Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union: Difference between revisions
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Note: WTG denotes Wider Training Group players. |
Note: WTG denotes Wider Training Group players. |
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==2009 squad== |
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'''Representative squad for the [[2009 Air New Zealand Cup]]''': |
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Coach: Milton Haig. |
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Asst Coach: Andrew Hewetson. |
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Manager: Adam Newman. |
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Trainer: Sam Higgins. |
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Asst Trainer: Tony Burgess. |
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Doctor: Dr Jake Pearson. |
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Physiotherapist: Dan Halliday. |
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{{rugby squad start}} |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=NZL | pos=HK | name=Matt Holloway }} |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=TON | pos=HK | name=Ilaisa Maasi }} |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=NZL | pos=HK | name=Cody Martin }} |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=TON | pos=PR | name=Siua Halanukoinuka }} |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=SAM | pos=PR | name=Simon Lemalu }} |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=NZL | pos=PR | name=Kojak Faioso }} |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=FIJ | pos=PR | name=[[Graham Dewes]] }} |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=TON | pos=PR | name=Tuaefe Palelei }} |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=NZL | pos=LK | name=Jamie Metcalfe }} |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=TON | pos=LK | name=Alepini Olosoni }} |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=NZL | pos=LK | name=Rees Logan }} |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=NZL | pos=LK | name=Jamie Chipman }} |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=FIJ | pos=FL | name=Sikeli Nabou }} |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=Japan | pos=FL | name=Ryota Asano }} |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=NZL | pos=FL | name=[[DJ Forbes]] }} |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=SAM | pos=FL | name=Fritz Lee }} |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=NZL | pos=FL | name=Mark Selwyn }} |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=FIJ | pos=N8 | name=Waka Setitaia }} |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=TON | pos=N8 | name=Viliami Fihaki }} |
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{{rugby squad mid}} |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=NZL | pos=SH | name=Augustine Pulu }} |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=TON | pos=SH | name=Samisoni Fisilau }} |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=SAM | pos=SH | name=Notise Tauafao }} |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=NZL | pos=FH | name=Dean Cummins }} |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=NZL | pos=FH | name=Josh Hall }} |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=SAM | pos=FH | name=[[Tasesa Lavea]] }} (c) |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=NZL | pos=CE | name=Siale Piutau }} |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=NZL | pos=CE | name=Jason Roache }} |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=FIJ | pos=CE | name=Seremaia Tagicakibau }} |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=NZL | pos=CE | name=Tekori Luteru }} |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=NZL | pos=WG | name=Sherwin Stowers }} |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=NZL | pos=WG | name=[[Lelia Masaga]] }} |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=FIJ | pos=WG | name=David Raikuna }} |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=NZL | pos=FB | name=Ahsee Tuala }} |
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{{rugby squad player | nat=NZL | pos=FB | name=Tim Nanai Williams }} |
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{{rugby squad end}} |
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==All Blacks and Centurions== |
==All Blacks and Centurions== |
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Revision as of 12:10, 8 August 2010
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| Nickname(s) | Steelers | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1955 | |
| Region | Chiefs | |
| Ground(s) | Growers Stadium, Pukekohe (Capacity: 12,000) | |
| Coach(es) |  Milton Haig | |
| League(s) | ITM Cup | |
| 2009 | 14th | |
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The Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union (CMRFU) is the governing body of rugby union in the Franklin district of New Zealand. The Steelers colours are red, white, and black horizontal bands. The 'Steelers' moniker is a reference to the nearby Glenbrook steel factory. The Union is based in Pukekohe, and plays at Growers Stadium, Pukekohe.
History
The history of Counties has been very much about adventurous football and taking risks, and this was certainly the case initially as the team strove to establish an identity and tradition. First known as South Auckland Counties, the next year they became Counties, and much later Counties-Manukau.
Counties' first game was against Thames Valley in Waiuku in 1955 which they won 15 - 14, led by Barry Baxter. In that inaugural year the team also defeated an Auckland XV twice, the first 19 - 6 on Bledisloe Park, Pukekohe, where the union's first All Black, Pat Walsh scored twice. Counties playing style was enterprising but organised, often frowned upon at the time as lacking in structure, but in reality it was successful.
Barry Bracewell, coach from 1961–63 and 1967–75, adopted a style in conflict with the ethos of the day of forward dominance and percentage safety from the backs. Bracewell and Tauroa after him, selected mobile forwards and loose forwards with exciting backs with attacking gameplans. This era produced some fine All Blacks, including Bruce McLeod, Bob Lendrum, Andy Dalton, John Spiers, Rod Ketels, Bruce Robertson, and Robert Kururangi.
The Counties team of this era had many highlights. The first was Winning the NPC championship in 1979 with wins over Waikato, Wellington, North Auckland, Thames Valley, Bay of Plenty, Poverty Bay, South Canterbury, Manawatu, Taranaki, Otago, Canterbury, and Southland, also beating Victoria and Argentina that year.
Winning the Inter-Dominion Championship (forerunner to the Super 10) against Queensland in Brisbane was another achievement, while the 1982 team beat Australia 15 - 9, which included greats such as David Campese.
