Rugby 2017

INSIDE

THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR ITINERARY ALL BLACKS AND THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS PLAYER PROFILES INVESTEC RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP, MITRE 10 CUP AND HEARTLAND CHAMPIONSHIP DRAWS WWW.OLIVERLEE.CO.NZ

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RUGBY 2017

CONTENTS

AHEAD TO UPCOMING TOUR 6 LOOKING The British & Irish Lions rugby team arrive in the country this week. We look ahead to an exciting six weeks of rugby.

MANAGING EDITOR:

Oliver Lee

SUB-EDITOR:

Elise McDowell CONTRIBUTORS:

OF THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS VISITS 8 HTOISTORY NEW ZEALAND.

Ron Palenski looks back at some of the great games between the Lions and New Zealand rugby teams.

EDITOR:

Peter White

BLACK PROFILES 11 ALL We profile 34 leading New Zealand rugby players who hope to wear the All Black jersey during the 2017 International Rugby season.

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS ITINERARY 16 THE The complete itinerary for The British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand.

David Kelly Ron Palenski

PHOTOGRAPHY:

FACE TO FACE: STARING DOWN THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS

18 Former All Black Doug Howlett and former British & Irish Lion Shane Horgan

photosport.nz PRINTING:

PMP Auckland PUBLISHER:

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

ALL BLACK FANS

ALL BLACK PLAYERS DANE COLES (LEFT), SAM CANE (CENTRE) AND RYAN CROTTY

share their thoughts with rugby writer David Kelly on how they see the test series going.

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS PLAYER PROFILES 20 THE We profile the 41 players selected for The British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand as well as the coaching team led by former All Black Warren Gatland.

RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP 2017 DRAW AND PREVIEW 26 INVESTEC The All Blacks look set to dominate again this year.

10 CUP 28 MITRE Your complete guide to the 2017 competition which kicks off on 17 August.

THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS HEAD COACH WARREN GATLAND (LEFT), SAM WARBURTON, CAPTAIN (CENTRE), ALL BLACK LOCK SAM WHITELOCK JOHN SPENCER, TOUR MANAGER

10 HEARTLAND CHAMPIONSHIP 30 MITRE The schedule for the 10-week competition for the Meads and Lochore Cups which kicks off on 26 August.

ISSN 2463-7041 (Print) ISSN 2463-705X (Online)

COPYRIGHT: Reproduction in whole or in part by any means is prohibited.

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.

CANTERBURY CAPTAIN LUKE WHITELOCK

RISING TO FEVER PITCH:

LOOKING AHEAD TO THE UPCOMING TOUR

BY PETER WHITE There is a growing feeling of expectation in every little rugby nook and cranny throughout New Zealand ahead of the DHL New Zealand Lions Series 2017.

“BUT THAT LIONS TEAM IS VERY STRONG, VERY EXPERIENCED AND I THINK THEY WILL BE WELL LED AND DEVELOP A REALLY GOOD TEAM CULTURE…” BRYAN WILLIAMS

BRILLIANT:

BEAUDEN BARRETT has become the attacking maestro of the ALL BLACKS backline.

6 | RUGBY 2017

Bledisloe Cups and Investec Rugby Championships are enthusiastically supported by All Blacks fans but there is something very special about the visit of The British and Irish Lions every 12 years.

With the All Blacks in all-conquering form over 18 tests since winning the 2015 Rugby World Cup — until being knocked over by an astute tactical performance by Ireland in Chicago last November — the timing of this tour could not be better.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is at the top of his game and will be up against former All Blacks hooker Warren Gatland. The latter has made his mark as coach of Wales, who Hansen was in charge of from 2002 to 2004.

Hansen has seamlessly moved on from the loss of greats of the game, Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, to create a vibrant team that plays an expansive style of rugby few teams can match.

Expect to see a continuance of that style against the Lions who will field a massive pack and the best goal kickers in the game.

All Blacks first-five Beauden Barrett is a key figure. He likes to play on instinct and chance his arm from anywhere on the field. The brilliant innovator will be given a free reign by Hansen to spark attacking rugby, which the Lions may take a test or two to combat.

The All Blacks will be ably led by No.8 Kieran Read. He is a dominant force in the lineout, as well as with his linking play, and commands a top-class pack with locks Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock at the peak of their powers.

WWW.ALLBLACKS.COM

Former All Blacks winger Bryan Williams is expecting a superb test series with two evenly matched opponents.

“The New Zealand Super teams are playing really well but I am pretty concerned about the high injury rate that has occurred so far. I hope everyone remains sound because if the All Blacks are at full strength they will be very hard to beat after the recent record,” he says.

“But that Lions team is very strong, very experienced and I think they will be well led and develop a really good team culture with Warren Gatland and [captain] Sam Warburton.

They also have John Spencer, the team manager. He is a good mate of mine and a very good rugby man.

“Gatland certainly knows about New Zealand rugby and what to expect. That is not going to make it any easier for them but with that sort of knowledge and experience he is as well-equipped as anyone else to do the job.”

Williams played against the 1971 and 1977 touring Lions.

He says every player who is selected for the All Blacks for the June series will regard it as a career highlight.

“World Cups come round every four years and some players don’t even get to those. When the Lions only come here once every 12 years now then it is a career highlight and so many players never get to play against them.

“It is a great opportunity and a major milestone for every player who gets the chance.”

Supporting any colour, as long as it’s black.

HISTORY OF THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS IN NEW ZEALAND

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BY RON PALENSKI Throughout The British and r ish Lions’ history, their greatest strength has also been their greatest weakness. They call on the best of four separate and quite different rugby playing countries and their record shows that the power of four can sometimes be harnessed.

But not often. Comparing the Lions of earlier years with the business professionals of today is akin to comparing telegrams with the internet.

But the reason and the purpose is the same, so the comparisons need to be made, and in any case, the Lions draw on the strength of their legitimate history, just as any rugby team does.

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1950 MOMENTO: THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS CAPTAIN KARL MULLEN autographs a rugby ball for seven-year old NOEL MORRIS during the Lions tour of New Zealand in 1950.

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PHOTO CREDIT: MOA COLLECTION

The tour of 1888 that’s been given the retrospective title of being the first British and Irish Lions tour can be dismissed: it was no such thing.

It was a money-making venture by a trio of cricket promoters, the Rugby Football Union wanted nothing to do with it and it could not by any stretch of excited imagination be called representative.

Even the 1904 and 1908 teams, in terms of Lions visits to New Zealand, fail to meet the criteria – especially 1908 when Scotland and Ireland spurned it.

For practical purposes, it’s best to count Lions tours of New Zealand from 1930, when the four countries put together a committee for the

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HALFBACK DUEL:

SID GOING looks on as GARETH EDWARDS passes the ball during the Second Test between THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS and the ALL BLACKS at Lancaster Park, Christchurch, 10 July 1971. The ALL BLACKS won the game 23–12 but the LIONS won the series 2–1.

PHOTO CREDIT: PETER BUSH

first time for the specific purpose of choosing a combined team.

That tour in 1930 also laid down benchmarks for those that followed – they had some star players, they played attractive rugby and they were popular on and off the field.

The 1930 team drew enormous crowds, even in Dunedin when the first test was lashed by snow and sleet.

The next two tours in 1950 and 1959 were similar. There was a familial bond between New Zealanders and the British that is not evident now, and which didn’t exist when the All Blacks played others, even Australia.

The Lions were entertainers; the South Africans a team that had to be beaten, come what may; the Australians were close neighbours who hopped the back fence regularly to come and play.

The Lions brought personalities and champion players with whom New Zealanders readily identified:

Jack Kyle of 1950 and Tony O’Reilly of 1959 were two, but there were many. Some liked the place so much they came back to live.

In 1959, when the Lions scored four tries in the first test but still lost to New Zealand through six penalty goals by Don Clarke, local sympathies were with the visitors.

Even the parochial Carisbrook crowd chanted, “Red! Red! Red!” Some of the magic died when the 1966 team was beaten 4–0 but then in 1971, the Lions showed what could happen when the four countries united and pulled as one.

Again, there were star players forward and back, but it was the unity of purpose that made the difference.

Lions tours since still attract crowds but nothing like the same affection or regard or record, and the only one of the professional era, in 2005, must have made proud Lions of the past cringe.

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ALL BLACKS PLAYER PROFILES

The All Blacks squad to play Samoa at Eden Park on 16 June and The British & rish Lions in the first test at Eden Park on 24 June was not named at time of print.

The players profiled below are a list of the leading contenders for both squads. For all up-to-date information on the All Blacks visit, www.allblacks.com The All Blacks’ headshots were supplied courtesy of New Zealand Rugby.

