JAMES PARSONS | 100 SUPER RUGBY GAMES I N V E S T E C S U P E R RU G BY O F F I C I A L M ATC H P RO G R A M M E | F R I D AY 1 0 M AY 2 0 1 9
BLUES VS hurricanes
A run can raise the roof. As rough as they look, well-timed tackles can be gamewinning moves. Through tackles like these, Investec has for the past nine years been able to bring world-class rugby to fans, as title sponsor of all New Zealand-based Investec Super Rugby and Investec Rugby Championship games. We look forward to bringing you even more. #BestOFtheBestRugby
Investec Rugby |
Investec is an international specialist bank and asset manager that provides a diverse range of financial products and services to a select client base in three principal markets – the UK AND Europe, South Africa and Asia/Australia as well as other certain countries. The group was established in 1974 and currently has approximately 10 146 employees. Investec focuses on delivering distinctive profitable solutions for its clients in three core areas of activity namely, Asset Management, Wealth & Investment and Specialist Banking. In July 2002 the Investec group implemented a dual listed company structure with listings on the London and Johannesburg Stock Exchanges. The combined group’s current market capitalisation is approximately GBP 4.93 billion.
Welcome Investec Super Rugby | Top 15
Investec has enjoyed a strong partnership with New Zealand Rugby over nine consecutive years. This has resulted in us having a platform — in supporting er nine consecutive years. This has resulted in us having a platform — in supporting Investec Super Rugby and Investec Rugby Championship games played in d in New Zealand — from which to be enablers of international rugby. And there’s no New Zealand — from which to be enablers of international rugby. And there’s look forward to the pride, passion and standard of play that the global rugby arena no better year than this, a Rugby World Cup year, to use this platform. We look forward to the pride, passion and standard of play that the global rugby arena will produce. Everything of the best to all the players.
Regards Danni Dixon – Head of Marketing Investec SA
ovides a diverse range of financial products and services to a select client base in About Investec ustralia as well as certain other countries. The group was established in 1974 and
Investec is an international specialist bank and asset manager that provides a diverse range of financial products and services to a select client base in three principal nts inWelcome three core areas of activity namely, Asset Wealth & Investment markets – the UK and Europe, South AfricaManagement, and Asia/Australia as well as certain other countries. The group was established in 1974 and currently has approximately Investec Super Rugby | Top 15 10 146 employees.
enjoyed a strong partnership with New Zealand Rugby over nine consecutive years. This has resulted in us having a platform — in supporting ture Investec with has listings on the London and Johannesburg Stock Exchanges. The combined Investec Super Rugby and Investec Rugby Championship games played in New Zealand — from which to be enablers of international rugby. And there’s no better year than this, a Rugby World Cup year, to use this platform. We look forward to the pride, passion and standard of play that the global rugby arena will produce. Everything of the best to all the players.
Investec focuses on delivering distinctive profitable solutions for its clients in three core areas of activity namely, Asset Management, Wealth & Investment and Regards, Danni Dixon – Head of Marketing Investec SA Specialist Banking. About Investec
2002specialist the Investec group implemented a dual company withclient base in Investec In is anJuly international bank and asset manager that provides a diverse range listed of financial products andstructure services to a select three principal markets – the UK and Europe, South Africa and Asia/Australia as well as certain other countries. The group was established in 1974 and on the London and Johannesburg Stock Exchanges. The combined group’s currently listings has approximately 10 146 employees. current market capitalisation is approximately GBP4.93 billion.
Investec focuses on delivering distinctive profitable solutions for its clients in three core areas of activity namely, Asset Management, Wealth & Investment and Specialist Banking. In July 2002 the Investec group implemented a dual listed company structure with listings on the London and Johannesburg Stock Exchanges. The combined group’s current market capitalisation is approximately GBP4.93 billion.
and-based Rugby Championship and Super Rugby games.
#BestOFtheBestRugby Enjoying 9 years of bringing fans the best rugby as title sponsor of all New Zealand-based Rugby Championship and Super Rugby games.
Language lessons
MC10037B
We’re bringing New Zealand together through the language of rugby
MATCH PREVIEW:
blues vs Hurricanes HEAD TO HEAD 2019 STATS RANK 12
22.7
POINTS PER GAME
28.3
RANK 2
RANK 1
129.9
CARRIES
120.1
RANK 3
RANK 3
445.4
METRES MADE
469.6
RANK 1
RANK 6
10.2
CLEAN BREAKS
10.0
RANK 7
RANK 3
26.1
DEFENDERS BEATEN
27.1
RANK 2
RANK 5
9.6
OFFLOADS
6.0
RANK 15
RANK 10
6.2
TURNOVERS WON
8.0
RANK 2
14 WINS
1 D R AW
OVERALL HEAD TO HEAD RESULTS OVERALL GAMES: 30 (14-1-15)
15 WINS BLUES VS HURRIC ANES | 10 MAY 20 19 5
MISSED A GAME? CATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS
SKY Sport customers download the app to catch up on all the best action from the latest Investec Super Rugby clashes, and so much more from all your other favourite sports!