The Ranfurly shield has so far eluded Counties, although it has been in some memorable challenges. In 1982, playing Canterbury not only for the Ranfurly Shield but also the NPC championship, with Counties ahead 15 - 12 with only minutes remaining, Robert Kururangi intercepted a Canterbury pass and was about to score when the referee dubiously judged him offside, awarding Canterbury the penalty which Robbie Deans successfully kicked to win the championship and retain the shield.
The previous season the shield challenge against Waikato also ended in a draw (21 all) after Counties conceded two late and controversial penalties.
The third log of wood agony came 3 years later in 1985 against Auckland when Counties, down 3 - 12, were denied what appeared to be a perfectly legitimate try to Dave Trombik after the ref received some subtle persuasion by Auckland skipper Andy Haden. Later in the game Warren McClean scored a try for Counties making the final score 9-12. The unfancied Counties side losing in what should have been a well-deserved victory.
After a period of time containing more lows than highs, including a stint in the second division, Counties finally came good during the mid 1990's. A forward packing containing Errol Brain, Jim Coe, Glen Marsh, and Junior Paramore, with backs including Tony Marsh, Blair Feeney, Jonah Lomu, Joeli Vidiri and Dean Sheppard proved one of the best Counties side ever, making the NPC finals twice, in 1996 and 1997, losing to Auckland and Canterbury respectively.
A highlight of that period came in 1997 during the semi-final in Hamilton. Behind at one stage 9 - 33, and stung by a ground announcement advertising tickets for a home Waikato final next week, Counties fought back with a thrilling 43 - 40 win.
After a steady decline since then, Counties lost a promotion-relegation match in 2001, and dropped to the second division. Here, Counties could not retain their best players and lost the likes of Stephen Donald, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Casey Laulala, and Keiran Reid to other unions.
In 2006 Counties was selected to rejoin the top sides in the new Air New Zealand Cup Premier Division, and they still retain their exciting attacking style of rugby. While success has so far been limited, one highlight beating Auckland in 2008, more time in the top division and retaining their tops players, Counties will only get stronger.
Ref: Cochrane, P. (2005). Enterprise and Agony. 50 years of Counties Rugby. NZ.
2010 squad
Representative squad for the 2010 ITM Cup:
Coach: Milton Haig.
Assistant Coach: Tana Umaga.
Strength & Conditioning: Sam Higgin.
Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.
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Note: WTG denotes Wider Training Group players.
All Blacks and Centurions
Counties players in the All Blacks.
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Players who have played 100 or more games for the union.
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Air New Zealand/ITM Cup
In 2006 the Steelers finshed the first round 5th in Pool B with 9 points, including a win over Southland (29 - 8). They finished 3rd in Repechage A with 5 points, including a draw with Manawatu (25 - 25).
In 2007 the Steelers finished 14th with 2 points, from a draw with North Harbour (13 - 13).
In 2008 the Steelers finished 13th with 13 points, including wins over Auckland (17 - 6) and Manawatu (27 - 14).
In 2009 the Steelers finished 14th with 12 points, including wins over Taranaki (33 - 21) and Northland (28 - 19).
Current sponsors include:
Bayer. PIC Insurance Broker Ltd. South Auckland Motors. Canterbury Clothing. Anselmi Ridge Property Developments. LASER LINK. Anchor. PGG Wrightson. Lock Finance. GJ Gardner Homes. Franklin County News. Malcolm Pacific Limited. Franklin Long Roofing Limited. Brian Roberts. Counties Locksmiths. Pokeno Bacon. Pak n Save. TimberTECH. CST Nexia Ltd. Autosure. Counties Power. Mai FM - Mediaworks. Papakura/Manukau Courier. A S Wilcox Limited. Universal Print & Management Limited.
Clubs
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Wonder years
Counties Manukau rugby enjoyed its heyday in the 1980s. Led by Andy Dalton*, the team established grunting forwards including Alan Dawson and a free-wheeling style of backline play based on the silky skills and speed of players such as Bruce Robertson* and Robert Kururangi*. Other notable players from that era included Ken Parry, Paul Wardrop, Jack Kani, and Lindsay Raki. From 1995 till 1999, captain Errol Brain led another successful era, with famous players such as Jonah Lomu*, Joeli Vidiri*, Danny Lee*, Tony Marsh, and Jim Coe. The "player drain" of stars such as Lomu (Wellington), Vidiri (Auckland), Lee (Otago), and Marsh (France), signalled a downturn in the fortunes of Counties. Other players who have moved on include Kristian Ormsby, Loki Crichton, John Afoa*, and Sitiveni Sivivatu*, Casey Laulala*, Keiran Read (younger grades)
- [*] denotes a player who achieved All Blacks selection
Counties Manukau in Super Rugby
When Super Rugby began, Counties Manukau was associated with the Blues; but since 1998 it has been aligned to the Chiefs.
External links
- Official site: [1]
- Unofficial sites: [2], [3]
- Clubs: -- Ardmore-Marist [4], [5], -- Manurewa [6]
- News: TVNZ, NZHerald
- Counties Manukau rugby (NZHistory.net.nz)