Fleming off to Red Hurricanes in Japan
GOOD SPORTS: The Manawatu¯ Rugby Union plans to act quickly to replace Japan-bound academy manager Greg Fleming.
Fleming has signed a deal to coach NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes in Osaka, Japan.
The side plays in the second tier of the Japanese competition after being demoted last year.
Fleming’s departure is a major loss for Manawatu¯ , with the former prop holding coaching roles with the Manawatu¯ under-19s and 16s.
But he also played a key role as the Manawatu¯ Turbos’ scrum doctor, with the side’s front row developing from troublesome in 2016 to a strength in 2017.
He’s managed the province’s academy since 2011, when he shifted from Hawke’s Bay, initially playing club rugby for College Old Boys.
Chief executive John Knowles said the union would be advertising for a replacement soon.
The Turbos coaching staff will look after the academy in the interim.
PALMERSTON NORTH DOMINATE
Palmerston North drivers took control of the New Zealand Super Stock Championships in Auckland.
The region had drivers on all three steps of the podium, with William Humphries winning the race. Adam Joblin was second and Jordan Dare was third.
That trio will all be in action at the Teams Champs this weekend.
Humphries and Dare are in the Palmerston North Panthers, with Peter Bengston, Jack Miers and Wayne Hemi.
Joblin is in the Manawatu¯ Mustangs with Scott Joblin, Shane Mellsop, Chevron Taniwha and Gavin Taniwha.
SPORTING HUB
January and February can be a down time for sport, but not in Manawatu¯ .
The Woodville Motocross Grand Prix over the weekend started a streak of national events in the region over the next couple of weeks.
Central Districts take on Canterbury in the Ford Trophy on Wednesday before speedway’s Teams Champs takes over Palmerston North on Saturday and Sunday.
From there, the New Zealand Grand Prix is at Manfeild on Febuary 9-11, then the New Zealand PGA Championship comes to the Manawatu¯ Golf Club on February 22-25.