www.times.co.nz
Botany and Ormiston Times, Tuesday, March 3, 2020 — 15
Hopping mad: Special players are special cases
TOUCH RUGBY
Touch refs churned out ➤➤From Page 16
Six of those that have come via this season’s development program, and they have 11 referee’s that have represented PC touch, Counties and NZ in overseas events and World cups. Age is no barrier to getting involved as young Kurt Harrison showed. Kurt was one of our first young men to join the development program. Kurt started refereeing age just 14 and in his first year went from refereeing U12 games to controlling the A Grade final. Kurt has progressed through the programme to becoming PC Touch’s only Level 4 black badge the highest rank in NZ and the world. Kurt went on to represent PC touch at the Youth World Cup in Malaysia in the 2018 season. This season, a young 11-year-old referee has taken up refereeing, and will hope to emulate Kurt. Carl Llewelyn is proud of his charges and says, “The rewards you get watching these kids grow in confidence and skill set during the season makes this programme well worthwhile. “We have had many parents comment during the season that they have seen such a massive difference in their son or daughter as result of refereeing and that just makes the programme even more successful on many scales not just as a referee.” ➤➤To get involved, contact PCT via their website www.sporty.co.nz/ coasttouch/
■■BY JIM BIRCHALL
I
n the media this week was the report rugby league star Kayln Ponga is looking to be the next top athlete to make the code switch to union from league, in order to wear the All Black jersey. Australian born, but eligible for New Zealand via his Maori heritage, Ponga is off-contract with the Newcastle Knights this November. The Knights are clamouring to retain his signature and are believed to have offering a fouryear contract upgrade worth a whopping $4.5 million. The contract also comes with a ‘player option’ for 2023, effectively a get-out clause freeing up Ponga to chase his All Black’s dream (just in time for the World Cup in France). This comes on the heels of remarks from Ardie Savea concerning a switch to the ‘foreign’ code. Whether he was serious about his ambitions or the comment was made to liven up the Ice project podcast he was appearing on (although he re-affirmed his stance on another show the following day), it got people talking.
OPINION Rugby league star Kayln Ponga is looking to switch codes.
He also won no fans in the City Of Sails league community, effectively waving the middle-finger by suggesting he would shun perennial strugglers the New Zealand Warriors by announcing he would “go to a team that’s good... that’s dominating, like the Storm or the Roosters”. Boomers, and those old-atheart, decried the mere possibility of it happening on that great vehicle of the everymantalkback radio, and muttered comments about Sonny Bill Williams (the guy can’t catch a break) and his code-hopping antics that infuriated the old school and their antiquated views on professionalism.
GUIDE (MARAETAI): Sunrise & Sunset; TIMES | FISHING Moonrise & Moonset; Best Fishing Times; High Tides.
TUESDAY 03
FRIDAY 06
SATURDAY 07
Rise 7:10am Set 7:51pm 9:03am to 11:03am; 9:32pm to 11:32pm
Rise 5:34pm Set 2:29am
The reality is talented young athletes now have options to experiment with other sports, thanks to contract flexibility from clubs desperate to retain them long term. They can also simply take a break from the sport as highlighted by recent rugby sabbaticals. Much to the annoyance of purists, this trend shows no sign of stopping-nor should it. Sportspeople with the ability, and more importantly the will, to challenge themselves further by taking up a new sport should be encouraged. The majority of the apathetic public would probably raise only an inquisitive eyebrow should
Rise 7:07am Set 7:56pm 6:18am to 8:18am; 6:44pm to 8:44pm
11:24am 11:37pm
Photo Central Telegraph
Rise 7:11am Set 7:50pm 10:02am to 12:02pm; 10:31pm to 12:31am
Rise 2:41pm Set 12:02am
WEDNESDAY 04
Rise 7:08am Set 7:54pm Rise 3:41pm Set 12:43am 7:10am to 9:10am; 7:37pm to 9:37pm 2:32am 2:56pm
1:39am 2:05pm Rise 6:24pm Set 3:33am
someone they know make a transition from a mechanic to a panel beater, so why is it such an issue when a sportsperson wants to spread their wings? Conversely, Solomone Kata an ex Howick Hornets player - is a great example of a player who had to adapt or die. After a series of so-so seasons, he was released by the Warriors, followed by a repeat dose at the Storm. With his career in nosedive he has returned to his roots in union with the Brumbies. A schoolboy union star at Sacred Heart College, the Tongan powerhouse exercised his options and is now flourishing in his return to union with the Brumbies, starring in the early rounds including last Friday against the Chiefs, with a well taken try and several solid carries.
SUNDAY 08
5:39am 6:04pm
Rise 7:11am Set 7:49pm
11:00am to 1:00pm
Rise 7:08pm Set 4:44am 6:37am 7:04pm
THURSDAY 05
Rise 7:09am Set 7:53pm 8:05am to 10:05am; 8:34pm to 10:34pm
Rise 4:39pm Set 1:32am
3:32am 3:55pm
MONDAY 09
Rise 7:12am Set 7:47pm 11:58am to 1:58pm; 11:29pm to 1:29am
Rise 7:48pm Set 5:57am
7:31am 8:01pm
HALF PRICE
STOCKTAKE SALE
Find your happy place for half price.
Dream price
Now
$
$
679
1799
Classic Kappa
Serenity S Series 3
Queen Size Mattress & Base
Queen Size Mattress & Base
HALF PRICE
HALF PRICE
HALF PRICE
Now
Now
$
$
1999
2399
Serenity S Series 7
Chiro HD Raglan
Queen Size Mattress & Base
Queen Size Mattress & Base
CLEARANCE
HALF PRICE Now
$
Plus 1,000 days interest free*
2899
Chiro HD Tolaga
Sanctuary
Queen Size Mattress & Base
Queen Size Mattress & Base
on in store purchases $999 & over ‘til 04/02/2020
Try out NZ’s first recyclable bed - in store or online now!
PLUS 2 YEARS INTEREST FREE* on in store purchases $999 & over ‘til 7.4.2020
BedsRus New Plymouth visit Unit 13, Valley Mega Centre, 13/20 Rifle Range Road Newmarket Glen Innes Botany bedsrus.co.nz 23 Crowhurst Apirana Avebedsrus.co.nz Town Centre talkSt 06 357 141 2337 dream
Proudly Local
Guarantee
RUN OUT CLEARANCE SPECIALS IN STORE
Warranty
Interest Free
*Offer valid from 4.3.20 to 7.4.20 or while stocks last. Discount offers apply to selected beds only. Bedding clearance applies to featured bedding, prices as marked. Excludes Everyday Dream prices, run outs, clearance stock and not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Prices as marked. See in store for details. We reserve the right to correct errors or misprints. 30 day Comfort Guarantee Ts and Cs apply. *2 Years Interest Free is available on in store Q Card and Q Mastercard® Flexi Payment Plans & Purchases $999 & over until 7.4.20. Offer excludes Everyday Dream Prices, run outs, clearance, layby and not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Lending criteria, $50 Annual Account Fee, New Cardholder fee - $55 Establishment or Existing Cardholder fee - $35 Advance Fee applicable, terms and conditions apply. Minimum payments of 3% of the monthly closing balance or $10 (whichever is greater) are required throughout interest free period. Paying only the minimum monthly payments will not fully repay the loan before the end of the interest free period. Standard KC14643-V4 Interest Rate, currently 25.99% p.a., applies to any outstanding balance at end of Interest Free period. Rate and fees correct as at date of publication, subject to change. Mastercard is a registered trademark and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated. See in store for full details.
