NZ Universities team
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The 2019 NZ Universities squad has been named (one to be added):
Tyler Campbell (Waikato)
Luke Donaldson (Lincoln)
Kalin Felise (Marist, North Harbour)
Frazer Harrison (Auckland)
Taylor Haugh (Otago)
Joshua Hill (Otago)
Doug Juszczyk (Massey)
Sione Kilipati-Lea (Otago)
Maile Koloto (Auckland)
Caleb Makene (Lincoln)
Hauwai McGahan (Marist, North Harbour)
Connor McLeod (Otago)
Hamish Northcott (Massey, vc)
Stanley Paese (Waikato)
Rameka Poihipi (Lincoln)
Codi Rogers (Waikato)
Antonio Shalfoon (Lincoln)
Nic Souchon (Lincoln)
George Stratton (Lincoln)
Kirk Tufuga (Massey, c)
Te Rangitira Waitokia (Massey)
Angus Williams (Otago)Last seen on these shores in 2017 when they beat Kanto Universities in Hamilton, the NZU made a successful unbeaten tour of Japan last year. On Saturday April 6 (2.30pm kickoff), they will host Kansai Universities at University Oval in a full first-class fixture seeking to not just win but uphold the best traditions of university rugby, a legacy that stretches back to famous victories over the 1956 Springboks and 1977 Lions. Coaches Brendon Timmins and Simon Forrest will have their last hurrahs after five years at the helm of this unheralded side that has produced two All Blacks – Dillon Hunt and Brett Cameron – in their time and a host of Super Rugby and Mitre 10 Cup talent. NZU defeated Kansai 47-33 last year, and Timmins is expecting a very competitive opponent.
“In Japanese university rugby, they are pretty much training fulltime on top of their studies. They are strong, very fit, technically very astute and their game sense is getting better.” So NZU will need to attack Kansai at their strengths and execute the game plan. That will not be straightforward as NZU, which assembles on Sunday in Dunedin, will have no warm-up match, whereas Kansai faces Otago University on Tuesday. All four Otago NZU players will be released for that match, despite the injury risk.
From the original NZU squad selection, hooker Trent Lawn of Canterbury (UC) has dropped out due to a dislocated wrist. Lawn was a late injury replacement for the 2018 tour, so this is a most unlucky break for him. A replacement had yet to be added at the time of writing.
Some 10 are returning from the 2018 squad, and the backline, in particular, is full of versatile and promising talent. “We’re very fortunate that we’ve got most of the backline back, so that’s got Forry (Simon Forrest) pretty excited. There are some quality players amongst that,” says Timmins. There are indeed. The versatile Tyler Campbell, who starred for Waikato in the 2018 Mitre 10 Cup and is training with the Chiefs, can suit up in the outside backs or at pivot. He has been released by the Chiefs, but could be called back for injury, though that franchise does have a bye next week, which will help. Both outside back Caleb Makene and five-eighths Rameka Poihipi appeared for the 2018 Crusaders against the French Barbarians. Vice-captain Hamish Northcott is an NZU stalwart who has played Super Rugby for the Blues. Outside back Te Rangatira Waitokia of Massey is a 2016 Heartland Championship player of the year. The side will be led by No 8 Kirk Tufuga, who skippers Massey in Manawatu club rugby. He was a loan player to Wairarapa-Bush for the 2018 Heartland Championship and leads by example with his thoughtful, accurate play. Several other players have seen game time at Mitre 10 Cup level, including Otago prop Angus Williams, Canterbury hooker Nic Souchon, and Otago wing Taylor Haugh.
http://www.mitre10cup.co.nz/News/33891/nz-universities-primed-for-home-clash
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The NZ Universities team will compete at a World University Rugby Invitational Tournament, starting today (18 Sep 2019). The tournament takes place in Japan.
This is the NZ squad, with two changes: halfback Connor McLeod isn't playing because he has been called into the Otago Mitre 10 Cup squad and one name dropped from the screenshot, but is part of the squad: outside back Maioro Taylor (WU).
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Tournament schedule: https://www.wurit2019.com/schedule-and-results?fbclid=IwAR1lmxMxPRhK4Sqt05S2BGGrrgdQWsaR4gbx80NPjvcUJrlV3qtioTbFmZ8&lang=en
Apparently, videos of the games will be made available on YouTube.
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Due to COVID-19, the tour of NZ Universities to Japan couldn't go ahead. They'll still play some games, in NZ.