The SKY Sport Highlights app is a service for SKY Sport customers with a SKY box in their home. For details see www.sky.co.nz/highlightsapp. Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Google Play is a trademark of Google Inc.
TRUE BLUE PARSONS CHALKS UP
a century not out It would be challenging to find a more professional rugby player than James Parsons, who recently celebrated his 100th game for the Blues and chalks up his 100th Super Rugby game against the Hurricanes.
He is just the sixth player to achieve his century of games for the Blues, joining an illustrious group comprising Keven Mealamu, Jerome Kaino, Tony Woodcock, Ali Williams and John Afoa. In fact, his 102nd appearance for the Blues on Friday 10 May (he played internationals against France and the British & Irish Lions) means he will be joint fourth highest in terms of Blues appearances. James began his Super Rugby career against
the Highlanders in 2012 and became the joint fastest Blues player to reach the 100 caps, joining Afoa, both earning the mark in eight seasons. He is the first to admit he is not the most naturally gifted rugby player but has thrived on hard work. “His work ethic is outstanding. He’s a diligent guy, a proud Blues man and this is a proud moment for him,” said coach Leon MacDonald. He is an equally passionate North Harbour man, who has dedicated himself to one club, one province and one Super team. And while he is a Centurion, he has recently decided to play for the Blues for a further two years instead of taking a lucrative offer overseas like many others. “I pride myself on loyalty. It’s a characteristic I value a lot. I think it comes back to how passionate
you are about places you represent, and everyone knows I’m passionate about Harbour and the Blues.,” said James. “There’s no point in lying about it, you always look at the other options. But then you’ve got to ask the question where will you be most happy? And this is where I’m happy. “If you are happy, you’ll play your best footy and I really love this environment. I love working under these coaches and the bunch of boys we play with are great men. It’s great to come to work every day and then get out on the field and put your body on the line.” James also gives back off the field. He is on the Board of the New Zealand Rugby Players Association, a regular contributor on SKY Television and co-hosts a weekly rugby show on Radio Sport with Darcy Waldegrave and Goran Palidan. Blues legend and most capped player, Keven Mealamu is glowing in his praise of the player who followed him as the first-choice hooker. “It is so great to see JP earn his 100th game for the Blues,” said Mealamu. “He is a professional in every sense, an awesome teammate and a great man as well. This is so well deserved for such a true Blues man.”
BLUES VS HURRIC ANES | 10 MAY 20 19 7
Pathway far from ‘Eze’ It’s been a challenging wait for Auckland’s Ezekiel Lindenmuth, who is expected to make his Blues debut off the bench against the Hurricanes. The 21-year-old who stands 1.86m and 118kgs, has come back from an MCL injury (on the inside of the knee) which sidelined him for five weeks. “It has been my first serious injury and at this level, but I am back now and so pleased to have this opportunity,” said Ezekiel, whose nickname is Eze (pronounced ‘easy’). “The timing of the injury was not great, but at the same time it could have been ideal because it allowed me to sit back and soak it all up with so many good players in this team. Now I have the tools I need.” Where was Ezekiel Lindenmuth born? How many would answer … Apia, Samoa? Ezekiel has German heritage from his grand-father and he is half German and half Samoan from both his mother and father. He moved to Auckland in 2014 and now his older brother, cousins and father are here in Auckland and the rest of the family home in Apia, where he visits every year.
