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The Highlanders is a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Dunedin that compete in Super Rugby. The team was formed in 1996 to represent the lower South Island in the newly formed Super 12 competition, and includes the Otago, North Otago and Southland unions. The Highlanders take their name from the Scottish immigrants that founded the Otago, North Otago, and Southland regions in the 1840s and 1850s.
The National Provincial Championship, often simply called the NPC, is an annual round-robin rugby union competition in men's domestic New Zealand rugby. First played during the 2006 season, it is the second highest level of competition in New Zealand alongside the Ranfurly Shield. It is organised by New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and since 2021, it has been known as the Bunnings NPC after its headline sponsor. A concurrent women's tournament is also held, the Farah Palmer Cup.
Rugby Southland is the provincial rugby union who govern the Southland region of New Zealand. Their headquarters are at Rugby Park Stadium in Invercargill, which is also the home ground of the union's professional team, the Southland Stags who compete in the Mitre 10 Cup Championship Division and challenge for the Ranfurly Shield.
Quinton James Cowan is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He first played for the All Blacks – New Zealand's national team – during the 2004 tour to the United Kingdom and France, and played his last Test match for the side during the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Cowan was born in Gore and attended Gore High School. After he left school a strong season for the Mataura Rugby Club saw him selected to play provincially for the Southland Stags in 2000. He was selected for the Highlanders in the 2003 Super 12 season, and continued to play for both the Highlanders and Southland until signing for Gloucester in 2012.
Ben Herring is a professional rugby coach currently Head coach of Toyota Verblitz. Previously Head coach of the Otago. Herring has coached with two national sides, Canada and Japan, and with two super franchises.
Robert Blair Robinson is a professional rugby union player who represents Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi in the Japan.
Ryan Tongia is a professional rugby league and rugby union footballer. He is currently based out of Hawke's bay in New Zealand. Tongia is of Papua New Guinean, Chinese and German descent, but was born and raised in Australia. His position is right or left wing, or fullback. He is a Papua New Guinea rugby league international. Tongia was not an age grade star growing up, but through hard work and determination he worked his way to the pros. He got his first real taste of professional rugby league at the Cronulla Sharks NRL before moving to Wakefield Trinity in the Super League. Tongia changed to Rugby Union in 2013. He played for the Otago Highlanders in New Zealand in 2015 and 2016. He has also played for Hawke's Bay and Southland in the NPC known as Mitre 10 cup previously. | Tongia also spent time in Europe playing for Avignon Bayonne SUA in French Top 14 & Pro-D2 respectively.
Martin Banks is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays for Southland in the Bunnings NPC. His position is First five-eighth and occasionally Fullback.
Josh Renton is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a halfback for Valorugby Emilia in Italian Top10.
James Anthony Richard Lentjes is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently for Otago the Bunnings NPC. His position is Flanker.
Timothy Paul O'Malley is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays for Tasman in the Bunnings NPC. His position is first five-eighth.
Otago are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Dunedin, New Zealand. The union was originally established in 1881, with the National Provincial Championship established in 1976. They now play in the reformed National Provincial Championship competition. They play their home games at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin in the Otago region. The team is affiliated with the Highlanders Super Rugby franchise. Their home playing colours are navy blue and gold.
Southland are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Invercargill, New Zealand. The union was originally established in 1887, with the National Provincial Championship established in 1976. They now play in the reformed National Provincial Championship competition. They play their home games at Rugby Park Stadium in Invercargill in the Southland region. The team is affiliated with the Highlanders Super Rugby franchise. Their home playing colours are maroon and gold.
Neria Fomai is a rugby union player, who currently plays as a centre or wing for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition and for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. He was born and raised in New Zealand, but has represented Manu Samoa – for which he is eligible due to his Samoan heritage – both in the fifteen-a-side form of the game and rugby sevens.
Nikora Broughton is a New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays as a loose forward for Bay of Plenty in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition and will play for the Highlanders in Super Rugby Pacific from 2023.
Jake Te Hiwi is a New Zealand rugby union player, currently playing for the Highlanders and Otago. His preferred position is centre.
Jack Taylor is a New Zealand rugby union player, who plays for the Highlanders and Southland. His preferred position is hooker.
Oliver Haig is a New Zealand rugby union player, who plays for the Highlanders and Otago. His preferred position is flanker.
Finn Hurley is a New Zealand rugby union player, who plays for the Highlanders and Otago. His preferred position is wing or fullback.
Hayden Michaels is a New Zealand rugby union player, who plays for the Highlanders and Southland. His preferred position is flanker.
References
- ↑ "Matt Whaanga". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ↑ "New Zealand schoolboy Matt Whaanga scores 60 points in First XV trial match". Fox Sports. 14 April 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ↑ "Pondering life after rugby to a contract with the Hurricanes". Southland Tribune. 21 March 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ↑ "Rugby: Taniwha come up short in epic Mitre 10 Cup battle with Otago". NZ Herald. 9 September 2018. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ↑ "Midfielder Matt Whaanga back for second season with Southland Stags". Stuff.co.nz. 15 April 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
- ↑ "Match Centre - Super Rugby - Highlanders vs. Reds". SANZAAR. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
