NPC - news, injuries etc
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Tevita Koloamatangi’s days in the Mako jersey appeared to be over.
However, following a string of injuries to the team, Tevita was unexpectedly recalled to the squad after a five-year absence.The former Tongan-international is more than willing to offer his vast experience whether it comes in the form of getting back on Trafalgar Park or simply holding a hit shield for a teammate.
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(Again) proof that signing with an Aussie franchise doesn't have to mean that a player is lost to the NPC.
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I may have missed something but does anyone know what the go is with the remainder of the NPC?
From the remaining draw here - https://www.provincial.rugby/bunnings-npc/bunnings-npc-fixtures/ it has some teams finishing on 9 competition games played, and others on 8. For example Canterbury have three remaining competition games which will put them at 9, whereas Wellington have 1 comp game and two friendlies meaning they finish up on 8....
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@canes4life Wellington were scheduled to play both Auckland and NH so will get 2 pts for each game. Those games should count as competition games when friendlies are to be played.
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Season over: Rugby's Super City Series canned
The Auckland-based NPC teams will not be able to return to competitive rugby in 2021.
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Just had confirmation the game between Bay of Plenty and Northland will go ahead on Sunday , there was talk given the tragic circumstances of earlier this week that the game may be canned .
Many of Northland lads predictably are a bit down , but will no doubt go out and give what will be a very emotional occasion the respect it deserves .🙏🏼 -
@steven-harris I expect this game, along with the others will have plenty of emotion out there, Wainui played with guys form all over with the teams he represented, and with the mana he carried, they'll all be feeling it.
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One of Manawatū’s brightest young talents has recommitted to the province for two more seasons.
Blindside flanker TeKamaka Howden has re-signed for the team
Howden is attracting serious Super Rugby attention having been one of the side’s standout performers this year. -
Three forwards added to the SIT Zero Fees Southland Stags
Head Coach Dale MacLeod has confirmed three Southland forwards will join the SIT Zero Fees Southland Stags for the remainder of the season.
Shaun Stodart and Liam Udy-Johns of Marist and Star’s Jordan Stewart will join the side as of today.
The trio bring a mixture of experience to the squad, with Shaun Stodart bringing up several seasons with the Stags already and Jordan Stewart a player with 1st class experience and a leader within the Star Rugby Club.
Liam Udy-Johns joined Marist this season with a hope of making the Southland setup. -
The Southland-Northland National Provincial Championship game scheduled for Sunday in Invercargill will now be played a day earlier on Saturday.
Southland Stags coach Dale MacLeod said they were advised by New Zealand Rugby on Saturday of the change to the draw.
MacLeod said the shift would give Northland an extra day to get themselves sorted for a midweek game against Bay of Plenty the following week.
That Northland-Bay of Plenty was expected to play on Sunday (Oct 24), but was postponed given it was the same day as Bay of Plenty player Sean Wanui’s tangi. -
@stargazer have also heard that BOP have offered for Northland to host that game too (Covid permitting...) and are working through deets with NZR, similarly Northland wanted to host the match with HB, but they wanted to host it.
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Not sure we’re else to post this but good news for Manawatu for next year
Turbos first five-eighth Brett Cameron has locked in his future with the Manawatū Turbos.
The 25-year-old Whanganui-raised No 10 has been a standout in the green and white this season.
Cameron, who missed Saturday’s match with a minor injury,has signed for the Kamaishi Seawaves in Japan at the conclusion of this season. But he will return in time for the 2022 Bunnings NPC season.
Cameron joined Manawatū earlier this season after opting to leave Canterbury.
The one-test All Black had been starved of gametime at both the Crusaders and Canterbury.
But his arrival in Palmerston North changed that.
Cameron as had the No 10 jersey on lock down this year in Manawatū and arguably been the form first five-eighth in the competition.
He has played six games for the province, scoring 97 points including two tries and assisting four others.
Cameron is the second major re-signing in as many weeks for Manawatū after the union secured TK Howden for two more years next year.
Cameron and Howden joins a group of 18 players already under contract for 2022 – Harrison Allan, Joseph Gavigan, Shamus Hurley-Langton, Brayden Iose, Tyler Labscher, Siua Maile, Veikoso Poloniati, Aaron Smith, Ben Strang, Falesau Tauailoto, Ofa Tauatevalu, Micaiah Torrance-Read, Taniela Filimone, Ropate Rinakama, Ed Fidow, Tima Fainga’anuku, TK Howden, Brett Cameron.
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Manawatū Rugby media release: https://www.turbosrugby.co.nz/news/cameron-re-signs-for-manawatu
Edit: this either means that Cameron only has a one-year contract with his Japanese club, or that he has negotiated being able to play NPC before signing his contract with them.
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@stargazer said in NPC - news, injuries etc:
Manawatū Rugby media release: https://www.turbosrugby.co.nz/news/cameron-re-signs-for-manawatu
Edit: this either means that Cameron only has a one-year contract with his Japanese club, or that he has negotiated being able to play NPC before signing his contract with them.
Garden-Bachop was only signed on for one more year so maybe the Hurricanes have woken up and negotiated a deal to get Cameron in 2023. Something tells me I’m totally wrong though.
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He looks a different player at Manawatu, but with Aaron Smith at 9 and it being NPC level, the jury might still be out on whether he could bring that to Super rugby at the Canes (where he'll get significantly worse service).
I think he'd be a good pick-up though as he's probably better than Garden-Bachop.