8 BLUES VS HURRIC ANES | 10 MAY 20 19
He attended Mt Albert Grammar School and played for the 1st XV before immersing himself into the Blues development system with the Blues U18s and Blues U20s. Ezekiel was selected to play for Samoa Under-20s and then played for New Zealand Under-20s. He made his debut for Auckland in 2018 and now for the Blues. “I am keen and I am going to rip in to it. It’s a good culture here and a good bunch of boys and I can’t wait to get out there. If I get on, then I want to put my best foot forward. I want to do my best for the Blues. In fact, I would like to play here all my career – this club means a lot
PLAYER STATS Ma'a Nonu Karl Tu'inukuafe
1.82 M | 105 KG | 36 YR | 33 BLUES CAPS
1.86 M | 135 KG | 26 YR | 9 BLUES CAPS
TJ Faiane
James Parsons
1.75 M | 92 KG | 23 YR | 26 BLUES CAPS
1.85 M | 106 KG | 32 YR | 101 BLUES CAPS
Tanielu Tele'a
Ofa Tuungafasi
1.87 M | 107 KG | 20 YR | 5 BLUES CAPS
1.95 M | 129 KG | 27 YR | 78 BLUES CAPS
Melani Nanai
Patrick Tuipulotu
1.94 M | 90 KG | 25 YR | 58 BLUES CAPS
1.98 M | 120 KG | 26 YR | 62 BLUES CAPS
Leni Apisai
Josh Goodhue
1.82 M | 108 KG | 23 YR | 10 BLUES CAPS
1.99 M | 115 KG | 23 YR | 15 BLUES CAPS
Ezekiel Lindenmuth
Dalton Papalii
1.87 M | 116 KG | 21 YR | DEBUT
1.93 M | 113 KG | 21 YR | 17 BLUES CAPS
Marcel Renata
Blake Gibson
1.87 M | 121 KG | 25 YR | 3 BLUES CAPS
1.86 M | 102 KG | 24 YR | 35 BLUES CAPS
Scott Scrafton
Akira Ioane
2.00 M | 114 KG | 26 YR | 17 BLUES CAPS
1.94 M | 113 KG | 24 YR | 59 BLUES CAPS
Jed Brown
Sam Nock
1.86 M | 105 KG | 28 YR | 2 BLUES CAPS
1.78 M | 85 KG | 22 YR | 22 BLUES CAPS
Augustine Pulu
Harry Plummer
1.89 M | 90 KG | 29 YR | 31 BLUES CAPS
1.84 M | 94 KG | 20 YR | 10 BLUES CAPS
Otere Black
Rieko Ioane
1.85 M | 86 KG | 24 YR | 10 BLUES CAP
1.88 M | 103 KG | 22 YR | 44 BLUES CAPS
Matt Duffie 1.95 M | 95 KG | 28 YR | 39 BLUES CAPS
BLUES VS HURRIC ANES | 10 MAY 20 19 9
COACH
BLUE hurric
ASSISTANT COACHES
Leon MacDonald
Tana Umaga Tom Coventry Dan Halangahu Ben Afeaki
MANAGER Richard Fry
15
Melani Nanai
14
Tanielu Tele'a
13
7.35pm FRIDAY EDEN
TJ Faiane (VC)
12
Ma'a Nonu
11
Rieko Ioane
10
Harry Plummer
9
Sam Nock
8
Akira Ioane
7
Blake Gibson (CC)
6 RESERVES 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Leni Apisai Ezekiel Lindenmuth Marcel Renata Scott Scrafton Jed Brown Augustine Pulu Otere Black Matt Duffie
Dalton Papalii
5
Josh Goodhue
4
Patrick Tuipulotu (CC)
3
Ofa Tuungafasi
2
James Parsons
1
Karl Tu'inukuafe
REFE
Nick B
ASSISTANT
Paul W Brendon
TM
Ben S
ES VS canes
ASSISTANT COACHES
Briant
T REFEREES
Williams n Pickerill
MO
Skeen
John Plumtree
Jason Holland Carlos Spencer Richard Watt Dan Cron
MANAGER Ben Castle
15
Jordie Barrett
14
Wes Goosen
Y 10 MAY 2019 PARK
EREE
COACH
13
Matt Proctor
12
Ngani Laumape
11
Ben Lam
10
Beauden Barrett
9
(C) TJ Perenara
8
Reed Prinsep
7
Ardie Savea
6
Vaea Fifita
5
Isaia Walker-Leawere
4
James Blackwell
3
Jeff To'omaga-Allen
2
Asafo Aumua Toby Smith
1
RESERVES
Ricky Riccitelli Fraser Armstrong Ross Geldenhuys Kane Le'aupepe Du'Plessis Kirifi Finlay Christie James Marshall Chase Tiatia
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
PLAYER STATS Toby Smith 1.90 M | 116 KG | 30 YR
Matt Proctor
Asafo Aumua
1.80 M | 93 KG | 26 YR
1.77 M | 105 KG | 22 YR
Wes Goosen
Jeff To'omaga-Allen
1.80 M | 92 KG | 23 YR
1.92 M | 125 KG | 28 YR
Jordie Barrett
James Blackwell
1.95 M | 96 KG | 22 YR
1.90 M | 106 KG | 24 YR
Ricky Riccitelli
Isaia Walker-Leawere
1.80 M | 110 KG | 24 YR
