News

200^th for Ardmore Marist skipper
Ardmore Marist skipper Whaiora Rangiwai will mark a significant personal milestone this weekend as his side plays Onewhero in the McNamara Cup.
Rangiwai will play his 200^th match for Ardmore Marist – the second player in as many weeks to achieve the rare feat.
Congratulations to him on a remarkable run of test of endurance and commitment.

Tuala retires
Long serving stalwart Jack Tuala registered his 200^th game for Weymouth last weekend and has immediately retired from playing the game.
Tuala, who was given a presentation from father Mike in an emotional moment for his family, returned this season to reach the milestone and will now help the team with coaching. 

Fifita reaches milestone
Celebrating another milestone is Pukekohe outside back Sione Fifita, who will play his 100^th game for the club as they tackle the red-hot Karaka this weekend.
Fifita, who shifted to fullback for last week’s win over Onewhero, has been a danger with ball in hand throughout his time in the green and gold.
The Steelers representative has been a great servant for the club since his arrival.

Try-scoring prop lauded
What about the performance of Karaka front rower Penisoni Fineanganofo, who collected four tries in his side’s big win over Weymouth?
It is rare for anyone to score four tries in one game but to do that while playing in the front row is a phenomenal feat.

Whoops
The Counties Manukau Rugby livestream of the Onewhero v Pukekohe match went well on the weekend with a number of ex-players and supporters able to watch online.
While the majority of the broadcast went really well the commentators had a couple of moments. Expert comments person Scott Penney arrived 20 minutes into the game, play-by-play caller Dale Budge mixed up Pukekohe hooker Ian West-Stevens with winger Louis Taylor and CMRFU chief executive Aaron Lawton, who popped in for a chat, thought Sione Fifita might get his hands on the ball more now that he’s moved to fullback in the second spell when in fact he had started the match in the position.

Winger impresses
Who is the slightly-built but fast and evasive club winger to catch the attention of the PIC Steelers brass in the opening couple of weekends?
I understand he has drawn the interest of coach Tai Lavea, who is on the look-out for a couple of wingers.
Here’s a clue for you – he enjoyed a win last weekend and stood out despite average conditions.

Boost coming for Pukekohe
Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega are looking forward to the return of their two injured representative backs Jarrod Halliday and Jarrod Page.
The pair were injured in the week one match against Patumahoe and were ruled out of the side’s week two win at Onewhero but coach Sean Polwart is hoping to have them back soon.
“Halliday hopefully next week – he had a head knock and is still not quite right,” Polwart said. “Pagey is still I’d say at least another three or four weeks. He has had a history of head knocks.”