Farah Palmer Cup 2020
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Discussion of this competition.
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The Farah Palmer Cup schedule has been released.
Different from previous years, the competition is not split in a Premiership and a Championship division, but in a North and a South pool.
North:
Northland, North Harbour, Auckland, Counties Manukau, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and TaranakiSouth:
Canterbury, Manawatu, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington, Tasman and OtagoOne of the consequences is that teams in pool South only play 5 round robin games, while North teams play six.
The top two teams from each pool take part in crossover semi-finals and the Final will be held a week later on 17 October.
Link to the draw: https://www.provincial.rugby/farah-palmer-cup/fixtures-and-results/
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Portia Woodman and Tyla Nathan-Wong will join the Northland Kauri, Sarah Hirini will don the green strip of the Manawatu Cyclones while Ruby Tui will be eying up a debut for the Auckland Storm.
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Canterbury will have to defend the JJ Stewart Trophy against Tasman, Otago and Wellington in their three home fixtures.
The JJ Stewart Trophy is the women's version of the Ranfurly Shield.
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Good idea, reduces traveling costs in a comp that bleeds money. Until some businesses decide to sponsor women's rugby to the same amount they do men's, you gotta feel for NZR. They have to promote the weekends game, but no one wants to pay for it. Or, numbers wise, watch it.
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Waikato have a lot of players in the BF sevens squad so hopefully they all are playing in the FPC.
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One very big downside of this north-south schedule is that there are going to be some really one-sided games with monster scores. Some provinces are relatively new to FPC, or have been absent for years and have only just returned (to the Championship div), or are weak for other reasons. Teams like Taranaki, Tasman and possibly North Harbour are going to get hammered. Northland, because it gets a few superstars, will probably go relatively well. Canterbury is missing out on some of their strongest competitors (Auckland, Counties) and get an easier route to the finals than in previous years, just like Auckland and Counties don't meet Canterbury in the rr.
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I've posted the Hawke's Bay Tui squad in this thread.
This is the Tasman Mako women's squad (pool South):
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Is Risi Pouri-Lane playing for BOP and not Tasman?
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@Bovidae Yes, I think so.
I haven't seen squads other than those of Tasman and Hawke's Bay, yet. What I know is that most BF7s are spread over a limited number of NI squads, like Woodman and - I think - Nathan-Wong will be in the Northland squad, Ruby Tui, Theresa Fitzpatrick and - I assume - Nial Williams will play for Auckland (maybe a few others, too), Sarah Hirini will play for Manawatu (as always), Gayle Broughton used to play for Taranaki, but not sure where she'll play this year, and the majority of players for BOP (including Pouri-Lane, Blyde, Brazier). Not sure about other provinces. Maybe Terina Te Tamaki will play for Waikato?
It's a pity that only some squads get to benefit from the BF7s playing FPC.
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Waikato could potentially have 7 of the BF7s players but I think I read that Te Tamaki will be playing for BOP.
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The opening two rounds of the Farah Palmer Cup will not go ahead as scheduled, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has announced today. The North pool of the premier women’s competition was due to kick off next Saturday 22 August, with North Harbour hosting Waikato, Counties Manukau playing Bay of Plenty and Northland hosting Taranaki. NZR Head of Women’s Rugby Cate Sexton said: “With Auckland-based teams unable to train or host matches for the next 12 days due to Level 3 restrictions, the decision has been made not to start the competition next weekend. "We’ll now discuss with Provincial Unions and the Players Association around the different options for revising the draw. The Farah Palmer Cup is an exciting competition and we know our teams and fans are looking forward to it getting underway.” The Farah Palmer Cup will be played in two pools split geographically with Northland, North Harbour, Auckland, Counties Manukau, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Taranaki making up the seven-team North pool and Manawatu, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington, Tasman, Canterbury and Otago in the South pool.
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Spirit Squad
The Otago Spirit squad announcement:
Otago Spirit
The squad
Eilis Doyle, France Bloomfield, Meg Breen, Rosie Buchanan-Brown, Lucy Cahill, Paige Church, Jamie Church, Cheyenne Cunningham, Amy du Plessis, Maddie Feaunati, Teliah Ferguson, Julia Gorinski, Sarah Graham, Morgan Henderson, Keely Hill, Tegan Hollows, Trisha Hopcroft, Maia Joseph, Rosie Kelly, Leah Miles, Gemma Millar, Kilisitina Moata’ane, Libby Napier, Isla Pringle, Bree Thomas, Rebekah Wairau, Hinemoa Watene, Kiana Wereta, Zoe Whatarau.
