Hawke's Bay sporting talent on show for international tournaments
They include captain and Manawatu-raised Olivia Shannon, who was a student at Iona College, Havelock North, from 2013 to 2018,
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NZ Herald
20 hours ago
- NZ Herald
NPC: Tale of two captains and a Hawke's Bay Magpies dream
The Bay won four matches that season, but without a win in 1978, were relegated. They bounced back with an unbeaten record in Division 2 North Island in 1979, in which Sisam, transferred from Auckland, kicked a record five drop goals in one game, one half of it, in fact. It was the first of five times Hawke's Bay have won second division titles, which, having been handed a permanent spot in the first division in a four-team expansion with the introduction of the professional Air New Zealand Cup in 2006, was supplemented by three title wins in its second-tier championship. They've reached the division one final just once, two years ago when beaten 22-19 by Taranaki. The Hawke's Bay Rugby Union had been desperate to become a first division regular, at one stage merging with Manawatū at NPC level to form the Central Vikings, a 1997-1998 second division experiment which, despite success on the field, ended at the NZRFU board table with a decision denying promotion. Lock Tom Parsons - who started with the Magpies in 2012, and, with 95 appearances, is primed to claim the 100th in what he says is likely to be his last season - nails one issue, although it applies to all, when he describes the championship as 'a sprint'. 'That's how we look at it,' he says. There are just 10 games in the regular season, which compares with 18 in the Japan One Rugby Division 1, in which he played this season for Urayasu D-Rocks, the 16 in American Major League Rugby, in which players included Magpies goalkicking ace Lincoln McClutchie and lock Frank Lochore. There's no real form guide for Sunday, other than that the Magpies have won their last four matches against the Steelers - the last two, in Napier in 2022 and Pukekohe in 2023, were by just one point - and that the Magpies started last season with four wins in a row, finished in fifth place while the Steelers were eighth. Both sides exited in the quarter-finals. Tom Parsons of Hawke's Bay leads his team on to the field for his 100th first class match in 2022. Photo / Aaron Gillions / Now long established as captain, father-of-three Parsons was named 'co-captain' with Jacob Devery this season, although Devery indicates it's a succession plan. 'He [Parsons] is the captain, I'm in a support role,' says Devery, who has played in 35 games for the Bay. Parsons goes back to a match against Counties Manukau in 2013, the loss of the Ranfurly Shield just six days after Hawke's Bay won the 'the log' since the end of the 1966-1969 reign. There was some redemption when the Magpies beat the Steelers in 2014 and took the shield back to Napier. Devery is yet to be in a losing team against the Steelers. For both, a career inspiration was hooker and captain Ash Dixon, the last player to achieve 100 appearances for the Magpies, while Devery, who became a Magpie at age 18 in his first year out of Hastings Boys' High School, says he also had All Black Dane Coles at the Hurricanes, and the benefit of Magpies teammate Keanu Kereru Symes, with whom he's been playing rugby for more than a decade. At 34, Parsons has particular memories of one game, when playing for a teammate meant as much as playing for the team. Going back to 2020, he says: 'Ash Dixon's 100th game down in Otago. We won the Shield. That one's pretty special.' Dixon departed at the end of the following season, to go to Japan, but captaincy successor Parsons is more likely to be hanging up the boots, saying he has had the chance to go back to Japan for another season, but it's time to spend more time with the family. Devery, 26, is in confident mood, saying he's had a good season for the Hurricanes, and is ready for more with the Magpies, an experienced squad with several of the team approaching match milestones along the way. They say much of the Magpies, and their leadership roles, is about making sure there is a culture the players enjoy, and turning that into success on the field, on Sunday, for starters. 'It'll be a physical game,' Parsons says. 'Hopefully, we're going to be able to wear them down and come out on top.' It is a big weekend of representative rugby in Hawke's Bay, including NPC Heartland side Ngati Porou East Coast playing Central Hawke's Bay sub-union at Park Island, and Te Matau a Maui Hawke's Bay Maori playing Poverty Bay Maori at Maraenui Park, both on Saturday. On Sunday, Wairoa sub-union will be defending the Barry Cup against East Coast side Ruatoria at Lambton Square, Wairoa. The Schedule The Magpies 2025 draw: Sunday August 3, 4.35pm, v Counties Manukau (home); Sunday August 10, 4.35pm, v Otago (away); Saturday August 16, 7.10pm, v North Harbour (home); Friday August 22, 7.10pm, v Canterbury (home); Saturday August 30, 4.35pm, v Northland (away); Saturday September 6, 2.05pm, v Wellington (home); Saturday September 13, 2.05pm, v Bay of Plenty (away); Friday September 19, 7.10pm, v Taranaki (away); Thursday September 25, 7.10pm, v Auckland (home); Saturday October 4, 7.10pm, v Manawatū (away). Doug Laing is a senior reporter based in Napier with Hawke's Bay Today, and has 52 years of journalism experience, 42 of them in Hawke's Bay, in news gathering, including breaking news, sports, local events, issues, and personalities.
