Manawatu’s Black Ferns win World Cup
Selica Winiata, Kristina Sue and Sarah Goss have lifted Manawatu’s Black Ferns world champions tally to five after beating England 41-32 in the final in Belfast on Sunday.
The trio join prop Ruth Mckay (2010) in having won one world cup. Farah Palmer won two world cups (2002 and 2006) while associated with Manawatu and also was in the side in 1998 when playing in Otago. Palmer’s husband Wesley Clarke is now also a world champion, having been the Black Ferns’ assistant coach this year.
Feilding High School old girl Amy School centre Josiah Maraku, flanker Tyler Moeau and props Jack Fleury and Ethan Mcquinlan also gaining interest. That quartet was yet to confirm their futures.
Manawatu exports
A hefty number of Manawatu players rolled out for Horowhenua-kapiti in their opening Heartland Championship match against North Otago on Saturday. College Old Boys wing Andrew Mcdougall debuted, while former COB wing Willie Paia’aua lined up on the other side of the field. Former Kia Toa flanker Spencer Bishop, now playing for Foxton, debuted at openside flanker. Varsity prop Robin Praat played his 21st game for the province, while former Varsity outside back and debutant Izak Eksteen was on the bench.
Racing deaths
Two members of the Manawatu racing fraternity have died recently, in Margaret Bull and Bill Freeman. Freeman, 91, was secretary of the Manawatu Racing Club for nearly three decades until his retirement in 1992, when he was succeeded by Allan Fenwick. The 80-year-old Bull was a successful trainer with more than 150 wins at Awapuni and she retired in the early 2000s.