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Short passes 20 February

 

 

Short passes is Club Rugby’s  news in briefs and noticeboard column for 2019.

If you have news, notices or want a shout-out for anything email editor@clubrugby.co.nz or send us a message on social media. Club Rugby also welcomes assistance in putting this together, so if you want to help in the news in brief-gathering process please get in touch.

On Saturday the Hurricanes Hunters – formerly known as the Hurricanes Development team – defeated the Blues Development side 33-24.

The Hurricanes Hunters front rowers getting into their work against the Blues Development. PHOTO: Auckland Rugby Supporters’ Club. To view the full gallery go HERE

The Miramar Marauder Ma’a Nonu was back in action in Super Rugby in this past weekend’s opening round. Nonu was playing centre, but his best chance of making the All Blacks for this year’s Rugby World Cup should be at second five-eighth.

Two key players – perhaps the two key players – for the All Blacks this year were involved in Friday night’s opener in Hamilton between the Chiefs and the Highlanders. Lock Brodie Retallick was on the receiving end of Sio Tompkinson’s high tackle that resulted in a red card for the latter, while Aaron Smith was back to his chirpy self off the bench for the Highlanders in their 30-27 win.

The Hurricanes beat the Waratahs 20-19, the continuation of a rocky head-to-head pattern of results between the two sides down the years. Overall, the Waratahs lead the Hurricanes 573-571 in overall points scored between the teams since 1996.

The Hurricanes play their second match against the Razor Gang in Christchurch this Saturday night at 7.35pm.

Former New Zealand captain Sean Fitzpatrick believes England and Ireland possess the greatest threats to ending the All Blacks’ dominance at the World Cup. READ MORE HERE

It’s the ‘calm before the storm’ before the lead-in to the 2019 club season shifts into a higher gear. Lots of pre-season rugby for three weeks throughout March, including the Petone Goldie Oldies hosting a visiting team from New Orleans:

In community rugby this weekend, the Shannon 7s tournament is being played at the Shannon Domain. More details later in the week.

Last weekend saw the Hawke’s Bay 7s tournament, hosted by the Central Rugby & Sports Club in Waipukurau. Results were as follows:

Barbarians:
Winners: Taradale Rugby and Sports
Runner Up: Central Mitre 10
MVP: Todd Rogers (Central Mitre 10)

Women’s:
Winners: Taradale Rugby and Sports
Runner Up: Marist St Pat’s
MVP: Siobhan Solofuti (Marist St Pat’s)

Colts:
A Grade Winners: Feilding High School
A Grade Runner Up: Napier Pirates
B Grade Winners: Marist
B Grade Runner Up: Hastings Rugby & Sports
C Grade Winners: St John College
C Grade Runner Up: Dannevirke Rugby & Sports
MVP: Terrance Graham (Feilding High School)

Mens:
A Grade Winners: VVT HB Fijians
A Grade Runner Up: Havelock North Blue
B Grade Winners: MAC B
B Grade Runner Up: Havelock North Gold
C Grade Winners: Tamatea
C Grade Runner UP: Independent All Stars
MVP: Ponisese Kondrote (VVT HB Fijians)

 

2019 REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN – your club will be sending out a sporty link in the coming days, check that your details are still correct, submit and you will be registered as easy as that! If you are new to rugby this year head over to www.gameforall.co.nz choose a club and click on the Junior Registration box which will take you to the sporty registration page for your chosen club.

In regards to the Julian Savea affair with Toulon that has blown up this week, Ian Anderson at Stuff has published a piece looking at the shelf-life of wingers in the All Blacks jersey. Read the story HERE and the list of wings identified for starting early and finishing early:

Grant Batty – debut aged 21; last test aged 25.

Christian Cullen – debut aged 20, last test aged 26

Bernie Fraser – debut aged 26, last test aged 31.

Craig Green – debut aged 22, last test aged 26.

Zac Guildford – debut aged 20, last test aged 23.

Doug Howlett – debut aged 21, last test aged 29.

Rieko Ioane – debut aged 19, now aged 21.

Ron Jarden – debut aged 21, last test aged 26.

Richard Kahui – debut aged 23, last test aged 26.

John Kirwan – debut aged 19, last test aged 29.

Jonah Lomu – debut aged 19, last test aged 27.

Joe Rokocoko – debut aged 20, last test aged 27.

Julian Savea – debut aged 21, last test aged 26.

Sitiveni Sivivatu – debut aged 23, last test aged 29.

Ben Smith – debut aged 23, now aged 32.

Grahame Thorne – debut aged 21, last test aged 24.

Inga Tuigamala – debut aged 20, last test aged 24.

Bryan Williams – debut aged 19, last test aged 28

Jeff Wilson – debut aged 19, last test aged 27.

Stu Wilson – debut aged 22, last test aged 29.

Wellington Axemen and Wellington Lion Alex Dalzell is heading over to Sydney to play for the Manly Marlins. His commitment and experience will be sorely missed at his club and in the competition.

The Upper Hutt Rams have appointed former Upper Hutt RFC Premier player Brett Pigott as the club’s new Director of Rugby (DOR).

No stranger to Maidstone Park, Pigott who last played for the club in 2011, has made his way back from Perth where he has been living for the past 6 years with wife Emily and their two kids. An experienced midfielder and another product of St Pats Silverstream, Pigott represented the 1st XV in 03, 04 and Captained the side in 05 before going on to play 82 Premier Games for the Upper Hutt RFC from 06-11.

Naenae College is looking for a head coach for 2019. Naenae has 26 boys engaged this year. The College can support with a manager and an assistant coach. However they are looking for a committed professional coach to work with the players.  If you are interested please contact Misha on 0274200514.

Wainuiomata are looking for a head coach for the Wainuiomata Women’s team (WOW) in 2019. For more email wainuirugbyclub@gmail.com

There are now five weeks to the start of the 2019 Swindale Shield. That and the  2019 Harper Lock Shield draw are now locked in on our Draws & Results pages HERE

What would your feature match of the first round be?

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