The Silver Fern

@Canes4life said in NPC 2024:

Anyone know if this game is being televised?

Sky TV is not screening the match. It will be streamed on HBRU Facebook page

Vahaakolo played for Massey in the North Harbour comp this year.

The Rugby Almanack got it right

In the video he says he is born and bred in Auckland.

This was the number of votes each provincial union had at last year's NZR AGM. It should be pretty close, if not exactly the same, to the number of votes each provincial union will have at the EGM on the 30th.

If there are 90 votes as last year, then 60 will be needed to pass either proposal.

@Duluth said in NZR review:

@Machpants said in NZR review:

No I don't think they've got it right, other articles mention NZR proposal, PU proposal, and NZRPA saying they want the pilkington in full.

Apparently not. NZR ditched their plan and are putting up the Pilkington proposal for a vote

From a paywalled NZH article:

That was until now, and the surprise announcement that the board has effectively given up trying to push its own strangely concocted and confused transitional plan to change its governance structure, and has instead decided to ask the unions to vote in favour of adopting the key recommendations of the independent review.

So it will be Pilkington vs the PU proposal

Here's some of the language for the PU proposal (@Winger this is the one you support right?)

that at least one board member has “lived experience, knowledge and understanding of te ao Māori in a complex organisational context”, and likewise, at least one member “must identify and have lived experience as Pasifika with ancestral and authentic cultural connections and an ability to apply a Pasifika world view in a complex organisational context”

Also the PU proposal will be finalised next week.. they are still writing it

As for support for the PU proposal?

Wellington chair Russell Poole says there is not universal support among the unions for their own proposal, but that until more detail is released about the alternative, it’s unclear how much support it will have.

No, the Pilkington report is not being voted on at the EGM on the 30th.

It is the NZR counter proposal v the Provincial Union's counter proposal.

NZR and the provincial unions are all set up as Incorporated Societies. They get an exemption from paying tax because they are set up to promote amateur sport.

The first 12 players, including ties, get automatic entry to the 2025 event.

Harry Godfrey was first five at Whanganui Collegiate and for Central HB prems when he played for them in the 2021 HB club comp. It was the 2021 Hurricanes U20 team where he was placed at fullback and seems to have been his position since. The Hurricanes U20 first five at the 2021 Taupo tournament was Aidan Morgan, also captain.
I'd like to see Godfrey again at first five as well, but it's still good experience for him at the moment.

@Bovidae said in 2024 Super Rugby U20s:

In 2023
Hayze Nepia played Heartland for Poverty Bay

Nicholas Muli played NPC for Counties Manukau

Semisi Tupou-Ta'elioa played NPC for Southland

Eben Claasen played Heartland for Whanganui.

Is Levi Hazelton any relation to Dennis Hazelton who propped for Waikato and Chiefs?

NPC draw will be released on March 6. FPC draw will be announced March 5.

Mohinder Amarnath played 8 Tests against the West Indies in 1983.

In the 5 Tests in the West Indies he had scores of:

29 40
58 117
13
91 80
54 116

598 runs/average 66.44

Later the same year, the West Indies returned the visit in India with six Tests. He had scores of:

0 0
1 0
(did not play)
(did not play)
0 0
(did not play)

@HLD2023Champions said in Highlanders 2024:

Hey team, just an update on the Highlanders player signings. I’m almost certain they’ve signed 118kg Tongan Flanker Lui Naeata. 29 years old, played most of his rugby in Japan.

Cheers.

Will probably explain why he played for NZ Barbarians against NZ Heartland on Saturday amongst a number of Otago club players.

Bring back Tomoana Tigers - THE league team of the late 70's early 80's.

When NZR wanted a 10-team competition for 2010 and onwards, the criteria for determining this was:

(1) Population - 10% weighting
(2) community rugby player,coach, referee numbers - 25% weighting
(3) playing history - 20% weighting
(4) player development - academy, players selected into Super Rugby and AB's - 15% weighting
(5) Financial position and performance - 30% weighting
The criteria to be averaged out over the 2006-2009 years.