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@taniwharugby Good squad with several Black Ferns and Black Ferns 7s players. Noticeable omission is talented youngster Savannah Bodman, who showed much promise last year. Attending uni and in one of the main centre squads, like some of the other small province talent?
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Counties and Auckland will be weaker this year with many of the Black Ferns playing for their home province.
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Wellington Pride Wider Training Group Announcement
The Wellington Pride wider squad is:
Mata Taafua - HOBM
Tyler Bentley - HOBM
Ana Afuie - MSP
Caitlyn Taniela - MSP
Cheyne Copeland - MSP
Jane Bryce - MSP
Lyric Faleafaga - MSP
Marcelle Parkes - MSP
Monica Tagoai - MSP
Saraya O’Dea - MSP
Dhys Faleafaga - Norths
Dora Laupola - Norths
Harmony Ioane - Norths
Kolora Lomani - Norths
Nina Foaese - Norths
Sanita Levave - Norths
Syntyche Tuimaolo - Norths
Te Amohaere Ngata-Aerengamate - Norths
Vaine Marsters - Norths
Emily Dalley - OBU
Georgia Daals - OBU
Moana Solia - OBU
Montana Heslop - OBU
Thamsyn Newton - OBU
Amanda Rasch - Ories
Ayesha Leti-I'iga - Ories
Barbra Taumoli - Ories
Bernadette Robertson - Ories
Charlene Gubb - Ories
Evelyn Tea - Ories
Fa'asua Makisi - Ories
Janet Taumoli - Ories
Joanah Ngan-Woo - Ories
Josephine Falesita - Ories
Precious Auimatagi - Ories
Rejieli Uluinayau - Ories
Sinead Toala-Ryder - Ories
Tina Paulo - Ories
Acacia Claridge-Te Iwimate - Pare-Plim
Alia Ah Far - Pare-Plim
Lavinia Lea - Pare-Plim
Alice Soper - Petone
Alicia Print - Petone
Angel Uila - Petone
Jackie Patea-Fereti - Petone
Milly Mackey - Petone
Soraya Umaga-Jensen - Petone
Rebekkah Carter - Poneke
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@NateHill74 At least three Black Ferns and two Black Ferns 7s players (there may be more; the BFs have capped quite a few rookies last year, who I don't recognise yet).
Also an Umaga-Jensen. Sister of?
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@Stargazer She's played for Wellington in 2008, Otago in 2017, and yes she is the sister of the Umaga-Jensen brothers
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Very strong Canterbury squad:
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Black Fern Olivia Coady reappears having last played in 2012.
No sign of Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox who was on 97 games at the end of 2019 ?
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@Number-10 Yeah, I wonder what happened to Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox. Also, only one of the Curtis twins; Taylor Curtis not in the squad.
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The Farah Palmer Cup, which was initially scheduled to start this weekend, has been re-scheduled due to the Level 3 lockdown in Auckland, which affects several squads in Pool North.
Here is the media release: https://www.provincial.rugby/news/new-farah-palmer-cup-start-date-confirmed/
And here is the new schedule, with the first round to be played on 5 and 6 September: https://www.provincial.rugby/farah-palmer-cup/fixtures-and-results/
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Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox is about to have her second child.
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QBE Harbour Hibiscus Squad:
Forwards: Olivia Ward-Duin, JayJay Taylor, Shawn Lomu, Finesa Makasini, Toa Filimoehaha, Lynn Koleman, Daniela Haigh, Amy Robertshaw, Clementine Varea, Anita Berry, Sophie Fisher, Caroline Sio, Tearren Nanjan, Manutalaaho Huni, Brooke Ellison, Kate Williams (c), Pia Tapsell, Tenaija Fletcher, Jess Delany.
