Why New Zealand Rugby needs more Farmlands Cups
One of New Zealand Rugby’s fiercest rivalries etched another chapter into its history books just over a week ago when the Crusaders beat the Highlanders in Temuka to retain the Farmlands Cup.
But the Crusaders’ comeback from a 26-0 half-time deficit was only a part of the story. Even more impressive was the 5,000-strong crowd that flooded the small South Canterbury town and packed its local rugby club.
Through the Farmlands Cup, Farmlands have turned an otherwise standard pre-season game into a two-day festival of rural rugby, helping to invigorate small communities and connect New Zealand’s rugby elite with its loyal heartland.
Indeed, at the pre-game skills and drills session, organised by Farmlands for local families, one Crusaders All Black was heard to remark that he had spotted more Crusaders jerseys among Temuka’s kids than at an average game in Christchurch.
The game itself was an entertaining affair as fans were treated to eight tries as both sides tussled for the Farmlands Cup in a highly-entertaining spectacle.
Four tries were scored by the Highlanders in the opening 40 minutes, with Jona Nareki and Ngatungane Punivai bagging one each, while Liam Coltman burrowed over for a brace.
An overhaul in playing personnel at the break sparked a momentous comeback for the home side, who scored a quartet of tries themselves.
Timoci Tavatavanawai set the crowd alight with two impressive tries, before forwards Oli Jager and Sione Havili crashed over to level the score.
The unblemished goal kicking of Brett Cameron earned the Crusaders the lead for the first time with just a minute to play, but an 81st minute penalty awarded to the Highlanders threatened to unravel all of the hosts’ good work.
However, Caleb Makene’s long range shot at goal fell just short and away to the right of the posts, ensuring the Crusaders strengthened their recent iron grip on the Farmlands Cup with an enthralling 28-26 victory.
The result also meant their fans, who turned out in force, went home happy — not just because of the standard of rugby on display, but also because of the events throughout the day that brought plenty of excitement to Temuka.
Star players Richie Mo’unga, Josh Ioane and George Bower even arrived by helicopter with the Farmlands Cup in hand as they and their teammates visited schools and engaged with the local community.
The Crusaders have fought back from a 26-point half-time deficit to defeat the Highlanders 28-26 and reclaim the Farmlands Cup in front of a packed crowd in Temuka.https://t.co/ICZB6qQgu6
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 13, 2021
That is exactly what Farmlands Co-operative chief executive Peter Reidie wanted out of the fixture — the sixth of its kind since the Farmlands Cup was first staged in Waimumu in 2016.
“Having the Farmlands Cup in the rural communities, getting people off the land, they have a bit of a break and have some good times with some of their mates. That’s what it’s all about,” Reidie said.
Those sentiments were echoed by Crusaders prop Joe Moody, who noted the Farmlands Cup is an important way to give back to fans from smaller communities that Super Rugby franchises would otherwise often overlook.
“The Farmlands Cup is special for us because it’s a chance for us to connect back with our grassroots,” the 50-test All Black said.
Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson also recognised the importance of taking the four-time reigning Super Rugby champions to one of the smallest yet most passionate rugby fan bases across New Zealand.
“It is special, and it’s special for the local community because they’re here, they’re right in front of them. The dream [of playing for the Crusaders] could come true,” he said.
Temuka and South Canterbury showed us all why rural rugby is so great. We need more Farmlands Cups.
Comments on RugbyPass
I think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
8 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely 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
6 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.
55 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.
8 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
61 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.
11 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.
61 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.
8 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
61 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
55 Go to comments