Waikato vs Manawatu

Posted on Aug 19, 2011 in NZ

• Venue: FMG Stadium, Palmerston North
  
• Date: Saturday 20^th August
  
• Kickoff: 7.35pm
  
• Referee: Vinny Munro
  

Coaches Comments: Head Coach Chris Gibbes

“We’ve had a great build-up to this game, having had a bye in Round 10. We move into the final phase of this competition of three games in eight days, with the boys feeling fresh and ready to go. Manawatu have proven to be hard to beat this season especially at home, so we go down to Palmerston North knowing we will be in for a great battle. Selecting this week’s team has been difficult as all the players are putting their hand up for selection. We are confident the 23 named will be able to get the result we need against Manawatu.

“We were extremely pleased to secure three wins in seven days but as this competition has shown we need to keep moving forward so our only focus as a team is on winning this game against Manawatu”.

Changes to the Waikato starting line-up from the Otago game:

         -Changes to the front row sees Captain Nathan White start in the Number 3 jersey and Toby Smith start in the Number 1 jersey while Ben May moves to the bench.

         -The rest of the forward pack remains the same, with the exception of Zak Hohneck who moves from the bench into the Number 7 jersey with Marty Holah covering the reserve flanker position on the bench.

         -Changes to the backs see Tim Mikkelson move from left to right wing, Declan O’Donnell move from the bench to the left wing and powerhouse Frank Halai come onto the bench.

Injuries:

         Jack Lam remains unavailable for selection after injuring his AC joint in the Counties-Manukau match.

All Blacks team to play South Africa named

Posted on Aug 18, 2011 in NZ

All Blacks Coach Graham Henry and his Assistant Coaches Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith have named the All Blacks team to play South Africa in the Investec Tri Nations Test at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, on Saturday 6 August.

Starting XV:

1.         Tony Woodcock (74)

2.         Keven Mealamu – captain (84)

3.         John Afoa (32)

4.         Samuel Whitelock (16)

5.         Ali Williams (64)

6.         Jerome Kaino (40)

7.         Adam Thomson (20)

8.         Liam Messam (8)

9.         Jimmy Cowan (46)

10.       Colin Slade (4)

11.       Hosea Gear (7)

12.       Sonny Bill Williams (6)

13.       Richard Kahui (11)

14.       Isaia Toeava (30)

15.       Israel Dagg (6)

Reserves:

16.       Andrew Hore (53)

17.       Ben Franks (10)

18.       Jarrad Hoeata (2)

19.       Victor Vito (6)

20.       Andy Ellis (19)

21.       Piri Weepu (47)

22.       Cory Jane (23)

Number of Test caps in brackets

Otago v Manawatu ITM Cup match postponed

Posted on Aug 16, 2011 in NZ

Adverse weather and airport closures has forced the postponement of the round 10 ITM Cup match between Otago and Manawatu, which was scheduled to be played at Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium tomorrow night.

The Manawatu Turbos were due to fly to Dunedin via Christchurch this morning, but their flight out of Palmerston North was cancelled.

NZRU General Manager Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen said the NZRU team had worked with both the Otago and Manawatu Rugby Unions to consider options to ensure tomorrow night’s match went ahead as planned.

“With adverse weather set to continue overnight across much of the South Island, it’s become increasingly clear that Manawatu could still face problems getting into Dunedin in time to play the fixture,” Sorensen said.

“This decision has not been made lightly.  We have spent much of today in direct consultation with both teams, the MetService, Air New Zealand and SKY TV.

“To ensure the least disruption to other fixtures for remaining rounds, the Otago v Manawatu game will now be played on Tuesday 30 August at 7.35pm at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

“Given that both teams are in the hunt for ITM Cup Championship Final spots, we have agreed to move the Championship Final to Sunday 4 September, with kick off at 5.30pm,” he said.

The ITM Cup Premiership Final will be played as scheduled on Saturday 3 September. 

Donald goes out of the black and into the blue

Posted on Aug 15, 2011 in Bath, NZ, Premiership

Bath Rugby have confirmed the signing of All Black fly-half, Stephen Donald, on a three year contract.

The 22 times capped Donald will join the West Country from the Waikato Province, where he plays in the Super 15 for the Chiefs. 

The 27 year old, 6′ 3″ fly-half has gained a wealth of experience throughout his domestic and international career so far, and will bring a dynamic, accurate game to Bath. He is a renowned playmaker, known for being able to control the game to great effect.

Having been a product of the New Zealand age grade system, Donald came through the Schools and Under 21 teams, and became a veteran member of the Junior All Blacks before going on to make his debut for the All Blacks against England in June 2008.

Director of Rugby, Sir Ian McGeechan, added “We are very much looking forward to Stephen joining us here at Bath. He is a very effective, skilful player, with a lot of experience which will prove highly beneficial to the younger members of our squad and Academy. Players he has played alongside all speak very highly of his ability and  in particular his character, and we expect him to fit in very well here at Bath, having a hugely positive influence on the squad on and off the pitch.”

All Blacks travelling squad for South Africa named

Posted on Aug 12, 2011 in NZ

All Blacks Coach Graham Henry and his Assistant Coaches Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith have named their 25–man squad which will be travelling to South Africa for the Investec Tri Nations Test against South Africa in Port Elizabeth on 20 August.

The squad is:

Forwards: John Afoa, Wyatt Crockett, Ben Franks, Jarrad Hoeata *, Andrew Hore, Jerome Kaino, Keven Mealamu, Liam Messam, Adam Thomson, Samuel Whitelock, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock and Victor Vito.

Backs: Jimmy Cowan, Israel Dagg, Andy Ellis, Hosea Gear, Zac Guildford, Richard Kahui, Cory Jane, Ma’a Nonu, Colin Slade, Isaia Toeava, Piri Weepu and Sonny Bill Williams.

The squad is made up of 13 forwards and 12 backs and will be captained by 84–Test hooker Keven Mealamu.

All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said: “As with any All Blacks side, the coaches and players set high expectations and the squad which is heading to South Africa is no different.”

“There is real excitement amongst the squad.  We have players returning from injury who will be playing for the All Blacks for the first time this year, while others will be looking to take the opportunity to stake a further claim in the black jersey and ensure selection in the Rugby World Cup, so we will have a team which is hungry to play well.”

The All Blacks squad leaves for South Africa tomorrow. Meanwhile, Israel Dagg and Zac Guildford will stay home an extra day to play for Hawke’s Bay in their ITM Cup match against Bay of Plenty in Rotorua tomorrow, and travel to South Africa on Sunday morning.

Donnelly called into All Blacks squad

Posted on Aug 11, 2011 in NZ

Otago and 2010 All Blacks lock Tom Donnelly has been called into the All Blacks camp as injury cover for Jarrad Hoeata.

All Blacks Doctor Deb Robinson said:  “Jarrad hurt his right shoulder in Taranaki’s ITM Cup match against Bay of Plenty on Tuesday night and while he took part in All Blacks training yesterday afternoon, it was causing him enough concern to warrant further examination. He will get a scan in Auckland later today and we will then be able to assess how serious it is.”

In the interim, Donnelly, who has played 15 Tests for the All Blacks, will train with the All Blacks squad at their final training run in Auckland today.

A decision on whether Hoeata is fit to travel to South Africa will be made later today.