NZ Herald
3 days ago
- NZ Herald
NPC Rugby: Where will the Ranfurly Shield reside this summer?
It's provincial footy season, and while there will be the usual questions of who the breakout stars will be and what former All Blacks can restake their claim, the prevailing interest will inevitably fall on a certain slab of English Oak and sterling silver. The iconic log o' wood Perhaps the most prestigious and coveted prize in New Zealand Rugby, besides the Web Ellis Trophy. Introduced in 1904, the shield has sat centre stage for some of the greatest matches played on this country's fields. While fanfare surrounding Super Rugby has dwindled badly in the last decade, and the glory days of the NPC are long dead, the passion, pride, and parochialism the shield evokes ensure that from Kaitāia to Bluff, the game's heart still beats. The holders The Taranaki Bulls brought an end to Tasman's historic inaugural Shield run in Nelson on October 6, breaking Mako hearts with a 42-29 victory. They have since defended it twice against Heartland opposition, 78-7 over King Country, and 97-0 over Thames Valley. Taranaki will have to see off five more challenges in 2025 in order to lock the shield away for summer. It's a tough road to securing the shield for Taranaki, but not beyond the realms. Bay of Plenty and Hawke's Bay will no doubt present formidable challenges in New Plymouth. The scenarios Okay, so let's assume no side will defend the shield this season, and it changes hands at every opportunity. Where does it end up? Northland could take the shield from Taranaki in round one, and if they do so, their next challenge will be Southland. If Southland wins, their next challenge would be Manawatu. If Manawatu wins, their next challenge would be Wellington. If Wellington wins, their next challenge would be Auckland. If Auckland wins, their next challenge would be Manawatu. If Manawatu wins, their next challenge would be Bay of Plenty. If Bay of Plenty wins, their next challenge would be Waikato. If Waikato win, their next challenge would be Northland. If Northland won, the shield would spend its summer in Whangarei. All right, so that's a bit extreme, so let's look at a more likely potential outcome. If Taranaki beat Northland but lost to Waikato in round four, the Mooloos would have a relatively comfortable first defence against Southland and then a slightly tougher assignment against North Harbour before a final round defence against Northland. Waikato will end 2025 with three successful defences with the shield to reside in Hamilton. My pick Taranaki will see off Northland and Waikato, but their reign will be ended at the hands of Bay of Plenty. The Steamers will hold it for less than a week, though, with Hawke's Bay spoiling the party in Tauranga. The Magpies will prevail in the battle of the bays and will then need just one defence in order to lock away the shield post-season, against Auckland, which they will do in dramatic fashion at McLean Park with a try on the siren. RNZ's predicted summer home for the Ranfurly Shield - Napier. Your side's road to Ranfurly glory: Taranaki - Reigns - 8; most recent - 2024. Holders - Five defences vs Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawke's Bay, and Wellington. Second chance - Waikato beat Taranaki in week four, Southland beat Waikato in week five, Canterbury beat Southland in week six, Canterbury defend against Tasman in week seven and Otago in week eight, Taranaki challenge Canterbury in week ten. Third chance - Northland beat Taranaki in week one, defend against Southland in week two, Tasman beat Northland in week three, Otago beat Tasman in week five, Otago defend against Northland, Taranaki challenge Otago in week seven. Northland - Reigns - 4; most recent - 1978. Challenge - Taranaki in week one. Second chance - Waikato beat Taranaki in week four, defend against Southland and North Harbour, Northland challenge Waikato in week 10. Third chance - Waikato beat Taranaki in week four, defend against Southland in week five, North Harbour beat Waikato in week seven, Northland challenge North Harbour in week eight. Waikato - Reigns - 13; most recent - 2018. Challenge - Taranaki in week four Second chance - Bay of Plenty beat Taranaki in week five and Hawke's Bay in week seven, Waikato challenge Bay of Plenty in week nine. Third chance - Northland beat Taranaki in week one, Southland beat Northland in week two, Manawatu beat Southland in week three, Manawatu beat Wellington in week four, Waikato challenge Manawatu in week six. Bay of Plenty - Reigns- 1; most recent - 2004. Challenge - Taranaki in week six Second chance - Wellington beat Taranaki in week nine, Bay of Plenty challenge Wellington in week 10 Third chance - Northland beat Taranaki in week one, defend against Southland, lose to Tasman in week three, Tasman defend against Otago, Auckland beat Tasman in week six, Manawatu beat Auckland in week seven, Bay of Plenty challenge Manawatu in week eight. Hawke's Bay - Reigns - 7; most recent - 2024. Challenge - Taranaki