2012 ITM Cup draw released
Domestic rugby action is set for 2012 with today's release of the confirmed draws for the ITM Cup, the Heartland Championship and the Women's Competition.
New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) General Manager Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen said the domestic season was looking busy and exciting with a few changes in the mix for the 2012 season.
Both the ITM Cup and Heartland Championship get under way in the same weekend in late August and they retain some elements of format changes brought in last year.
This year's Women's Competition sees a new Waikato team take up the sixth spot vacated by Otago. The competition is the main selection platform for the Black Ferns squad to tour England at the end of this year. The Women's Final will also be the curtain raiser to this year's ITM Cup Premiership Final.
ITM Cup 2012
Premiership new entrants the Hawke's Bay Magpies face Auckland in the 2012 ITM Cup season opener at McLean Park on 23 August.
This year's ITM Cup runs over 10 weeks and includes seven mid-week rounds, a format originally introduced in 2011 to accommodate a Rugby World Cup-compacted rugby year.
The competition retains the Premiership (top seven teams) and Championship (bottom seven) format with teams playing every other province within their Premiership / Championship as well as four 'crossover' matches for full competition points. For each team, that means 10 matches (five home, five away) during the regular season.
Sorensen said that the mid-week rounds had been popular with the teams and fans and the Provincial Unions supported the move to retain them.
"What we found last year was that the teams loved the opportunity to play mid-week. The short turn around between some matches necessitated some teams staying on the road, effectively on 'mini-tours' which the players loved," Sorensen said.
Last year's Championship Final saw Hawke's Bay pip Manawatu to win promotion into this year's Premiership pushing Premiership wooden spooners the Southland Stags into the 2012 Championship.
If Taranaki manages to fend off King Country (27 July) and Wanganui (4 August) in pre-season Ranfurly Shield challenges, their first competition defence of the coveted Log o' Wood will be in round three against the Tasman Makos. The new season also sees Canterbury move into a new home ground, the new AMI Stadium at Addington.
The ITM Cup Premiership and Championship semifinals are scheduled for 19 and 20 October, with the Finals to be held on 26 and 27 October.
Click here to see draw
13 Magpies named in Super 15 Squads
The Magpies will have 13 players involved in Super Rugby this season. The Chiefs with former Magpie Coach Tom Coventry obviously having influence have 7 Magpies in their squad.
Chiefs (7):
Hika Elliot, Sona Taumalolo, Ben Tameifuna, Kane Thompson, Brodie Retallick, Andrew Horrell, Maritino Nemani.
Crusaders (2):
Zac Guildford, Israel Dagg
Hurricanes (4):
Karl Lowe, Chris Eaton, Dan Kirkpatrick, Richard Buckman
BLUES
Hookers: Keven Mealamu, Tom McCartney.
Props: Charlie Faumuina, Tevita Mailau, Pauliasi Manu, Angus Ta'avao, Tony Woodcock.
Locks: Anthony Boric, Liaki Moli, Filo Paulo, Ali Williams, Brad Mika.
Loose forwards: Daniel Braid, Luke Braid, Jerome Kaino, Chris Lowrey, Peter Saili.
Halfbacks: Alby Mathewson, Piri Weepu.
First-fives: Lachie Munro, Gareth Anscombe.
Midfield: Ma'a Nonu, Benson Stanley, Michael Hobbs.
Outsides: Isaia Toeava, Sherwin Stowers, Rudi Wulf, Rene Ranger, David Raikuna, George Moala.
CHIEFS
Hookers: Hika Elliot, Mahonri Schwalger.
Props: Ben Afeaki, Toby Smith, Sona Taumalolo, Shane Cleaver, Ben Tameifuna.
Locks: Kane Thompson, Craig Clarke, Romana Graham, Michael Fitzgerald, Brodie Retallick.
Loose forwards: Fritz Lee, Liam Messam, Tanerau Latimer, Scott Waldrom, Sam Cane, Alex Bradley.
Halfbacks: Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Brendon Leonard.
First-fives: Aaron Cruden.
