will come next week before the entire squad is announced at the end of July.
#FINZUP #2021reunion
