NPC - news, injuries etc
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Snippets from an article in the NZH (pay-walled):
Wallabies centurion Sekope Kepu has opened up on the challenges behind his abrupt exit from London Irish and confirmed he could complete a surprise full-circle journey by playing for Counties Manukau in this year's national provincial competition.
Having returned to Auckland, where he spent 18 years before moving to Sydney and playing 110 tests for the Wallabies, the Herald understands Moana Pasifika have also expressed interest in signing Kepu, the three-time World Cup veteran.The former Waratahs Super Rugby champion initially planned to see out the season with London Irish, only to encounter visa issues with entering New Zealand. As an Australian citizen he had to apply for a single-entry spouse/partner visa and, as such, could not enter New Zealand alone.
"We never planned to move back to New Zealand," Kepu told the Herald. "We'd set up camp in Australia which is home for us. The kids were born there and we settled in quite well.
"Unfortunately with the Covid situation and the uncertainty of travel we made the decision to move back to Auckland to be closer to both our parents.Kepu is technically contracted to London Irish until June 30 but is then expected to play for Counties Manukau in the national provincial competition that begins on August 6. He would be the latest big-name signing for the Pukekohe-based union, with Blues No 8 Hoskins Sotutu switching from Auckland to join fellow All Blacks loose forward Dalton Papalii. Last year former All Blacks captain Kieran Read returned to his roots to pull on the Counties colours too.
Born in Sydney to Tongan parents, Kepu moved to New Zealand aged three and grew up in Glen Innes. He spent three years playing No 8 for the Wesley College first XV before former All Blacks scrum coach Mike Cron transformed him into a front-rower.
Straight out of school Kepu played for Counties between 2005-07 and was also selected in the New Zealand under 17s, 19s, 21s and in the Chiefs wider training squad, before breaking his collarbone and taking the leap of faith to join the Waratahs.
Depending how the provincial season goes, he could be back playing Super Rugby next year in Moana Pasifika's debut season.
"I'd love to be part of that. Nothing is set in stone ...
Unexpected move to NZ: Wallabies centurion eyes return to Kiwi team
"The plan was never to come back here but slowly things are looking brighter."
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@stargazer How on earth did Kepu never get citizenship?
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@nepia said in NPC - news, injuries etc:
@stargazer How on earth did Kepu never get citizenship?
You've got to apply, simple. It's not automatic, like residency. Same in Oz, but there you're pretty unlikely to get it!
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Posted here because of implications for the Southland Stags:
The injury woes just keep stacking up for Southland Stags coach Dale MacLeod in the lead up to the 2021 National Provincial Championship.
Former Otago midfielder Matt Whaanga, who has thrown his lot in with Southland this year, has broken his cheekbone. He is expected to undergo surgery next week to get a plate inserted.... However until the swelling goes down, and he undergoes surgery, MacLeod said they would be unsure what the injury will mean for the Stags.
The Stags coach expected Whaanga could potentially make a return in late July ahead of the Stags competition opener against Otago on August 7.
However, MacLeod said if the injury prevented him from doing little conditioning work it would be a tough ask chucking him straight into NPC level with little preparation.Woodlands introduced Stags loose forward Charles Aliamalo off the bench in the second half as he got through 40 minutes.
Aliamalo has returned from Italy where he was linked with the Zebre club.Star also handed its man-of-the-match honour to a new player to the club in the form of centre Jaylen Tuapola.
Tuapola is a former Hurricanes age-group player who is now having a crack playing in Southland. -
Reforging the Steelers is currently being streamed on Youtube. Interesting insight into the province:
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@stargazer said in NPC - news, injuries etc:
always liked him when he was with the Landers but was never given many chances and didn;t really kick on, good to see him back in NZ
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All Black Nehe Milner-Skudder is turning out for NP East Coast this weekend
June 3, 2021 NPEC NEWS
NPEC Coach Hosea Gear has named his 22 for the Centenary Match this weekend against Poverty Bay at Whakarua Park at 2pm.Several new caps have been included with the stand out being Nehe Milner-Skudder who will debut for the Sky Blues at Fullback along with Josh Deaden in the Starting XV.
On the Reserves Bench we see: Jody Tuhaka, Sam Matenga , Will Bolingford, Tanira Tamanui Nepia as possible new caps with Cap #1193 Richard Green, Cap #1182 Hamuera Moana and Cap #1179 Tipene Meihana rounding off the bench.