Midfield: Andrew Horrell, Jackson Willison, Sonny Bill Williams, Richard Kahui.
Outsides: Lelia Masaga, Maritino Nemani, Tim Nanai-Williams, Robbie Robinson, Aseli Tikoirotuma, Declan O'Donnell.
CRUSADERS
Hookers: Corey Flynn, Quentin MacDonald, Ben Funnell.
Props: Owen Franks, Ben Franks, Wyatt Crockett, Nicholas Barrett.
Locks: Sam Whitelock, Tom Donnelly, Luke Romano, Joe Wheeler, Ross Kennedy.
Loose forwards: Richie McCaw, Matt Todd, George Whitelock, Kieran Read, Luke Whitelock.
Halfbacks: Andy Ellis, Willi Heinz.
First-fives: Dan Carter, Tom Taylor, Tyler Bleyendaal.
Midfield: Ryan Crotty, Adam Whitelock, Robbie Fruean.
Outsides: Tom Marshall, Patrick Osborne, Zac Guildford, Sean Maitland, Israel Dagg.
HIGHLANDERS
Hookers: Andrew Hore, Jason Rutledge.
Props: Jamie Mackintosh, Chris King, Bronson Murray, Ma'afu Fia.
Locks: Josh Bekhuis, Jarrad Hoeata, Culum Retallick.
Loose forwards: Adam Thomson, Nick Crosswell, John Hardie, Doug Tietjens, Nasi Manu, Elliot Dixon, James Haskell.
Halfbacks: Jimmy Cowan, Aaron Smith.
First-fives: Colin Slade, Lima Sopoaga, Chris Noakes.
Midfield: Shaun Treeby, Tamati Ellison, Kendrick Lynn, Siale Piutau.
Outsides: Hosea Gear, Kade Poki, Telusa Veainu, Kurt Baker, Ben Smith.
HURRICANES
Hookers: Dane Coles, David Hall, Motu Matu'u.
Props: Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Michael Bent, Reggie Goodes, Ben May, Tristan Moran.
Locks: Jeremy Thrush, James Broadhurst, Jason Eaton, Mark Reddish.
Loose forwards: Jack Lam, Faifili Levave, Karl Lowe, Brad Shields, Victor Vito.
Halfbacks: TJ Perenara, Chris Eaton, Chris Smylie.
First-fives: Beauden Barrett, Dan Kirkpatrick, Tusi Pisi.
Midfield: Tim Bateman, Charlie Ngatai, Jayden Hayward, Conrad Smith, Alapati Leiua.
Outsides: Julian Savea, Andre Taylor, Cory Jane, Richard Buckman
NEW MAGPIES COACHES APPOINTED
The Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union today confirmed the appointment of Craig Philpott and Danny Lee as Head Coach and Assistant Coach of the Magpies for the 2012 ITM Cup campaign.
“Following a long representative playing career in New Zealand and Japan, Craig Philpott has built an extensive coaching CV at club and representative level in the Canterbury region and has an impressive track record of success at all levels from age group through to Super Rugby level. “I’m delighted to be selected for the Head Coach’s role. Hawkes Bay is a proud and passionate rugby community with a rich history of success. I’m looking forward to working with Danny to ensure that success continues at ITM Cup level in 2012.” Craig Philpott stated today.
Former All Black, Danny Lee has a long and distinguished playing record both in New Zealand and overseas. In recent years he had a player / coach role with the Gwent Newport Dragons in Wales and Technical Advisor roles with his local club, Havelock North and the Magpies at ITM Cup Level. “Having the ability to fulfill a long held ambition to coach at this level, particularly in Hawke’s Bay is really exciting for me and I’m honoured to be given this opportunity. Craig and I can’t wait to get our teeth into planning for next year’s campaign”, Danny Lee stated today.
“The HBRU Board is very aware that the challenge faced in being successful in the ITM Cup competition is a significant one that is ongoing. A robust appointment process has been undertaken to find the best available coaching team for next year and we are very happy with the appointment of Craig and Danny,” HBRU Chairman, Brendan Mahony stated.
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