Turbos take shape for 2017
The Manawatu Turbos will have a familiar look in 2017 with the majority of this season’s side locked in for another campaign.
Manawatu Rugby Union chief executive John Knowles confirmed they have inked deals with 21 players as of Tuesday with a handful more offered deals.
Just two new names feature in the group in No 8 Brayden Iose and prop Sione Asi.
The school leavers are both in the academy squad, but their contracts are large enough that they must count against Manawatu’s salary cap for 2017.
With the contracting process still in its early days, a number of big names have yet to sign on.
Included in that group is captain Callum Gibbins and 2016 year of the year Jason Emery.
But Knowles was not panicked by the duo being yet to ink deals.
He said there was always delays plenty of confidence in the players in the team.
‘‘We think that this is still a good enough side, but they still need to kick on a bit further from last year,’’ he said.
The signed players include All Blacks Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith and Nehe Milner-skudder.
Despite struggles at set-piece in 2016, coach Jeremy Cotter has remained loyal to his 2016 charges.
He has already locked in three props - Fraser Armstrong, Michael Alaalatoa and Tuki Raimona - two hookers - Travis Taylor and Hunter Prescott - and three locks Jackson Hemopo, Tom Parsons and Liam Hallam-eames.
There are plenty of holes at loose forward with just Heiden Bedwell-curtis confirmed.
Harrison Brewer is believed to be keen to return to the Turbos again in 2017, but a contract with him is unlikely until next year since he has returned to Ireland during the off season. While flanker Antonio Kiri Kiri has been offered a contract, but is yet to accept it.
Highlanders halfback Kayne Hammington is the sole contracted halfback, but a deal with Jamie Booth is also expected soon.
Otere Black and Sam Malcolm will continue at first five-eighth with Hamish Northcott, Ngani Laumape, Nathan Tudreu and Newton Tudreu the other backs locked into deals.
Others including utility back Curtis Reid, prop Chris Eves and wing Ambrose Curtis have been offered contracts, but have yet to decide if they will sign them.
While much of the team has already started to take shape, Cotter has expressed the desire to keep a handful of contracts available for players who standout at club rugby.
Meanwhile, the search for the Turbos’ new backs coach is almost complete with final interviews expected this week.
Knowles hoped to name outgoing backs coach Rhys Archibald’s replacement by the end of the week.