Heiden Bedwell-curtis’ big-time debut

Heiden Bedwell-curtis became Manawatu’s 32nd Super Rugby player after making his debut for the Crusaders in their 22-20 win against the Reds in Brisbane on Saturday.

Bedwell-curtis started the match at the less familiar position of openside flanker.

He becomes just the second Turbo to play for the Crusaders after prop Michael Alaalatoa, who also started the game.

Athletic academics

It was another stellar intake at Massey University’s annual induction of athletes into their academy of sport.

Some of this year’s top athletes include White Ferns cricketer Hannah Rowe, new Black Sticks hockey players

Another appointment

Manawatu Brittany Andrew keeps rising up the rugby refereeing ranks.

Andrew will be heading to the Gold Coast in May to referee first-class matches at the Australian national women’s XV tournament.

The appointment continues Andrew’s steady rise in the refereeing rankings.

No black jersey

Hud Rickit has the rare distinction of playing two All Blacks tests, but never pulling on the black jersey.

The former Waikato lock, now based in Manawatu, started two tests against Scotland during the tour to New Zealand in 1981. But due to Scotland’s dark blue being too similar to the All Blacks’ jerseys, the Kiwis wore their alternative white strips for the matches and Rickit was never picked again.