Rugby 2016 by Oliver Lee Publications Ltd

GAME ON

RUGBY 2016 CONTENTS A heads-up on what’s inside this issue including competition draws and team profiles.

MANAGING EDITOR:

Oliver Lee

EDITOR:

Peter White

hammersports@gmail.com

SUB-EDITOR:

Elise McDowell

WINNING MOMENT

PHOTOGRAPHY:

CANTERBURY CAPTAIN LUKE WHITELOCK holds the ITM CUP after winning LAST YEAR’S FINAL over AUCKLAND.

photosport.nz

COVER DESIGN

ONTIME Associates

PRINTING:

PMP Auckland PUBLISHER:

THE INVESTEC RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP .... We preview the 2016 Investec Rugby Championship and the All Blacks end-of-year tour.

MITRE 10 CUP SEASON PREVIEW ...............

CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEWS:

What’s ahead in this year’s Premiership and Championship.

Box 331-667, Takapuna, Auckland 0740, New Zealand T: 09 486 6966 E: oliver@oliverlee.co.nz W: oliverlee.co.nz

PREMIERSHIP PREVIEWS: AUCKLAND .................................................... COUNTIES MANUKAU ..................................... HAWKE’S BAY .................................................. CANTERBURY ................................................. WAIKATO ....................................................... TARANAKI ....................................................... TASMAN

16-17

2016 FIXTURE LIST

8 10 10 12 13 14 15

18 MANAWATU ................................................ 18 NORTH HARBOUR........................................ 21 NORTHLAND ............................................... 22 BAY OF PLENTY ........................................... 22 WELLINGTON............................................... 24 SOUTHLAND ................................................ 26 HEARTLAND CHAMPIONSHIP .................. 28 THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR 2017 . 30

OTAGO ........................................................

A look ahead to next year’s major inbound tour.

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Although all material is checked for accuracy, no liability is assumed by the publisher for any loss due to use of material in this magazine.

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SIMPLY THE BEST: New ALL BLACKS CAPTAIN KIERAN READ scores against Wales in the June test series.

THE TRADITIONAL TOURNAMENT OPENER IN SYDNEY ON AUGUST 20 BETWEEN THE WALLABIES AND ALL BLACKS SHOULD BE A CRACKER.

THE INVESTEC RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

BY PETER WHITE

The 2015 season will be remembered as one of the most important in the proud history of New Zealand rugby. The All Blacks won back-to-back Rugby World Cups after they defeated Australia 34–17 at a packed Twickenham, and became the first nation to retain their title and the first to win for a third time. In the build-up to the World Cup the All Blacks, South Africa, Australia and Argentina competed in a shorter version of the Investec Rugby Championship. Australia caused a major upset by winning all three of their games, including beating the All Blacks 27–19 in Sydney, to break New Zealand’s stranglehold on the competition. It was the first ever loss for the All Blacks in the Championship, which began in 2012, and was celebrated with great gusto by the Wallabies players and supporters. It certainly increased their expectations of a World Cup victory, which the All Blacks dashed in the final later that year.

2016 INVESTEC RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP & BLEDISLOE CUP DRAW DATE

MATCH

VENUE

AUGUST 20 AUGUST 21 AUGUST 27 AUGUST 28 SEPTEMBER 10 SEPTEMBER 10 SEPTEMBER 17 SEPTEMBER 17 OCTOBER 2 OCTOBER 2 OCTOBER 9 OCTOBER 9

Australia v All Blacks [BC] South Africa v Argentina All Blacks v Australia [BC] Argentina v South Africa All Blacks v Argentina Australia v South Africa All Blacks v South Africa Australia v Argentina South Africa v Australia Argentina v All Blacks South Africa v All Blacks Argentina v Australia

Sydney .................................... 10.05 pm Nelspruit ................................ 3.05 am Wellington ............................. 7.35 pm Salta ........................................ 7.40 am Hamilton ................................ 7.35 pm Brisbane ................................. 10.05 pm Christchurch .......................... 7.35 pm Perth ....................................... 10.05 pm Pretoria ................................... 4.05 am Buenos Aires ......................... 11.10 am Durban ................................... 4.05 am London ................................... 7.30 am

KICK OFF NZ TIME

[BC] = Bledisloe Cup match.

2016 BLEDISLOE CUP GAME 3 DATE

MATCH

VENUE

OCTOBER 22

All Blacks v Australia

Auckland ................................ 7.35 pm

KICK OFF NZ TIME

2016 END OF YEAR TOUR DATE

MATCH

VENUE

NOVEMBER 5 NOVEMBER 13 NOVEMBER 20 NOVEMBER 27

All Blacks v Ireland All Blacks v Italy All Blacks v Ireland All Blacks v France

Chicago .................................. Rome ....................................... Dublin ..................................... Paris .........................................

KICK OFF NZ TIME

TBA TBA TBA TBA

PLEASE NOTE: Game dates and times are stated in New Zealand local times.

4 | RUGBY 2016

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And so to the 2016 Investec Rugby Championship. It reverts back to the traditional home and away format that helps make it such a true test of the various strengths of the Southern Hemisphere rugby powers. Under new captain Kieran Read, the All Blacks defeated Wales 3–0 in the June test series and will start as favourites heading into the Rugby Championship. The traditional tournament opener in Sydney on August 20 between the Wallabies and All Blacks should be a cracker. This fixture has become something of a rugby institution and is one weekend when rugby union holds the upper hand over rugby league in Sydney. The All Blacks and Wallabies will also play an extra test at Eden Park on October 22 as the third Bledisloe Cup match, outside of the Rugby Championship. For this year’s Rugby Championship, SANZAAR has introduced the changed bonus-point system used successfully in Super Rugby this season. The old four-try bonus point is replaced with a bonus point awarded to a team scoring three or more tries than their opponents. The bonus point for losing by seven or fewer points remains unchanged. Another innovation is the staging of the first Rugby Championship match in London, which is between Australia and Argentina on October 8. It is a designated home match for Argentina who will be desperate for revenge at Twickenham after their semi-final loss to Australia at last year’s Rugby World Cup. There will be increased interest in the performance of Argentina following the first year of the Jaguares team in Super Rugby, which is made up of most of the test squad. The All Blacks then finish the year off with four test matches in November. This mini tour comprises two matches against what should be a highly competitive Ireland side, coached by New Zealander Joe Schmidt, and tests against Italy and France. The first match against Ireland is in Chicago, USA, before the All Blacks go on to play Italy, Ireland (in Dublin) and France. The Maori All Blacks play the US Eagles in Chicago the day before the All Blacks meet Ireland to add further kudos what should be a special weekend of rugby in Chicago.