NOTE: # DENOTES EACH PLAYER’S ALL BLACK NUMBER

KIERAN READ (CAPTAIN)

BACKS

#1083

Place of Birth: AUCKLAND Date of Birth: 26 OCTOBER 1985 Age: 31 Height: 1.93m Weight: 111kg Position: LOOSE FORWARD Province: CANTERBURY Super Rugby: CRUSADERS Test Debut: v SCOTLAND IN EDINBURGH, 8 NOVEMBER 2008 All Black Tests: 97

RYAN CROTTY

#1124

Place of Birth: NELSON Date of Birth: 23 SEPTEMBER 1988 Age: 28 Height: 1.81m Weight: 92kg Position: SECOND FIVE-EIGHTH Province: CANTERBURY Super Rugby: CRUSADERS Test Debut: v AUSTRALIA IN SYDNEY, 17 AUGUST 2013 All Black Tests: 26

BEAUDEN BARRETT

#1115

Place of Birth: NEW PLYMOUTH Date of Birth: 27 MAY 1991 Age: 26 Height: 1.87m Weight: 91kg Position: FIRST FIVE-EIGHTH Province: TARANAKI Super Rugby: HURRICANES Test Debut: v IRELAND IN HAMILTON, 23 JUNE 2012 All Black Tests: 49

AARON CRUDEN

#1105

Place of Birth: PALMERSTON NORTH Date of Birth: 8 JANUARY 1989 Age: 28 Height: 1.78m Weight: 85kg Position: FIRST FIVE-EIGHTH Province: MANAWATU Super Rugby: CHIEFS Test Debut: v IRELAND IN NEW PLYMOUTH, 12 JUNE 2010 All Black Tests: 47

ISRAEL DAGG

#1101

Place of Birth: MARTON Date of Birth: 6 JUNE 1988 Age: 28 Height: 1.86m Weight: 96kg Position: FULLBACK Province: HAWKE’S BAY Super Rugby: CRUSADERS Test Debut: v IRELAND IN NEW PLYMOUTH, 12 JUNE 2010 All Black Tests: 61

MALAKAI FEKITOA

#1131

Place of Birth: HA’APAI, TONGA Date of Birth: 10 MAY 1992 Age: 25 Height: 1.87m Weight: 99kg Position: CENTRE Province: AUCKLAND Super Rugby: HIGHLANDERS Test Debut: v ENGLAND IN AUCKLAND, 7 JUNE 2014 All Black Tests: 23

TAWERA KERR-BARLOW #1118

ANTON LIENERT-BROWN #1153

Place of Birth: MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA Date of Birth: 15 AUGUST 1990 Age: 26 Height: 1.87m Weight: 89kg Position: HALFBACK Province: WAIKATO Super Rugby: CHIEFS Test Debut: v SCOTLAND IN EDINBURGH, 11 NOVEMBER 2012 All Black Tests: 25

Place of Birth: CHRISTCHURCH Date of Birth: 15 APRIL 1995 Age: 22 Height: 1.85m Weight: 96kg Position: CENTRE Province: WAIKATO Super Rugby: CHIEFS Test Debut: v AUSTRALIA IN WELLINGTON, 27 AUGUST 2016 All Black Tests: 9

NEHE MILNER-SKUDDER #1146

GEORGE MOALA

Place of Birth: TAIHAPE Date of Birth: 15 DECEMBER 1990 Age: 26 Height: 1.80m Weight: 90kg Position: FULLBACK / WING Province: MANAWATU Super Rugby: HURRICANES Test Debut: v AUSTRALIA IN SYDNEY, 8 AUGUST 2015 All Black Tests: 8

Place of Birth: AUCKLAND Date of Birth: 5 NOVEMBER 1990 Age: 26 Height: 1.88m Weight: 99kg Position: OUTSIDE BACK Province: AUCKLAND Super Rugby: BLUES Test Debut: v SAMOA IN APIA, 8 JULY 2015 All Black Tests: 4

WWW.ALLBLACKS.COM

#1138

RUGBY 2017 | 11

WAISAKE NAHOLO

#1142

Place of Birth: SIGATOKA, FIJI Date of Birth: 8 MAY 1991 Age: 26 Height: 1.86m Weight: 96kg Position: WING Province: TARANAKI Super Rugby: HIGHLANDERS Test Debut: v ARGENTINA IN CHRISTCHURCH, 17 JULY 2015 All Black Tests: 12

JULIAN SAVEA

#1111

Place of Birth: WELLINGTON Date of Birth: 7 AUGUST 1990 Age: 26 Height: 1.92m Weight: 107kg Position: WING Province: WELLINGTON Super Rugby: HURRICANES Test Debut: v IRELAND IN AUCKLAND, 9 JUNE 2012 All Black Tests: 52

BEN SMITH

#1100

FORWARDS

Place of Birth: DUNEDIN Date of Birth: 1 JUNE 1986 Age: 30 Height: 1.86m Weight: 93kg Position: FULLBACK / WING Province: OTAGO Super Rugby: HIGHLANDERS Test Debut: v ITALY IN MILAN, 14 NOVEMBER 2009 All Black Tests: 60

SCOTT BARRETT

#1155

Place of Birth: NEW PLYMOUTH Date of Birth: 20 NOVEMBER 1993 Age: 23 Height: 1.97m Weight: 112kg Position: LOCK Province: CANTERBURY Super Rugby: CRUSADERS Test Debut: v IRELAND IN CHICAGO, 5 NOVEMBER 2016 All Black Tests: 4

#1132

AARON SMITH

#1112

Place of Birth: PALMERSTON NORTH Date of Birth: 21 NOVEMBER 1988 Age: 28 Height: 1.71m Weight: 84kg Position: HALFBACK Province: MANAWATU Super Rugby: HIGHLANDERS Test Debut: v IRELAND IN AUCKLAND, 9 JUNE 2012 All Black Tests: 58

SONNY BILL WILLIAMS

#1108

Place of Birth: AUCKLAND Date of Birth: 3 AUGUST 1985 Age: 31 Height: 1.91m Weight: 108kg Position: SECOND FIVE-EIGHTH Province: CANTERBURY, COUNTIES MANUKAU Super Rugby: BLUES Test Debut: v ENGLAND IN LONDON, 6 NOVEMBER 2010 All Black Tests: 33

SAM CANE

#1113

Place of Birth: ROTORUA Date of Birth: 13 JANUARY 1992 Age: 25 Height: 1.89m Weight: 103kg Position: LOOSE FORWARD Province: BAY OF PLENTY Super Rugby: CHIEFS Test Debut: v IRELAND IN CHRISTCHURCH, 16 JUNE 2012 All Black Tests: 40

DANE COLES

#1117

Place of Birth: PARAPARAUMU Date of Birth: 10 DECEMBER 1986 Age: 30 Height: 1.84m Weight: 109kg Position: HOOKER Province: WELLINGTON Super Rugby: HURRICANES Test Debut: v SCOTLAND IN EDINBURGH, 11 NOVEMBER 2012 All Black Tests: 49

WYATT CROCKETT

#1091

Place of Birth: CHRISTCHURCH Date of Birth: 24 JANUARY 1983 Age: 34 Height: 1.93m Weight: 116kg Position: PROP Province: CANTERBURY Super Rugby: CRUSADERS Test Debut: v ITALY IN CHRISTCHURCH, 27 JUNE 2009 All Black Tests: 58

CHARLIE FAUMUINA

#1116

Place of Birth: AUCKLAND Date of Birth: 24 DECEMBER 1986 Age: 30 Height: 1.84m Weight: 127kg Position: PROP Province: AUCKLAND Super Rugby: BLUES Test Debut: v ARGENTINA IN WELLINGTON, 8 SEPTEMBER 2012 All Black Tests: 46

12 | RUGBY 2017

TJ PERENARA

Place of Birth: PORIRUA Date of Birth: 23 JANUARY 1991 Age: 26 Height: 1.84m Weight: 94kg Position: HALFBACK Province: WELLINGTON Super Rugby: HURRICANES Test Debut: v ENGLAND IN AUCKLAND, 7 JUNE 2014 All Black Tests: 29

WWW.ALLBLACKS.COM

OWEN FRANKS

#1094

Place of Birth: MOTUEKA Date of Birth: 23 DECEMBER 1987 Age: 29 Height: 1.83m Weight: 119kg Position: PROP Province: CANTERBURY Super Rugby: CRUSADERS Test Debut: v ITALY IN CHRISTCHURCH, 27 JUNE 2009 All Black Tests: 90

