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Ranfurly Shield, ITM Cup & Heartland Championship: NZ domestic comps 2015

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waiopehu oldboy

waiopehu oldboy

George Smith (75)
ITM Cup & Heartland Championship still ~6 weeks away but the first Ranfurly Shield challenge for 2015 was played today, holders Hawkes Bay seeing off Wairarapa-Bush (once & briefly a Div 1 side, these days mid-table in the HC) 58 - 7 with Zac Guildford making a return for the Magpies.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...e-off-wairarapabush-to-retain-ranfurly-shield


Nek week the mighty 'nua will roll into Napier & quite possibly get flogged by a similar margin, followed by Mid Canterbury who earned a challenge by winning the 2014 Meads Cup. After that the Shield is on the line for every HB home game in the ITM Cup, excluding playoffs.

ITM Cup draw here:

http://www.itmcup.co.nz/Fixtures

Heartland Championship draw here:

http://www.heartlandchampionship.co.nz/Fixtures
 
Dan54

Dan54

David Wilson (68)
Geez I really ready for ITM cup, my fav comp.
I see they got buses lined up from Levin to Napier for the Mighty Nua challenge WOB, think with a couple of night acoomadation. I suspect it could be a fairly good if somewhat boozy trip!!
 
Hugh Jarse

Hugh Jarse

Rocky Elsom (76)
Any Aussies in ITM Cup this year?

With NRC now up and running, I'd anticipate that there are less crossing the Tasman for ITM Cup experiences than there were before NRC kicked off.
 
Dan54

Dan54

David Wilson (68)
Haven't heard of any HJ, but haven't seen squads as yet. I like you suspect the numbers would of disappeared, especially as those that got super contracts have to play NRC, rightly so in my opinion.
 
waiopehu oldboy

waiopehu oldboy

George Smith (75)
Dan54 said:
Geez I really ready for ITM cup, my fav comp.
I see they got buses lined up from Levin to Napier for the Mighty Nua challenge WOB, think with a couple of night acoomadation. I suspect it could be a fairly good if somewhat boozy trip!!
Click to expand...

Never did Levin to Napier for footy, only ODI cricket incl the 1992 CWC match v Zimbabwe. Provided one out of the Gorge, Track or Saddle are open I reckon she'd be a good day-trip, lots of pubs at regular intervals (even if most of them will be serving Tui).

Sadly this is about as close as Corey Kennett (these days CEO of HKRFU) & Ryan Shelford (RDO) will be getting to The Log:

image.jpg


I'm guessing you'll remember Corey but Ryan may be after your time.
 
Dan54

Dan54

David Wilson (68)
Yep, I remember Corey well, known him since he a young fella in schoolboy rugby. Top bloke , was a bloody good player, but shouldn't be running Nua rugby while still being so aligned to COBs, (he actually still played for their 2nds last year). And no don't know Ryan. Actually Corey even had a game for Logan while on hols here a few years back.
Only times I did a Napier trip for rugby was once as a player in Golden Oldies (in the REAL original Crusaders), and once with the Waiopehu 1st fifteen as 1st aid and supporter. Must admit the GO trip involved the odd beer or 2!
 
B

BaysideBird

Bill Watson (15)
Could be another cold and rainy day at McLean Park next week. Hawkes Bay should (will) hold the shield throughout the Heartland challenges. I'm surprised that the home match against Taranaki in three weeks time isn't a shield match though. I guess the Bay only want to put the Shield up only if they have to. To tell you the truth if everything goes alright, the Bay has a chance to retain the Shield the entire season.
 
Dan54

Dan54

David Wilson (68)
Geez WOB, that is a different load to be on a tanker, hanging over the edge of the gorge. Nothing like it for being closed at inopportune times, and I can tell you, get half way across in a bus, then do a u-turn and go over the saddle road can create havoc with a Golden Oldies team playing in Porongahau, hell the extra beer we drunk on the way to match didn't really see us in top playing condition!!
 
Hugh Jarse

Hugh Jarse

Rocky Elsom (76)
Doing a U-Turn in a bus on that road would be an exercise in precision driving.

Those familiar with Shute Shield rugby in Sydney may remember Rohan Saifoloi (former Southern Districts) who is listed in the Tasman Makos team.
Rohan.jpg


Another Mako is former Randwick player, Peter Samu
Pete-Samu.jpg


http://www.makos.co.nz/team

Cameron Skelton (brother of Will) is apparently playing with Waikato Mooloos, although I can't find confirmation of this.

David Morris (formerly of Newington College) is also lurking around the Waikato Mooloos scene.
http://www.mooloocommunityrugby.co.nz/news/2014-club-rugby-preview/

Mike Kennedy (Sydney University and Riverview) is in the Auckland Academy and may get some ITM Cup time.
http://www.ponsonbyrugby.co.nz/large-gallery-article/new-season-brings-new-challenges/148089/337125/
 
waiopehu oldboy

waiopehu oldboy

George Smith (75)
Hugh Jarse said:
Doing a U-Turn in a bus on that road would be an exercise in precision driving.
Click to expand...

The Gorge at least has breakdown/ passing bays where you can turn a bus around. On the Saddle you'd have to reverse pretty much all the way back to the bottom & if the driver then announced "there's still the Track" I'd being asking to be let off at the nearest pub & picked up on the way back (& I'd have company, I reckon).

I believe Cam Skelton is playing Club footy in H-town & is part of the Waikato academy if not yet the ITM Cup squad. I'll try to get confirmation.
 
Dan54

Dan54

David Wilson (68)
Phaw bloody soft prick WOB, no wonder you a Crusaders (of the pretending variety) supporter. Geez the Saddles road in a bus just helps you concentrate on your beer, anything but look out bus windows;)
 
Hugh Jarse

Hugh Jarse

Rocky Elsom (76)
Bay of Plenty Steamers Squad:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503343&objectid=11479680

Is the Lalakai Foketi selected at Centre, the same bloke that went from Rams NRC and Rebels to Bayonne last year?

Terrence Hepetema, in the Steamers squad, played in 2013 with Randwick in the Shute Shield.


Cameron Skelton and David Morris (post 10 above) have not been not named in the Waikato Wider Training Squad for ITM Cup this year
http://www.mooloo.co.nz/team/2014-itm-cup-squad/

Mike Kennedy (post 10) has not been named in the Auckland Wider ITM Cup squad.
http://www.aucklandrugby.co.nz/News/2015-5-29/Auckland-wider-ITM-Cup-squad-named.aspx

Tom Murday has been named in the Northland Taniwha ITM Cup Development squad. He has played some fill in stuff for the Reds this year, and has been linked with European Clubs, so who knows if he will be backing up for the Taniwhas this ITM Cup season.
http://www.taniwha.co.nz/latest-news/club-rugby/0206-northland-itm-cup-development-squad-2015/

Angus Ta'avao, who will be with the Tahs in 2016, is with the 'Naki.
http://trfu.co.nz/Port-Taranaki-Bulls/Player-Profiles/Players/Angus-Taavao/

Chris Eaton (former Marquee with the Force) is with the Hawkes Bay Magpies.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/team.cfm?season=2015&competition=208&team=66
 
waiopehu oldboy

waiopehu oldboy

George Smith (75)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ heading home tomorrow a.m. & hoping to watch the game at H-ton Cossie, or at in-laws' if too cold to venture out. Either way I'll try to keep you posted!
 
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