Backs: Hailey Beale, Anna Powdrell, Tamea Te Rauna, Hailey Hutana, Olivia Waldron, Renee Adams, Mikayla Robinson, Zakiya Kereopa, Danielle Mellow, Latisha Trigwell-Achmad, Mollie Tagaloa, Losi Mafi, Phoenix Littin.
http://www.harbourrugby.co.nz/news/2020-qbe-harbour-hibiscus-squad-announcement/
So that's where Hawke's Bay's Anna Powdrell has ended up! I think this must be Hailey Hutana's third squad after Manawatu and Tasman? The big name is, no doubt, Black Fern Pia Tapsell. Also rookie BF Liv Ward-Duine. One Dutch test player: Lyn Koleman.
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Among the favourites?
2020 Bay of Plenty Volcanix squad:
Abbey Grainger - Prop (Mount Maunganui)
Alena Saili - Outside Back (Mt Maunganui)
Amanda Aldridge - Lock (Rangiuru)
Angel Mulu - Prop (Mount Maunganui)
Azalleyah Maaka - Midfield Back (Rangataua)
Baye Jacob - Prop (Rangiuru)
Braxton Walker - Prop (Rangiuru)
Brooklyn Teki-Joyce - Loose Forward (Rangataua)
Destiny Iraia - Loose Forward (Mount Maunganui)
Esra Van Ramele - Utility Back (Mount Maunganui)
Hope Garner - Half Back (Rangataua)
Hope Parata-Kingi - 1st Five-eighth (Rotoiti)
Karli Faneva - Lock (Mount Maunganui)
Kelly Brazier - 1st Five-eighth (Rangataua)
Kelsie Wills - Lock (Mount Maunganui)
Kendra Reynolds - Loose Forward (Rangiuru)
Kiki Tahere - Outside Back (Rangataua)
Kura Waller - Hooker (Rangataua)
Layla TeRiini - Midfield Back (Rangiuru)
Les Elder - Loose Forward (Rangataua)
Lisa Egberts - Half Back (Mount Maunganui)
Liv Richardson - Wing (Rangataua)
Luka Connor - Hooker (Rangataua)
Mahina Paul - Utility Back (Rangataua)
Mererangi Paul - Midfield Back (Rotoiti)
Michaela Blyde - Outside Back (Rangiuru)
Nat Delamere - Hooker/Loose Forward (Rotoiti)
Renee Wickliffe - Outside Back (Rangataua)
Risi Pouri-Lane - Utility Back (Rangiuru)
Ruby Tawa - Loose Forward (Rangataua)
Sela Moata'ane - Loose Forward (Mount Maunganui)
Tynealle Fitzgerald - Loose Forward (Mount Maunganui)https://www.boprugby.co.nz/news--information/2020-bay-of-plenty-volcanix-squad-named/
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None of the Waikato BF7s players in that squad so good news.
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Anyone know if Niall Williams chose not to play or simply wasn't picked?
Tenika Willison played club rugby in the Mount but has been back training with Waikato FPC.
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@trooa The Auckland squad hasn't been named, yet. Don't be surprised if Niall Williams plays for Auckland.
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Manawatu Cyclones squad
Lauren Balsillie, Lucy Brown, Laura Claridge, Carys Dallinger, Katelyn Donaldson, Rhiarna Ferris, Vaine Greig, Sarah Hirini, Ashleigh Knight, Marilyn Live, Crystal Mayes, Lavenia Nauga-Grey, Jayme Nuku, Kaipo Olsen-Baker, Caterina Poletti, Rachael Rakatau, Layla Sae, Kahu Sturmey, Rangimarie Sturmey, Kayln Takitimu-Cook, Sosoli Talawadua, Ngano Tavake, Jashana Teawiri, Sam Tipene, Montel Vaiao Aki, Janna Vaughan, Kaia Walker-Waitoa, Taylor Waterson, Alesha Williams, Selica Winiata
Coaches: Fusi Feaunati (Head coach), Caleb Agnew-Jones (Assistant coach)
Incoming players
Sarah Hirini (Black Ferns Sevens), Rhiarna Ferris (Black Ferns Sevens), Caterina Poletti (Taranaki), Vaine Greig (former NZ Sevens, unavailable last season), Alesha Williams (Taranaki), Taylor Waterson (Australia)Outgoing players
Kristina Sue, Kahli Tipene (pregnant), Nicci Kuiti, Shanna Solomon, Mahalia Polson, Jessica Fagan-Pease (injured)
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Last Friday or Saturday, there was a preseason game between Waikato Women and BOP Volcanix. Waikato won 22 to 21.
