Waikato Announce Team to Play Bay of Plenty

Posted on Jul 26, 2011 in NZ

Waikato coach Chris Gibbes today announced his side to take on Bay of Plenty in the fourth round of the ITM Cup, at Rotorua International Stadium this Tuesday evening.

Waikato Head Coach Chris Gibbes said: “What we learnt from the Taranaki game was that our plan works when we apply it and that we need to have the discipline and commitment to see it through.”

“We are going into the Bay game focused on moving our game forward. They are a quality team with threats all over the park. We will need to nail our core roles and skills especially protecting our ball, and making our tackles. We are determined to do well in Rotorua against the competition leaders”.

In the forwards Ben May, Chris Middleton and Jack Lam come off the bench into their respective jerseys with Zak Hohneck replacing Mary Holah at openside flanker. In the backs Brendon Leonard is starting at halfback with Trent Renata moving to first five-eighth after a neck injury to Stephen Donald during the Taranaki game. Rena Schuster will get his first run-on for Waikato in the midfield with New Zealand Seven’s representatives Frank Halai and Tim Mikkelson teaming up with the nimble Henry Speight in the outside backs.

The Waikato team is

1. Ben May
2. Aled de Malmanche
3. Nathan White (Captain)
4. Toby Lynn
5. Chris Middleton
6. Jack Lam
7. Zak Hohneck
8. Alex Bradley
9. Brendon Leonard
10. Trent Renata
11. Henry Speight
12. Rena Schuster
13. Jackson Willison
14. Frank Halai
15. Tim Mikkelson

Reserves:

1. Marcel Cummings-Toone
2. Toby Smith
3. Romana Graham
4. Matt Vant Leven
5. Malcolm Barnes
6. Sam Christie
7. Save Tokula
8. Latu Talakai

Waikato Announce Team to Play Taranaki

Posted on Jul 20, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Waikato coach Chris Gibbes today announced his side to take on Taranaki in the third round of the ITM Cup, at Waikato Stadium this Thursday evening. Gates for this game open at 5pm with the curtain raiser between Hamilton Marist under 19s taking on Pirongia under 19s at 5.15pm.

Waikato Head Coach Chris Gibbes said: “Tomorrow’s game against Taranaki will be a cracker. We are looking forward to the challenge that Taranaki will bring. They are a physical side and the games between the two teams are always a fierce battle. They will be keen to get a result up here as they did last year, so it all bodes well for an intense, physical game and the boys are looking forward to our first home game of the season.”

Waikato currently holds the Ryan Wheeler Memorial Trophy after reclaiming the trophy in their pre-season clash two weeks ago and Taranaki will be out to regain it.

“We currently have the Ryan Wheeler Memorial Trophy and are keen to hold onto it. The trophy means a hell of a lot to both teams so added incentive when we line up against each other tomorrow night,” commented Gibbes.

In the forwards Toby Smith comes into the number one jersey and Rory Grice debuts for Waikato as number 8. Henry Speight comes onto the right wing to replace Sitiveni Sivivatu who is currently with the All Blacks squad with no further changes to the backline. In the reserves, Ben May moves to the bench and Jack Lam comes into the side

The Waikato team is

1. Toby Smith
   
2. Aled de Malmanche
   
3. Nathan White (Captain)
   
4. Toby Lynn
   
5. Romana Graham
   
6. Matt Vant Leven
   
7. Marty Holah
   
8. Rory Grice
   
9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
   
10. Stephen Donald
    
11. Declan O’Donnell
    
12. Jackson Willison
    
13. Save Tokula
    
14. Henry Speight
    
15. Trent Renata
    

 
 

Reserves:

1. Marcel Cummings-Toone/ Ted Tauroa
   
2. Ben May
   
3. Jack Lam
   
4. Chris Middleton
   
5. Brendon Leonard
   
6. Sam Christie
   
7. Tim Mikkelson
   
8. Latu Talakai
   

Themed games for Waikato

Posted on Jul 15, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

The Waikato Rugby Union will introduce a new element to rugby games at Waikato Stadium this season with the introduction of themed games.