Times & venues still to be confirmed:
Game 1: NZU vs Cantabrians XV - Tuesday, 6 October
Time: 6:30pm or 7:30pm
Venue: Rugby Park, ChristchurchGame 2: NZU vs South Canterbury - Friday, 9 October
Time: 6:00pm or 6:30pm
Venue: Christchurch Park, Christchurch
NZU Squad:
Sam Lester (UCRFC)
Takaji Young – Yen (AURFC)
Nick Grogen (MRFC)
Joel Wisnoski (WURFC)
Te Ariki Te Puni (AURFC)
Patrick Thacker (LURFC)
Billy Coman (UCRFC)
Tumama Tu'ulua (AURFC)
Henry Bell / Sean Whitty TBC (OURFC)
Jack Mchugh (OURFC)
Kalin Felise (NH Marist)
Ryan Gordon (UCRFC)
Glen Beardsley (LURFC)
Graham Urquhart (OURFC)
Basil Aholelei (AURFC)
Tyrone Elkington (c) (AURFC)
Hamish Northcott (MRFC)
George Emosi (AURFC)
Isaac Leota (UCRFC)
Noah Foster (AURFC)
Josh Corrigan (UCRFC)
Ben Lewis (Napier Pirates)
Ryan Barnes (LURFC)
Jayden Falcon (MRFC) -
Obviously, no tour this year, but the NZ Universities team is playing two games against Heartland teams, to help them prepare for the Heartland comp:
Saturday 7 August 2021 - 2.30pm - Te Aroha
NZ Universities v Thames ValleySaturday 14 August 2021 - 2.30pm - Te Kuiti
NZ Universities v King Country -
I had totally forgotten about these games.
NZ Unviersities beat Thames Valley 20 to 17, last Saturday.
I haven't seen a match day 23.
2021 NZ Universities squad:
Sam Lester (UCRFC)
Harrison Dakin (LURFC)
Takaji Young Yen (AURFC)
Tumama Tu'ulua (AURFC)
Kale Thatcher (LURFC)
Julian Goerke (MRFC)
Cameron Church (AURFC)
Kalin Felise (MNHRC)
Henry Saker (AURFC)
Shun Miyake (UCRFC)
Maile Koloto (AURFC)
Isaac Leota (UCRFC)
Noah Foster (AURFC)
Te Wehi Wright (OBU)
Ryan Barnes (LURFC)
Harry Press (OURFC)
Joel Wisnewski (WURFC)
Joshua Policarpio (OURFC)
Tiaki Fabish (OBU)
Nathan Harris (AURFC)
Kieran McClea (OURFC)
Iziq Foai (OBU)
Jermaine Pepe (OURFC)
Bill Coman (UCRFC)
Eli Margison (AURFC)
Korie Winters (MRFC)A NZU women's squad will play a game against Ta$man on 18 September 2021 in Motueka.
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Announced two weeks ago:
2022 NZ Universities team (men)
Props
OURFC Carlos Polycarpio
UCRFC Sam Lester
WURFC Joel Wisnewski
AURFC Takaji Young-YenHookers
LURFC Lockie McNair
LURFC Harrison DakinLocks
OURFC Will Stodart
WURFC Tyson LowryLoosies
UCRFC Fletcher Anderson
AURFC Will Bason
OBU Jack Riely
MURFC Julian Goerke
LURFC Charlie Murry
UCRFC Ryan GordonHalfback
AURFC Henry Saker
WURFC Te Aonui Wharawhara-Muriwai1st/5/8
UCRFC Jack ParkerMidfield
OBU Te Wehi Wright
UCRFC Isaac Leota
WURFC Levi RewitiWings
OURFC Jeremiah Asi
AURFC Liam Brady
LURFC George CoullFullbacks
OURFC Jermaine Pepe
UCRFC Blair MurrayThey were still asking (eligible) clubs to nominate players from their women's teams, so the NZU women's team hasn't been named, yet.
Programme
Men
Two games confirmed:
vs Ellesmere Sub-union XV, 7pm Wednesday 10 August at Prebbleton RFC
vs South Canterbury, 2.30pm Saturday 13 August at Pleasant Point Domain
Women
Two games have been arranged and it is hoped that both will played at the University of Canterbury Rugby club grounds at Ilam:
vs Cantabrians XV, Sunday 25 September, time to be confirmed
vs NZ Defence Force, Saturday 1 October, time to be confirmed -
@Stargazer said in NZ Universities team:
I had totally forgotten about these games.
NZ Unviersities beat Thames Valley 20 to 17, last Saturday.
I haven't seen a match day 23.
2021 NZ Universities squad:
Sam Lester (UCRFC)
Harrison Dakin (LURFC)
Takaji Young Yen (AURFC)
Tumama Tu'ulua (AURFC)
Kale Thatcher (LURFC)
Julian Goerke (MRFC)
Cameron Church (AURFC)
Kalin Felise (MNHRC)
Henry Saker (AURFC)
Shun Miyake (UCRFC)
Maile Koloto (AURFC)
Isaac Leota (UCRFC)
Noah Foster (AURFC)
Te Wehi Wright (OBU)
Ryan Barnes (LURFC)
Harry Press (OURFC)
Joel Wisnewski (WURFC)
Joshua Policarpio (OURFC)
Tiaki Fabish (OBU)
Nathan Harris (AURFC)
Kieran McClea (OURFC)
Iziq Foai (OBU)
Jermaine Pepe (OURFC)
Bill Coman (UCRFC)
Eli Margison (AURFC)
Korie Winters (MRFC)A NZU women's squad will play a game against Ta$man on 18 September 2021 in Motueka.
