Canterbury Rugby announce NPC squad for 2023 season
A couple of familiar faces join a sprinkling of new talent in Canterbury’s Bunnings Warehouse NPC squad for 2023.
New Brighton’s Ryan Crotty gets the chance to add to his 68 Canterbury caps joining Hurunui’s Ben Funnell (80 caps) and Luke Romano (70) in returning to the red and black, adding strength to positions that have seen gaps through national selections and a couple of injuries.
Like Crotty, St Bede’s old boy Solomon Alaimalo returns home, joining Sydenham teammates James Mullan and Torian Barnes for the first time in Canterbury colors, so too Oxford junior and former Christchurch Boys High school 1st XV Skipper Jamie Hannah and Marist Albion’s Tahlor Cahill and Nic Shearer.
Prop Tom Heywood, who made his debut for Canterbury off the bench last year has also earned a full-time contract for the first time so too speedsters Blair Murray and Jone Rova and lose forward Joe Brial.
“It’s great to have guys like Ryan, Luke and Ben who are all passionate and keen to continue to give back to Canterbury.” Said Head Coach Marty Bourke. “With Dallas and Braydon away with the All Blacks, we had a spot open up in the midfield so to have the chance to bring Ryan home is pretty special. Sam Darry and Zach Gallagher are a couple of weeks away from returning to play so Luke is a solid go-to to cover the second row and Ben has been playing great footy for Hurunui this year, so he’ll fill in nicely for Brodie who’s working his way back from injury.”
“It’s awesome to have some young country guys coming through the system too. Jamie and James both from North Canterbury.”
“Tahlor has had a strong club season before heading away with the New Zealand Under 20’s.”
Young halfback Nic Shearer continues his progression with an opportunity at NPC level, playing alongside Mitchell Drummond and Willi Heinz.
Canterbury NPC Squad:
Solomon Alaimalo* - Sydenham
Torian Barnes* - Sydenham
George Bell - Lincoln University
Finlay Brewis - HSOB
Joe Brial - Lincoln University
Fergus Burke - University
Tahlor Cahill* - Marist Albion
Seb Calder - Lincoln University
Ryan Crotty - New Brighton
Tom Christie - Christchurch
Samuel Darry - HSOB
Mitchell Drummond - HSOB
Mitchell Dunshea - Springston
Braydon Ennor - University
Chay Fihaki - Belfast
Ben Funnell - Hurunui
Zach Gallagher - Burnside
Dominic Gardiner - Marist Albion
Cullen Grace - Lincoln University Alex Harford - HSOB
Billy Harmon - New Brighton
Jamie Hannah* - Lincoln University
Willi Heinz - Linwood
Tom Heywood - University
Oliver Jager - New Brighton
Corey Kellow - Lincoln University
Daniel Lienert- Brown - HSOB
Manasa Mataele - Marist Albion
Brodie McAlister - Kaiapoi
Dallas McLeod - Christchurch
Richie Mo'unga - Linwood
Joseph Moody - Lincoln RFC
James Mullan* - Sydenham
Blair Murray - University
Fletcher Newell - Lincoln University
Rameka Poihipi - Lincoln University
Reed Prinsep - HSOB
Ngatungane Punivai - Prebbleton
Luke Romano - Hurunui
Jone Rova - Lincoln University
Nic Shearer* - Marist Albion
Codie Taylor - Sydenham
Samuel Whitelock - Lincoln University
Tamaiti Williams - Burnside
*denotes potential Canterbury debutant