NPEC vs Poverty Bay
Saturday – 5th June
2pm Whakarua Park Ruatorea- Cap #1081 Perrin Manuel (VC)
- Cap #1192 Jorian Tangaere
- Cap #929 Adrian Collier
- Cap #1142 Paddy Allen
- Cap #995 Riki Waitoa
- Cap #1152 Trent Proffit
- Cap #1057 Hoani Te Moana
- Cap #1106 Hone Haerewa (C)
- Cap #1062 Sam Parkes
- Cap #1072 Te Rangi Fraser
- Cap #1162 Teina Potae
- Cap #1181 Tawhao Stewart
- Cap #1190 Tutere Waenga
- *New Cap #1198 Josh Dearden
- *New Cap #1199 Nehe Milner-Skudder
RESERVES:
16. *New Cap Jody Tuhaka
17. *New Cap Sam Matenga
18. *New Cap Will Bolingford
19. *New Cap Tanira Tamanui Nepia
20. Cap #1193 Richard Green
21. Cap #1182 Hamuera Moana
22. Cap #1179 Tipene MeihanaLeroy Kururangi – Manager
Morgan Wirepa Jnr – Forwards Coach
Laman Davies – Scrum Coach/hydration specialist
Amanda Foubister – Nutritionist/trainer
Hosea Gear – Head Coach -
@number-10 said in NPC - news, injuries etc:
Laman Davies – Scrum Coach/hydration specialist
lol sounds like a grizzled ex-prop who can still smash everyone at jug-races
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@number-10 i just saw that, thought he'd still be with the Highlanders, are we to read into this we dont see a future with him?
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It could be part of his re hab. Hika Elliot played a season at Poverty Bay then came back to super rugby.
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@mikedogz was he injured again after he played at the end of SRA? thought he was all good
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It sounds like a guest appearance for Ngati Porou East Coast. He has family ties to the region through his mother. It is their Centenary this year.
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Steve Jackson is back at Harbour.
North Harbour Rugby Union
The North Harbour Rugby Union was formed in 1985 and during this time has developed a reputation for playing colourful and entertaining rugby through all grades
9 Jun 2021
North Harbour Rugby name experienced Steve Jackson to form trio of Bunnings Warehouse NPC coaches.
North Harbour Rugby has confirmed a third Bunnings Warehouse NPC coach with Steve Jackson signing on to join the QBE North Harbour team for 2021.
Jackson has a wealth of coaching knowledge and was a former player around New Zealand and overseas.
He coached at the Blues, also took Samoa to the Rugby World Cup in 2019 and recently he was in charge of the Shimizu Blue in Japan, but the 48-year-old is happy to be home in New Zealand again.
“It’s great to be home and spend more time with my family. Japan was great and we were in the second division and made the top two in our pool and played the semis. Our team in Japan worked first and trained in the evening, 14-15 hour days. It was like club rugby in a way,” said Jackson.
“The Japanese people have been through a lot. But they even managed to get some crowds to rugby. They are very passionate about everything they do. But when it comes to rugby Kiwis are more natural and instinctive with the game.”
It is the second stint as a coach at North Harbour after he was last in charge of the side in 2014-16 taking the team from Championship to Premiership.
He joins the two other QBE North Harbour coaches in Ben Afeaki and Daniel Halangahu.
“Dan and Ben are both outstanding coaches. When I was given the call, I didn’t hesitate to come back. I’m looking forward to it. Dan and Ben are easy to work with, great coaches and great people too. We got a good crop of players and I’m sure we can do well.”
Among his coaching experience have been earlier roles with the Blues Development, Blues 10s, Ta$man and Counties Manukau among others. As a player he spent time at Southland, North Harbour and Ta$man and the Maori All Blacks.
Head of Performance at Harbour rugby, Alex King is pleased to be working with Jackson again.
“He’s a good coach and knows Harbour rugby. It’s great to have him back again as part of the team. He’s got great skills, plenty of respect and will work well with Dan and Ben too. We’ve got a great trio to take the guys forward for what should be an exciting season.”
With the full list of fixtures for the competition released QBE North Harbour has home matches this season against Waikato on Sunday 8 August to open the season and then other matches at North Harbour Stadium where they take on Southland, Ta$man, Manawatu and Northland.
There is also a potential Ranfurly Shield challenge against Hawkes Bay in Napier, Friday 10 September.
