Sub-union sides to vie for Robbie Ball Cup
Sub-union rugby will make its return to the Far North grassroots landscape when a Mangonui line-up takes on the Bay of Islands in Kaitaia later this month.
Mangonui spokesman Clayton Murray, also part of the organising committee for the match, said the two sides will be playing for the inaugural Robbie Ball Cup. The trophy is dedicated to the highly respected stalwart of Kaeo rugby who passed several years ago and was donated by the late Robbie’s wife, Clare Farrell (whom Murray described as Northland Rugby’s “jack of all trades”).
Organisers are hoping the big match — in some ways based on the now defunct Harding Shield format once proudly contested by the six sub-unions making up Northland; Mangonui, Bay of Islands, Hokianga, Northern Wairoa, Whangarei and Rodney Otamatea — will be a shot in the arm for the local club rugby scene.
Taipa-bred Derren Witcombe, coach of the Northland Taniwha Mitre 10 Cup side, is coaching the Mangonui team while Taniwha assistant coach, George Konia, will coach the Bay team and full support for each side will be provided by Northland’s high performance squad.
The day will also allow Witcombe and Konia to check out local talent for potential selection into either the Taniwha, Northland reserves or U18 teams.
Squads named
MANGONUI. The wider training squad for Mangonui is: Rawiri Paparoa, Justin Lloyd, Agustin Fernandez, Shiloh Heta, Sean Windelborn-Rawiri, Hayden Lloyd, Denny Windelborn, Hamish Pomare, Matty Tuatagaloa, Ismele Taqea (all Awanui); Wes Peita, Kere Brown, Hepa Matthews, Pita Cook, Daley Harper (Panguru); Brandon Jurlina, Travis Mclean, Jarrod Bellingham, Kyal Thomson, Allan Heighway (Eastern); Billy Davies, Jayden Rogers, Quintin Moeke, Sadius Cook-Savage, Roihoi Manuel, Brandon Bibb-Kirtlan, Donald Boyd, Keanu Cook-Savage, Darryl Smith, Cory Petricevich, Dylan Windelborn (Kaitaia); Jake Harris, George Murray, Tiano Arona (Rarawa).
Noting some players were omitted due to unavailability or injury, selectors invited anyone else interested to attend Mangonui’s first training at Taipa this coming Sunday from 1pm.
Further trainings will take place at Awanui next Tuesday and Te Rarawa next Thursday, both starting at 6pm. Contacts are Ben Wiki (022) 376-4795, Dave Jurlina (021) 270-2995, or Clayton Murray (021) 041-4196.
BAY OF ISLANDS. The Bay of Islands training squad is: Mark Watene, Padrae Brown, Paora Allen, Te Kauri McPherson, Rei Tamehana, Tia Owen, Davin Brown (Otiria); Matthew Paraha, Bodene Davis, Scott Wilson, Solomon Dalton, Joe Bavou, Isaac Vujcich, Reagan Hills, Stacey Heke, Bodean Rogers, Selwyn Whiu, Pae Hemara, Tumanako Pawa (Kaikohe); Dale Thomas, Aaron Flood, Lucas Davies (Ohaeawai/ Okaihau); Axel Goodhue, Matthew Hewett, Henare Cherrington, William Cherrington and Jordan Gillbanks (Moerewa/ United Kawakawa).
The coaching team is George Konia, Te Rangi Allen and John McCaw, and manager Huru Tipene. All other interested players are invited to join the team for its first training session this Sunday, April 22, from 1-3pm at Ludbrook Park, Ohaeawai RFC. Contact Te Rangi Allen, terangi.arena@gmail.com and (020)4098-1227. ■ The Robbie Ball Cup match between Mangonui and Bay of Islands kicks off at 2.30pm at Arnold Rae Park on Saturday, April 28. Organisers are also trying to facilitate a curtain raiser, details to be confirmed. No club rugby will be played that day.