Cunningham happy to go that extra mile Farah Palmer Cup
Nth Harbour Stadium, 2.05pm
CHEYENNE Cunningham has to be one of the most committed rugby players around.
The Otago Spirit centre works on a sheep and beef farm near Kurow.
She loves the lifestyle but the commute is, well, horrendous.
Two to three times a week she makes the four an ahalf hour round trip from the backblocks to Dunedin for training and to play.
‘‘It is definitely hard some days but it is all worth it in the end,’’ she said.
‘‘You get to wear the jersey and represent the region. It is quite cool. You have to put in the effort if you want to get something out of it.’’
The 22yearold, who hails from Oamaru, is definitely putting in the effort and the rewards have been there as well.
The Spirit is unbeaten this year and will go into its final roundrobin match against North Harbour as a warm favourite.
There is not a lot riding on the match. The Spirit has already secured top spot and direct entry into the semifinals.
The top two sides in the Championship get next week off. The other four sides will play off for the right to join them in the semifinals.
The Spirit has had a few setbacks this week. First five Maia Joseph and electric winger Ocean Campbell have picked up seasonending injuries.
That will put the heat on some of the other key players to step up.
Cunningham’s partnership with Keely Hill in the midfield has been very productive.
They are a different type of player and feed off each other’s style.
‘‘Keely is a really explosive player and a really strong ball carrier. It is nice to work alongside her.’’
Hill’s direct approach is in contrast with Cunningham’s skills.
She looks for ways around the defence and opportunities to use her pace and footwork.
Otago: Kiana Wereta, Atawhai Hotene, Cheyenne Cunningham, Keely Hill, Olivia Fowler, Sheree Hume, Georgia Cormick, Gemma Millar, Leah Miles, Zoe Whatarau, Ella Gomez, Bella Digby, Paige Church, Tegan Hollows, Isla Pringle. Reserves: Titietasi SchmidtSami,
Lucy Cahill, Rebekah Wairau, Kayley Johnson, Grace Carroll, Nicole Kennedy, Te Atawhai Campbell, Mia Cochrane.
North Harbour:
‘‘I’ve been really motivated this year with my rugby, so I’m wanting to take the next step.’’
‘‘If I can I’d like to make a women's’s Super Rugby team and I don’t mind which one. That’s the goal and in the future hopefully make it up to the Black Ferns.’’
Sheree Hume will move into first five in the absence of Joseph. She slotted in there seamlessly when Joseph pulled up lame during the 397 win against Tasman in Dunedin last weekend.
The Spirit will also be without experienced lock Julia Gorinski, who picked up a knee complaint two weeks ago.
She is expected to be fit for the semifinals in a fortnight.
In the other Championship game this weekend, Taranaki will play Northland in Inglewood.
But the TasmanHawke's Bay match has been cancelled due to extreme weather in Nelson.
Tasman and Hawke’s Bay will both be awarded two competition points.