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PROVINCIAL PRIDE ON THE LINE AGAIN BY PETER WHITE Last year Canterbury won their seventh national

title in eight years. Who can stop them in 2016? The contest for supremacy among New Zealand’s 14 top unions is still the world’s best provincial rugby championship. The teams will battle for provincial pride in the Mitre 10 Cup in more than 70 matches over 11 weeks. Then the pulsating play-offs begin, with the popular matter of promotion and relegation between the Premiership and the Championship adding late-season drama. It is a breeding ground of excellence the rest of the rugby world can only dream about. Former All Black and SKY TV rugby analyst, Jeff Wilson, says the national competition plays an important role in New Zealand rugby. “New Zealand rugby’s competitive advantage is the ability to develop players at the national provincial game. That is why New Zealand Rugby invests heavily into this competition because they know how important it is,” Wilson says. “This is massively important in transitioning guys at age-group rugby and school rugby into that next semiprofessional arena, to continue their development for when that opportunity may come for Super Rugby. “[The competition] happens over such a compressed period of time. You come together and usually have two to three weeks together of full-on preparation with all your Super Rugby players and then you go for it. “It is a high pressured, difficult competition in such a limited time to get everything working and playing well.” Significant changes to the rules at the breakdown will be adopted in this year’s competition; this is in the interests of player safety and to clarify the breakdown interpretation.

Specifically, Laws 15 and 16, which cover the tackle and ruck, respectively, have been amended. The key message is that players must be on their feet for the duration of the breakdown. Eight provincial unions — Bay of Plenty, North Harbour, Northland, Otago, Southland, Taranaki, Tasman and Waikato — trialled the law changes during their premier club rugby seasons. Bay of Plenty coach Clayton McMillan says the new laws have worked “in raising the body height of everybody at the breakdown, which makes it a lot safer and also a lot cleaner and easier to referee”. “From a spectator’s point-of-view once you get your head around the rules it is a little bit more black-and-white and not so grey. “All the unions that elected to adopt the rules in club rugby were hoping to gain an advantage having played them through a club season. I certainly think there will be a small advantage for [those] teams over the first couple of weeks as they are the sort of things that take a long time to adjust to.”

IT IS A BREEDING GROUND OF EXCELLENCE THE REST OF THE RUGBY WORLD CAN ONLY DREAM ABOUT.

In the Heartland Championship, a new points system will be trialled with a penalty try worth eight points (no conversion needed), a try worth six points and a conversion, penalty and drop goal all worth two points each. And in such a busy programme, let’s not forget the iconic Ranfurly Shield, inaugurated in 1904. At the start of the main part of the season Waikato are the holders, having earlier defeated challenges from Heartland sides Thames Valley, King Country and Wanganui. It promises to be another spectacular season of rugby. Good luck to all teams competing.

CHAMPIONS: CANTERBURY players CELEBRATE after beating AUCKLAND in LAST YEAR’S PREMIERSHIP FINAL.

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RUGBY 2016 | 7# 7

TEAM PREVIEWS FOR 2016 The top seven teams will contest the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership this year.

AUCKLAND

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RUNNER-UP IN 2015: Auckland scored 40 tries, the most in the Premiership. In the semi-final, they beat highly regarded Tasman, 44–24, in a scintillating show of running rugby, before meeting Canterbury in the final. The old rivals each put on a memorable display in Christchurch, with Canterbury just holding on for a 25–23 victory. KEY PLAYERS: Auckland will have an abundance of riches with 22 Super Rugby players, plus the massive talents of Reiko and Akira Ioane returning from the Olympics. First five-eighth Simon Hickey will again captain the team after an off-season playing in France. Athletic locks Michael Fatialofa and Liaki Moli will form a strong engine room in the pack. YOUNG GUNS: Backs Joe Ravouvou and Pasqualle Dunn, and loose forward Josh Kaifa, have been selected on club form so will be worth watching. Calvary Fonoti is a talented player who can play first-five or second-five. Openside flanker Blake Gibson is a similar player to Sam Cane and if he can remain injury free could be a real star of the campaign.

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SEASON PROSPECTS: New coach (and former Auckland prop) Nick White is pleased to have retained most of last year’s squad. “Hopefully with most of them returning it will add strength to the team and a bit more experience. A lot of them have gained Super Rugby experience in 2016, they will be bringing back some of those professional rugby playing attitudes and disciplines, which will take our squad to another level.”

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TEAM PREVIEWS FOR 2016

…continued from page 8

COUNTIES MANUKAU

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PLACED FIFTH IN 2015: The Steelers finished in the same position as they did the previous year with four wins from their 10 games. By their own high standards they were down on tries scored but were superb in the 30–9 victory over Waikato in Hamilton. KEY PLAYERS: The Steelers have a high-class group of Super Rugby and All Blacks Sevens players, including Chiefs hooker Hika Elliot, Jimmy Tupou, Jordan Taufua, Piers Francis, Sam Vaka, Toni Pulu and Sione Fifita. Sonny Bill Williams, Augustine Pulu and Sione Molia will join after the Rio Olympics. YOUNG GUNS: New Zealand Under-20s pairing of half-back Jonathan Taumateine and first-five Orbyn Leger have all the attributes needed to push for starting roles. Taumateine is a versatile player who can also cover first-five and fullback. Both players have also played for Samoa Under-20s. Flanker and former New Zealand Secondary Schools captain Sootala Fa’aso’o is another to watch. SEASON PROSPECTS: New head coach Darryl Suasua says they are looking forward to competing well this season. “The real challenge for us this season will be adjusting to the new laws as we played club under the old rules. A big work-on will be adjusting to the tackle ball laws before the start of the competition.”

