WFR News Magpies Make Final

The Hawkes Bay Magpies have made their first ever WFR Grand Final by defeating Southern Conference Champions the Melbourne Bushrangers.

Now for the Biggest test of the season a meeting with the undefeated Perthshire Blades.

The Final to be held in Neutral Territory has been confirmed as Tokyo Stadium . The WFR has decided to promote WFR in Japan and what better way on doing so than by playing the biggest showcase there.

A sellout crowd of around 75,000 are expected as ticket sales have been swift since the announcement.

Hawkes Bay are playing down the underdog status though as they are fully aware of the power of the Blades and their seemingly unstopple march towards the WFR Crown. At this stage the Magpies look to be keeping their line up from the Preliminary final which was

1 Josh Keys 2 Hikawera Elliot 3 Clint Newland 4 Matt Egan 5 George Naoupu 6 Karl Lowe

7 Michael Johnson 8 Thomas Waldrom 9 Chris Eaton 10 Dane Shelford

11 Zac Guilford 12 Sam Giddens 13 Andrew Horrell 14 Nick Thomson 15 Israel Dagg

RESERVES

16 Richard Buckman 17 Matt Berquist 18 Mark Jackman 19 Ross Kennedy

20 Trent Boswell-Wakefield 21 Sona Taumalolo 22 Tom Simpson

A Couple of niggly injuries are in the squad with Chris Eaton Hurting from a leg Strain and Karl Lowe with Back Spasms but the final line up will be decided on Wednesday Morning.

A number of Special flights left Auckland International Airport this morning that were specially charter by the Magpies Supporters and a very vocal number of around 2,500 are expected.

WFR NEWS

WFR News Whalers get pass mark

The resurrected Peninsula Whalers get a pass mark for their first season back in WFR. The side has a rebuilding look to it & some of the new young players have come through with flying colors. Special mention needs to be made of fullback Robbie Robinson, First Five Colin Slade & open side flanker George Whitelock , all who have made major contributions to the side this year. Slade especially stepped into Dan Carter's shoe & led a turn around in fortunes for the side as they headed into the end of the season.

Captain, Aaron Mauger led from the front at 2nd five, keeping cool under pressure, his tactical knowledge proved invaluable to the youngsters at times. The two remaining Whalers "Originals" Andrew Mehrtens & lock Alec Parker may not have played a lot of rugby , but their off field contribution to this team must not go unmentioned. Dan Carter showed at times why he is considered world class & but for injury would have played more.

Look for a big contribution from him in WFR XIII. In the forwards the Franks brothers Owen & Ben, along with "The Sherrif" Wyatt Crockett kept up the Whalers tradition of solid scrumaging front rows. Isaac Ross at lock showed the All Black selectors were wrong to leave him out & Michael Paterson showed his durability at blindside, number 8 & lock. In WFR XIII, we'll see Nathan Mauger who had an injury plagued season retire from all rugby. He will take up the newly created position of Peninsula Whalers Rugby Academy." We'll also say goodbye to halfback Andre Bachelet.

The veteran ( 40) stepped in at short notice when the call for an experienced halfback went out & we tahnk Andre for his contribution both on & off the field. Coaches Brian Byas ( Backs) & Buddha Johnston (Forwards) have been retained & former Whalers captain, Andrew McCormick will continue in the managers role.
The Winger CEO Peninsula Rugby Corp

WFR News Tigers Season over

The Tigers bowed out of the recent WFR season more with a whimper than a roar going down 38-5 to the Blades. DoR Mikey G we probably gave our worst performance of the season and the players are hurting, the season is now over so they cannot now go out next week to rectify the issue.

With their season now over the players will take a well deserved break before beginning the new pre season, the players reported this morning to Performance Manager who did their last fitness checks and each player was issued with a performance program to taylor the needs for the off season, the boys have been given a clear break to recover from all niggles before beginning their pre-season program.

2 players so far will be confirmed as leaving French Number 8 Imanol Harinordiquay and South African Winger Gcobani Bobo.

'Nol has failed to settle in the North of England and has asked to be released from his final year of his contract which we have agreed too, its been quite hard for 'Nol who has played most of his Rugby in the South-East of France the weather and pitch conditions have meant we have not seen the best of him he has also missed cooking.

'Nol has been 100%professional whilst at the club and helped some of the younger guys with their game plan we are sorry to see him go but we wish him all the best.

With regards to Gcobabi Bobo the club has decided not to take up the option of the 2nd year of his contract.