To be eligible do you have to be a member of a 'University' club? Not just a student (who may play for another club)?
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I'd totally forgotten to keep an eye on the NZ Universities teams, until I saw a recent post on their FB. So now catching up.
To answer @booboo 's question first:@booboo said in NZ Universities team:
To be eligible do you have to be a member of a 'University' club? Not just a student (who may play for another club)?
This is from their FB page:
Who is eligible for NZU?
To be eligible for selection for the NZU Men’s and Women’s rugby teams, players must be either
(i) a current student attending a recognised NZ Tertiary Educational Institute, or(ii) be a graduate of a recognised NZ Tertiary Educational Institute, and in either case, the player must be playing for one of our NZU Rugby Constitutional Clubs.
There is no general age restriction for players to be considered for selection for NZU Rugby teams but certain Tournaments our teams participate in may have age restrictions imposed by the Tournament Organisers or by NZU Rugby Council.”
2022 NZU Men's Squad
Props
OURFC Carlos Polycarpio
UCRFC Sam Lester
WURFC Joel Wisnewski
AURFC Takaji Young-Yen
Hookers
LURFC Lockie McNair
LURFC Harrison Dakin
Locks
OURFC Will Stodart
WURFC Tyson Lowry
Loosies
UCRFC Fletcher Anderson
AURFC Will Bason
OBU Jack Riely
MURFC Julian Goerke
LURFC Charlie Murry
UCRFC Ryan Gordon
Halfback
AURFC Henry Saker
WURFC Te Aonui Wharawhara-Muriwai
1st/5/8
UCRFC Jack Parker
Midfield
OBU Te Wehi Wright
UCRFC Isaac Leota
WURFC Levi Rewiti
Wings
OURFC Jeremiah Asi
AURFC Liam Brady
LURFC George Coull
Fullbacks
OURFC Jermaine Pepe
UCRFC Blair Murray
The results of their games:NZU 54 - 26 Ellesmere Sub-union XV
NZU 33 - 35 South Canterbury -
Women
Two games have been arranged and it is hoped that both will played at the University of Canterbury Rugby club grounds at Ilam:
vs Cantabrians XV, Sunday 25 September, at UOCRFC ground at Ilam kicking off at 2pm
vs NZ Defence Force, Saturday 1 October, at UOCRFC ground at Ilam kicking off at 12.05pm -
@Stargazer said in NZ Universities team:
@booboo Maybe that's because they woulnd't have enough (good) players to fill a matchday 23?
Yeah. And so what?
It's different to back in the day I suppose anybody reasonable at rugby is a professional player from school. Back in the day players reflected a cross section of occupations in society.
Meaning a proportion of them were studying at Uni.
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NZU Tour of Japan 2023 – Squad Announcement
The NZ Universities Men’s squad has been named to tour Japan with a mix of experienced and young up and coming talent. The squad of 25 is set to tour Japan from May 21 – May 29 with games against Kansai RFC in Osaka, and Japan Under 20’s in Tokyo with both games doubling as first-class fixtures.
Coaches Jason Mclean and Tyrone Elkington are extremely excited by the squad that has been picked, with NZU veteran and ex-Manawatu Prop/Hooker Nick Grogan selected as captain. Grogan isn’t the only one with NPC experience, front-rowers Sam Lester & Te Ariki Te Puni both turning out for Auckland in 2022, and midfielder Noah Foster representing Ta$man Mako, all 3 players representing the Auckland University club.
A feature of the squad is 12 debutants, and good representation from almost all the NZU constituent clubs. Up front, Lincoln hooker Harrison Dakin brings an explosive running game, University of Otago lock Alefosio Aho represented the NZ Under 19’s last year, and flanker Josh Retter was voted Otago’s best club rugby player in 2022.
In the backs, University of Canterbury Blair Murray returns for his second year in the NZU setup, his speed and tackle breaking ability gives NZU a genuine game breaker and will be one to watch in Japan. Experienced campaigners Isaac Leota (UC) and Te Wehi Wright (OBU) bring wise heads on and off the field. In the outsides, there is talent to burn, with the Otago pairing of Jeremiah Asi and Jermaine Pepe coming into the tour off the back of some hot form. UC Rookie Cooper Roberts, who in his first season since leaving Marlborough Boys College has been turning heads in his first year with the Vipers and will be another to watch.
The team’s games are as follows:
Vs. Kansai RFC, Osaka, Wednesday 24th May
Vs. Japan Under 20’s, Tokyo Saturday 27th May