NATHAN HARRIS

#1135

Place of Birth: TAURANGA Date of Birth: 8 MARCH 1992 Age: 25 Height: 1.86m Weight: 105kg Position: HOOKER Province: BAY OF PLENTY Super Rugby: CHIEFS Test Debut: v ARGENTINA IN LA PLATA, 27 SEPTEMBER 2014 All Black Tests: 4

STEVEN LUATUA

#1121

Place of Birth: AUCKLAND Date of Birth: 29 APRIL 1991 Age: 26 Height: 1.96m Weight: 114kg Position: LOCK / LOOSE FORWARD Province: AUCKLAND Super Rugby: BLUES Test Debut: v FRANCE IN NEW PLYMOUTH, 22 JUNE 2013 All Black Tests: 15

BRODIE RETALLICK

#1110

#1147

Place of Birth: WELLINGTON Date of Birth: 14 OCTOBER 1993 Age: 23 Height: 1.90m Weight: 99kg Position: LOOSE FORWARD Province: WELLINGTON Super Rugby: HURRICANES Test Debut: v WALES IN AUCKLAND, 11 JUNE 2016 All Black Tests: 12

CODIE TAYLOR

#1143

Place of Birth: LEVIN Date of Birth: 31 MARCH 1991 Age: 26 Height: 1.83m Weight: 106kg Position: HOOKER Province: CANTERBURY Super Rugby: CRUSADERS Test Debut: v ARGENTINA IN CHRISTCHURCH, 17 JULY 2015 All Black Tests: 15

PATRICK TUIPULOTU

#1133

Place of Birth: CHRISTCHURCH Date of Birth: 23 JANUARY 1993 Age: 24 Height: 1.98m Weight: 120kg Position: LOCK Province: AUCKLAND Super Rugby: BLUES Test Debut: v ENGLAND IN DUNEDIN, 14 JUNE 2014 All Black Tests: 12

14 | RUGBY 2017

#1050

JOE MOODY

#1134

Place of Birth: CHRISTCHURCH Date of Birth: 18 SEPTEMBER 1988 Age: 28 Height: 1.88m Weight: 118kg Position: PROP Province: CANTERBURY Super Rugby: CRUSADERS Test Debut: v AUSTRALIA IN SYDNEY, 16 AUGUST 2014 All Black Tests: 24

Place of Birth: RANGIORA Date of Birth: 31 MAY 1991 Age: 25 Height: 2.04m Weight: 120kg Position: LOCK Province: BAY OF PLENTY Super Rugby: CHIEFS Test Debut: v IRELAND IN AUCKLAND, 9 JUNE 2012 All Black Tests: 60

ARDIE SAVEA

JEROME KAINO

Place of Birth: TUTUILA, AMERICAN SAMOA Date of Birth: 6 APRIL 1983 Age: 34 Height: 1.96m Weight: 110kg Position: LOOSE FORWARD Province: AUCKLAND Super Rugby: BLUES Test Debut: v IRELAND IN HAMILTON, 10 JUNE 2006 All Black Tests: 77

WWW.ALLBLACKS.COM

LUKE ROMANO

#1114

Place of Birth: NELSON Date of Birth: 16 FEBRUARY 1986 Age: 31 Height: 1.99m Weight: 115kg Position: LOCK Province: CANTERBURY Super Rugby: CRUSADERS Test Debut: v IRELAND IN HAMILTON, 23 JUNE 2012 All Black Tests: 26

LIAM SQUIRE

#1151

Place of Birth: PALMERSTON NORTH Date of Birth: 20 MARCH 1991 Age: 26 Height: 1.96m Weight: 109kg Position: LOOSE FORWARD Province: TASMAN Super Rugby: HIGHLANDERS Test Debut: v WALES IN DUNEDIN, 25 JUNE 2016 All Black Tests: 8

MATT TODD

#1123

Place of Birth: CHRISTCHURCH Date of Birth: 24 MARCH 1988 Age: 29 Height: 1.85m Weight: 104kg Position: LOOSE FORWARD Province: CANTERBURY Super Rugby: CRUSADERS Test Debut: v FRANCE IN NEW PLYMOUTH, 22 JUNE 2013 All Black Tests: 8

SAM WHITELOCK Place of Birth: PALMERSTON NORTH Date of Birth: 12 OCTOBER 1988 Age: 28 Height: 2.02m Weight: 115kg Position: LOCK Province: CANTERBURY Super Rugby: CRUSADERS Test Debut: v IRELAND IN NEW PLYMOUTH, 12 JUNE 2010 All Black Tests: 84

#1104

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THE BRITISH & IRISH LI GAME 1: SATURDAY 3 JUNE 2017 | v NZ PROVINCIAL BARBARIANS, TOLL STADIUM, WHANGAREI KICK-OFF: 7.35PM GAME PREVIEW

Young North Harbour first-five Bryn Gatland will face the team coached by his father Warren Gatland in the tour opener. The NZ Provincial Barbarians side features players from all the Mitre 10 Cup unions plus Peter Rowe, captain of Heartland Championship winners Wanganui.

Bay of Plenty’s Clayton McMillan will coach the Barbarians and is assisted by Roger Randle (Waikato) and Joe Maddock (Canterbury).

This is the eighth match to be played in Whangarei by The British and Irish Lions. They have won all eight previous games played against Northland between 1930 and 1993.

SCORE: THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS

NZ PROVINCIAL BARBARIANS

GAME 2: WEDNESDAY 7 JUNE 2017 | v BLUES, EDEN PARK, AUCKLAND KICK-OFF: 7.35PM GAME PREVIEW

This is the first of three matches at Eden Park for The British and Irish Lions, with the first and third test matches against the All Blacks to follow.

Since 1930, in non-test matches, The British and Irish Lions have played nine games against Auckland and one against the Maori All Blacks at Eden Park with mixed results. Auckland won in 1930 and again in 1983 with a late drop-goal by Grant Fox the difference in the 13–12 win. In 1993, Fox kicked six penalties and Sir John Kirwan scored the only try in Auckland’s 23–18 victory.

SCORE: THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS

BLUES

GAME 3: SATURDAY 10 JUNE 2017 | v CRUSADERS, AMI STADIUM, CHRISTCHURCH KICK-OFF: 7.35PM GAME PREVIEW

The last tour by The British and Irish Lions in 2005 was the first time the touring team had not played a game against Canterbury in Christchurch.

Although The British and Irish Lions have won six of the eight fixtures played against Canterbury since 1930, every game was close with very little between the home team and the tourists.

The only loss came in 1959. The brilliant attacking backline of The British and Irish Lions were unable to get their side home with Canterbury winning a thriller by 20–14, a week after Don Clarke had kicked the All Blacks to victory in the first test.

SCORE: THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS

CRUSADERS

GAME 4: TUESDAY 13 JUNE 2017 | v HIGHLANDERS, FORSYTH BARR STADIUM, DUNEDIN KICK-OFF: 7.35PM GAME PREVIEW

It may be a brand-new stadium and not Carisbrook, and against the Highlanders rather than Otago or Southland, but the tourists know the deep south has not been a happy hunting ground.

The British and Irish Lions have lost four of the seven games played against Otago, the best record of any New Zealand provincial union. In 1959 Otago scored four tries to two to win convincingly 26–8, while in 1993 a side stacked with All Blacks gave Otago a 37–24 victory.

Other wins were in 1950 and 1966.

Southland have also enjoyed success against The British and Irish Lions, winning 11–0 in 1950 and 14–8 in 1966.

SCORE: THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS

HIGHLANDERS

GAME 5: SATURDAY 17 JUNE 2017 | v MAORI ALL BLACKS, INTERNATIONAL STADIUM, ROTORUA KICK-OFF: 7.45PM GAME PREVIEW

The Maori All Blacks have enjoyed much success in international matches over the years, including a 19–13 victory in 2005 over The British and Irish Lions in Hamilton.

In Rotorua, the Maori All Blacks have a record against touring sides that will give their supporters plenty of encouragement.

In 1973 the All Blacks had a short internal tour and beat the Maori All Blacks 18-8 in Rotorua.

Since then in Rotorua the Maori All Blacks have beaten Samoa 19–6 in 1976, Fiji 22–9 in 1980, Tonga 28–4 in 1983, England 62–14 in 1998, Argentina 43–24 in 2001 and Ireland 31–28 in 2010.

SCORE: THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS

16 | RUGBY 2017

WWW.ALLBLACKS.COM

MAORI ALL BLACKS

IONS TOUR ITINERARY GAME 6: TUESDAY 20 JUNE 2017 | v CHIEFS, FMG STADIUM WAIKATO, HAMILTON

KICK-OFF: 7.35PM GAME PREVIEW

Any franchise made up of powerful provincial unions like Waikato, Counties Manukau, Taranaki and Bay of Plenty is going to be a severe threat to any touring team.