Waikato Rugby Union’s Marketing Manager Paul Shattock said “to encourage new people to come to the games this year, we are turning the games into larger events that will provide our customers with an experience they wouldn’t get from sitting at home and watching the game on TV.  We are allocating each game a theme based on a key element of the Waikato with all entertainment marketing and ticket promotions targeting customers associated with that particular element”.

The first home game of the 2011 ITM Cup season is on 21st of July against Taranaki with a 7.35pm kickoff.

This game is themed "the Dairy Industry Game" and the WRU, with support from farmer co-operative LIC and local iconic business Gallagher, is encouraging dairy farmers to come and enjoy the game at Waikato Stadium that has been designed for them.

Prior to the match there will be an opportunity to attend a speaking engagement “Two Knights in One”. This will involve Sir Henry Van der Heyden and Sir Bill Gallagher speaking on Dairying in the Waikato, and the importance of regional pride.

Tickets are $100 + GST per head, which includes a seated dinner and a $35 ticket to the Red Premium seating zone to watch the game.

The dairy theme will remain obvious throughout the game too with all on-field entertainment focusing on the industry and interactive information also on display showcasing the latest rural products and services – all of this at no extra cost to the rugby public.

LIC General Manager Sales & Marketing Grant Lonergan said the farmer owned co-op has always been a strong supporter of both Waikato and Taranaki rugby and sponsors each team’s mascot at the games.

“Dairy farming is big business in these two areas of the North Island, and so is rugby.

“Many of the fans are our customers, and many of the players come from a dairy farming background so it’s fitting that we support the sport and are proud to be associated with this week’s dairy themed game.”

The Russians are coming

Posted on Dec 20, 2010 in Rugby News

The Russian national rugby team will be heading to New Zealand shores early in the New Year for a taste of New Zealand provincial rugby as part of their build-up to Rugby World Cup 2011.

The Russian side will enjoy the best of a New Zealand summer when they arrive on 7 January ahead of their first match against a Taranaki XV on Saturday 15 January at New Plymouth’s Tikorangi Park. Russia then heads south to play South Canterbury at Timaru’s Alpine Energy Stadium on Friday 21 January.

The provincial contests will help Russia prepare for what will be the nation’s first appearance at a Rugby World Cup tournament. 

Taranaki Rugby Chief Executive Mark Robinson said Taranaki residents are gearing up to welcome the visitors from Russia offering them opportunities to experience some of the local highlights including farm visits, fishing trips and surfing adventures around the Taranaki coastline.

“We are excited to be able to assemble a team in our off-season to play the Russians and I know the Taranaki region will be great hosts to them while they are here enjoying part of our Taranaki summer,” he added.

South Canterbury Rugby Manager Cam Kilgour said: “It is very exciting for a Heartland team to get the opportunity to play a national side and we jumped at the chance when asked. We are looking forward to hosting the Russian side and treating them to some good old southern hospitality.”

The match details are:

• Taranaki XV v Russia, Saturday 15 January, Tikorangi Park, 5.00pm (Entry by gold coin donation)
• South Canterbury v Russia, Friday 21 January, Alpine Energy Stadium, 7.00pm (Adults $10 and children free)

Namibia claim Africa 1 qualification for RWC 2011

Posted on Nov 30, 2009 in Rugby News

Namibia has won the battle for the Africa 1 qualification spot for Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011) after defeating Tunisia over a two-match series with an aggregate score of 40-23.

The sides met two weeks ago in Tunis, where Namibia claimed a narrow victory, defeating the home side 18-13. The second leg of their challenge took place yesterday on Namibian homesoil in Windhoek where they defeated the visitors 22-10.

Namibia’s qualification now completes Pool D which includes Fiji, Samoa, South Africa and Wales.

“Our warmest congratulations go to Namibia on their qualification for RWC 2011. The completed line up for Pool D is very strong and will provide some exciting matches in 2011. In particular, I am looking forward to Namibia’s match against their African neighbours, South Africa,” said Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd (RNZ 2011) CEO Martin Snedden.

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