Sevens hit out for southerners
Canterbury’s planning for the January’s national provincial sevens tournament in Rotorua ramps up in Christchurch this weekend when they host a warm-up event with their South Island rivals.
Tasman, who won the South Island regional qualifying tournament in Timaru last month, Otago, South Canterbury and Southland will play a series of round robin matches at Malvern Park on Saturday.
Canterbury play two more practice games against Otago on Sunday, the team that beat them in golden point extra time when they met in the semifinals in Timaru.
New Canterbury co-coach Kevin Harding said this weekend’s exercise was vital as an inexperienced squad build for the nationals, a tournament the province has not won since 1993.
Canterbury were beaten in a third-tier Bowl semifinal in Rotorua this year and again face an ominous challenge with a group that will take on opponents bolstered by members of the All Black Sevens set-up.
‘‘We’ve got some good kids, we haven’t got any names, we haven’t got any rock stars,’’ said Harding.
‘‘That’ll be our downfall. The New Zealand guys are allowed back into the teams this year. We’ve only got one [Sam Dickson] and he’s injured.’’
Instead Canterbury is relying on a core of experienced players including former New Zealand representative Milford Keresoma and the injection of new talent to be competitive.
Harding nominated rookie Dan Fransen, former Wellington representative Inoke Rasabele as dangerous playmakers while Fijian Filimoni Waqainabete and fellow newcomer, Rotorua speedster James Tofa, offered offensive firepower.
Jesse Houston, a sevens specialist who debuted last year, is another focal point. Harding hoped stalwarts Willie McGoon and Amanaki Nicole plus Peter Sekilagi would be available for the January 14-15 nationals after recovering from injuries.
Canterbury played Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Wellington and North Harbour before the regional qualifier and plan to play final warm-up games against Tasman before heading to Rotorua.
Counties-Manukau are the reigning men’s champion while Manawatu hold the women’s title.
The Canterbury women’s squad, who finished fourth this year, also play their southern rivals at Malvern Park on Saturday.