Just ask Wales. Last year, on a Tuesday night in June, coach Warren Gatland brought his team to the home of Waikato rugby, where Gatland played 140 games as a top-class hooker. The Chiefs crushed the visitors by 40–7, a humiliating defeat for Wales.

Gatland’s British and Irish Lions team also play on a Tuesday night at FMG Stadium in Hamilton, just four days before their first test match at Eden Park.

SCORE: THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS

CHIEFS

GAME 7 / FIRST TEST: SATURDAY 24 JUNE 2017 | v ALL BLACKS, EDEN PARK, AUCKLAND

KICK-OFF: 7.35PM FIRST TEST MATCHES: ALL BLACKS v THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS

1930: Carisbrook, Dunedin – The British & Irish Lions won 6–3 1950: Carisbrook, Dunedin – Test drawn 9–9 1959: Carisbrook, Dunedin – All Blacks won 18–17 1966: Carisbrook, Dunedin – All Blacks won 20–3 1971: Carisbrook, Dunedin – The British & Irish Lions won 9–3 1977: Athletic Park, Wellington – All Blacks won 16–12 1983: Lancaster Park, Christchurch – All Blacks won 16–12 1993: Lancaster Park, Christchurch – All Blacks won 20–18 2005: Jade Stadium, Christchurch – All Blacks won 21–3 FIRST TEST SCORE 2017: THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS

ALL BLACKS

GAME 8: TUESDAY 27 JUNE 2017 | v HURRICANES, WESTPAC STADIUM, WELLINGTON

KICK-OFF: 7.35PM GAME PREVIEW

In a unique quirk of this abbreviated itinerary, The British and Irish Lions will play two consecutive matches at Westpac Stadium. The first is a Tuesday fixture against defending Super Rugby champions the Hurricanes before the second test match at the same venue four days later.

Several provincial unions make up the Hurricanes franchise, the largest being Wellington, Manawatu and Hawke’s Bay. Wellington have enjoyed two wins over the tourists in 1930 and 1966 and Hawke’s Bay having the most recent success by 29–16 in 1993. Four days later The British and Irish Lions regrouped to beat the All Blacks in Wellington.

SCORE: THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS

HURRICANES

GAME 9 / SECOND TEST: SATURDAY 1 JULY 2017 | v ALL BLACKS, WESTPAC STADIUM, WELLINGTON

KICK-OFF: 7.35PM SECOND TEST MATCHES: ALL BLACKS v THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS

1930: Lancaster Park, Christchurch – All Blacks won 13–10 1950: Lancaster Park, Christchurch – All Blacks won 8–0 1959: Athletic Park, Wellington – All Blacks won 11–8 1966: Athletic Park, Wellington – All Blacks won 16–12 1971: Lancaster Park, Christchurch – All Blacks won 22–12 1977: Lancaster Park, Christchurch – The British & Irish Lions won 13–9 1983: Athletic Park, Wellington – All Blacks won 9–0 1993: Athletic Park, Wellington – The British & Irish Lions won 20–7 2005: Westpac Stadium, Wellington – All Blacks won 48–18 SECOND TEST SCORE 2017: THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS

ALL BLACKS

GAME 10 / THIRD TEST: SATURDAY 8 JULY 2017 | v ALL BLACKS, EDEN PARK, AUCKLAND

KICK-OFF: 7.35PM THIRD TEST MATCHES: ALL BLACKS v THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS

1930: Eden Park, Auckland – All Blacks won 15–10 1950: Athletic Park, Wellington – All Blacks won 6–3 1959: Lancaster Park, Christchurch – All Blacks won 22–8 1966: Lancaster Park, Christchurch – All Blacks won 19–6 1971: Athletic Park, Wellington – The British & Irish Lions won 13–3 1977: Carisbrook, Dunedin – All Blacks won 19–7 1983: Carisbrook, Dunedin – All Blacks won 15–8 1993: Eden Park, Auckland – All Blacks won 30–13 2005: Eden Park, Auckland – All Blacks won 38–19 THIRD TEST SCORE 2017: THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS

ALL BLACKS

WWW.LIONSRUGBY.COM

1#77 RUGBY 2017 | 7

ON THE ATTACK: DOUG HOWLETT in the first test against THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS at Jade Stadium, Christchurch, 25 June 2005. The ALL BLACKS won the game 21–3.

FACE TO FACE: STARING DOWN THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS

BY DAVID KELLY Without intention and attitude in sport, there is nothing. Moments before The British RUGBY WRITER, & rish Lions took to the field for the second test at Wellington in 2005, Gareth IRISH INDEPENDENT Thomas, the replacement captain for the injured Brian O’Driscoll, took to his feet.

“I know we all want to get out of here…”

Thomas said to his teammates.

“MAN FOR MAN THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS IS A TOP-QUALITY SQUAD. IT SHOWS WITH THE PLAYERS LEFT OUT…” DOUG HOWLETT

18 | RUGBY 2017

Despite scoring a second-minute try, the captain’s words would supersede his actions as the Lions fell to the heaviest test defeat ever against the All Blacks.

Following two stirring series since, the Lions return to the land of the long white cloud but must do their utmost to achieve blue-sky thinking. They must pack a positive attitude this time around – for no amount of subtlety or strength of body can overcome deficiencies in the mind.

believes “that could unfortunately be the way he [Gatland] is thinking and if he does do that, they are going to lose.

It is going to be really attritional early on, you will lose players and you are not going to beat New Zealand like that.”

A lot depends on who Gatland picks in the 10–12 line-up, Horgan says.

“If he picks Andy Farrell at 12, that changes things. But then it means your midweek team is going to play a very different style. And if anything happens to Farrell or Johnny Sexton, what do you refer to?

“There is a danger in that. He may just go for grunt in midfield all the way through. It is very difficult if you get stuck in one selection mode.”

Justin Tipuric and Sean O’Brien too.

That is going to be required. And they need to have a solid set-piece and they offer that. They will be a real challenge.”

Howlett admits to being “a little nervous”.

“Man for man [the Lions] is a top-quality squad. It shows with the players left out – Ringrose being one of them.”

Howlett speaks highly of New Zealandborn Lion Jared Payne, in particular.

“He has really improved at centre and fullback and absolutely he could be the 13. That’s the way I see it.

“And he performs really well with Robbie Henshaw – the old head with the young kid.”

Warren Gatland favoured power over panache last time; the singular standout image of that tour is Richard Hibbard caroming into George Smith. This approach has earned a sobriquet of its own, “Warrenball”, so Steve Hansen probably knows what to expect.

All Blacks legend Doug Howlett, who played for Munster after leaving New Zealand, identifies ball-playing talent in the Lions pack.

Like Horgan, though, Howlett suspects an All Blacks win.

And of that putative physical myopia, 2005 Lions winger Shane Horgan

“Mako Vunipola can play. He has some of the best hands in the team;

All to play for – with an emphasis, one hopes, on play.

WWW.OLIVERLEE.CO.NZ

“They may lose the first – they are slow starters – but it will be 2–1.”

whatever you’re grilling, drink responsibly. © 2016 JACK DANIEL’S. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. JACK DANIEL’S AND OLD NO.7 ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS.

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17/05/17 2:00 PM

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Best in Class

THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS COACH & PLAYER PROFILES The following coaching and player profiles of The British & rish Lions team touring New Zealand were correct at time of print.