From the media release

Unavailable for selection due to injury: Renee Holmes (shoulder)

Following a two-week preparation window, an exciting mix of experience and youth has been selected to light up FMG Stadium Waikato in front of passionate Black Ferns Fans (BFFs).

With 27 caps to her name, tenacious Northland lock Charmaine Smith returns for the first time since 2019. In-form Auckland Storm utility back Patricia Maliepo will join Smith in the starting fifteen, in her first start of the 2023 season.

Three hopeful debutants will be eager to take the field and inject plenty of energy following successful provincial campaigns; mobile Auckland loosehead prop Chryss Viliko, notable Manawatū loose forward Layla Sae, and illusive Canterbury winger Martha Mataele.

A powerful front row has been selected with Canterbury duo of hooker Georgia Ponsonby and tighthead prop Amy Rule, packing down with Northland’s loosehead prop Krystal Murray in just her second Test start. Maiakawanakaulani Roos will combine with Smith at lock to complete the tight five. Loose forward trio of Alana Bremner, Kennedy Simon and Liana Mikaele Tu’u will round out an experienced forward pack.

Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu and Ruahei Demant will direct play at nine and ten, while the dominant midfield combination of Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu Atai'i (Sylvia) Brunt and Amy du Plessis will start at 12 and 13. A youthful back three will see Katelyn Vahaakolo on the left wing, Mererangi Paul on the right wing and Maliepo at fullback.

Joining the debutants on the reserves bench will be Bay of Plenty hooker Luka Connor, Waikato’s tighthead prop Tanya Kalounivale, Canterbury loose forward Lucy Jenkins and teammate first five-eighth Rosie Kelly, alongside Taranaki halfback Iritana Hohaia.

Black Ferns Director of Rugby Allan Bunting said the Black Ferns are acutely aware of the challenges that lie ahead.

“We know that the Wallaroos will have progressed since we faced them in Brisbane during the opening game of the Pacific Four Series. We are aware of the challenge they provide, our wāhine have been working hard to be well prepared and ready for this weekend.”

“It has been a very tough selection, it’s great to be giving our new Black Ferns an opportunity that they have worked very hard for and reflects the growth in our team. We are looking forward to this weekend here in Hamilton, we will see where we are at this stage of our journey.”

“It is very exciting for our two returners, Charmaine and Patricia, to pull on the black jersey again. This is a true reflection of their commitment and mahi. For our debutants, they have been impressive, and this is an opportunity to take that next step. We are excited to see them enjoy the moment here at home in front of whānau,” said Bunting.

@sparky said in Golf:

Highlights of Fox Jr’s last, winning round at Wentworth.

Four of those birdie putts, including the last one, he knew the ball was going in - he was already walking towards the hole before the ball got there.

Flanders was rested this week, will be playing next week v Southland.

Fakatava was not available this week - he is in Fiji attending his brother’s wedding. I wonder if he would have gone to his brother’s wedding if he was in the AB’s in France ….

Hawke's team

15 Harry Godfrey
14 Ollie Sapsford
13 Nick Grigg
12 Chase Tiatia
11 Jonah Lowe
10 Lincoln McClutchie
9 Brad Weber
8 Devan Flanders
7 Josh Kaifa
6 Josh Gimblett
5 Tom Parsons (capt)
4 Geoff Cridge
3 Joel Hintz
2 Tyrone Thompson
1 Pouri Rakete-Stones

16 Kianu Kereru-Symes
17 Tim Farrell
18 Bo Abra
19 Frank Lochore
20 Sam Smith
21 Folau Fakatava
22 Stacey Ili
23 Paula Balekana

Return of Brad Weber and Jonah Lowe. No Marino Mikaele-Tu'u.

@Steven-Harris said in Ta$man v Harbour:

1976 Air NZ NPC Otago v Manawatu was a 0-0 score line if you deep enough you might find a game somewhere where the points were tries only.

The other one was 1983 - Otago v Auckland.

Both 0-0 draws were played at Carisbrook.