TRY SCORER After playing well for the CHIEFS, WINGER TONY PULU is set for a big season with THE STEELERS.

HAWKE’S BAY

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PROMOTED TO PREMIERSHIP IN 2015: Hawke’s Bay Magpies won a heart-stopping final against Wellington 26–25, and were promoted to the Premiership. The Magpies won more games in pool play than Wellington and were one of the most attractive sides to watch throughout last season. KEY PLAYERS: New signings halfback Brad Weber, former All Black Ross Filipo and Maori All Black Ben May. “With the season-ending injuries to key performers Brendon Edmonds and Michael Allardice, it was important to replace them with similar experience and talent, and Ross and Ben will add both to our playing squad in 2016,” Magpies head coach Craig Philpott says. YOUNG GUNS: Sam McNicol has shifted back home to Napier after two seasons in Wellington. The pacy winger/fullback with a taste for scoring tries struggled with injury in the Capital. The former New Zealand Secondary Schools player was a star for the Chiefs in this year’s Super Rugby. SEASON PROSPECTS: Hawke’s Bay look to be a real prospect of pushing the more established Premiership teams for semi-final places. The squad is rich in experience of top-level rugby, particularly at Super Rugby-level, and with passionate support at home games in Napier they will be hard to knock over.

10 | RUGBY 2016

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TEAM PREVIEWS FOR

…continued from page 10

CANTERBURY

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CHAMPIONS IN 2015: Canterbury returned to the winner’s circle (after missing out in 2014) to continue their remarkable record, now totalling seven titles in eight seasons. They won nine of their 10 pool matches before holding on to beat Auckland 25–23 in a memorable final. KEY PLAYERS: Head coach Scott Robertson casts his eye over a few players to watch. “Young [number] seven Billy Harmon is a live-wire loose forward, wing/fullback George Bridge made New Zealand Under20s last year, Luke Whitelock will

captain again with support from Matt Todd and Dom Bird. Johnny McNicholl is a local boy who has become a bit of a custodian for us.” YOUNG GUN: Oliver Jager is a 20-year-old tighthead prop who came to Christchurch from Leinster three years ago. “He is an Irish lad with a lot of potential who has played his way into the wider training group at the Crusaders. He is an exciting prospect. Tightheads are a rare breed, hard to get,” Robertson says. SEASON PROSPECTS: “We have 23 Super players, and guys that have come through club rugby in our academy,” Robertson says. “The key thing is to get the players excited and buy-in, as a group, to the values and the standards set by the players before them. Then go out and have some fun and enjoy it.”

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12 | RUGBY 2016

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2016 WAIKATO PLACED SIXTH IN 2015: By their high standards, Waikato had a disappointing 2015 season, winning four games of the 10 played, and finishing out of semi-final reckoning. Their win over Hawke’s Bay to secure the Ranfurly Shield was the undoubted highlight. KEY PLAYERS: Waikato have a strong squad with Super Rugby players and All Blacks competing for places. Players to lead the way are Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown, former Ireland halfback Isaac Boss, Tawera KerrBarlow, Stephen Donald, Sam Christie, Willis Halaholo and Atu Moli. YOUNG GUNS: “In our squad we have young winger Sevu Reece who played New Zealand Schools last year and has a good, all-round skill set and long term could probably be in the midfield. [We have] New Zealand Under-20s players this year in Sosefo Kautai, who was the

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tighthead prop and flanker Mitchell Jacobson, who is in his second year in the Waikato team,” head coach Sean Botherway says. SEASON PROSPECTS: Coach Botherway says it is an advantage to have the Ranfurly Shield when blooding new players. “It has been really good for us because it has enabled us to give the early phase of the season some real meaning. We want to be in the semis and to do that we need to be more consistent defensively than last year.”

ATTACKING GENIUS FULLBACK DAMIAN McKENZIE is expected to shine for WAIKATO. WWW.OLIVERLEE.CO.NZ

7 RUGBY 2016 |7#13

TEAM PREVIEWS FOR 2016

…continued from page 13

TARANAKI

www.trfu.co.nz

PLACED FOURTH IN 2015: Taranaki played some typically well-constructed rugby and finished fourth in pool play, with six wins and four defeats. They then ran into Canterbury in the semi-final in Christchurch. Canterbury put on a flawless performance and beat Taranaki 46–20. KEY PLAYERS: Head coach Colin Cooper has two new locks in Ben Matwijow from Queensland Reds, who played for Canterbury last year, and former Taranaki player Leon Power who returns from France. In the midfield, Seta Tamanivalu and Charlie Ngatai could be in the All Blacks frame, so Johnny Fa'auli joins from Counties Manukau and sevens player Bodene Waka adds his skills to the backline talent. YOUNG GUNS: Stephen Perofeta played first-five for New Zealand Under-20s and can also play fullback. He is in his first year out of school and Cooper is confident he will promote himself well in the competition. Latu Vaeno is with the Chiefs and the powerful winger made an impression with Taranaki last season. SEASON PROSPECTS: “We have lost a few players through moving on, like Kurt Baker, have lost our captain James Marshall, and injuries to a key player like James Broadhurst, so we will probably lack a lot of experience,” Cooper says. “But we certainly have some young guys that are exciting and ready for an opportunity. We have a hard working group and making top four is the first goal.”

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TASMAN

KIERON FONOTIA is part of an experienced TASMAN squad.

