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Otago Daily Times
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Provincial game's character hinges on money
While we await New Zealand Rugby's long-overdue announcement about the future of the NPC, Adrian Seconi ponders what the competition might look like next year. Get a day job? The Men's Pathways and Competitions report appears to have been filed in the third drawer down at the New Zealand Rugby headquarters. However, its contents have been widely leaked. And, according to various media reports, one of the key recommendations is to affirm the NPC as a key competition in the men's pathway. There is a fishhook, though. The costs are too high and one way to make some savings is to introduce a salary cap. New Zealand Rugby general manager of community rugby Steve Lancaster confirmed to the Sunday Star-Times that a salary cap of $840,000 was proposed in the pathways report. To put that into context, if the provincial unions contracted 30 players, they could pay them an average of $28,000 each. That is not bad for three months' work, but is it enough to give up your day job? No roof? Otago will play Auckland at Auckland Grammar School on October 4. Auckland are saying they want to get the game into different corners of the city. Puh-lease. It is about saving money and that fixture is a trial run. The NPC costs more than $36 million each season. Player payments make up the largest chunk of that, but venue costs, estimated at $4million, are the next expense set for a prune. NPC champions Wellington have already moved in that direction. They will host all their games at Porirua Park this season. It is suggested that about $400,000 could be shaved off the bill of running the competition if all 14 NPC teams moved to smaller venues. Otago had an average crowd of just 1600 last year. Does that even keep the lights on at Forsyth Barr Stadium? How long before Otago follow in Wellington's footsteps and make the move to Tahuna Park? Rugby for free? Could the NPC be about to return to free-to-air television? Sky recently bought TV3 for a buck, and that buck might return some NPC games to New Zealanders who have been unable or unwilling to pay to watch rugby. The New Zealand Herald reported New Zealand Rugby had previously been in talks with TVNZ to sell partial broadcasting rights for the NPC and Farah Palmer Cup. Sky was reportedly willing to work with TVNZ, but the expectation now is it would use TV3 to broadcast the games it deems fit for free-to-air, while the rest would remain behind its paywall.
Otago Daily Times
30-07-2025
- Sport
- 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.
Otago Daily Times
07-07-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Change vital to stay relevant: Coggan
These appear to be turbulent times at Otago Cricket as coaches, players and staff members choose to leave the province. Signs of a crisis? Or nothing to see here? Cricket writer Adrian Seconi reports. Otago Cricket Association chief executive Mike Coggan has dismissed suggestions a raft of departures reflects poorly on the leadership at the organisation. The association has been beset by a run of high-profile departures during the past 18 months. They have backfilled some of those positions. Former Black Caps coach Gary Stead was named interim coach of the Otago Volts recently. He replaces Ashley Noffke, who confirmed his departure earlier this month. Noffke left with a year to run on his contract to pursue an unexpected international opportunity. He had replaced Dion Ebrahim, who also left a year into his two-year extension, sparking rumours he had been pushed out of the role and collected a payout on the way out the door. Volts assistant Ben McCord left quietly towards the end of last season and, like Ebrahim, has not spoken publicly about his departure. Sparks coach Craig Cumming left during the season to take up an opportunity in the United Kingdom. He has been replaced by Welshman Gareth Davies. Leading all-rounder and former Volts captain Dean Foxcroft has transferred to Central Districts, and star Otago batter Dale Phillips has returned to Auckland. Middle-order batter Leo Carter was one and done and has rejoined Canterbury. A steady stream of general staff have slipped out the door during the past 10 years as well. Perhaps as many as five a year, which is a lot for what is a relatively small operation. It paints a picture of an association that is struggling to retain key talent and staff. One seasoned observer noted perhaps as many as 40-plus general staff had come and gone during the past decade, while another felt that estimate was probably on the low side. Coggan said, in an emailed response to questions, no-one had raised any concerns with him about the culture of the OCA. "Staff turnover is reasonably expected in our industry," Coggan said. "Our workforce includes several short to medium fixed-term contracts across community and performance cricket. "That's a conscious decision we make to give us the flexibility to respond to changing needs and priorities. "Additionally, many of our team members are young and early in their careers, and it's natural for young professionals to explore new opportunities and experiences. "While we always aim to retain great people, we