2013 National Provincial Championship (ITM Cup) Thread

I never remember hearing this:

"From 2013 the winner of the Meads Cup will receive automatic promotion to the Championship replacing the 7th placed team in the Championship which will be relegated to the Heartland Championship"

That's huge. Teams like Tasman will be shitting themselves. Tasman might go alright this year but hmmm.

 

It was on a wiki page. I've been scrambling around and can't find anything that suggests anything of the sort - thankfully. So I think it'd be clear to assume it's false. I'll edit the Wiki page at some point probably. It makes me wonder where whoever got the idea that was happening.

I thought I would have heard something if it was the case. It'd be absurd really. A lot of Heartland teams just wouldn't have the facilities to be in the ITM Cup and which ever team relegated would suffer drastically.

Just can't see it happening tbh.

 

Counties with a really decent squad tbh. Bundee Aki, Frank Halai, Baden Kerr, Fritz Lee, Rey Lee-Lo, Tim Nanai-Williams, Mahonri Schwalger, Sherwin Stowers are all the players people will know - to a lesser extent players like August Pulu and so fourth.

Their backline is going to be insane. Lee-Lo proved his worth for the Hurricanes towards the end so he's in good form along with a lot of others.

Counties Manukau Steelers Squad 2013
Contracted Players

Sam Aiono (Bombay) Prop
Bundee Aki (Patumahoe) Midfield Back
Ki Anufe (Bombay) First Five-Eighth
Adam Cathcart (Onewhero) Loose Forward
Jarrod Firth (Ardmore Marist) Prop
Kane Hancy (Patumahoe) Halfback
Frank Halai (Pukekohe) Wing
Baden Kerr (Karaka) First Five-Eighth
Fritz Lee (Ardmore Marist) No 8
Rey Lee-Lo (Karaka) Midfield Back
Tyrone Lefau (Ardmore Marist) Wing
Simon Lemalu (Waiuku) Prop
Sikeli Nabou (Ardmore Marist) Lock
Tim Nanai-Williams (Manurewa) Outside Back
August Pulu (Karaka) First Five-Eighth
Tony Pulu (Bombay) Outside Back
Ronald Raaymakers (Waiuku) Lock
Mahonri Schwalger (Chiefs) Hooker
Mark Selwyn (Manurewa) Loose Forward
Sherwin Stowers (Ardmore Marist) Outside Back
Suliasi Taufalele (Ardmore Marist) Hooker
Matt Talaese (Manurewa) Prop
Ahsee Tuala (Manurewa) Midfield Back
Jimmy Tupou (Patumahoe) Lock/Loose Forward
Ryan Wilson (Patumahoe) Lock
Maama Vaipulu (Pukekohe) Loose Forward

 

I'd suspect Adongo being contracted to the Kings for the Super 15 this year might have something to do with it?

Not sure where Jamie Chipman has disappeared to? must be playing for another ITM cup team I'd assume. Guess time will tell.

 

Oh wow wasn't expecting that.

 

Haha yeah. He'd be crazy not to tbh.

It'll be interesting to see how well Counties' locks go. Especially against the div 1 teams who have at least one experienced locking option.

 

Taranaki and Counties playing a pre season game as we speak. Shall be interesting to hear the score.

 

Naki won 38-34. Sounds like Counties fielded a better team as well tbh.

 

Taranaki with a really decent squad. Beaudan obviously in the ABs. Jason Eaton's playing in Japan during the ITM Cup.

Household names for rugby fans: Kurt Baker, Frazier Climo, Jamison Gibson-Park, James Marshall, Waisake Naholo, Jackson Ormond, Ope Peleseuma, Chris Smylie, Andre Taylor, Kane Barrett, James Broadhurst, Carl Carmichael, Shane Cleaver, Jarrad Hoeata, Chris King, Rhys Marshall, Blade Thomson, Doug Tietjens.

Taranaki will be up there in the end tbh. Really balanced squad with good backs and forwards. That depth too.

Backs: Kurt Baker, Beauden Barrett, Daniel Brooks, Frazier Climo, Jamison Gibson-Park, James Marshall, Rick McKenna, Waisake Naholo, Jackson Ormond, Ope Peleseuma, Chris Smylie, Seta Tamanivalu, Andre Taylor, Isaia Tuifua, Beaudein Waaka.

Forwards: Kane Barrett (captain), James Broadhurst, Mitchell Brown, Carl Carmichael, Shane Cleaver, Ryan Cocker, Mitchell Crosswell, Berny Hall, Jarrad Hoeata, Chris King, Sione Lea, Rhys Marshall, Nemia Soqeta, Blade Thomson, Doug Tietjens, Timo Tutavaha.