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PLACED THIRD IN 2015: Tasman Makos are renowned for scoring plenty of tries and playing a high-paced game. Last year, they were highly entertaining and finished third in regular play, but in the semi-final they found Auckland too hard to handle at Eden Park. KEY PLAYERS: The Makos will have a strong squad captained by Shane Christie, with Tim Perry as vice-captain. Kieron Fonotia, Marty Banks, James Lowe, Joe Wheeler, Kane Hames, Alex Ainley, Pete Samu, Shane Christie, Liam Squire, Billy Guyton and David Havili form a solid core, with former All Blacks winger Zac Guildford signed from NSW Waratahs. YOUNG GUNS: Lock Quinten Strange is 19 and 1.95m tall. He played for New Zealand Under-20s at this year’s world championships. Former Nelson College fullback/first-five Mitchell Hunt returns home after playing for Auckland last year and the Crusaders in the Super Rugby campaign. SEASON PROSPECTS: Former All Black Leon MacDonald, who steps up as head coach after six years as assistant to Kieran Keane, says they are very excited about the season. “We have a good mix of experienced players and younger players. We have had a couple of decent years but haven’t really achieved anything yet. If you can get into that semi-final situation you give yourself a chance, so that is the goal.”

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2016 GAME SCHEDU The 14 teams involved will play 70 matches before the play-offs in just nine we NOTE: [RS] = Ranfurly Shield Challenge MITRE 10 CUP EXPLAINED 2016 MITRE 10 CUP PREMIERSHIP Auckland Canterbury Counties Manukau Hawke’s Bay Taranaki Tasman Waikato

The seventh placed team is automatically relegated to the 2017 MITRE 10 Cup Championship.

2016 MITRE 10 CUP CHAMPIONSHIP Bay of Plenty Manawatu North Harbour Northland Otago Southland Wellington

The winner of the MITRE 10 Cup Championship is automatically promoted to the 2017 MITRE 10 Cup Premiership. All Premiership teams will play each other once, and all Championship teams will play each other once (three home, three away matches). In addition, all 14 teams will play four crossover matches (two home, two away matches) where Premiership and Championship teams meet. All matches will carry full competition points.

FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION GO TO www.mitre10cup.co.nz

WEEK 1: THURSDAY AUGUST 18 — SUNDAY AUGUST 21 DATE

MATCH

Thursday August 18

North Harbour

Counties Manukau QBE Stadium, Albany

7.35 pm

Friday August 19

Northland

Manawatu

Toll Stadium, Whangarei

7.35 pm

Saturday August 20

Bay of Plenty

Taranaki

Tauranga Domain, Tauranga

2.35 pm

Hawke’s Bay

Wellington

McLean Park, Napier

5.35 pm

Canterbury

Auckland

AMI Stadium, Addington

7.35 pm

Southland

Otago

Rugby Park, Invercargill

2.35 pm

Tasman

Waikato

Lansdowne Park, Blenheim

4.35 pm

Sunday August 21

VENUE

TIME

WEEK 2: THURSDAY AUGUST 25 — SUNDAY AUGUST 28 Thursday August 25

Otago

Wellington

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

7.35 pm

Friday August 26

Manawatu

Southland

Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North

5.45 pm

Auckland

Northland

Eden Park, Auckland

Waikato

North Harbour [RS] FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

2.35 pm

Taranaki

Hawke’s Bay

Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth

4.35 pm

Canterbury

Tasman

AMI Stadium, Addington

2.35 pm

Bay of Plenty

ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe

4.35 pm

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

7.35 pm

Saturday August 27 Sunday August 28

Counties Manukau v

7.45 pm

WEEK 3: WEDNESDAY AUGUST 31 — SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4 Wednesday August 31

Otago

Northland

Thursday Sept 1

Hawke’s Bay

Counties Manukau McLean Park, Napier

7.35 pm

Friday Sept 2

Southland

Auckland

Rugby Park, Invercargill

7.35 pm

Saturday Sept 3

Tasman

Taranaki

Trafalgar Park, Nelson

2.35 pm

Wellington

North Harbour

Westpac Stadium, Wellington

5.35 pm

Northland

Canterbury

Toll Stadium, Whangarei

7.35 pm

Bay of Plenty

Otago

Tauranga Domain, Tauranga

2.35 pm

Waikato

Manawatu [RS]

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

4.35 pm

Sunday Sept 4

WEEK 4: WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 7 — SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 11 Wednesday Sept 7

Hawke’s Bay

Auckland

McLean Park, Napier

7.35 pm

Thursday Sept 8

Taranaki

Southland

Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth

7.35 pm

Friday Sept 9

Bay of Plenty

Northland

Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua

5.45 pm

Counties Manukau v

Wellington

ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe

7.45 pm

North Harbour

Manawatu

QBE Stadium, Albany

2.35 pm

Otago

Tasman

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

4.35 pm

Canterbury

Hawke’s Bay

AMI Stadium, Addington

2.35 pm

Auckland

Waikato

Eden Park, Auckland

4.35 pm

Saturday Sept 10 Sunday Sept 11

WEEK 5: WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 14 — SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 18 Wednesday Sept 14

Counties Manukau v

Taranaki

ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe

7.35 pm

Thursday Sept 15

Southland

Hawke’s Bay

Rugby Park, Invercargill

7.35 pm

Friday Sept 16

Tasman

Northland

Trafalgar Park, Nelson

5.45 pm

Wellington

Bay of Plenty

Westpac Stadium, Wellington

7.45 pm

Otago

North Harbour

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

2.35 pm

Manawatu

Canterbury

Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North

4.35 pm

Auckland

Counties Manukau Eden Park, Auckland

2.35 pm

Waikato

Taranaki [RS]

4.35 pm

Saturday Sept 17 Sunday Sept 18

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

WEEK 6: WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 21 — SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 25

16 | RUGBY 2016

Wednesday Sept 21

Southland

Bay of Plenty

Rugby Park, Invercargill

7.35 pm

Thursday Sept 22

Northland

Wellington

Toll Stadium, Whangarei

7.35 pm

WWW.OLIVERLEE.CO.NZ

LE eks...