For all up-to-date information on the tour visit, www.lionsrugby.com

WARREN GATLAND (HEAD COACH)

STEVE BORTHWICK (COACH)

Union: WALES

Union: ENGLAND Place of Birth: CARLISLE, CUMBRIA, ENGLAND Date of Birth: 12 OCTOBER 1979 Age: 37 England Caps: 57 Coaching Career: THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS, SARACENS, JAPAN, BRISTOL, ENGLAND

PLAYER STATISTICS Place of Birth: HAMILTON , NEW ZEALAND Date of Birth: 17 SEPTEMBER 1963 Age: 53 Height: 1.88m Weight: 95kg Position: HOOKER Province: WAIKATO All Black Games: 17 All Black Tests: 0 All Black Debut: v WESTERN AUSTRALIA IN PERTH ON 19 JUNE 1988 All Black Number: 892 COACHING STATISTICS 1989–1994: GALWEGIANS RFC GALWAY, IRELAND 1994–1996: THAMES VALLEY, NEW ZEALAND (ASSISTANT COACH) 1996–1998: CONNACHT, IRELAND 1998–2001: IRELAND (HEAD COACH) 2002–2005: LONDON WASPS, ENGLAND 2005–2007: WAIKATO, NEW ZEALAND 2006–2007: CHIEFS (TECHNICAL ADVISOR) 2007–current: WALES 2009: T HE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA (ASSISTANT COACH) 2013: T HE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR OF AUSTRALIA (HEAD COACH) 2017: T HE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR OF NEW ZEALAND (HEAD COACH)

SAM WARBURTON (CAPTAIN)

BACKS

Country: WALES Place of Birth: CARDIFF, WALES Date of Birth: 5 OCTOBER 1988 Age: 28 Height: 1.9m Weight: 103kg Position: BACK ROW Club: CARDIFF BLUES Honours: WALES (74 CAPS), SECOND BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR (4 APPEARANCES, 2 TESTS)

20 | RUGBY 2017

ANDY FARRELL (COACH) Union: IRELAND Place of Birth: WIGAN, ENGLAND Date of Birth: 30 MAY 1975 Age: 41 Coaching Career: THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS, IRELAND, ENGLAND, SARACENS, MUNSTER

ROB HOWLEY (COACH) Union: WALES Place of Birth: BRIDGEND, WALES Date of Birth: 13 OCTOBER 1970 Age: 46 Wales Caps: 59 Lions Caps: 2 (v AUSTRALIA 2001) Coaching Career: THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS, WALES, CARDIFF, BARBARIANS

NEIL JENKINS (COACH) Union: WALES Place of Birth: CHURCH VILLAGE, WALES Date of Birth: 8 JULY 1971 Age: 45 Wales Caps: 87 Lions Caps: 4: v SOUTH AFRICA 1997 (3), v AUSTRALIA 2001 (1) Coaching Career: THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS, WALES

GRAHAM ROWNTREE (COACH) Union: ENGLAND Place of Birth: STOCKTON-ON-TEES, ENGLAND Date of Birth: 18 APRIL 1971 Age: 46 England Caps: 54 Lions Caps: 2: (v SOUTH AFRICA 1997 (1), v ALL BLACKS 2005 (1) Coaching Career: THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS ASSISTANT COACH ENGLAND FORWARDS COACH (AUGUST 2008–CURRENT), LEICESTER TIGERS ASSISTANT COACH (2006–07), RFU NATIONAL ACADEMY AND ENGLAND SPECIALIST COACH (JUNE 2007)

DAN BIGGAR

ELLIOT DALY

Country: WALES Place of Birth: SWANSEA, WALES Date of Birth: 16 OCTOBER 1989 Age: 27 Height: 1.85m Weight: 93kg Position: FIRST FIVE-EIGHTH Club: OSPREYS Honours: WALES (56 CAPS), FIRST BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR

Country: ENGLAND Place of Birth: CROYDON, ENGLAND Date of Birth: 8 OCTOBER 1992 Age: 24 Height: 1.82m Weight: 97kg Position: CENTRE / WING Club: WASPS Honours: ENGLAND (13 CAPS), FIRST BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR

JONATHAN DAVIES

OWEN FARRELL

Country: WALES Place of Birth: SOLIHULL, ENGLAND Date of Birth: 5 APRIL 1988 Age: 29 Height: 1.86m Weight: 103kg Position: CENTRE Club: SCARLETS Honours: WALES (64 CAPS), SECOND BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR (7 APPEARANCES, 3 TESTS)

Country: ENGLAND Place of Birth: BILLINGE, ENGLAND Date of Birth: 24 SEPTEMBER 1991 Age: 25 Height: 1.86m Weight: 93kg Position: FIRST FIVE-EIGHTH / CENTRE Club: SARACENS Honours: ENGLAND (52 CAPS), SECOND BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR (7 APPEARANCES, 1 TEST)

WWW.LIONSRUGBY.COM

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LEIGH HALFPENNY

ROBBIE HENSHAW

Country: WALES Place of Birth: SWANSEA, WALES Date of Birth: 22 DECEMBER 1988 Age: 28 Height: 1.78m Weight: 87kg Position: FULLBACK / WING Club: RC TOULON Honours: WALES (71 CAPS), SECOND BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR (7 APPEARANCES, 3 TESTS)

Country: IRELAND Place of Birth: ATHLONE, IRELAND Date of Birth: 12 JUNE 1993 Age: 23 Height: 1.90m Weight: 102kg Position: CENTRE Club: LEINSTER Honours: IRELAND (29 CAPS), FIRST BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR

STUART HOGG

JONATHAN JOSEPH

Country: SCOTLAND Place of Birth: MELROSE, SCOTLAND Date of Birth: 24 JUNE 1992 Age: 24 Height: 1.80m Weight: 100kg Position: FULLBACK Club: GLASGOW WARRIORS Honours: SCOTLAND (53 CAPS), SECOND BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR (5 APPEARANCES)

Country: ENGLAND Place of Birth: DERBY, ENGLAND Date of Birth: 21 MAY 1991 Age: 26 Height: 1.83m Weight: 95kg Position: CENTRE Club: BATH Honours: ENGLAND (33 CAPS) FIRST BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR

GREIG LAIDLAW

CONOR MURRAY

Country: SCOTLAND Place of Birth: EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND Date of Birth: 12 OCTOBER 1985 Age: 31 Height: 1.75m Weight: 80kg Position: HALFBACK Club: GLOUCESTER Honours: SCOTLAND (58 CAPS), FIRST BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR

Country: IRELAND Place of Birth: LIMERICK, IRELAND Date of Birth: 20 APRIL 1989 Age: 28 Height: 1.88m Weight: 94kg Position: HALFBACK Club: MUNSTER Honours: IRELAND (57 CAPS), SECOND BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR (7 APPEARANCES, 2 TESTS)

GEORGE NORTH

JACK NOWELL

Country: WALES Place of Birth: KING’S LYNN, ENGLAND Date of Birth: 13 APRIL 1992 Age: 25 Height: 1.93m Weight: 108kg Position: WING Club: NORTHAMPTON SAINTS Honours: WALES (69 CAPS), SECOND BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR (7 APPEARANCES, 3 TESTS)

Country: ENGLAND Place of Birth: TRURO, ENGLAND Date of Birth: 11 APRIL 1993 Age: 24 Height: 1.80m Weight: 98kg Position: WING / FULLBACK Club: EXETER CHIEFS Honours: ENGLAND (23 CAPS), FIRST BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR

JARED PAYNE

JONATHAN SEXTON

Country: IRELAND Place of Birth: TAURANGA, NEW ZEALAND Date of Birth: 13 OCTOBER 1985 Age: 31 Height: 1.83m Weight: 98kg Position: CENTRE / FULLBACK Club: ULSTER Honours: IRELAND (20 CAPS), FIRST BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR

Country: IRELAND Place of Birth: DUBLIN, IRELAND Date of Birth: 11 JULY 1985 Age: 31 Height: 1.88m Weight: 93kg Position: FIRST FIVE-EIGHTH Club: LEINSTER Honours: IRELAND (66 CAPS), SECOND BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR (7 APPEARANCES, 3 TESTS)

TOMMY SEYMOUR

BEN TE’O

Country: SCOTLAND Place of Birth: NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, USA Date of Birth: 1 JULY 1988 Age: 28 Height: 1.83m Weight: 94kg Position: WING Club: GLASGOW WARRIORS Honours: SCOTLAND (36 CAPS), FIRST BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR

Country: ENGLAND Place of Birth: AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND Date of Birth: 27 JANUARY 1987 Age: 30 Height: 1.88m Weight: 106kg Position: CENTRE Club: WORCESTER WARRIORS Honours: ENGLAND (8 CAPS), FIRST BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR

WWW.LIONSRUGBY.COM

RUGBY 2017 | 23

RHYS WEBB Country: WALES Place of Birth: BRIDGEND, WALES Date of Birth: 9 DECEMBER 1988 Age: 28 Height: 1.83m Weight: 92kg Position: HALFBACK Club: OSPREYS Honours: WALES (28 CAPS), FIRST BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR

LIAM WILLIAMS Country: WALES Place of Birth: MORRISTON, WALES Date of Birth: 9 APRIL 1991 Age: 26 Height: 1.88m Weight: 86kg Position: FULLBACK / WING Club: SCARLETS Honours: WALES (43 CAPS), FIRST BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR

24 | RUGBY 2017

FORWARDS

ANTHONY WATSON Country: ENGLAND Place of Birth: ASHFORD, ENGLAND Date of Birth: 26 FEBRUARY 1994 Age: 23 Height: 1.84m Weight: 94kg Position: WING / FULLBACK Club: BATH Honours: ENGLAND (26 CAPS), FIRST BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR

