Steelers’ favourites return for Mitre 10 Cup
Two of Counties rugby’s favourite sons, Tim NanaiWilliams and Baden Kerr, are returning this season for the Counties Manukau Steelers.
Steelers head coach Darryl Suasua said the team was rapt to have NanaiWilliams and Kerr back for the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup.
‘‘They are both class on and off the field. Their experience, leadership and enthusiasm are greatly valued.
‘‘They are two highly passionate and proud Counties players, who are super keen to give back to their clubs and region, which is fantastic.’’
Nanai-Williams, 27, is a former Manurewa High School student and a Samoan international representative in both the long and short form of the game.
A current Chiefs player from the Manurewa Rugby Club, Nanai-Williams has pulled on the Steelers jersey 56 times and is looking forward to increasing that number having spent the last few seasons playing in Japan for the Ricoh Rams.
‘‘Playing for Counties has always been special for me and that never diminishes. I am looking forward to reuniting with my Counties family and playing some good footy for our fans,’’ he said.
Baden Kerr, who hails from the Karaka Rugby Club, has recently returned to re-join the Steelers from a stint in Europe where he played for the Bedford Blues and Saracens.
Kerr said he couldn’t be more excited to be home playing for Counties.
‘‘My best and fondest memories have been playing for Counties and I can’t wait to represent my home province again.’’
The 27-year-old former Rosehill College student and Blues player has notched up 29 games for the Steelers as first five-eighth and will replace Piers Francis who has been called into the English system.
New Counties Manukau chief executive Bart Hoggard said the re-signing of both players was fantastic news for Counties fans because retaining high calibre local players like these two was essential.