FOR ALL UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON THE MITRE 10 CUP, VISIT WWW.MITRE10CUP.CO.NZ

WEEK 6 CONTINUED: WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 21 — SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 25 DATE

MATCH

Friday Sept 23

Counties Manukau v

Waikato

ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe

7.35 pm

Saturday Sept 24

Canterbury

Otago

AMI Stadium, Addington

2.35 pm

Taranaki

Manawatu

Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth

5.35 pm

Hawke’s Bay

Tasman

McLean Park, Napier

7.35 pm

North Harbour

Southland

QBE Stadium, Albany

2.35 pm

Bay of Plenty

Auckland

Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua

4.35 pm

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

7.35 pm

Sunday Sept 25

VENUE

TIME

WEEK 7: WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 28 — SUNDAY OCTOBER 2 Wednesday Sept 28

Waikato

Canterbury [RS]

Thursday Sept 29

Tasman

Counties Manukau Lansdowne Park, Blenheim

7.35 pm

Friday Sept 30

Wellington

Southland

Westpac Stadium, Wellington

7.35 pm

Saturday October 1

North Harbour

Bay of Plenty

QBE Stadium, Albany

2.35 pm

Manawatu

Hawke’s Bay

Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North

5.35 pm

Auckland

Otago

Eden Park, Auckland

7.35 pm

Taranaki

Canterbury

Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth

2.35 pm

Northland

Waikato

Toll Stadium, Whangarei

4.35 pm

Sunday October 2

WEEK 8: WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 5 — SUNDAY OCTOBER 9 Wednesday October 5

Manawatu

Wellington

Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North

7.35 pm

Thursday October 6

Auckland

Tasman

Eden Park, Auckland

7.35 pm

Friday October 7

Canterbury

North Harbour

AMI Stadium, Addington

7.35 pm

Saturday October 8

Southland

Northland

Rugby Park, Invercargill

2.35 pm

Otago

Counties Manukau Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

5.35 pm

Waikato

Hawke’s Bay [RS]

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

7.35 pm

Wellington

Taranaki

Westpac Stadium, Wellington

2.35 pm

Bay of Plenty

Manawatu

Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua

4.35 pm

Sunday October 9

WEEK 9: WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 12 — SUNDAY OCTOBER 16 Wednesday October 12

North Harbour

Tasman

QBE Stadium, Albany

7.35 pm

Thursday October 13

Taranaki

Auckland

Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth

7.35 pm

Friday October 14

Manawatu

Otago

Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North

7.35 pm

Saturday October 15

Counties Manukau v

Canterbury

ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe

2.35 pm

Hawke’s Bay

Bay of Plenty

McLean Park, Napier

5.35 pm

Wellington

Waikato

Westpac Stadium, Wellington

7.35 pm

Tasman

Southland

Trafalgar Park, Nelson

2.35 pm

Northland

North Harbour

Toll Stadium, Whangarei

4.35 pm

Sunday October 16

SEMI-FINALS: FRIDAY OCTOBER 21 — SUNDAY OCTOBER 23 Friday October 21

PREMIERSHIP SEMI-FINAL ONE

7.35 pm

Saturday October 22

CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL ONE

2.05 pm

Saturday October 22

CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL TWO

4.35 pm

Sunday October 23

PREMIERSHIP SEMI-FINAL TWO

2.35 pm

FINALS: FRIDAY OCTOBER 28 and SATURDAY OCTOBER 29 Friday October 28

CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

7.35 pm

Saturday October 29

PREMIERSHIP FINAL

7.35 pm

WWW.OLIVERLEE.CO.NZ

7#77 RUGBY 2016 | 1

2016 CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM PREVIEWS Automatic promotion up to the Premiership next year is the goal for these seven unions.

OTAGO

www.orfu.co.nz

PLACED THIRD IN 2015: It was a good season overall for Otago. The team played an ambitious style of rugby and finished third in round-robin play with six wins from 10 games. In the semi-final they ran into a supercharged Wellington team and were soundly defeated at Westpac Stadium. KEY PLAYERS: Liam Coltman and Tom Franklin will be the leaders in the forwards, with centre Matt Faddes and fullback Tony Ensor quality players. Former captain Paul Grant returns from overseas, and coach Cory Brown has big wraps on first-five Fletcher Smith. “He is still young but got some experience with the Highlanders and has a fantastic skill-set with his handling and kicking.” YOUNG GUNS: Coach Brown picked out two players to watch. “Dillon Hunt has played New Zealand Under-20s and is a [number] six or seven with a wide-ranging skill-set. Jonathan Ruru has come down from Hawke’s Bay and I think he has a lot of potential. He is a big, physical halfback.” SEASON PROSPECTS: “There is no doubt semi-finals is the minimum requirement. That is a focus and a goal for us to get there and then hope to go one step further. We have a large number of players in Super Rugby, which causes its own headaches but is also a real positive for Otago rugby to get those numbers into the next level.”

BY EXAMPLE LIAM COLTMAN is a leader for OTAGO on and off the field.

MANAWATU RELEGATED FROM PREMIERSHIP IN 2015: The Turbos dropped back to the Championship after one season up in the Premiership, following a fine promotion season in 2014. They won just three games and conceded 46 tries in their 10 games. www.manawaturugby.co.nz

KEY PLAYERS: Experienced flanker Callum Gibbins will be a core leader. First-five Otere Black is a class performer now, and halfbacks Jamie Booth and Kayne Hammington will again be vying for the No.9 jersey. Nehe Milner-Skudder may be back but not until late-September. YOUNG GUNS: “Players like Travis Taylor and Tim Cadwallader who have been around our environment for some time, came up through the Manawatu Academy and continued to push for an opportunity to play for the Turbos. While Tim was in the squad in 2014, both players have shown patience and commitment,” says Manawatu Rugby CEO, John Knowles. SEASON PROSPECTS: Club form has been rewarded with six new players named. “These boys have really showed commitment and determination in club rugby during the season and thoroughly deserve an opportunity to step-up and show what they can achieve in the Mitre 10 Cup competition,” new head coach Jeremy Cotter says.

