Cyclones aim to tip over Canterbury
The Manawatu¯ Cyclones will be out to emulate their male counterparts by knocking over Canterbury this weekend.
The Manawatu¯ men upset Canterbury 32-29 in Christchurch on Thursday night. Now, it’s the Cyclones’ turn in their Farah Palmer Cup clash in Christchurch today.
The Cyclones narrowly missed out 15-12 to Waikato last weekend and have another tough encounter against defending champions Canterbury, who knocked Manawatu¯ out in last year’s semifinals.
But Manawatu¯ coach Fusi Feaunati was hopeful of a rare win against Canterbury – Manawatu¯ haven’t beaten Canterbury since 2007. ‘‘It’s just a case of self-belief and putting what we practice into play. Anything can happen,’’ he said. ‘‘That’s actually the formula when we get the girls down there.
‘‘We’re not jumping on the plane to make up the numbers. We’re going down there to win the contest.’’
Feaunati said the side was disappointed with the loss to Waikato because they knew they could have done better.
Feaunati has been forced to make a few changes to the team for the weekend. Kalyn Takitimu-cook is out for a couple of weeks with a shoulder injury and Crystal Mayes has injured her troublesome knee and may need surgery.
Carys Dallinger shifts to fullback, Janna Vaughan to centre, Lauren Balsillie starts at second five-eighth and Maggie Leota starts on the wing.
Lucy Brown starts at halfback, with Kristina Sue away doing television work for Spark and TVNZ for the Rugby World Cup. Reserve halfback Corrineke Windle has recovered from injury. Feilding High School first five-eighth Laura Claridge, who impressed for the Manawatu¯ under-18s last weekend, is on the bench for a potential debut, as is Manukua schoolgirl Kaipo Olsen-baker, who will cover midfield and loose forward.
Kahurangi Sturmey will start at lock in just her second game and Kahli Tipene starts at prop. Prop Nicci Kuiti, a Levin police officer, is away with the police in Hong Kong.
Lock Ashleigh Knight moves to the bench.
Canterbury has a strong team laden with Black Ferns, such as Grace Booker and Pip Love, but the most influential is halfback Kendra Cocksedge, who Manawatu¯ need to shut down.
Manawatu¯ Cyclones: 15 Carys Dallinger, 14 Rangimarie Sturmey, 13 Janna Vaughan, 12 Lauren Balsillie, 11 Maggie Leota, 10 Selica Winiata (captain), 9 Lucy Brown, 8 Jayme Nuku, 7 Sam Tipene, 6 Layla Sae, 5 Jess Fagan-pease, 4 Kahurangi Sturmey, 3 Kahli Tipene, 2 Sosoli Talawadua, 1 Marilyn Live.
Reserves: 16 Ashleigh Knight, 17 Sequita Hemingway, 18 Sam Olsen, 19 Mahalia Polson, 20 Corrineke Windle, 21 Laura Claridge, 22 Kaipo Olsen-baker.
Canterbury: 15 Olivia Mcgoverne, 14 Becky Davidson, 13 Grace Brooker, 12 Lucy Anderson, 11 Sam Curtis, 10 Cassie Siataga, 9 Kendra Cocksedge, 8 Georgia Ponsonby, 7 Lucy Jenkins, 6 Alana Bremner, 5 Estelle Uren, 4 Chelsea Bremner, 3 Amy Rule, 2 Stephanie Te Ohaerefox (captain), 1 Pip Love. Reserves: 16 Catriona Greenslade, 17 Nina Poletti, 18 Greer O’rourke, 19 Cindy Nelles, 20 Angie Sisifa, 21 Melanie Puckett, 22 Martha Lolohea.