Hawke's Bay vets dominate interprovincial badminton ties in Gisborne
Hawke's Bay dominated the opening ties of the North Island Inter-Association Super Veterans (60 years and over) badminton series in Gisborne recently.
They beat Eastland 7 matches to 2 and Bay of Plenty (2) 9-0 to kick off their Division 3 campaign in style.
Eastland also lost 6-3
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NZ Herald
3 hours ago
- NZ Herald
NPC: Tale of two captains and a Hawke's Bay Magpies dream
The Bay won four matches that season, but without a win in 1978, were relegated. They bounced back with an unbeaten record in Division 2 North Island in 1979, in which Sisam, transferred from Auckland, kicked a record five drop goals in one game, one half of it, in fact. It was the first of five times Hawke's Bay have won second division titles, which, having been handed a permanent spot in the first division in a four-team expansion with the introduction of the professional Air New Zealand Cup in 2006, was supplemented by three title wins in its second-tier championship. They've reached the division one final just once, two years ago when beaten 22-19 by Taranaki. The Hawke's Bay Rugby Union had been desperate to become a first division regular, at one stage merging with Manawatū at NPC level to form the Central Vikings, a 1997-1998 second division experiment which, despite success on the field, ended at the NZRFU board table with a decision denying promotion. Lock Tom Parsons - who started with the Magpies in 2012, and, with 95 appearances, is primed to claim the 100th in what he says is likely to be his last season - nails one issue, although it applies to all, when he describes the championship as 'a sprint'. 'That's how we look at it,' he says. There are just 10 games in the regular season, which compares with 18 in the Japan One Rugby Division 1, in which he played this season for Urayasu D-Rocks, the 16 in American Major League Rugby, in which players included Magpies goalkicking ace Lincoln McClutchie and lock Frank Lochore. There's no real form guide for Sunday, other than that the Magpies have won their last four matches against the Steelers - the last two, in Napier in 2022 and Pukekohe in 2023, were by just one point - and that the Magpies started last season with four wins in a row, finished in fifth place while the Steelers were eighth. Both sides exited in the quarter-finals. Tom Parsons of Hawke's Bay leads his team on to the field for his 100th first class match in 2022. Photo / Aaron Gillions / Now long established as captain, father-of-three Parsons was named 'co-captain' with Jacob Devery this season, although Devery indicates it's a succession plan. 'He [Parsons] is the captain, I'm in a support role,' says Devery, who has played in 35 games for the Bay. Parsons goes back to a match against Counties Manukau in 2013, the loss of the Ranfurly Shield just six days after Hawke's Bay won the 'the log' since the end of the 1966-1969 reign. There was some redemption when the Magpies beat the Steelers in 2014 and took the shield back to Napier. Devery is yet to be in a losing team against the Steelers. For both, a career inspiration was hooker and captain Ash Dixon, the last player to achieve 100 appearances for the Magpies, while Devery, who became a Magpie at age 18 in his first year out of Hastings Boys' High School, says he also had All Black Dane Coles at the Hurricanes, and the benefit of Magpies teammate Keanu Kereru Symes, with whom he's been playing rugby for more than a decade. At 34, Parsons has particular memories of one game, when playing for a teammate meant as much as playing for the team. Going back to 2020, he says: 'Ash Dixon's 100th game down in Otago. We won the Shield. That one's pretty special.' Dixon departed at the end of the following season, to go to Japan, but captaincy successor Parsons is more likely to be hanging up the boots, saying he has had the chance to go back to Japan for another season, but it's time to spend more time with the family. Devery, 26, is in confident mood, saying he's had a good season for the Hurricanes, and is ready for more with the Magpies, an experienced squad with several of the team approaching match milestones along the way. They say much of the Magpies, and their leadership roles, is about making sure there is a culture the players enjoy, and turning that into success on the field, on Sunday, for starters. 'It'll be a physical game,' Parsons says. 'Hopefully, we're going to be able to wear them down and come out on top.' It is a big weekend of representative rugby in Hawke's Bay, including NPC Heartland side Ngati Porou East Coast playing Central Hawke's Bay sub-union at Park Island, and Te Matau a Maui Hawke's Bay Maori playing Poverty Bay Maori at Maraenui Park, both on Saturday. On Sunday, Wairoa sub-union will be defending the Barry Cup against East Coast side Ruatoria at Lambton Square, Wairoa. The Schedule The Magpies 2025 draw: Sunday August 3, 4.35pm, v Counties Manukau (home); Sunday August 10, 4.35pm, v Otago (away); Saturday August 16, 7.10pm, v North Harbour (home); Friday August 22, 7.10pm, v Canterbury (home); Saturday August 30, 4.35pm, v Northland (away); Saturday September 6, 2.05pm, v Wellington (home); Saturday September 13, 2.05pm, v Bay of Plenty (away); Friday September 19, 7.10pm, v Taranaki (away); Thursday September 25, 7.10pm, v Auckland (home); Saturday October 4, 7.10pm, v Manawatū (away). Doug Laing is a senior reporter based in Napier with Hawke's Bay Today, and has 52 years of journalism experience, 42 of them in Hawke's Bay, in news gathering, including breaking news, sports, local events, issues, and personalities.
