MANAWATŪ

SEVENTH IN EVENS CONFERENCE 2022: It was a difficult season to deal with. Manawatū played 10 matches and lost the lot. It was also a sad way for highly regarded coach Peter Russell to finish up. Despite the best intentions, team results can just tank like the Turbos did. There was no lack of effort and some near misses, but it was definitely a season to forget.

COACH:

MIKE ROGERS

CAPTAINS:

JASON EMERY, BRAYDON IOSE

WEBSITE: turbosrugby.co.nz

TICKETS: ticketek.co.nz

PHONE: 06 357 2633

TAB ODDS: $101.00

KEY PLAYERS: Powerful lock Micaiah Torrance-Read has played 29 games for the province and should lead by example this season. Experienced centre Jason Emery first played for the Turbos in 2012 while Brayden Iose made a big impression for the Hurricanes earlier this year, so expect a top campaign from the athletic loosie.

YOUNG GUNS: Manawatū has a vibrant academy and fine talent moving through to the Turbos. Winger Epeli Waqa-Nalaga was the Under-20s Player of the Year for the Hurricanes and halfback Jordi Viljoen is also with the Hurricanes and one of only 20 players on a national development contract. Centre Kyle Brown is another academy graduate stepping up to NPC this year.

SEASON PROSPECTS: The only way is up. New head coach Mike Rogers is well aware of the daunting task ahead of him. The former Bay of Plenty assistant coach wants to build a strong culture within the team and the wider community. He is fresh from an assistant coaching role with the New England Free Jacks, who triumphed in the USA’s Major League Rugby. Former All Blacks winger Nehe Milner-Skudder will work with Manawatū’s highperformance players.