in week eight Second chance - Bay of Plenty beat Taranaki in week six, Hawke's Bay challenge Bay of Plenty in week seven. Third chance - Northland beat Taranaki in week one, defend against Southland and Tasman, Hawke's Bay challenge Northland in week five. Wellington - Reigns- 11; most recent - 2022. Challenge - Taranaki in week nine Second chance - Northland beat Taranaki in week one, Southland beat Northland in week two, Manawatu beat Southland in week three, Wellington challenge Manawatu in week four. Third chance - Northland beat Taranaki in week one, defend against Southland, Tasman and Hawke's Bay, Wellington challenge Northland in week seven. North Harbour - Reigns- 1; most recent - 2006. Best chance - Waikato beat Taranaki in week four, defend against Southland, North Harbour challenge Waikato in week seven. Second chance - Northland beat Taranaki in week one, defend against Southland in week two, lose to Tasman in week three, Otago beat Tasman in week five, defend against Northland and Taranaki, North Harbour challenge Otago in week nine. Auckland - Reigns- 16; most recent- 2007. Best chance - Hawke's Bay beat Taranaki in week eight, Auckland challenge Hawke's Bay in week nine. Second chance - Bay of Plenty beat Taranaki in week six, Hawke's Bay beat Bay of Plenty in week seven, Auckland challenge Hawke's Bay in week nine. Counties Manukau - Reigns- 1; most recent- 2013. Best chance - Northland beat Taranaki in week one, defend against Southland, Tasman beat Northland in week three, defend against Otago, Auckland and Waikato, Counties Manukau challenge Tasman in week ten. Second chance - Northland beat Taranaki in week one, Southland beat Northland in week two, defend against Manawatu and Canterbury, Counties Manukau challenge Southland in week seven. Manawatu - Reigns - 1; most recent- 1976. Best chance - Northland beat Taranaki in week one, Southland beat Northland in week two, Manawatu challenge Southland in week three. Second chance - Northland beat Taranaki in round one, defend against Southland in week two, Tasman beat Northland in week three, defend against Otago, Auckland beat Tasman in week six, Manawatu challenge Auckland in week seven. Tasman - Reigns- 1; most recent- 2024. Best chance - Northland beat Taranaki in week one, defend against Southland in week two, Tasman challenge Northland in week three. Second chance - Waikato beat Taranaki in week four, Southland beat Waikato in week five, Canterbury beat Southland in week six, Tasman challenge Canterbury in week seven. Canterbury - Reigns- 16; most recent- 2019. Best chance - Waikato beat Taranaki in week four, Southland beat Waikato in week five, Canterbury challenge Southland in week six. Second chance - Northland beat Taranaki in week one, defend against Southland, Tasman, Hawke's Bay and Wellington, Canterbury challenge Northland in week nine. Otago - Reigns- 7; most recent- 2020. Best chance - Hawke's Bay beat Taranaki in week eight, Auckland beat Hawke's Bay in week nine, Otago challenge Auckland in week 10. Second chance - Northland beat Taranaki in week one, defend against Southland in week two, lose to Tasman in week three, Otago challenge Tasman week five. Southland - Reigns- 7; most recent- 2011. Best chance - Waikato beat Taranaki in week four, Southland challenge Waikato in week five. Second chance - Northland beat Taranaki in week one, Southland challenge Northland in week two. The battle for the Ranfurly Shield will be fierce and long. Photo / Paul Taylor Taranaki squad Scott Barrett**, Beauden Barrett**, Jordie Barrett**, Kaylum Boshier, Logan Crowley, Hemopo Cunningham, Meihana Grindlay, Harry Hansen*, Josh Jacomb, Josh Lord, Perry Lawrence, Adam Lennox, Michael Loft, Brayton Northcott-Hill, Mitch O'Neill, Reuben O'Neill, Jesse Parete, JJ Pokai, Arese Poliko, Jared Proffit, Taniela Rakuro*, Daniel Rona, Willem Ratu, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens, Leone Nawai, Obey Samate, Fiti Sa, Jayden Sa, Josh Setu, Bradley Slater, Vereniki Tikoisolomone, Tupou Vaa'i**, Sage Walters-Hansen*, Keightley Watson*. *yet to debut **All Black The challengers Northland Week one Saturday, August 2 7.10pm Waikato Week four Saturday, August 23 2.05pm Bay of Plenty Week six Sunday, September 7 2.05pm Hawke's Bay Week eight Friday, September 19 7.10pm Wellington Week nine Saturday, September 27 2.05pm
NZ Herald
4 days ago
- NZ Herald
Hawke's Bay vets dominate interprovincial badminton ties in Gisborne
The Eastland Super Veterans badminton team who competed against Hawke's Bay and Bay of Plenty (2) in North Island Division 3 ties in Gisborne were (back from left) Alan Ledger, Ron Prebble, Kevin Lee, Darryl Miller, Paul Roia, (front from left) Ra Leach, Sheree Gray, Ruth Ledger and Linda White. Hawke's Bay dominated the opening ties of the North Island Inter-Association Super Veterans (60 years and over) badminton series in Gisborne recently. They beat Eastland 7 matches to 2 and Bay of Plenty (2) 9-0 to kick off their Division 3 campaign in style. Eastland also lost 6-3