also take pride in helping develop the next generation of talent — many of whom have gone on to make a real impact elsewhere in the sector, including at New Zealand Cricket. "We monitor turnover carefully and remain focused on maintaining a strong, supportive team culture that delivers consistent results." Some people contacted by the Otago Daily Times for this story felt Coggan is more focused on the bottom line than the people involved, one source describing it as "a trail of destruction". "He's been there a long time and perhaps it's time for a bit of a change there as well." Another source felt you only needed to "look at the amount of people that have left and the good people that are no longer there" to get a sense of the environment. Eighteen months ago, Otago great Ken Rutherford launched a broadside at the organisation in a passionate email to the Otago Daily Times . "You just have to look at the player turnover in the past five years. [That is] enough to sound alarm bells," he wrote. "Why are players leaving? Has anyone ever asked? "Clearly, certain players see a better pathway for their individual development away from Otago. "Their own personal ambition is not being satisfied by remaining in Otago." Foxcroft felt his career was better served at Central Districts because he would be surrounded by more experienced players who would help lift his game. But he was very careful not to fire any departing shots. Coggan, however, seemed to suggest Foxcroft was pushed. "In professional sport, players will always explore opportunities that they feel are best for their careers, and that's part of the landscape we operate in," he said. "While Foxcroft had expressed a commitment to staying in Otago, it became clear that our team values and direction weren't fully aligned, and that's OK. "We're building a culture based on honesty, accountability, and shared purpose, and we're very confident and excited in the new players that will come into our group. "When someone chooses a different path, we respect that. But we also back the environment we're creating here and the people who want to be part of it." Central Districts opener Jack Boyle, Wellington batter Troy Johnson and Auckland seamer Danru Ferns have signed with Otago this season, so the traffic has not been all one-way. And there is always tension within a team. Newly minted Black Caps coach Rob Walter rubbed up against some of the senior Otago players early during his five-year stint in the province. Jimmy Neesham and Neil Wagner moved on at the end of the 2017-18 season. Players can and do leave in bunches, and they leave for a variety of reasons. Coaches come and go as well. "We understand, that from the outside, change can sometimes raise questions," Coggan said. "But from our perspective ... we're making deliberate shifts to position Otago Cricket for long-term success, on and off the field. "Change is never easy, but it's often necessary to stay relevant, modern, and aligned with where the game is heading. "We're focused on building a strong and sustainable future, and while that does involve some transition, it's being driven with clear intent and a real sense of direction." Otago Cricket The recently departed Ashley Noffke: Pursuing international opportunities Ben McCord: Christchurch Craig Cumming: (United Kingdom) Dion Ebrahim: (Christchurch) Dean Foxcroft: Central Districts Dale Phillips: (Auckland) Leo Carter: Canterbury
Otago Daily Times
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Letters to the Editor: war, agendas and cricket
Today's Letters to the Editor from readers cover topics including what Jesus would do about Israel, the "agenda" of the previous mayor, and bravo to Adrian Seconi! What does it take to abandon neutrality? Nothing in recent times has shown how inept and outdated New Zealand's foreign policy is than Winston Peters and Labour's foreign affairs spokesman stating New Zealand is "not taking sides" in this highly dangerous unprovoked attack on Iran by Israel. That we can be so certain and decisive about the Russia-Ukraine war yet bottle joining the majority of the world's unequivocal condemnation of Israel is morally bankrupt and craven. What will it take Israel to do to get us to do the right thing? A nuclear bomb on Tehran? We cannot credibly be neutral here. WWJD? Last week in my submission to the Dunedin City Council when I opposed the Sanctions Bill against Israel, Cr Jim O'Malley asked me as a church minister "What would Jesus do?" I felt he was leaving out a huge chunk of the pie and just wanted to chew on one tiny portion. In hindsight though, as his question was put to me publicly, I would like to answer him in a letter to the editor. This is what Jesus would do: He would first point to October 7 and tell Hamas and those with them that they must repent for what they had done. He would then tell them they should lay their weapons down. Upon compliance, Jesus would then take the Israelis by one hand and the Palestinians by the other hand and He would sit down with them and say, "now let's talk about this". Jesus would then remind the Palestinians that the Jewish people have a covenant with God which gives them the right to live on all the Land of Israel — from the River to the Sea. He would ask the Palestinians to honour that