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9 All Blacks and an England international named in Canterbury NPC squad
Nine current or former All Blacks and an ex England international have been named in the Canterbury NPC squad for the 2022 campaign.
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Will Heinz, who won 13 caps for England and appeared at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, is included in Marty Bourke’s squad. The 35-year-old left Worcester Warriors in March with immediate affect.
Exciting Fiji international Manasa Mataele is also named. There are three newcomers as well in the shape of former New Zealand Under 20 representatives George Bell, Seb Calder and Joel Lam.
“The talent that is in the Canterbury region is a testament to the work that’s going on at Club level and the pathways that are regularly producing players who are ready to take the next step in their careers,” said new Head Coach Marty Bourke. “I’m really excited about the next 14 weeks.”
“Whether it’s stepping up to NPC or tapping on the door of International or Super Rugby, there’s no better place to showcase your talent than NPC and I think that’s what excites me about this campaign. Bridgey and Braydon, along with the rest of the squad, have the chance to ensure people are taking notice of how capable they are.”
Breakdown coach Matt Todd spoke on immense talent within the group. “Reed, Tom, Cully and Billy are all born and bred Cantabrians. They are itching to pull that red and black jersey on and represent our people.”
CANTERBURY NPC SQUAD:
Liam Allen – Lincoln University
George Bell – Lincoln University
Finlay Brewis – HSOB
George Bridge – HSOB
Fergus Burke – University of Canterbury
Seb Calder – Lincoln University
Tom Christie – Christchurch
Sam Darry – HSOB
Mitchell Drummond – HSOB
Mitchell Dunshea – Springston
Braydon Ennor – University of Canterbury
Chay Fihaki – Burnside
Zach Gallagher – Burnside
Dominic Gardiner – Marist Albion
Cullen Grace – Lincoln University
Alex Harford – HSOB
Billy Harmon – New Brighton
Willi Heinz – Linwood
Oliver Jager – New Brighton
Corey Kellow – Lincoln University
Shilo Klein – HSOB
Joel Lam – Burnside
Daniel Lienert-Brown – HSOB
Manasa Mataele – Marist Albion
Brodie McAlister – Sydenham
Dallas McLeod – Christchurch
Richie Mo’unga – Linwood
Joe Moody – Lincoln
Fletcher Newell – Lincoln University
Rameka Poihipi – Lincoln University
Reed Prinsep – HSOB
Isaiah Punivai – Burnside
Ngatungane Punivai – Prebbleton
Luke Romano – Hurunui
Codie Taylor – Sydenham
Samuel Whitelock – Lincoln University
Tamaiti Williams – Burnside
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Comments on RugbyPass
Completely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
54 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
54 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
54 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to comments