18 | RUGBY 2016

WWW.OLIVERLEE.CO.NZ

TOP CLASS OTERE BLACK is one of the best FIRST-FIVES in the COMPETITION.

TEAM PREVIEWS

…continued from page 18

NORTH HARBOUR PLACED FIFTH IN 2015: North Harbour just missed the play-offs for the second season running. They played with better structure and scored some of the best tries of the campaign. Their 26–25 win over Southland in Invercargill and 28–20 home win over Counties Manukau were highlights. KEY PLAYERS: Head coach Steve Jackson says their Blues players are crucial. “Captain James Parsons is a big figure for us, Tevita Li and Matt Duffie as well. We will be looking for those guys with their flair, and also Bryn Hall brings leadership. There are others who have also been involved with Super Rugby.” Chris Smylie and Glen Preston return from Italy. YOUNG GUNS: “We have a young man, James Little, who is still only 18, who can play for our Under-19 side but is contracted to us. He is a number 12 [and] is someone to keep an

www.harbourrugby.co.nz

eye on moving forward. Flanker Hapakuki Moala-Liava'a was with the New Zealand Under-20s [and] is someone we will look to come on this season,” says Steve Jackson. SEASON PROSPECTS: Coach Jackson wants nothing less than a top four finish. “That is our first goal and once you are there anything can happen. The last couple of years have been quite frustrating as we have missed semis by a point then two points.”

NATURAL LEADER HOOKER JAMES PARSONS had a fine campaign with the BLUES. WWW.OLIVERLEE.CO.NZ

7 RUGBY 2016 |7#21

TEAM PREVIEWS

…continued from page 21

NORTHLAND PLACED SEVENTH IN 2015: Last season will want to be erased from Northland rugby memories. The Taniwha did not manage to win a game and for such an attack-minded side to only score 19 tries was disappointing. Injuries really hurt Northland as they did not have the depth to be able to cover. www.taniwha.co.nz

KEY PLAYERS: The loose forwards Northland have assembled are stronger than most; they’re led by the Pryor brothers, Dan and Kara, who have both been impressive in Super Rugby. They are joined by respected flanker Jack Ram and former Auckland loose forward Matt Matich, who is a fine prospect. Crusaders speedster Jone Macilai and former Otago pivot Peter Breen make the shift north this year. YOUNG GUN: Halfback Sam Nock played for the New Zealand Under-20s team this year and is contracted to the Blues. He made New Zealand Secondary Schools while at Saint Kentigern College and is regarded as one of the best young halfbacks in the country. SEASON PROSPECTS: Head coach Richie Harris has selected players who have played their club rugby in Northland and this has been warmly greeted by rank and file Taniwha fans. After last season, restoring pride and respect in the Northland jersey will be the number one goal with improved results to follow.

GOOD PROSPECT LOCK JOSH GOODHUE will be a key LINEOUT FORWARD for NORTHLAND.

BAY OF PLENTY

UNION

www.boprugby.co.nz

PLACED FOURTH IN 2015: The Steamers were more competitive last season under new coach and Bay of Plenty centurion Clayton McMillan. In the semi-final, they outscored Hawke’s Bay four tries to three before losing what was a gripping game that could have gone their way. KEY PLAYERS: Attacking fullback Chase Tiatia, former Italian first-five Kelly Haimona, veteran halfback Ruki Tipuna and international sevens players Teddy Stanaway, Joe Webber, Regan Ware, Isaac Te Aute and Scotland’s Hugh Blake. Lock Culum Retallick has played 92 games for Bay of Plenty and is likely to captain the team. His drive towards 100 games will inspire his team mates. YOUNG GUN: Last year Isaac Te Aute became a cult hero after his brilliant try for Rotorua Boys’ High School was an internet hit. The winger/fullback has been involved in the All Blacks Sevens programme and his blinding speed made him a standout in the Baywide club competition. SEASON PROSPECTS: Head coach Clayton McMillan is confident of a strong showing. “This team represents our region. The quality of club rugby has improved. We are determined to create a legacy of success, bring some mana back to the jersey, and earn the respect of our supporters and stakeholders by playing a brand of rugby synonymous with the Bay of Plenty.”

22 | RUGBY 2016

WWW.OLIVERLEE.CO.NZ

TOP PROSPECT STEAMERS HALFBACK TE AIHE TOMA has benefited from time with THE HIGHLANDERS this year.

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TEAM PREVIEWS

…continued from page 22

WELLINGTON

www.wellingtonlions.co.nz

PLACED SECOND IN 2015: Wellington looked set to win a pulsating final against Hawke’s Bay in Napier before the home team snatched victory with a late converted try. It was a cruel late twist for the Lions, one which denied them a return back to the Premiership. KEY PLAYERS: Wellington will have a top-class group of Super Rugby players and All Blacks to choose from, depending on the needs of the All Blacks during the season. Halfback TJ Perenara always gives his best in a Lions shirt and captain Brad Shields is an inspiring leader, and among the best loose forwards in the country. YOUNG GUNS: Head coach Earl Va’a has high hopes for two New Zealand Under-20s reps. “Peter Umaga-Jensen and Isaiah Walker-Leawere are good athletes, straight out of school. Izzy is a big lock who can play [number] six as well and off-loads well, while Peter is not much smaller than Izzy and plays in the outside backs.”