covenant, and then he would encourage both parties to live in peace with each other. Spokesman, Coalition of 114 NZ Church Ministers Supporting Israel Incentives and sanctions I have no difficulty with Gerrard Eckhoff (Opinion ODT 9.6.25) expressing strong views even if they are poles apart from my own. I do have difficulty when his views are fanciful, serious exaggerations, or just plain wrong. An illustration of the former is stating that the imposition of a capital gains tax (CGT) is akin to "demanding money with menaces (which) usually results in jail time" He continues "It is the young and their future that CGT will ultimately destroy". An enormous exaggeration. Again: "The hope of a comfortable retirement that is rendered inert by a CGT" . . . and further: "CGT therefore will ultimately destroy the incentive to work, take risks and grow assets" By my reckoning, in excess of 150 countries world-wide collect revenue by means of a tax on capital. Can Mr Eckhoff show that social disintegration is rife on all or any of those countries due to their adoption of CGT? It was a great agenda It is time for a change all right, when a number of current Dunedin city councillors celebrate that they have left behind the "agenda" of the previous council and mayor Aaron Hawkins ( ODT 17.6.25). What did that agenda bring the city? The award-winning George St, enhanced community facilities, new Mosgiel pool, upgraded social housing, comprehensive kerbside recycling, protection for Foulden Maar, and much more. Happily there is a mayoral candidate who would bring real change to the council. Look out for Mickey Treadwell, Green candidate for mayor and a tech-savvy small business owner. [Alan Somerville is a Green Otago Regional councillor.] Column on Sparks knocked it out of the park Bravo, Adrian Seconi. You have hit the nail on the head with your article on the Otago Sparks missing out on the team of the year award at the annual Otago Sports Awards. Or, to continue your delightful cricket metaphors, you have played a perfect straight drive from the sweet spot of the bat, and it has scorched to the boundary. For all the reasons you have given, the Sparks have indeed "been robbed." To win nine of their ten round robin matches, for goodness sake. Imagine if the Highlanders did that: of course they would be our team of the year. The Sparks were so far ahead of all the other teams, they were into the final before the other places were finalised. Then on the day, they faced having to make a record score of nearly 300, thanks to a flawless century by Central Hinds' Maddy Green, who appeared to have put the win out of the Sparks' reach. Especially with Otago having three key players out with injury. Their team work, resolve, courage and skill was breathtaking, and an emotional watch for their supporters. As an ex-Otago cricketer (1961-76) and a member of the team when it won the Halliburton Johnstone shield for the first time, I could be regarded as somewhat biased, but I believe the facts Adrian has recorded speak for themselves. I also wish to thank both the Otago Daily Times and Adrian Seconi for the very high profile you consistently give to women's sport. It is without peer amongst news reporting in this country. And as a cricket lover, I can't wait for the return of Adrian's Notes from Slip each summer. Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: editor@
Otago Daily Times
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Green Island on top in fired-up derby
Green Island retained the bragging rights in the derby game against Taieri. There was a lot of feeling in the match at Peter Johnston Park on Saturday. There was pushing and shoving and only some of that was during scrum time. Taieri dominated for stretches but they made far too many mistakes and were perhaps too one-dimensional on attack. Green Island had more finishing ability and winger Michael Manson only needs half a yard and he is gone. The Grizzlies led 14-10 at halftime. They did not start well, though. They lost a player to the bin in the opening 10 minutes and another late in the half. Taieri had discipline problems as well. Josh Whaanga had to spend some time on the naughty step for snatching an intercept from an offside position and Sam Fischli received a yellow in the second half. The game slipped away from Taieri when Manson made another of his trademark runs in the second half to set up a try for Sam Gilbert. And then Sam Nemec-Vial scooped up a loose pass and ran in from around 60m. Taieri scored two late tries to close the gap and secure a bonus point. Whaanga had a good game for Taieri despite his yellow card. Manson made a difference for Green Island and loose forward Amos Roddick was a standout. — Adrian Seconi Southern 31 Kaikorai 15 Death by scrum. A bit dramatic perhaps, but it must have felt like that for Kaikorai. Southern leaned on the heavy-set men up front to set up a 31-15 win at Bishopscourt. Prop Mike Mata'afa pushes hard enough for two men. Hooker Isileli Otunuku had a strong game around the field. Hardworking lock Corban Agar and Aron Einarsson added their weight to an impressive scrum, and Harry Taylor popped up exactly where he was needed on defence. Centre Justin Malifa was dangerous when he got the ball in space. Kaikorai started strongly, though. They