2.00 M | 122 KG | 21 YR
Fraser Armstrong
Vaea Fifita
1.93 M | 127 KG | 27 YR
1.96 M | 107 KG | 26 YR
Ross Geldenhuys
Ardie Savea
1.89 M | 120 KG | 36 YR
1.90 M | 99 KG | 25 YR
Kane Le'aupepe
Reed Prinsep
2.01 M | 118 KG | 26 YR
1.92 M | 108 KG | 26 YR
Du'Plessis Kirifi
TJ Perenara
1.81 M | 96 KG | 22 YR
1.83 M | 94 KG | 27 YR
Finlay Christie
Beauden Barrett
1.77 M | 82 KG | 24 YR
1.87 M | 91 KG | 27 YR
James Marshall
Ben Lam
1.83 M | 93 KG | 30 YR
1.94 M | 105 KG | 27 YR
Chase Tiatia
Ngani Laumape
1.81 M | 93 KG | 23 YR
1.77 M | 103 KG | 26 YR
1 2 BLUES VS HURRIC ANES | 10 MAY 20 19
NEW
PREDATOR BOOT RANGE
AVAILABLE NOW AT ADIDAS.COM/RUGBY
GREAT THINGS COME FROM BEING GOOD WITH MONEY
BNS0306_resize_148.5x104_Vf.indd 1
13/02/19 10:04 AM
PRINCIPAL PARTNER
MAJOR PARTNERS
MEDIA PARTNERS
OFFICIAL PARTNERS
PLAY ON
PLAY ON
*than the average carb content of leading NZ beer.
NEW
Say My Name Returns
The Say My Name Round is back in Investec Super Rugby this week, with all five New Zealand clubs stepping up to celebrate rugby’s diverse community by focusing on what makes people truly unique and reflects their identity - their name. Building on the 2018 Say My Name round, the 2019 edition promises to be just as entertaining, with players from the Blues, Chiefs, Crusaders, Highlanders and Hurricanes helping people get their heads – and their tongues – around some of the more commonly mispronounced names. As well as encouraging fans to pronounce people's names correctly - or at least give it go the players are taking it one step further this year by sharing some of the different stories behind their names. Leading things off again is former All Black Piri “Not Perry” Weepu, in a compilation video New Zealand Rugby (NZR) hopes will once again guide fans in how to say the players’ names – and how not to. This year’s Say My Name video features some fresh faces with Hurricanes forwards Du’Plessis Kirifi (Doo Ploo-see Kee-ree-fee) and Isaia Walker-Leawere (Eye-zay-ah War-kar Lee-ahwear-eh), and the Chiefs pairing of Lachlan Boshier (Lock-lin Bow-share) and Angus Ta’avao (An-gus Tah-ah-vow) taking part. There are also some familiar names from last year, including Highlanders loose forward James “no cheese” Lentjes, Blues loose forward Dalton Papalii, as well as Crusaders first five-eighth Richie Mo’unga. Weepu said: “We’re encouraging everyone to ‘Say My Name’ this week and make a real effort to get some of our (players) names right. Practice makes perfect, and what better way to show respect.”
NZR Chief Rugby Officer Nigel Cass said the round was about celebrating the many diverse and unique cultures that make up the rugby community. “Rugby is made up of people from all sorts of different backgrounds and cultures and we want everyone to know it is truly a Game for All.” “Our players have jumped on board again this year to teach fans how to, and how not to, say their names. It’s not about getting it right first time, or every time, what’s important is giving it a go and having a bit of fun too." The round is part of an overarching program to celebrate and increase diversity at NZR and across rugby. This has included NZR Board, Executive and Senior Leadership all undertaking unconscious bias training, the continued integration of Tikanga into NZR processes, a program to increase Pacific participation in non-playing roles, and will include the celebration of Samoan Language week and Te Wiki O Te Reo Maori (Maori Language Week).