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SEASON PROSPECTS: Va’a says promotion back to the Premiership is the driving ambition. ”Last year we missed promotion by a kick at goal and the aim was obviously to get up to Premiership, but we will have another crack this HP Advert_V1_HR.pdf 1 19/07/16 10:06 AM year and see what unfolds.”

INSPIRATIONAL FLANKER BRAD SHIELDS will CAPTAIN the WELLINGTON LIONS.

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TEAM PREVIEWS

…continued from page 24

SOUTHLAND and the backline is further enhanced by All Blacks Sevens player Dylan Collier from Waikato. Western Force prop Guy Millar is a major recruit at loosehead prop.

www.rugbysouthland.co.nz

PLACED SIXTH IN 2015: Last season was one to forget for the Southland Stags as they finished second-to-last in sixth spot, with just two wins. The Stags showed glimpses of their ability in patches but were let down by defensive lapses in key games. KEY PLAYERS: All Blacks Lima Sopoaga and Elliot Dixon, hooker Brayden Mitchell and durable loosie Tim Boys. The Stags are boosted by the return of halfback Jimmy Cowan for the first time since 2012

YOUNG GUN: Hooker Zek Sopoaga is the 21-year-old brother of Lima who moved south from Wellington. He came through the Wellington age-group system and played for the New Zealand Barbarians Schools team. SEASON PROSPECTS: New head coach Hoani MacDonald has left veteran prop and captain Jamie Mackintosh out of his 28-man squad. “He has been a fantastic leader and it is nothing to do with his rugby and his leadership. It is just a decision made by us as a group that we thought the timing was right with a changing of the guard,” MacDonald said. Hooker Brayden Mitchell takes over as captain.

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26 | RUGBY 2016 RUGBY 2014

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2016 HEARTLAND CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

This year is the 11th season of the hugely popular Heartland Championship, and it will see the introduction of some fundamental changes. This season will feature the new laws around the breakdown and a new points scoring system. The changes to the breakdown are designed to keep players on their feet and reduce injuries, while the new points scoring system being trialled intends to promote try scoring. A penalty try will be worth eight points (no conversion needed), a try worth six points and a conversion, penalty and drop goal all worth two points each. The Heartland Championship is an eight-week competition to determine the four teams (out of the 12 teams competing in total) who will compete for the Meads Cup and the four teams who will compete for the Lochore Cup. Thames Valley will play all their games at 2pm this season, while Wairarapa Bush get to show off their artificial turf with two of their matches under lights — against Thames Valley in week 4 and against East Coast in week 8. The Lochore Cup and Meads Cup semi-finals will be played on October 22, with the finals for both Cups being played MATCH SCHEDULE: Home team listed first.

WEEK 1 SATURDAY AUGUST 27 Mid Canterbury v North Otago Poverty Bay v East Coast South Canterbury v Buller Thames Valley v Horowhenua Kapiti Wairarapa Bush v King Country Wanganui v West Coast

Ashburton Gisborne Timaru Paeroa Masterton Wanganui

2.30 pm 2.30 pm 2.30 pm 2.00 pm 2.30 pm 2.30 pm

Buller v Mid Canterbury East Coast v Wanganui Horowhenua Kapiti v Wairarapa Bush King Country v Poverty Bay North Otago v Thames Valley West Coast v South Canterbury

Westport Ruatoria Wellington Taupo Oamaru Greymouth

2.30 pm 2.30 pm 3.00 pm 2.30 pm 2.30 pm 2.30 pm

WEEK 3 SATURDAY SEPTEMBER Mid Canterbury v Wairarapa Bush North Otago v Horowhenua Kapiti Poverty Bay v Buller Thames Valley v King Country Wanganui v South Canterbury West Coast v East Coast

10 Ashburton Dunedin Gisborne Te Aroha Wanganui Greymouth

2.30 pm 3.00 pm 2.30 pm 2.00 pm 2.30 pm 2.30 pm

WEEK 4 SATURDAY SEPTEMBER Buller v West Coast East Coast v North Otago Horowhenua Kapiti v Mid Canterbury King Country v Wanganui South Canterbury v Poverty Bay Wairarapa Bush v Thames Valley

17 Westport Ruatoria Levin Te Kuiti Timaru Masterton

2.30 pm 2.30 pm 2.30 pm 2.30 pm 2.30 pm 6.00 pm

WEEK 5 SATURDAY SEPTEMBER Buller v East Coast Horowhenua Kapiti v King Country Mid Canterbury v West Coast North Otago v Wairarapa Bush Poverty Bay v Wanganui Thames Valley v South Canterbury

24 Westport Levin Ashburton Oamaru Gisborne Paeroa

2.30 pm 2.30 pm 2.30 pm 2.30 pm 2.30 pm 2.00 pm

WEEK 2 SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 3

28 | RUGBY 2016

on 29 October. All Heartland matches will be broadcast live on SKY Sport. South Canterbury coach Barry Matthews has been appointed head coach of New Zealand Heartland XV with Poverty Bay coach Mutu Ngarimu his assistant coach. The New Zealand Heartland XV squad, due to be selected from Heartland Championship sides at the end of the 2016 season, will play New Zealand Marist and Australian Barbarians. The New Zealand Heartland XV play New Zealand Marist for the McCrea Cup annually. The Australian Barbarians will be selected from non-Super Rugby contracted players playing in the Buildcorp National Rugby Championship.

