Whanganui up against it down south
10 May, 2021 04:32 PM
8 minutes to read
If last season is any guide, Steelform Whanganui could face stern opposition when it flies south for away Heartland rugby games against Mid and South Canterbury this year.
Both of the Hannan Shield unions, which drew 31-all in Timaru during the very restricted Covid-19 2020 representative programme, enjoyed unbeaten records.
In this year s Bunnings Warehouse-sponsored Heartland championship the Butcher Boys are off to Timaru for a second-round clash against South Canterbury on Saturday, August 28, and return to the South Island a month later to play Mid Canterbury at Ashburton on September 25.
John B Phillips: Samu Kubunavanua side-lined with injury
19 Apr, 2021 04:00 PM
7 minutes to read
Whanganui tryscorer Samu Kubunavanua is missing from rugby this season. Photo / Lewis Gardner
There have been some great tries scored by Whanganui representative teams over the years but missing from the local rugby scene this season is 31-year-old Samu Macedru Kubunavanua who received national recognition back in 2015 for his amazing try for the union.
The Ngamatapouri winger, who is side-lined this year after a major shoulder operation, scored the most thrilling of his 19 Heartland tries when the Steelform Butcher Boys beat top qualifiers South Canterbury 28-11 in the 2015 Meads Cup final in Timaru.