Waikato 2023

[Bovidae]

Even though there are never any injury updates I did notice that Patrick McCurran has a moon boot on and in a post-game photo it looks like Rhys Marshall is on crutches.

Mitch Jacobson was one of the waterboys along with Messam.

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae Rhys Marshall was one of the commentators. Can't remember whether it was on tv or radio.

[Bovidae]

As the 2023 NPC is now over for Waikato I was curious to know how many players were used by Ross Filipo this season. Originally a 33-man squad was named. The replacement players used are in italics.

Hookers
Samisoni Taukei’aho - RWC
Rhys Marshall - played 2 games
Pita Anae-Ah Sue

Sean Ralph - NPC debut

Props
Ayden Johnstone
Ollie Norris
Mason Tupaea - NPC debut
George Dyer
Solomone Tukuafu
Gabe Robinson - never played

Tolu Fahamokioa

Locks
James Tucker
Laghlan McWhannell
Hamilton Burr

Tai Cribb - NPC debut
Zinzan Hansen - NPC debut

Loose forwards
Mitch Jacobson - played < 3 games
Patrick McCurran - played < 3 games
Samipeni Finau
Luke Jacobson - RWC
Simon Parker
Te Rama Reuben

Malachi Wrampling - NPC debut
Jack Lam
Xavier Saifoloi - NPC debut
Joe Johnston

Halfbacks
Xavier Roe
Cortez Ratima

Nui Muriwai - NPC debut
Quintony Ngatai - NPC debut

1st 5s
Damian McKenzie - RWC
Josh Ioane - played < 40 mins
Taha Kemara

Aaron Cruden

Midfield
D’Angelo Leuila - RWC
Anton Lienert-Brown - RWC
Bailyn Sullivan
Quinn Tupaea
Gideon Wrampling

Tana Tuhakaraina
Austin Anderson - NPC debut

Outside backs
Tepaea Cook-Savage
Liam Coombes-Fabling
Mosese Dawai - never played
Cody Nordstrom - NPC debut
Daniel Sinkinson

Aki Tuivailala - NPC debut

Therefore an additional 14 players had to be used during the season, and many ended up playing in a lot of the games.

Waikato’s final record was P11 W5 L6. On the strength of the end to the season and making the QFs, and taking into account the number of players missing at different times, I’d give a B grade. A lot of the debutants are 20 years old or younger so they’ve now had a taste of the NPC and can hopefully kick on in future seasons.

My MVP would be James Tucker with Simon Parker a close second (Ollie Norris was chosen in the WR awards).
My rookie of the year is Malachi Wrampling (Austin Anderson was chosen in the WR awards).

[Bovidae]

Rep Team Review | Waikato U18 Girls

Our first Rep Team Review of the 2023 season is that of our undefeated Waikato U18 Girls side. Coahed by Raquel...

[Stargazer]

Shoulder surgery?

[Canes4life]

@Stargazer could be his Super season.

[Stargazer]

@Canes4life I hope not. I guess it depends on what the problem was and the nature of the surgery.

[Canes4life]

@Stargazer hopefully it's minor clean up surgery.

[Bovidae]

Bailyn has had shoulder problems before hasn't he? I seem to remember seeing him with a sling in the past.

[Stargazer]

I noticed on Latrell Smiler-Ah Kiong's instagram that he will be in Portugal for the next few months, so I started digging for some info. This is what I found. Thought it was interesting.

Waikato News, Sport, New Zealand Herald, Sport, Rugby

Waikato coach off to lead Portugal's first professional rugby club

Travis Church gets opportunity to take reins at Portugal's first professional rugby club.

Te Awamutu Sports head coach and 2023 Hurricanes Poua assistant coach Travis Church has signed with S.L. Benfica Rugby - Portugal’s first professional rugby club.

The new S.L. Benfica head coach will bring Te Awamutu Sports reps Latrell Smiler-Ah Kiong and Manase Mohuanga to add to the Lisbon-based club’s roster.

Church says that professionalism is a major step in a positive direction for Portugal rugby.

“I’ve never been to Portugal. This is the second season of this team being professional. they had their inaugural pro season last year, 2022/2023, so it’s quite neat coming in the year after.

Former Chiefs player and ex-Portugal head coach Errol Brain had reached out to several New Zealand coaches asking if they were interested in the role and Church’s name got thrown into the ring.

[Bovidae]

@Stargazer Travis Church was also the coach of the Waikato Juniors (U20s), which included a lot of TA Sports players. Some of them debuted for Waikato in the NPC.