FOR MORE UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ABOUT THE HEARTLAND CHAMPIONSHIP, VISIT WWW.RUGBYHEARTLAND.CO.NZ WEEK 6 SATURDAY OCTOBER 1 East Coast v Mid Canterbury King Country v North Otago South Canterbury v Horowhenua Kapiti Wairarapa Bush v Buller Wanganui v Thames Valley West Coast v Poverty Bay

Ruatoria Te Kuiti Timaru Masterton Wanganui Greymouth

2.30 pm 2.30 pm 2.30 pm 2.30 pm 2.30 pm 2.30 pm

WEEK 7 SATURDAY OCTOBER 8 Buller v Wanganui Westport East Coast v King Country Ruatoria Horowhenua Kapiti v West Coast Levin Mid Canterbury v Thames Valley Ashburton North Otago v South Canterbury Oamaru Poverty Bay v Wairarapa Bush Gisborne

2.30 pm 2.30 pm 2.30 pm 2.30 pm 2.30 pm 2.30 pm

WEEK 8 SATURDAY OCTOBER 15 King Country v Buller Taupo 2.30 pm South Canterbury v Mid Canterbury Timaru 2.30 pm Thames Valley v Poverty Bay Paeroa 2.00 pm Wairarapa Bush v East Coast Masterton 6.00 pm Wanganui v Horowhenua Kapiti Wanganui 2.30 pm West Coast v North Otago Greymouth 2.30 pm WEEK 9 SEMI-FINAL for Meads and Lochore Cups SATURDAY OCTOBER 22 LOCHORE CUP SEMI-FINALS 5th ranked team from pool round v Venue tbc 2.30 pm 8th ranked team from pool round 6th ranked team from pool round v Venue tbc 2.30 pm 7th ranked team from pool round SATURDAY OCTOBER 22 MEADS CUP SEMI-FINALS Top ranked team from pool round v Venue tbc 2.30 pm 4th ranked team from pool round 2nd ranked team from pool round v Venue tbc 2.30 pm 3rd ranked team from pool round WEEK 10 FINALS for Meads and Lochore Cups * SATURDAY OCTOBER 29 LOCHORE CUP Winner Semi-Final 1 v Winner Semi-Final 2 TBC * SATURDAY OCTOBER 29

MEADS CUP

Winner Semi-Final 1 v Winner Semi-Final 2 * Date subject to operational and broadcasting logistics

WWW.HEARTLANDCHAMPIONSHIP.CO.NZ

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THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR 2017 BY PETER WHITE

THERE IS A SPECIAL MYSTIQUE ASSOCIATED WITH THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS RUGBY TEAM UNLIKE ANY OTHER.

There is a special mystique associated with the British and Irish Lions rugby team unlike any other. It may be because it is a combined side of players from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, rather than one nation. Or it could be because the team has never played a match at home (in any of the four countries) and only tour every four years on a rotational basis to New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. But one thing is for certain, the expectation ahead of next year’s Lions tour to New Zealand is already way beyond that of any of the other inbound June tours here. It will be the first since 2005 when the Lions won all seven provincial games under the coaching of Englishman Clive Woodward. But they were outclassed in all three test matches and also lost to the Maori All Blacks. Next year, the Lions will play the five Super Rugby franchises and the Maori All Blacks outside of three tests. Has there ever been a more difficult fixture list? This year the Chiefs humiliated Wales 40–7 in a midweek match between tests, so the squad selected to tour next year will need plenty of depth in order to survive such an ordeal. And plenty of courage.

GENIUS LEVEL: DAN CARTER’S performances against the 2005 BRITISH and IRISH LIONS were regarded as being as CLOSE TO PERFECTION as is possible.

But the touring party will take heed of the most famous Lions team to tour New Zealand. The 1971 squad was captained by John Dawes with some of the greatest players of the amateur age, including Irishmen Mike Gibson and Willie John McBride, and Welshmen Barry John and Gareth Edwards. They did what no Lions team had managed to do before, or since, and beat the All Blacks in a test series. And they did it in style. The 1959 Lions had come close with brilliant Irish winger Tony O’Reilly a household name by the tour’s end, but it is the 1971 team that will forever be remembered for conquering the mighty All Blacks. But why are they called the Lions? The players on the 1924 tour of South Africa wore ties emblazoned with a single lion, although their jersey featured a version of the four nations crest we will see again next year. The press quickly dubbed them the Lions and it has stuck to this day. The blood red jersey the Lions wear first appeared on their 1950 tour of New Zealand. They had previously worn a dark blue jersey, but it clashed with the All Blacks jersey. And, so a new chapter in the special history of the British and Irish Lions will be written next year. In 2005, a young first five-eighth named Dan Carter made the rugby world stand up and take notice with a superlative display in the second test in Wellington – scoring 33 points. It was as close to a perfect performance as is possible by a No.10 and set Carter’s career alight. Who will it be next year? Beauden Barrett? Aaron Cruden? Or perhaps someone else ready to make their mark. The best way to find out is to be there at a game and enjoy the special experience of a British and Irish Lions tour.

FOR UP TO DATE INFORMATION ON THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR 2017, VISIT WWW.LIONSRUGBY.COM THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR 2017

FIXTURES

VENUE

SATURDAY JUNE 3

v New Zealand Provincial Barbarians .... Toll Stadium, Whangarei .......................... 7.35 pm

WEDNESDAY JUNE 7

v Blues .............................................................. Eden Park, Auckland ................................. 7.35 pm

SATURDAY JUNE 10

v Crusaders ..................................................... AMI Stadium, Christchurch ..................... 7.35 pm

TUESDAY JUNE 13

v Highlanders ................................................. Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin ............. 7.35 pm

SATURDAY JUNE 17

v Maori All Blacks .......................................... Rotorua International Stadium ............. 7.35 pm

TUESDAY JUNE 20

v Chiefs ............................................................. FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton .......... 7.35 pm

SATURDAY JUNE 24

v All Blacks....................................................... Eden Park, Auckland ................................. 7.35 pm

TUESDAY JUNE 27

v Hurricanes .................................................... Westpac Stadium, Wellington ................ 7.35 pm

SATURDAY JULY 1

v All Blacks....................................................... Westpac Stadium, Wellington ................ 7.35 pm

SATURDAY JULY 8

v All Blacks....................................................... Eden Park, Auckland ................................. 7.35 pm

NB: Game dates, times and venues are correct at time of publication

30 | RUGBY 2016

WWW.OLIVERLEE.CO.NZ

TIME

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