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Otago Daily Times
Sides eager to knock Wellington off perch
The NPC gets under way tonight when Auckland host Waikato. Adrian Seconi takes a look at the teams. WELLINGTON Last year: Champions. The oil: The Lions set the benchmark with eight wins from 10 in the regular season. They were pushed hard in the semifinals by Waikato (29-24) and in the final by Bay of Plenty (23-20). But they held their composure and have most of the same crew back for 2025. Midfielder Riley Higgins and loose forward Peter Lakai had standout seasons and shape as threats again. Halfback Kyle Preston is another key figure. BAY OF PLENTY Last year: Runners-up. The oil: Steamers loose forward Joe Johnston (184) and Nikora Broughton (183) led the tackle count last year, and first five Kaleb Trask kept them in the right part of the park. Naitoa Ah Kuoi was a key figure in the lineout, while former Taieri fullback Taine Craig-Ranga made two appearances for the Steamers in 2024 and has made the squad again. CANTERBURY Last year: Beaten semifinalists. The oil: Unrivalled depth if they could get their All Blacks on the paddock. Even without them, Canterbury still have some game-breakers, particularly in the backs, where Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod and Chay Fihaki will loiter waiting for opportunities. They will be fielding relatively fresh combinations at first five and halfback that could take some time to establish. WAIKATO Last year: Beaten semifinalists. The oil: The Mooloos have a settled look and will lean on Aaron Cruden to get them one game further this season. They have also secured the services of former All Black Lima Sopoaga. Young loose forward Oli Mathis was one of the most exciting players to emerge last season and he showed astonishing versatility. Waikato were so ravaged by injury that he stepped up and played the last three games on the wing. TARANAKI Last year: Eliminated in quarterfinals. The oil: The 2023 champions had a strong campaign but were narrowly tipped out in the quarterfinals by Waikato. They have the Ranfurly Shield, though, and a team list chock-full of talent again. Hooker Ricky Riccitelli is one of the more effective players for the Bulls and nabbed a team-high eight tries. And watch out for Highlanders fullback Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens. TASMAN Last year: Eliminated in quarterfinals. The oil: Blockbusting outside back Leicester Fainga'anuku is returning for the Mako and he will make their backline infinitely more dangerous. They have also signed promising first five Harry Inch, powerful Australian utility forward Lopeti Faifua and Moana Pasifika hooker Tomasi Maka. Canterbury halfback Mitchell Drummond has made the move as well. HAWKE'S BAY Last year: Eliminated in quarterfinals. The oil: Moana Pasifika blindside Miracle Fai'ilagi and Māori All Black utility back Zarn Sullivan will play for the Magpies. Sullivan is on loan from Auckland and Fai'ilagi's bruising game will be a welcome addition. The Magpies were edged 19-17 in the quarterfinals by rival Bay of Plenty. COUNTIES-MANUKAU Last year: Eliminated in quarterfinals. The oil: No-one wanted to play the Steelers towards the end of the season. They started with four consecutive losses but charged up the ladder and into the playoffs, where they were beaten 29-14 by the eventual champions. Powerhouse No8 Hoskins Sotutu shapes as a key figure again. OTAGO Last year: Ninth. The oil: Missed the playoffs by a couple of bonus points. But it was the costly 45-17 loss to Counties-Manukau that sank their prospects. Looked good in a warm-up game against Southland. Winger Jona Nareki has recovered from a knee injury but Oliver Haig will miss the first month of the competition, and exciting fullback Finn Hurley is out for up to two months. Halfback Dylan Pledger is a very promising player. NORTH HARBOUR Last year: 10th. The oil: Former Steelers coach Jimmy Maher has taken over the reins and his first job is to sort out their lineout troubles and defensive leaks. They can score, though. Winger Mark Tele'a appears set for a full campaign unless he gets a call back from