Midfielder Vaughan lands Japanese deal
Manawatū’s Janna Vaughan has inked a deal to play sevens professionally in Japan.
The 29-year-old Black Fern and former New Zealand sevens representative will play for the Pearls club in 2018.
Vaughan, who has been on the outer of the New Zealand squad in the past 12 months, said her rugby career did not have long left so she wanted to make the most of the opportunities she was given.
She will coach the Manukura girls sevens team at the start of 2018 before heading overseas and planned to be back in time for the school’s late-season sevens programme.
Vaughan will not be available for the Cyclones next year.
Gold for Hansen
Manawatū College dux Sam Hansen claimed three medals in weightlifting for New Zealand at the Pacific Mini Games in Vanuatu.
Hansen, competing in the women’s 69kg class, took home gold in the snatch with a personal best of 73kg and silver in the clean and jerk with 90kg.
The combined total, a personal-best of 163kg, was good enough for gold overall.
Return of the champ
Reigning New Zealand PGA champion Jarryd Felton has confirmed he will be back at Manawatu¯ Golf Club to defend his title in 2018.
Felton won the 2017 tournament after a playoff on the 18th hole against Kiwi Ben Campbell and fellow Australian Josh Younger.
He joins Kiwis Brad Shilton and Tim Wilkinson in confirming his attendance.
Other big names among the early entries are Michael Hendry, David Smail and Gareth Paddison.
HBC with Crusaders
Manawatū Turbos captain Heiden Bedwell-curtis has joined the injury-hit Crusaders on a short-term preseason contract.
Bedwell-curtis played six Super Rugby games for the franchise in 2017 along with a match against the British and Irish Lions.
He was left on the outer when squads for 2018 were confirmed in November, but has been given a reprieve after a number of loose forwards picked up injuries in training.