New Zealand Rugby complete school review, make 31 recommendations

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has today announced the completion of the independent review of New Zealand secondary school rugby.

...

Following a contestable process the review was led by EdSol NZ, an educational consultancy company, key recommendations include:

- Establish an advisory group (New Zealand Secondary Schools Rugby Union) to develop vision, values and strategy for secondary school rugby
- NZR Manager of Secondary School Rugby appointed
- Guidelines for both performance and non-performance grades
- Equitable resourcing of girls' rugby in co-ed schools and adequate resourcing in schools where girls' rugby is a "new" sport
- Guidelines for provincial unions and schools on format and form of secondary school rugby grades for both boys and girls

The report was damning of First XV rugby and the recruitment practices of some schools. 

"There is widespread concern over the impacts of player recruitment into selected schools. Some of these consequences may be unintended," it said.

"The perceptions that players are being over-trained, have a sense of entitlement and are denied other sporting opportunities are widely expressed. 

The report said the "lack of an overarching governance body" was a repeated message they received from stakeholders during the review. 

NZR chief rugby officer Nigel Cass acknowledged the review formed part of NZR's commitment to providing a world-leading school rugby system for all of its participants.

2019 contracted All Blacks 7s players:

Kurt Baker - Manawatu
Ngarohi McGarvey-Black - Bay of Plenty
Dylan Collier - Waikato
Scott Curry - Bay of Plenty
Sam Dickson - Canterbury
Scott Gregory - Northland
Trael Joass - Bay of Plenty
Niko Jones - Auckland
Andrew Knewstubb - Horowhenua Kapiti
Vilimoni Koroi - Otago
Luke Masirewa - Bay of Plenty
Tim Mikkelson - Waikato
Sione Molia - Counties Manukau
Jona Nareki - Otago
Amanaki Nicole - Canterbury
Joe Ravouvou - Auckland
Akuila Rokolisoa - Counties Manukau
Tone Ng Shiu - Tasman
Regan Ware - Taranaki

Just days out from the first HSBC World Series Sevens event of the year, the All Blacks Sevens have confirmed the final places in their 2019 squad.

Commonwealth Games gold medallists and World Cup winners Sam Dickson and Dylan Collier have recommitted to the side, Dickson through to the Tokyo Olympics and Collier for the 2019 season.

Also confirmed in the squad are Luke Masirewa, Tone Ng Shiu and Amanaki Nicole.

Dickson, 29, debuted for the All Blacks Sevens in Dubai in 2012 and is one of the team’s most experienced players with 42 World Series tournaments along with appearances as the Rugby World Cup Sevens, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games. 

Waikato’s Dylan Collier debuted in Wellington in 2015 and has gone on to be a regular fixture in the All Blacks Sevens, amassing 29 World Series caps. 

“Sam and Dylan have been two of the most consistent players in this team over the past few years and it’s important to have that sort of experience because in big moments they have been there and done it.”

Tone Ng Shiu, Amanaki Nicole and Luke Masirewa have all re-signed for the 2019 season.

Ng Shiu has been a part of the squad for two years, while Nicole made his debut in Hong Kong last year. 

Masirewa was selected last year after first appearing for the All Blacks Sevens in 2013, he is currently recovering from a shoulder injury. 

Not sure whether it has been posted before, but Beaudein Waaka has been training with the Melbourne Rebels since the beginning of preseason. I haven't seen any news of him signing with them. He was one of the few stand-outs for Taranaki in 2018, and I'd rather see him at a NZ franchise, but since nobody signed him, good luck to him.

All Blacks 7s wider squad for the Hamilton Sevens next week.

Fourteen players, so they'll have to drop two players.

Kurt Baker - Manawatu
Dylan Collier - Waikato
Scott Curry (c) - Bay of Plenty
Sam Dickson - Canterbury
Scott Gregory - Northland
Andrew Knewstubb - Horowhenua Kapiti
Vilimoni Koroi - Otago
Tim Mikkelson (c) - Waikato
Sione Molia - Counties Manukau
Jona Nareki - Otago
Amanaki Nicole - Canterbury
Joe Ravouvou - Auckland
Tone Ng Shiu - Tasman
Regan Ware - Taranaki

Laidlaw said the team has come into the New Year refreshed and there has been an edge at training as they build towards the Hamilton event. 

“Obviously we picked up some injuries through Dubai and Cape Town so to have those guys back fit, healthy and available for selection for a home tournament is encouraging. 

“We’re as close to full strength as you can get and we’re really excited about putting that squad on the field. There are a few guys that haven’t played much rugby since the World Cup so we need to train right and get into day one well prepared and hopefully build through the tournament as we go,” said Laidlaw.

Co-captain Tim Mikkelson returns to play at his home stadium after missing the opening two legs of the Series due to the birth of his first child. 

Joe Ravouvou is also set to don the black jersey for the first time since his blockbusting World Cup campaign last July, having gained New Zealand citizenship to make him eligible for the World Series. 

Black Ferns Sevens squad for the 2019 season:

Shakira Baker (Waikato)
Michaela Blyde (Bay of Plenty)
Kelly Brazier (Bay of Plenty)
Gayle Broughton (Taranaki)
Rhiarna Ferris (Manawatu)
Theresa Fitzpatrick (Auckland)
Huia Harding (Waikato)
Sarah Hirini (nee Goss) (Manawatu)
Jazmin Hotham* (Waikato)
Tyla Nathan Wong (Auckland)
Mahina Paul* (Bay of Plenty)
Risi Pouri-Lane (Tasman)
Alena Saili (Southland)
Montessa Tairakena* (Waikato)
Terina Te Tamaki (Waikato)
Ruby Tui (Bay of Plenty)
Stacey Waaka (Waikato)
Kat Whata-Simpkins (Wellington)
Niall Williams (Auckland)
Tenika Willison (Waikato)
Portia Woodman (Counties Manukau)

Three, young newbies. Not surprised to see Jazmin Hotham's name in this list; she was already a stand-out when she played for Hamilton Girls' 1st XV and 7s two years ago.

Will take some time to get used to Sarah Goss' new surname, Hirini.

“We have a great balance to the squad. There is a really good bunch of experienced players and now this younger group of new players that add real excitement to the mix.

“This year we need to qualify for Tokyo. We have started the season well but that just means more eyes are on us. The first focus is Hamilton, which is awesome for us to play at home for the first time and you can see all the players can’t wait to get there.”

Bunting said 2019 training contracts will be offered to players after this week’s development trial. Those players will be involved in the development team programme and train alongside the Black Ferns Sevens squad for 50 days throughout the year.

@Canes4life said in Mitre 10 Cup - news, injuries etc:

Anyone know how Tim Farrell is progressing?

Sorry, no idea, but he's a promising LH; the Canes would be idiots to let him go. We'll know more about how he's going once the Canes Dev team starts playing, provided he's picked.

For a future TH from the Bay, it will be interesting to see how Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe progresses this year - hopefully getting more Magpies caps after getting limited game time in 2018 due to injury - and I'm also keen to find out which province has nabbed Patrick Teddy from Napier Boys. Tavita-Metcalfe is definitely one to watch (one of the Hastings Boys 2017 champions team).

@Canes4life Yep, the Canes could have two Bay developed hookers in their squad in future. Kereru-Symes is already training with them; Tyrone Thompson is now on track, too.

I can't help thinking that Russell won't sit out the 3 years at the Turbos and has an out-clause in case he can get a SR gig, either as head coach or assistant coach.

@Nepia I hope he keeps his mitts off Bay players! I'm glad our squad is so young that most players have never played under him.

Of all provinces, he picks the Poo