The Farah Palmer Cup 2023 so far: New talent, competition stalwarts, and returning Black Ferns
This year’s Farah Palmer Cup is a month old and while the Championship appears wide open the pecking order in the Premiership is largely unchanged.
Waikato have won all four matches to start the Premiership and that includes inflicting a rare defeat upon defending champions Canterbury in the first fixture ever decided in extra time. Waikato boasts a particularly powerful rolling maul and the outstanding Renee Holmes at fullback.
With a handful of Black Ferns back, Auckland scored their largest victory of the season on Saturday with a 61-19 thrashing of Bay of Plenty. Promoted Hawke’s Bay has been the biggest surprise with two victories and a narrow loss to Waikato.
Manawatu is the only unbeaten side in the Championship, amassing 175 points in three games. Northland, Tasman, and Otago each have two wins.
The first fortnight of the competition featured no Black Ferns. They were in Canada winning the Pacific Four Series. That stretched the depth of many provinces but also presented numerous new talents a chance to shine.
New Talent.
Auckland winger Angelica Vahai scored a breathtaking hat-trick in their win over Bay of Plenty on Saturday. She has run a competition-leading 407m and has serious balance, poise, and pace. Counties’ Jaymie Kolose, Canterbury’s Karla Wright-Akeli, and Wellington’s Justine McGregor are other young, prolific finishers. Ocean Tierney from Northland looks the goods at centre and Hawke’s Bay halfback Kahlia Awa has been instrumental with her aggressive running game.
Laura Bayfield (Canterbury) and Silia Sakalia (Waikato) are two young locks that have emerged with real promise. Hawke’s Bay prop Moomooga Palu has been a destroyer. Bay of Plenty haven’t had a great season but in loosehead Te Urupounamu-McGarvey, they have a prop with real power. Tynealle Fitzgerald has been a workhorse on the blindside.
Can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
A highlight of any Farah Palmer Cup is watching established players showcase their class and there has been plenty of that so far in 2023. Northland’s Aroha Savage, a 2017 Black Ferns World Cup winner, has 48 carries, 25 beaten defenders, and 47 tackles in three games. She has played No.8 and second-five, rating in the top three of all the beforementioned statistical categories. Bay of Plenty No.8 Natalie Delamere is the top tackler with 50. She was a Black Ferns hooker in 2023. Charmaine Smith with two tries against Otago and plenty of assertive lock play is another who is flourishing.
Selica Winiata still looks full of running and is only two games shy of cracking a century for Manawatu who might have the best loose forward trio in the competition with Layla Sae, Rhiarna Ferris, and Kaipo Olsen-Baker. Northland’s Hikitia Wikaira is another abrasive and busy loose forward while former Black Ferns openside Marcelle Parkes has been filling in as captain of Canterbury with real distinction.
Gemma Woods has been playing for Hawke’s Bay for two decades and covers everywhere from loosehead to blindside.
Tasman first-five Cassie Siataga and Hawke’s Bay veteran Krysten Cottrell are vital to the functioning of their teams and Cottrell might have the best tactical kicking game of any pivot in the country.
Northland and Black Ferns prop Krystal Murray scored a ridiculous hat-trick against Otago running and disturbing like a centre.
Too Many Teams?
Taranaki has conceded 186 points and only scored ten in three games. North Harbour took a penalty when down 0-36 after 47 minutes against Manawatu. There is a large gap emerging between the best and worst in the championship which is a concern. Taranaki didn’t win a game in 2022 either.
Where are the Black Ferns Sevens?
The Black Ferns Sevens have historically not competed in the FPC which seems precious given the World Series doesn’t typically start until November and the last tournament was in May. Women’s rugby is demanding attention, yet the highest-profile talent doesn’t take part. Why is this? Few satisfactory reasons have been provided but there’s no doubt the competition would benefit enormously from their presence.
Comments on RugbyPass
Tamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
1 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to comments