Kia ora,

While the World Cup final didn't end how most of us would have liked, there has still been plenty to celebrate here in the Manawatū over the past couple of weeks.  

  • Cyclones loose forward Layla Sae made her first Black Ferns start in the 70-7 win over Wales.
  • Turbos lock Josh Taula signed his first Super Rugby contract with the Hurricanes. TK Howden re-signed with the 'Canes until 2025. Look out for the Super Rugby Pacific team announcements on 9 November 
  • Former Manawatū players Arthur Law (#439) and Emosi Koloto (#1191) were inducted into the Palmerston North Boys' High School Sports Hall of Fame.. They join Bruce Hemara and Bob Burgess as the rugby players in the HoF.
  • Cyclone Taufa Bason won Feilding High School's Sportswoman of the Year and brother Mosese was named Sportsman and overall Sportsperson of the Year.
  • Cyclones halfback Maia Davis was named Manukura Supreme Athlete.
  • Referee Hannah Russell won Female Official of the Year at the Sport Manawatū Secondary School Sports Awards. 

AARON SMITH BOWS OUT OF INTERNATIONAL RUGBY

The Rugby World Cup final was the international swansong for one of the greats of Manawatū and New Zealand rugby. Aaron Smith finished his All Blacks career with 125 tests and 29 tries. He is the fifth-most capped All Black of all time, the most capped All Blacks back, and the Manawatū player with the most test matches to his name. 

We wish Nuggy all the best as he joins Toyota Verblitz in Japan Rugby League One.

CYCLONES SELECTED FOR NZ UNDER 20 DEVELOPMENT CAMP

We're proud to see five of our Cyclones selected for New Zealand Rugby's Under 20 development camps. Congratulations to Traest Mafile'o, Elinor-Plum King, Maia Davis, Rangimarie Sturmey and Hollyrae Mete.

READ MORE

CENTRAL REGION SEVENS - SATURDAY 18 NOVEMBER

Sevens is back!

After a four year hiatus, the Central Region Sevens tournament returns.

Head down to the Massey University fields for a day of fast-paced sevens action, featuring men's and women's competitions. Entry is free.

The first games kick off at 10.20am. 

We have a couple of excellent coaches guiding the Manawatū teams. Quadruple international Kristina Sue is coaching the women's team. Kristina has done an incredible job coaching the Manukura girls team to back to back National First XV Championships. 

Troy Sherriff is coaching the men's team. He brings extensive experience coaching Linton Army as well as range of Defence Force teams.

RIPPA TOURNAMENTS A GREAT INTRO TO RUGBY

We recently held a few Rippa rugby tournaments to help get kids interested in playing rugby. 

We ran our Rippa World Cup for primary and intermediate students on 20 October. It was a huge success, attracting 44 teams. READ MORE 

A week later we ran Year 9 and 10 boys and girls tournaments at Queen Elizabeth Collège. Again, it had a great level of participation, with 13 girls teams and six boys teams taking part. READ MORE  

TINY TURBOS & CYCLONES AND FUTURE CYCLONES

This week we kicked off our Tiny Turbos & Cyclones and Future Cyclones programmes. These free programmes are all about teaching kids rugby and fitness skills. We've had a great response, with 48 kids registering for Tiny Turbos & Cyclones and 40 for Future Cyclones so far.

The programmes are running on Thursdays 9, 16, and 23 November. and it's not too late to register your kids. 

Tiny Turbos & Cyclones- kids aged 3 to 6. REGISTER HERE

Future Cyclones - girls aged 8 to 13. REGISTER HERE

 

Mā te wā. 

Manawatū Rugby