RORY BEST Country: IRELAND Place of Birth: CRAIGAVON, IRELAND Date of Birth: 15 AUGUST 1982 Age: 34 Height: 1.80m Weight: 106kg Position: HOOKER Club: ULSTER Honours: IRELAND (104 CAPS), THIRD BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR (4 APPEARANCES)

DAN COLE

TAULUPE FALETAU

Country: ENGLAND Place of Birth: LEICESTER, ENGLAND Date of Birth: 9 MAY 1987 Age: 30 Height: 1.89m Weight: 120kg Position: PROP Club: LEICESTER TIGERS Honours: ENGLAND (74 CAPS), SECOND BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR (9 APPEARANCES, 3 TESTS)

Country: WALES Place of Birth: TOFOA, TONGATAPU, TONGA Date of Birth: 12 NOVEMBER 1990 Age: 26 Height: 1.92m Weight: 109kg Position: BACK ROW Club: BATH Honours: WALES (66 CAPS), SECOND BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR (7 APPEARANCES, 1 TEST)

TADHG FURLONG

JAMIE GEORGE

Country: IRELAND Place of Birth: WEXFORD, IRELAND Date of Birth: 14 NOVEMBER 1992 Age: 24 Height: 1.85m Weight: 123kg Position: PROP Club: LEINSTER Honours: IRELAND (16 CAPS), FIRST BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR

Country: ENGLAND Place of Birth: WELWYN GARDEN CITY, ENGLAND Date of Birth: 22 OCTOBER 1990 Age: 26 Height: 1.83m Weight: 110kg Position: HOOKER Club: SARACENS Honours: ENGLAND (17 CAPS), FIRST BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR

IAIN HENDERSON

MARO ITOJE

Country: IRELAND Place of Birth: CRAIGAVON, IRELAND Date of Birth: 21 FEBRUARY 1992 Age: 25 Height: 2.00m Weight: 118kg Position: LOCK / BACK ROW Club: ULSTER Honours: IRELAND (32 CAPS), FIRST BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR

Country: ENGLAND Place of Birth: CAMDEN, ENGLAND Date of Birth: 28 OCTOBER 1994 Age: 22 Height: 1.95m Weight: 117kg Position: LOCK/ BACK ROW Club: SARACENS Honours: ENGLAND (12 CAPS), FIRST BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR

ALUN WYN JONES

GEORGE KRUIS

Country: WALES Place of Birth: SWANSEA, WALES Date of Birth: 19 SEPTEMBER 1985 Age: 31 Height: 1.98m Weight: 118kg Position: LOCK Club: OSPREYS Honours: WALES (110 CAPS), THIRD BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR (13 APPEARANCES, 6 TESTS)

Country: ENGLAND Place of Birth: GUILFORD, ENGLAND Date of Birth: 22 FEBRUARY 1990 Age: 27 Height: 1.98m Weight: 117kg Position: LOCK Club: SARACENS Honours: ENGLAND (20 CAPS), FIRST BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR

WWW.LIONSRUGBY.COM

COURTNEY LAWES

JOE MARLER

Country: ENGLAND Place of Birth: HACKNEY, ENGLAND Date of Birth: 23 FEBRUARY 1989 Age: 28 Height: 2.01m Weight: 115kg Position: LOCK Club: NORTHAMPTON SAINTS Honours: ENGLAND (58 CAPS), FIRST BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR

Country: ENGLAND Place of Birth: EASTBOURNE, ENGLAND Date of Birth: 7 JULY 1990 Age: 26 Height: 1.83m Weight: 114kg Position: PROP Club: HARLEQUINS Honours: ENGLAND (51 CAPS), FIRST BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR

JACK McGRATH

ROSS MORIARTY

Country: IRELAND Place of Birth: DUBLIN, IRELAND Date of Birth: 11 OCTOBER 1989 Age: 27 Height: 1.82m Weight: 120kg Position: PROP Club: LEINSTER Honours: IRELAND (41 CAPS), FIRST BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR

Country: WALES Place of Birth: ST. HELENS, ENGLAND Date of Birth: 18 APRIL 1994 Age: 23 Height: 1.90m Weight: 106kg Position: BACK ROW Club: GLOUCESTER Honours: WALES (17 CAPS), FIRST BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR

SEAN O’BRIEN

PETER O’MAHONY

Country: IRELAND Place of Birth: DUBLIN, IRELAND Date of Birth: 14 FEBRUARY 1987 Age: 30 Height: 1.87m Weight: 108kg Position: BACK ROW Club: LEINSTER Honours: IRELAND (49 CAPS), SECOND BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR (6 APPEARANCES, 2 TESTS)

Country: IRELAND Place of Birth: CORK, IRELAND Date of Birth: 17 SEPTEMBER 1989 Age: 27 Height: 1.91m Weight: 108kg Position: BACK ROW Club: MUNSTER Honours: IRELAND (40 CAPS), FIRST BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR

KEN OWENS

KYLE SINCKLER

Country: WALES Place of Birth: CARMARTHEN, WALES Date of Birth: 3 JANUARY 1987 Age: 30 Height: 1.84m Weight: 108kg Position: HOOKER Club: SCARLETS Honours: WALES (50 CAPS), FIRST BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR

Country: ENGLAND Place of Birth: WANDSWORTH, ENGLAND Date of Birth: 30 MARCH 1993 Age: 24 Height: 1.80m Weight: 122kg Position: PROP Club: HARLEQUINS Honours: ENGLAND (8 CAPS), FIRST BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR

CJ STANDER

JUSTIN TIPURIC

Country: IRELAND Place of Birth: GEORGE, SOUTH AFRICA Date of Birth: 5 APRIL 1990 Age: 27 Height: 1.89m Weight: 115kg Position: BACK ROW Club: MUNSTER Honours: IRELAND (15 CAPS), FIRST BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR

Country: WALES Place of Birth: NEATH, WALES Date of Birth: 6 AUGUST 1989 Age: 27 Height: 1.88m Weight: 101kg Position: BACK ROW Club: OSPREYS Honours: WALES (51 CAPS), SECOND BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR (6 APPEARANCES, 1 TEST)

BILLY VUNIPOLA

MAKO VUNIPOLA

Country: ENGLAND Place of Birth: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA Date of Birth: 3 NOVEMBER 1992 Age: 24 Height: 1.91m Weight: 128kg Position: BACK ROW Club: SARACENS Honours: ENGLAND (34 CAPS), FIRST BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR

Country: ENGLAND Place of Birth: WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND Date of Birth: 13 JANUARY 1991 Age: 26 Height: 1.83m Weight: 121kg Position: PROP Club: SARACENS Honours: ENGLAND (42 CAPS), SECOND BRITISH & IRISH LIONS TOUR (7 APPEARANCES, 3 TESTS)

WWW.LIONSRUGBY.COM

RUGBY 2017 | 25

STEPHEN MOORE AGUSTIN CREEVY

KIERAN READ

DUANE VERMEULEN

ANTICIPATION AND EXCITEMENT AHEAD OF RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP

BY PETER WHITE The sixth instalment of the nvestec Rugby Championship will

take place between August and October.

2017 INVESTEC RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP & BLEDISLOE CUP DRAW DATE MATCH

VENUE KICK-OFF LOCAL TIME

19 AUGUST 19 AUGUST 26 AUGUST 26 AUGUST 9 SEPTEMBER 9 SEPTEMBER 16 SEPTEMBER 16 SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 30 SEPTEMBER 7 OCTOBER 7 OCTOBER

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 . . ...................................

TBC, South Africa ..................

Dunedin ..................................

TBC, Argentina .. .....................

New Plymouth .. .....................

Perth ........................................

Albany .....................................

Canberra .................................

TBC, South Africa ..................

Buenos Aires ..........................

TBC, South Africa ..................

Mendoza .................................

DATE

MATCH

VENUE KICK-OFF LOCAL TIME

21 OCTOBER

Australia v All Blacks

Brisbane .................................. 8.00pm

DATE

MATCH

VENUE

4 NOVEMBER 11 NOVEMBER 18 NOVEMBER 25 NOVEMBER

All Blacks v Barbarians All Blacks v France All Blacks v Scotland All Blacks v Wales

London . . ..................................

Paris .. ........................................

Edinburgh .. .............................

Cardiff ......................................

8.00pm TBC 7.35pm TBC 7.35pm 6.00pm 7.35pm 8.00pm TBC TBC TBC TBC

[BC] = Bledisloe Cup match.

