Kiri Kiri re-signs for Manawatu
Antonio Kiri Kiri has put pen to paper to finalise his contract with the Manawatu Turbos for 2017.
The 25-year-old loose forward and New Zealand sevens representative had a contract offer in front of him since the end of last year, but took his time working through his options.
Last year Kiri Kiri had hinted at looking overseas after missing a Super Rugby deal.
Manawatu coach Jeremy Cotter said it was important Kiri Kiri had time to consider his next move.
‘‘He just needed to be clear in his own mind that [returning to the Turbos] was what he wanted to do. But he can really see the opportunity now to push on and give Super Rugby a crack,’’ he said.
Cotter said Kiri Kiri’s involvement in the Hurricanes during preseason and with the Hurricanes Development XV in recent weeks was a positive sign he was on track.
‘‘It is a good indication that he is there or thereabouts, he just needs to get some quality game time in this Mitre 10 Cup season.
‘‘He is on the radar for higher honours, this is the time for him to really stand up. He has been in this environment for long enough now, he has leadership qualities and things are lining up pretty well. If he is ever going to make it, this will be his year.’’
With 43 games to his name, Kiri Kiri will likely be the most experience player in the Manawatu squad this year with Aaron Smith (43 games) out with the All Blacks, Jason Emery (49) likely out for the season with an achilles injury and Callum Gibbins (66) heading to Glasgow.
Kiri Kiri, who has scored nine tries for the province including four against Wellington last year, debuted for the Turbos in 2012.
During that time he has shown plenty of potential, but has yet to put on a consistent enough display to be fully convincing of his Super Rugby credentials.
Some consistent game time at openside flanker would be a major benefit for his chances of a call-up.
With Gibbins’ departure, Kiri Kiri’s sixth campaign with the Turbos will be the first he heads into as the first-choice option in his preferred position.
He has started just seven times in the No 7 jersey in his provincial career.
The rest of the Turbos squad is building nicely with Ambrose Curtis another player confirmed to return.
Cotter said contracted wing Newton Tudreu was starting to get back on his feet doing work this month as he continues his recovery from the knee injury he picked up during last year’s NPC.
But hooker Travis Taylor has been hampered by a hip injury.
"He is on the radar for higher honours, this is the time for him to really stand up." Manawatu coach Jeremy Cotter on Antonio Kiri Kiri
He is set to see a specialist in the coming weeks.
It is hoped he will be back on the field soon after some rest. But if it is decided he needs surgery, his season will be in doubt.
Cotter was happy with what he has seen through the opening weeks of Manawatu club rugby.
He expected the standard of play to continue improving as the competition progresses.
Club players remain his first port of call to fill out the squad.
He said if players from other provinces were keen to play for the Turbos, they would have to prove themselves through club rugby like Liam Hallam-eames and Hunter Prescott did last year.
‘‘If there are some aspirational players from outside the province who want to move here then they are welcome,’’ he said. ‘‘There is probably a few players from Wellington looking for opportunities and the door is open, but we are not looking to contract anyone without them coming to front for our club rugby.
‘‘It is still really important to us that club rugby remains strong. You cannot bypass it.’’
A number of provincially capped players have already been turning out in club rugby with points to prove including former Turbos Lewis Marshall (from Hawke’s Bay) and Jade Te Rure (Scotland), along with Wanganui pair Te Rangitira Waitokia and Kameli Kuruyabaki.