Star Cyclones trio set to play for BOP
Three star Manawatu Cyclones stars could be playing in enemy colours in the Farah Palmer Cup this year.
New Zealand sevens contracted players Rebekah Tufuga, Crystal Mayes and Sarah Goss are likely to play for Bay of Plenty, rather than Manawatu, in the women’s provincial championship when it starts in September.
Because contracted sevens players have to be based at the New Zealand hub in Tauranga, they won’t be playing for their home provinces, but for some reason will be allowed to front for Bay of Plenty in what will be a fillip for a team that has struggled in recent seasons.
Bay of Plenty haven’t named any of the New Zealand players in their squad, but it is understood they will be available for BOP for a portion of the provincial 15s season.
Despite the loss of three key players, new Cyclones coach Fusi Feaunati had the confidence in the rest of his squad.
‘‘We don’t have the population to have that depth,’’ he said. ‘‘Having said that, we’ve done a lot of work to build quality and with what we’ve got, it’s exciting times for us.
‘‘We’re absolutely positive about everything we’re doing.’’
New Zealand sevens captain Goss, who is also in the Black Ferns team going to the World Cup in Ireland next month, probably wouldn’t have played for Manawatu anyway, but Tufuga and Mayes are two big losses.
Manawatu will still have the services of veterans Selica Winiata and Kristina Sue, who are heading to the world cup and will be back a week before the season starts.
There are a few new players in the team this year, but it is still a handly looking squad.
There are schoolgirls Ashleigh Knight, Georgia Ponsonby (both Feilding High School) and Jessica Pease (Palmerston North Girls’ High School), all forwards.
There is also young prop Fononga Veikoso, sister of Kia Ora Warriors rugby league prop Wesley, Anna Darling, a loan prop from Old Boys-university in Wellington and Loa Nimarota, a strong midfielder who joined Kia Toa from Wellington this year
One of the best pick ups is first five-eighth Lizzie Goulden, who has moved to Palmerston North for work. Goulden has previously been in the Black Ferns wider squad, is a sharp goal kicker and will give the Cyclones direction at first five-eighth.
Outside backs Mallory Townsend, a former New Zealand sevens player, and Kendall Templeman return to the team.
There is also prop Sequita
Hemingway, first five-eighth Corrineke Windle and wing Ruci Malanicagi, who were all in the Central Vipers rugby league team this year.
Key players will be experienced lock and loose forward Nicole Dickins, utility back Janna Vaughan, who just missed out on the Black Ferns squad, forwards Kahli Tipene, Aroha Nuku and Sam Mcintosh, as well as fullback Winiata and halfback Sue.
They will miss New Zealand sevens development player Rhiarna Ferris for two games when the development team goes to Japan.
Prop Sita Kuruyabaki and midfielder Vaine Greig were unavailable, while midfielder Shanna Porima isn’t playing this year.
First five-eighth Krysten Duffill, who is originally from Hawke’s Bay, has returned to play in her home province where she is working as a development officer.
Feaunati, a former Manawatu development coach, was excited about his first season in charge of the women’s team and they have been training since April.
Varsity’s Scott Lewis is his assistant.
Manawatu have a pre-season tournament against Bay of Plenty, and Hawke’s Bay in Taupo on August 12 and a pre-season game against Wellington on August 26, before the season starts on September 2, when Manawatu has the bye.
There are two divisions in the women’s competition this year and there is a new team in Tasman.
Manawatu are in the top-tier Premiership along with Counties Manukau, Auckland, Waikato, Wellington and Canterbury.
In the Championship are Bay of Plenty, Tasman, Hawke’s Bay, Otago and North Harbour.
Every team has four games in their own division and two crossover games between their divisions. Manawatu has Hawke’s Bay and the bye in their crossovers.