held on to the ball for phase after phase during the opening few minutes. They went left, right, left and right again. Eventually, they busted through close to the ruck and halfback Taine Hand got in support and scored. Kaikorai's ability to use width was propped by their excellent loose forward duo of Slade McDowall and Lucas Casey, who enhanced their reputations. But the game started to slip away one scrum at a time. Southern dominated possession and territory. They also dominated unforced errors. They blew so many opportunities in the first half and went into the break trailing 15-7. But Kaikorai just did not have an answer for their power up front and Southern scored four answered tries in the second half to secure an important win. — Adrian Seconi Harbour 48 Alhambra-Union 27 A first-half scoring blitz set Harbour up for victory in the Rooster Memorial match at Watson Park on Saturday. The annual match between Harbour and Alhambra-Union, formerly known as the Ricoh Ross Godman Memorial, played since 2014, now honours both Godman brothers with the death of Roy last year, and has been renamed the Rooster Memorial, as both Ross and Roy were known to many as Rooster. Harbour fullback Taniela Filimone set the first quarter alight with a scoring blitz in the opening minutes. This was quickly followed by a procession of four further scoring moves for a 31-0 lead after just 20 minutes. Harbour may have bolted out to a dominant lead, but Alhambra-Union began to regroup. Their smaller but more mobile pack began to stop the Harbour big men in their tracks. Halfback Oliver Thode and twin brother William, at first five, made great use of the increasing possession. Loose forward Connor Aldrich and lock Levi Turoa proved a force in the lineout. Oliver, who scored twice himself, played a major role in his sides other three tries and was a standout. He put plenty of pressure on his opposite and Highlander Nathan Hastie. For Harbour, Filimone was always a danger when running the ball up. While the Harbour defence was outstanding out wide, it was aided by some superb work up front from flanker Toni Taufa, locks Carlos Miln and Boston Hunt and prop Darius Fidow. — Wayne Parsons Dunedin 69 Zingari-Richmond 7 Apart from the opening few minutes, Dunedin totally dominated this game. They spent large periods of the first half camped in the Zingari 22. They were held up over the line on three occasions and only had a Cam Burgess penalty to show for their early endeavour. That changed when hooker Liam Arthur Hunt kicked a 50-22 and, from the quickly taken lineout, lock Jamie Mowat crashed over for the converted try to give them a 10-point lead after 17 minutes. They scored two more tries before halftime to Louis Lepionka (No 8) and fullback Max Webb and that took its toll on a tired looking Zingari pack with still 40 minutes to play. Dunedin racked up 7 further tries in the second spell with big winger Oscar Schmidt-Uli grabbing a hat-trick. He just had too much pace and power for the Zingari backline. Lepionka added a second showing searing pace as he scorched down the left wing. Joe Parkinson the centre scored the try of the game when Dunedin counter-attacked from a turnover 70m out and the ball went through five sets of hands and found Parkinson to cut back in from the touchline to go over close to the posts. The Dunedin pack controlled the lineouts and dominated possession in the loose and their speedy outside backs didn't squander the glut of possession. Dunedin flanker Curtis Palmer was everywhere and a menace with ball in hand as was prop Rhys Hughes. Young No 8 Louis Lepionka showed his full range of skills and extreme pace. Burgess ran the game and set his outsides away with aplomb. Schmidt-Uli and fullback Webb took full advantage of that opportunity. With regular hooker Aukustino Salanoa disappearing to Southland during the week, Zingari really struggled to maintain possession at lineout team and that didn't help. No 8 Tofatuimoana Solia looked powerful with ball in hand in the first spell and Ben Fakava was the best of the backs. — Paul Dwyer Round 8 The scores Green Island 26 (Sam Nemec-Vial, Michael Manson, James Arscott, Sam Gilbert tries; Gilbert 3 con), Taieri 20 (Reef Newdick, Morgan Jones, Jack Sexton tries; Samuel Waitoa con, pen). Halftime 14-10. Southern 31 (Harry Taylor, Konrad Toleafoa, Wilson Driver, Bede Dodd-Edgar, Mika Mafi tries; Wyndham Patuawa 3 con), Kaikorai 15 (Taine Hand, Slade McDowall tries; Ben Miller con, pen). Halftime: 15-7 Kaikorai. Harbour 48 (Taniela Filimone, Jeff Ikanei, Taylor Dale, Willie Tufui, Nathan Hastie, Wiremu Brailey, Toni Taufa, Carlos Miln tries; Nathan Hastie 4 con), Alhambra-Union 27 (Oliver Thode 2, Anzac Tipene, Arnold Dinh, Ramesh Khatri tries, William Thode con). Halftime: 36-5. Dunedin 69 (Oscar Schmidt Uli 3, Louis Lepionka 2, Max Webb, Jamie Mowat, Joe Parkinson, Cam Burgess, Jarius Losefa tries; Burgess 8 con, pen Zingari-Richmond 7 (Ben Fakava try; Cooper Grant con) Halftime: Dunedin 22-0. Standings P W D L F A B Pts Green Is 8 5 0 3 269 199 7 27 Taieri 7 5 0 2 235 136 6 26 Dunedin 7 5 0 2 234 97 5 25 Harbour 7 5 0 2 189 207 4 24 Southern 7 4 0 3 238 161 7 23 Kaikorai 7 4 0 3 257 187 4 20 University 7 3 0 4 248 223 5 17 Z-Rich 7 1 0 6 179 327 3 7 AU 7 0 0 7 114 426 1 1