the All Blacks. Outside back Kade Banks was the competition's leading try-scorer, bagging 10. All Blacks loose forward Wallace Sititi might pop up late in the season if he is fully fit. AUCKLAND Last year: 11th. The oil: Auckland started with four consecutive losses and rounded out their campaign with three more losses. There was not much to celebrate. They have signed former Otago halfback James Arscott, Stephen Perofeta has transferred from Taranaki, and former New Zealand under-20 player Leo Gordon and Highlanders back-up lock Tai Cribb have joined the squad. SOUTHLAND Last year: 12th. The oil: Former Canterbury halfback Nic Shearer has made the move south and the Stags will be captained by Sean Withy again. Burly No 8 Semisi Tupou-Ta'eiloa is a strong ball-carrier. The Stags will struggle to make the playoffs. But as long as they beat Otago in round one, all will be well in Invercargill. Look out for development player Mika Muliaina. The Southlander has impressed in Dunedin club rugby this season and the young first five has all the skills to take his game to the next level. NORTHLAND Last year: 13th. The oil: They challenge Taranaki for the Ranfurly Shield in the opening round and they have not held it aloft since 1978. The Taniwha have a light splattering of talent, but the playoffs seem unlikely. That makes game one all or nothing. First five Rivez Reihana will lead the team around. MANAWATŪ Last year: Last. The oil: The Turbos have the silliest nickname in the competition. They are also based in Palmerston North. That's two strikes. Loose forwards TK Howden and Brayden Iose will give the pack some go-forward and Brett Cameron is an experienced first five. Highlanders fill-in Taniela Filimone is a strong runner.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- RNZ News
Pasifika Sipoti in brief for 30 July
Timoci Tavatavanawai and Emoni Narawa. Photo: Kerry Marshall / A number of All Blacks with Pasifika heritage will be in action for their provincial teams when the National Provincial Championship (NPC) kicks off this week. Queen Victoria School alumni from Fiji, Emoni Narawa and Timoci Tavatavanawai, will be on opposite ends when Bay of Plenty meets Tasman in Tauranga on Sunday. Narawa joins fellow All Black and Samoan heritage player Pasilio Tosi in the Bay of Plenty squad, while Tavatavanawai is contracted to Tasman. A number of Manu Samoa and 'Ikale Tahi reps are also expected to be in action during the NPC. Samoan-Tongan Phillip Fatialofa is set to play for New Zealand's Futsal Whites at the Continental Futsal Championship in Thailand. Oceania Football says the player is set to make his debut for Aotearoa, with the team scheduled to meet Chinese Taipei on Thursday in their first game. Fatialofa says his selection is a dream come true. With a Samoan dad and a part-Tongan mother, the 21-year-old grew up playing football in Wellington and represented Samoa at the OFC Under-19 Men's Championship in 2023. The Futsal Whites meet Thailand on Friday in their second pool game. The 'Ikale Tahi rugby squad started their preparation for the upcoming Pacific Nations Cup in Auckland at the weekend. Head coach Tevita Tuifua said the camp brought players together for the first time this year. Missing were some players who are currently committed to the NPC in New Zealand. Former All Black Salesi Piutau and France-based Ben Tameifuna are two of the senior players in the squad who were present at the camp. Around 400 RSE workers in the Bay of Plenty area will compete at the second annual RSE Sports Festival in Mount Manganui on 23 August. Led by the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union, with support from BOP Volleyball and BOP Football, the day is a collaboration between the kiwifruit industry and the local sporting groups to provide a day off the tools for hard working RSE workers. Bay of Plenty Rugby manager Ati Aaifou-Olive said the RSE Sports Festival is a new way in which the sport can give RSE workers a positive experience while in New Zealand. In 2024, 11 packhouses entered 39 teams, featuring 350 RSE workers from Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu and Tonga at the event.
