NPC - news, injuries etc
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They may have been fierce rivals through the years, but New Zealand Rugby and Llanelli Scarlets are developing a connection to enhance both organisations.
In the years of the amateur game pre-1996, the All Blacks and the Scarlets base club, Llanelli, featured in some great contests, notably the 1972 9-3 win for the Welsh club. But in the professional era, players, then coaches, have made a connection with the club. Most recently, New Zealand coaches have served at the club. As part of Brad Mooar's return to take up a place as an All Blacks' assistant coach, after only three months of a three-year contract last year, the Llanelli club negotiated an elite performance partnership with New Zealand Rugby (NZR). Mooar had followed Wayne Pivac when he moved to the Wales coaching role. And when Mooar returned to New Zealand, former Highlanders assistant coach Glenn Delaney took over the role with Ben Franks as his scrum coach, and former All Blacks captain and hooker Sean Fitzpatrick joining the club as a board member. That's not to forget the many battles sides from Llanelli had played against touring All Blacks sides in the amateur days, including their famous 9-3 win in 1972. Scarlets' general manager John Daniels is heading the relationship, according to The Rugby Paper. Daniels said the relationship 'looks at ways we can bounce ideas off each other and come up with provoking thoughts and innovations that might take things forward.' "It's a critical friend-type approach, looking at what we do and maybe suggesting new ideas. I'd like to also think they might take something from us," he said. As was the case with English club Harlequins, who also have a formal relationship with NZR, the Welsh side is looking to send some of its younger players to play in the Bunnings Warehouse NPC this year, as Joe Marchant had played Super Rugby for the Blues. Opportunities in New Zealand for the Scarlets' young players, whether in the provincial or club championships, would add to their development. "It would be a great rugby experience for them, but also in terms of life experience, they come back and probably be a more rounded and mature individual. "Being a professional athlete, it can be difficult to get real-life experiences, so the ability in a managed and controlled way to get players out there is a definite plus and something we have discussed with New Zealand. "The same opportunities exist for us to get staff down there and for the New Zealand Rugby Union to have staff come up and work with us. "Those are the concepts being fleshed out at the moment," Daniels said. -
@taniwharugby said in NPC - news, injuries etc:
@kiwiwomble yeah I had this discussion with people saying they should boycott Maccas, Subway etc post lockdown in favour of local businesses.
I am all for supporting local, but these types of business as usually franchised, so locally owned too, employing locals, and both of those mentioned are big on supporting community sports (KFC are big on supporting sports, but I think they are not locally owned - is it Yum Brands or some massive organisation?)
I cant remember the last time I had Maccas or Subway!
Aussie money works ok over here too though?
I've been to Maccas more in the last two weeks than in the last three years - due to the Cookie Time McFlurry.
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@bovidae Just to highlight this part of the quote:
As was the case with English club Harlequins, who also have a formal relationship with NZR, the Welsh side is looking to send some of its younger players to play in the Bunnings Warehouse NPC this year, as Joe Marchant had played Super Rugby for the Blues.
Opportunities in New Zealand for the Scarlets' young players, whether in the provincial or club championships, would add to their development.So don't be surprised if we end up with Welsh players in our provincial teams, taking the place of a local player.
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@stargazer i don't really have an issue with it if they come here and demand selection via club footy, then good on them.
Think there are benefits for both sides, particularly if they have also come through national age group or other elite type programs.
We have had a few players who were other nationalities over the years, a couple that have gone on to represent thier countries (other than the islands) but these have usually been 1 a season as opposed to several in a season.
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I see no benefit to making our opposition better.
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@taniwharugby said in NPC - news, injuries etc:
@stargazer i don't really have an issue with it if they come here and demand selection via club footy, then good on them.
Think there are benefits for both sides, particularly if they have also come through national age group or other elite type programs.
We have had a few players who were other nationalities over the years, a couple that have gone on to represent thier countries (other than the islands) but these have usually been 1 a season as opposed to several in a season.
yeah, i dont have a problem as long as the come over with no guarantees, join a club and earn a spot, i honestly want to see the Highlanders and otago win just as much as the AB's
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@stargazer wonder how they managed that? well done
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Reading the article about the Highlanders U20s the last paragraph says this:
Ozich has already returned to Hawke’s Bay to plan for the upcoming Bunnings NPC competition, with the Magpies’ first pre-season game against Waikato just three weeks away.
I assume this will be the game in Taupo.
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@kiwiwomble said in NPC - news, injuries etc:
@stargazer wonder how they managed that? well done
Seems to be good management during COVID disruptions and staff/management taking short term hits for the long term survival.
Could also be that their sponsors had a boom year. Aren't they held up by the Licensing Trust? Maybe it's a profit share? I imagine that booze sales were quite healthy down there during lockdown.
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Hearing there is a current Auckland NPC lock that has signed for Counties Manukau also Kieran Fonotia is playing club footy in the Manawatu so we may see him in a turbos jersey in 2021
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@steven-harris said in NPC - news, injuries etc:
Hearing there is a current Auckland NPC lock that has signed for Counties Manukau also Kieran Fonotia is playing club footy in the Manawatu so we may see him in a turbos jersey in 2021 and Canes jersey in 2022.
Seems like the type of old man pick up the Canes would go for.
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@steven-harris said in NPC - news, injuries etc:
Hearing there is a current Auckland NPC lock that has signed for Counties Manukau also Kieran Fonotia is playing club footy in the Manawatu so we may see him in a turbos jersey in 2021
Addition by subtraction for Ta$man.