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@Stargazer Where was that game played?
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@Bovidae I think it was in Tauranga. I saw it in Waikato's or BOP's instagram stories. Unfortunately, those stories disappear after a while, so it's gone now.
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Not as many of the BF7s women as I expected.
This seasons squad features five current Black Ferns players, Chelsea Alley, Stacey Fluhler, Carla Hohepa, Toka Natua and Kennedy Simon and four Black Fern Sevens players, Cheyelle Robins-Reti, Huia Harding, Stacey Fluhler and Tenika Willison. 2019 Farah Palmer Cup captain Chelsea Alley retains the captaincy for the 2020 season. Alley will be joined in the leadership group by 2019 Female Club Player of the Year and Manatiaki Award winner, Chyna Hohepa, as her vice-captain.
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@Bovidae Still way more BFs and BF7s players than many other provinces. Good squad!
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Maybe the younger girls (Hotham, Tairakena, Te Tamaki) aren't playing XVs.
Unless there is a typo, both Hohepa sisters are listed as forwards. Carla was in the midfield for the Black Ferns last year.
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@Bovidae Yeah, I noticed that, too. Carla has always been a back.
Renee Holmes is also someone to watch. She's a former Gisborne Girls' student, who made her FPC debut for Hawke's Bay when still at school. Over the years, she has won several sports awards in different sports and has moved around a bit. Last year, she was one of the three female winners of Ignite7s. I think she's now in the BF7s development squad.
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2020 Auckland Farah Palmer Cup Squad:
Saphire Abraham (College Rifles)
Tamara Ati (College Rifles)
Eloise Blackwell (Ponsonby)
Sylvia Brunt (Ponsonby)
Moana Cook (Ponsonby)
Rosie Cox (College Rifles)
Taylor Curtis (Marist)
Ruahei Demant (College Rifles)
Princess Elliot (Ponsonby)
Theresa Fitzpatrick (Ponsonby)
Grace Freeman (College Rifles)
Aldora Itunu (Ponsonby)
Grace Kukutai (Ponsonby)
Tafito Lafaele (Papatoetoe)
Shannon Leota (Ponsonby)
Patricia Maliepo (Marist)
Charmaine McMenamin (Ponsonby)
Liana Mikaele-Tu'u (College Rifles)
Natahlia Moors (Ponsonby)
Shannon Muru (Ponsonby)
Joeannha Naime-Purcell (Ponsonby)
Daynah Nankivell (Ponsonby)
Aleisha-Pearl Nelson (College Rifles)
Lovely Pulotu (Marist)
Lydia Quedley-Turua (Ponsonby)
Maia Roos (College Rifles)
Ti Tauasosi (Marist)
Vineta Teutau (Marist)
Cristo Tofa (Ponsonby)
Luisa Togotogorua (Marist)
Leianne Tufuga (Marist)
Mele Tu'inukuafe (Ponsonby)
Chryss Viliko (Marist)
Olivia Waldron (Marist)
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Plenty of Black Ferns in that squad. I see only one current BF7s player (Fitzpatrick). IIRC, Princess Elliot is a former Ignite 7s winner; I don't know whether she's in the BF7s development squad.
I knew Mikaele-Tu'u had moved to Auckland to go to Uni. It looks like Taylor Curtis may have done the same, coming from Canterbury.
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Former Black Fern at Mako helm
The Tasman Mako women have called on the services of a former Black Fern in a bid to reach the heights of their male counterparts.
Mel Bosman brings a wealth of experience to the role having played in two Rugby World Cups and making almost two decades worth of provincial appearances.
After going 2-7 to finish fourth out of six in the championship in 2019, Mel hopes to make the Mako a force in provincial rugby.
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Week 1 fixtures
Waikato v Northland Kauri
Saturday 5 September
12.30pm, Waikato University Rugby Club, Hamilton
Downer Match Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr
Watch: The match will be live streamed on the Waikato Rugby Facebook pageCounties Manukau Heat v North Harbour Hibiscus
Saturday 5 September
2.35pm, Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe
Downer Match Referee: Mike Winter
Watch: Live on Sky SportTaranaki Whio v Auckland Storm
Sunday 6 September
12pm, TET Stadium & Events Centre, Inglewood
Downer Match Referee: Brittany Andrew