2017 BLEDISLOE CUP GAME 3

2017 END OF YEAR TOUR KICK-OFF LOCAL TIME

TBC TBC TBC TBC

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

26 | RUGBY 2017

WWW.SANZARRUGBY.COM

Can anyone stop the rampant All Blacks cleaning up again in this year’s Investec Rugby Championship?

They will start firm favourites after completely dominating last year’s Championship, winning all six games with a whopping points differential of +178. Australia claimed second place with a points differential of -28 after three wins and three losses, with South Africa placing third and Argentina fourth.

It was a case of normal service resuming for the All Blacks after the Wallabies caused a major upset by winning the 2015 Investec Rugby Championship.

This year’s tournament will follow the popular six-round format, with each of the four teams playing each other in home and away fixtures.

The opening fixture between the Wallabies and All Blacks on August 19 will be highly anticipated on both sides of the Tasman. There is also an extra Bledisloe Cup game scheduled for October 21 at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

NZ Rugby have scheduled the All Blacks to play their home games away from the normal venues of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch to give fans who missed out on The British and Irish Lions series a chance to see their heroes in action.

Dunedin’s Forsyth Barr Stadium will host the Wallabies on August 26, Argentina will play at New Plymouth’s Yarrow Stadium on September 9 and the Springboks will play at QBE Stadium in Albany on Auckland’s North Shore on September 16.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE INVESTEC RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP, VISIT WWW.SANZARRUGBY.COM/THERUGBYCHAMPIONSHIP

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Proud supporter of

2017 GAME SCHEDULE The 14 teams involved will play 70 matches before the play-offs in just nine weeks.

For all up-to-date information on the MITRE 10 CUP, visit WWW.MITRE10CUP.CO.NZ NOTE: [RS] = RANFURLY SHIELD CHALLENGE MITRE 10 CUP EXPLAINED 2017 MITRE 10 CUP PREMIERSHIP Auckland Canterbury Counties Manukau North Harbour Taranaki Tasman Waikato

The seventh placed team is automatically relegated to the 2018 MITRE 10 Cup Championship.

2017 MITRE 10 CUP CHAMPIONSHIP Bay of Plenty Hawke’s Bay Manawatu Northland Otago Southland Wellington

The winner of the MITRE 10 Cup Championship is automatically promoted to the 2018 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

28 | RUGBY 2017

WEEK 1: THURSDAY 17 AUGUST — SUNDAY 20 AUGUST DATE

MATCH

Thursday 17 August

North Harbour

v

Otago

QBE Stadium, Albany

7.35pm

Friday 18 August

Tasman

v

Canterbury

Trafalgar Park, Nelson

7.35pm

Saturday 19 August

Hawke’s Bay

v

Southland

McLean Park, Napier

2.35pm

Taranaki

v

Waikato

Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth

5.05pm

Counties Manukau v

Auckland

ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe

7.35pm

Northland

v

Bay of Plenty

Toll Stadium, Whangarei

2.35pm

Manawatu

v

Wellington

Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North 4.35pm

Sunday 20 August

VENUE

TIME

WEEK 2: THURSDAY 24 AUGUST — SUNDAY 27 AUGUST Thursday 24 August

Southland

v

North Harbour

Rugby Park, Invercargill

Friday 25 August

Bay of Plenty

v

Hawke’s Bay

Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua

Waikato

v

Counties Manukau

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

7.45pm

Wellington

v

Taranaki

Westpac Stadium, Wellington

2.35pm

Auckland

v

Northland

Eden Park, Auckland

4.35pm

Manawatu

v

Tasman

Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North 2.35pm

Canterbury

v

Otago [RS]

AMI Stadium, Christchurch

4.35pm

Saturday 26 August Sunday 27 August

7.35pm 5.45pm

WEEK 3: WEDNESDAY 30 AUGUST — SUNDAY 3 SEPTEMBER Wednesday 30 August

Auckland

v

Waikato

Eden Park, Auckland

7.35pm

Thursday 31 August

Bay of Plenty

v

Wellington

Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua

7.35pm

Friday 1 Sept

Hawke’s Bay

v

Canterbury

McLean Park, Napier

7.35pm

Saturday 2 Sept

Otago

v

Manawatu

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

2.35pm

Southland

v

Northland

Rugby Park, Invercargill

5.05pm

Taranaki

v

Counties Manukau

Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth

7.35pm

Waikato

v

Tasman

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

2.35pm

North Harbour

v

Auckland

QBE Stadium, Albany

4.35pm

Sunday 3 Sept

WEEK 4: WEDNESDAY 6 SEPTEMBER — SUNDAY 10 SEPTEMBER Wednesday 6 Sept

Wellington

Hawke’s Bay

Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Thursday 7 Sept

Counties Manukau v

North Harbour

ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe

7.35pm

Friday 8 Sept

Canterbury

v

Southland [RS]

AMI Stadium, Christchurch

5.45pm

Manawatu Saturday 9 Sept Sunday 10 Sept

v

7.35pm

v

Bay of Plenty

Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North 7.45pm

Auckland

v

Taranaki

Eden Park, Auckland

2.35pm

Northland

v

Waikato

Toll Stadium, Whangarei

4.35pm

Tasman

v

Wellington

Lansdowne Park, Blenheim

2.35pm

Hawke’s Bay

v

Otago

McLean Park, Napier

4.35pm

WEEK 5: WEDNESDAY 13 SEPTEMBER — SUNDAY 17 SEPTEMBER Wednesday 13 Sept

Canterbury

v

Counties Manukau [RS] AMI Stadium, Christchurch

7.35pm

Thursday 14 Sept

Northland

v

North Harbour

Toll Stadium, Whangarei

7.35pm

Friday 15 Sept

Southland

v

Auckland

Rugby Park, Invercargill

5.45pm

Taranaki

v

Bay of Plenty

Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth

7.45pm

Waikato

v

Manawatu

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

2.35pm

Otago

v

Tasman

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

4.35pm

Hawke’s Bay

ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe

2.35pm

Canterbury

Westpac Stadium, Wellington

4.35pm

Saturday 16 Sept Sunday 17 Sept

Counties Manukau v Wellington

v

WEEK 6: WEDNESDAY 20 SEPTEMBER — SUNDAY 24 SEPTEMBER Wednesday 20 Sept

Bay of Plenty

v

Southland

Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua

7.35pm

Thursday 21 Sept

Otago

v

Auckland

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

7.35pm

WWW.MITRE10CUP.CO.NZ

WEEK 6 CONTINUED: WEDNESDAY 20 SEPTEMBER — SUNDAY 24 SEPTEMBER DATE

MATCH

Friday 22 Sept

Manawatu

v

Northland

Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North 7.35pm

Saturday 23 Sept

North Harbour

v

Canterbury

QBE Stadium, Albany

2.35pm

Waikato

v

Wellington

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

5.05pm

Hawke’s Bay

v

Taranaki

McLean Park, Napier

7.35pm

Bay of Plenty

v

Counties Manukau

Tauranga Domain, Tauranga

2.35pm

Tasman

v

Southland

Trafalgar Park, Nelson

4.35pm

Sunday 24 Sept

VENUE

TIME

WEEK 7: WEDNESDAY 27 SEPTEMBER — SUNDAY 1 OCTOBER Wednesday 27 Sept

Northland

v

Otago

Toll Stadium, Whangarei

7.35pm

Thursday 28 Sept

Taranaki

v

Tasman

Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth

7.35pm

Friday 29 Sept

North Harbour

v

Hawke’s Bay

QBE Stadium, Albany

7.35pm

Saturday 30 Sept

Southland

v

Manawatu

Rugby Park, Invercargill

2.35pm

Auckland

v

Bay of Plenty

Eden Park, Auckland

5.05pm

Canterbury

v

Waikato [RS]

AMI Stadium, Christchurch

7.35pm

Wellington

v

Otago

Westpac Stadium, Wellington

2.35pm

Northland

ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe

4.35pm

7.35pm

Sunday 1 October

Counties Manukau v

WEEK 8: WEDNESDAY 4 OCTOBER — SUNDAY 8 OCTOBER Wednesday 4 October

Tasman

v

North Harbour

Lansdowne Park, Blenheim

Thursday 5 October

Manawatu

v

Counties Manukau

Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North 7.35pm

Friday 6 October

Canterbury

v

Taranaki [RS]