BLUES VS HURRIC ANES | 10 MAY 20 19 1 7
2019 STANDINGS NEW ZEALAND CONFERENCE
CRUSADERS HURRICANES HIGHLANDERS BLUES CHIEFS AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCE
REBELS BRUMBIES REDS WARATAHS SUNWOLVES SOUTH AFRICAN CONFERENCE
BULLS SHARKS JAGUARES STORMERS LIONS
P
W
D
L
F
A
DIF
BP
PTS
11 11 11 10 11
8 8 4 4 3
2 1 2 0 2
1 2 5 6 6
321 311 285 227 296
174 264 257 240 371
147 47 28 -13 -75
6 2 5 5 3
42 36 25 21 19
P
W
D
L
F
A
DIF
BP
PTS
10 11 10 10 11
5 5 5 4 2
0 0 0 0 0
5 6 5 6 9
271 258 237 228 240
257 286 247 232 374
14 -28 -10 -4 -134
2 3 1 5 4
24 24 22 21 12
P
W
D
L
F
A
DIF
BP
PTS
10 11 10 11 10
6 5 6 5 5
0 1 0 0 0
4 5 4 6 5
261 257 263 229 232
212 216 245 254 287
49 41 18 -25 -55
4 6 3 4 2
28 28 27 24 22
OVERALL
CRUSADERS HURRICANES BULLS SHARKS JAGUARES HIGHLANDERS REBELS BRUMBIES STORMERS REDS LIONS BLUES WARATAHS CHIEFS SUNWOLVES
1 8 BLUES VS HURRIC ANES | 10 MAY 20 19
PTS
42 36 28 28 27 25 24 24 24 22 22 21 21 19 12
2019 FIXTURES ROUND
MATCH RESULT
1
BLUES VS CRUSADERS
2
SHARKS VS BLUES
3
JAGUARES VS BLUES
Sat 16 Feb | Eden Park | 7:35PM Sun 24 Feb | Kings Park, Durban | 2:05AM NZT
Sun 03 Mar | José Amalfitani Stadium Buenos Aires | 10:40AM NZT
L
22-24
L
26-7
L
23-19
W
28-20
4
BLUES VS SUNWOLVES
5
BYE
6
BLUES VS HIGHLANDERS
7
BLUES VS STORMERS
8
BLUES VS WARATAHS
9
CHIEFS VS BLUES
10
HIGHLANDERS VS BLUES
11
BYE
12
BRUMBIES VS BLUES
13
BLUES VS HURRICANES
-
14
BLUES VS CHIEFS
-
15
CRUSADERS VS BLUES
-
16
BLUES VS BULLS
-
17
REDS VS BLUES
-
18
HURRICANES VS BLUES
-
Sat 09 Mar | QBE Stadium, Albany | 7:35PM
Fri 22 Mar | Eden Park | 7:35PM
Sat 30 Mar | Eden Park | 7:35PM Sat 06 Apr | Eden Park | 7:35PM Sat 13 Apr | FMG Stadium, Hamilton | 7:35PM Sat 20 Apr | Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin | 7:35PM
Sat 04 May | GIO Stadium, Canberra | 9:45PM Fri 10 May | Eden Park | 7:35PM Sat 18 May | Eden Park | 7:35PM Sat 25 May | AMI Stadium, Christchurch | 7:35PM Fri 31 May | Eden Park | 7:35PM Fri 07 Jun | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | 9:45PM Sat 15 Jun | Westpac Stadium | 7:35PM
ROUND 13 MATCHES
BLUES v HURRICANES Fri 10 May | Auckland | 7:35 PM
REBELS v REDS
Fri 10 May | Melbourne | 9:45 PM
BULLS v CRUSADERS
Sat 11 May | Pretoria | 5:10 AM
HIGHLANDERS v JAGUARES Sat 11 May | Dunedin | 5:15 PM
CHIEFS v SHARKS
Sat 11 May | Hamilton | 7:35 PM
W
33-26
W
W
24-9
LIONS v WARATAHS
Sun 12 May | Johannesburg | 1:05 AM
BRUMBIES v SUNWOLVES Sun 12 May | Canberra | 6:05 PM
32-29
L
33-29
L
24-12
L
26-21
BLUES VS HURRIC ANES | 10 MAY 20 19 1 9
You bring the passion
WE'LL BRING THE PRIVILEGES*
Our Team vs Our Team Their Team vs TicketDirect Stand Upp Aisle er Silver Their TeaRowm F225 Gate
C SeatSilver 18 Adult Stand Upper $22.50 Gate C AdultGate C Sat 18$22.50 June 2018 7:35 PM Forsyth Barr Stadium C Gates Ope Gate 7:35 PM n 6:35 PM 2018 Sat 18 June Z008495 m Stadiu Forsyth Barr *Terms and conditions apply. 6:35 PM Gates Open
TicketDirect 225 Aisle F Row 18 Seat
Z008495
*Terms and conditions
apply.
Get mates rates on game day tickets! punt forprizes.co.nz THE OFFICIAL COMMUNITY PARTNER *Competition valid from the 15th February to 6th July 2019. Terms and conditions apply. See puntforprizes.co.nz for details.