AMI Stadium, Christchurch

7.35pm

Saturday 7 October

Otago

v

Bay of Plenty

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

2.35pm

Northland

v

Hawke’s Bay

Toll Stadium, Whangarei

5.05pm

Southland

v

Wellington

Rugby Park, Invercargill

7.35pm

Tasman

v

Auckland

Trafalgar Park, Nelson

2.35pm

Waikato

v

North Harbour

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton

4.35pm

Sunday 8 October

WEEK 9: WEDNESDAY 11 OCTOBER — SUNDAY 15 OCTOBER Wednesday 11 October

Taranaki

v

Manawatu

Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth

7.35pm

Thursday 12 October

Wellington

v

Northland

Westpac Stadium, Wellington

7.35pm

Friday 13 October

Auckland

v

Canterbury

Eden Park, Auckland

7.35pm

Saturday 14 October

Bay of Plenty

v

Waikato

Tauranga Domain, Tauranga

2.35pm

Otago

v

Southland

Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

5.05pm

Counties Manukau v

Tasman

ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe

7.35pm

North Harbour

v

Taranaki

QBE Stadium, Albany

2.35pm

Hawke’s Bay

v

Manawatu

McLean Park, Napier

4.35pm

Sunday 15 October

SEMI-FINALS: FRIDAY 20 OCTOBER — SATURDAY 21 OCTOBER Friday 20 October

MITRE 10 CUP SEMI-FINAL ONE

7.35pm

Saturday 21 October

MITRE 10 CUP SEMI-FINAL TWO

2.35pm

Saturday 21 October

MITRE 10 CUP SEMI-FINAL THREE

5.05pm

Saturday 21 October MITRE 10 CUP SEMI-FINAL FOUR

7.35pm

FINALS: FRIDAY 27 OCTOBER and SATURDAY 28 OCTOBER Friday 27 October

MITRE 10 CUP CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

7.35pm

Saturday 28 October

MITRE 10 CUP PREMIERSHIP FINAL

7.35pm

WWW.MITRE10CUP.CO.NZ

2#97 RUGBY 2017 | 7

2017 HEARTLAND CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW This year is the 11th season of the hugely popular Mitre 10 Heartland Championship.

The Mitre 10 Heartland Championship begins on August 26 with last year’s Meads Cup champions Wanganui taking on Wairarapa Bush and Lochore Cup winners North Otago up against Horowhenua Kapiti.

Once again the 12-team competition is expected to be highly competitive with the games being played in an eight-week window. The top-four teams will then compete for the Meads Cup while teams ranked five to eight will contest the play-offs for the Lochore Cup. The Meads Cup and Lochore Cup semi-finals will be played on October 21 with both finals to be played on October 28.

FOR MORE UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ABOUT THE HEARTLAND CHAMPIONSHIP, VISIT WWW.HEARTLANDCHAMPIONSHIP.CO.NZ CHAMPIONS:

NORTH OTAGO celebrate winning last year’s LOCHORE CUP FINAL over KING COUNTRY.

MATCH SCHEDULE: Home team listed first.

WEEK 1 SATURDAY 26 AUGUST Buller v South Canterbury East Coast v Thames Valley Horowhenua Kapiti v North Otago King Country v West Coast Mid Canterbury v Poverty Bay Wanganui v Wairarapa Bush

Westport Ruatoria Levin Taupo Ashburton Wanganui

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

Oamaru Gisborne Timaru Paeroa Masterton Greymouth

2.00pm 2.30pm 2.30pm 2.00pm TBC 2.30pm

WEEK 3 SATURDAY 9 SEPTEMBER Buller v North Otago Westport East Coast v West Coast Ruatoria Horowhenua Kapiti v Thames Valley Levin King Country v Wairarapa Bush Te Kuiti Mid Canterbury v South Canterbury Ashburton Wanganui v Poverty Bay Wanganui

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

WEEK 4 SATURDAY 16 SEPTEMBER North Otago v King Country Oamaru Poverty Bay v East Coast Gisborne South Canterbury v Wanganui Timaru Thames Valley v Buller Paeroa Wairarapa Bush v Mid Canterbury Masterton West Coast v Horowhenua Kapiti Greymouth

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

WEEK 2 SATURDAY 2 SEPTEMBER North Otago v Mid Canterbury Poverty Bay v Horowhenua Kapiti South Canterbury v King Country Thames Valley v Wanganui Wairarapa Bush v East Coast West Coast v Buller

WEEK 5 SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER Buller v Wairarapa Bush Horowhenua Kapiti v East Coast King Country v Thames Valley Mid Canterbury v Wanganui Poverty Bay v West Coast South Canterbury v North Otago

30 | RUGBY 2017

Westport Levin Te Kuiti Ashburton Greymouth Timaru

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

WEEK 6 SATURDAY 30 SEPTEMBER East Coast v Buller Ruatoria North Otago v Poverty Bay Oamaru Thames Valley v Mid Canterbury Paeroa Wanganui v King Country Wanganui West Coast v South Canterbury Greymouth Wairarapa Bush v Horowhenua Kapiti Wellington

2.30pm 2.00pm 2.00pm 2.30pm 2.30pm TBC

WEEK 7 SATURDAY 7 OCTOBER Horowhenua Kapiti v Wanganui Mid Canterbury v Buller North Otago v East Coast Poverty Bay v King Country South Canterbury v Wairarapa Bush West Coast v Thames Valley

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

Levin Ashburton Oamaru Gisborne Timaru Greymouth

WEEK 8 SATURDAY 14 OCTOBER Buller v Horowhenua Kapiti Westport 2.30pm East Coast v South Canterbury Ruatoria 2.30pm King Country v Mid Canterbury Taupo 5.00pm Thames Valley v Poverty Bay Paeroa 2.00pm Wairarapa Bush v West Coast Masterton 6.00pm Wanganui v North Otago Wanganui 2.30pm WEEK 9 SEMI-FINAL for Meads and Lochore Cups SATURDAY 21 OCTOBER LOCHORE CUP SEMI-FINALS 5th ranked team from pool round v Venue tbc 2.30pm 8th ranked team from pool round 6th ranked team from pool round v Venue tbc 2.30pm 7th ranked team from pool round SATURDAY 21 OCTOBER MEADS CUP SEMI-FINALS Top ranked team from pool round v Venue tbc 2.30pm 4th ranked team from pool round 2nd ranked team from pool round v Venue tbc 2.30pm 3rd ranked team from pool round WEEK 10 FINALS for Meads and Lochore Cups OCTOBER LOCHORE CUP Winner Semi-Final 1 v Winner Semi-Final 2

TBC

OCTOBER MEADS CUP Winner Semi-Final 1 v Winner Semi-Final 2

TBC

* SATURDAY 28 * SATURDAY 28

* Date subject to operational and broadcasting logistics

WWW.HEARTLANDCHAMPIONSHIP.CO.NZ

Experience the BIG GAME at home!

With Swivel and Lift functionality, the Panasonic EX780 always offers the perfect viewing angle. So, wherever you make yourself comfortable, you’ll always have the best seat in the house with Panasonic’s ‘Switch Design’.

147cmv

Screen raises up to 35cm *3

49L CHILLY BIN AND $50 COUNTDOWN GIFT CARD Via redemption

NEW 2017 MODEL

3288

$

Panasonic 58” (147cmv) 4K Ultra HD Smart*2 LED Television.

• 4k HDR PRO • UHF and Satellite tuner • 100Hz Native Refresh Rate

Also available in 50”, 65” & 75”. Lift function is not available in the 65” & 75”. Swivel function is not available in the 75”. Not available in all stores, but can be ordered.

SHOP with CONFIDENCE on Quality, Value & Service.

Product offers are valid until 27/06/17. Excludes Outlet Stores.

Shop online or mobile: harveynorman.co.nz Choose to pick up in store or have it delivered.

Visit your local store: Call

0800 464 278

354435_NNZ

INTEREST FREE FINANCE TERMS AVAILABLE*1 in the electrical department

(0800 GO HARVEY) for your nearest store.

*1. Interest Free Finance Terms available in the Electrical Department. Minimum purchase $500. From no deposit. Normal credit and lending criteria and fees including $55 establishment fee and annual fee ($52 Gem Visa/$50 Gem CreditLine) apply. Paying only the minimum monthly repayment of 3% of the outstanding monthly balance or $20, whichever is more, will not be sufficient to repay the purchase amount(s) within the promotional period.

Prevailing interest rate (currently 25.99% p.a Gem Visa/29.95% p.a Gem CreditLine) applies to any outstanding balance on the expiry of the interest free period. Finance offers not available on Commercial and Educational pricing. See store for details. *2. Broadband internet connection and service is required at the customer’s own expense. *3. Bonus is via redemption from the supplier. Terms and conditions apply. See in store for details.

It takes a country to make an All Black.

They’re more than players to us. We’ve grown up with them as class mates, team-mates and mates of mates. We’ve coached them, taught them, fed them and always backed them. We’re a part of their story as much as they are of ours and at ASB, we’re proud to be in the thick of it.

The bank that backs the All Blacks.