0
![Not allowed!](images/buttons/up_dis.png)
Friday, 24 August 2012
Emirates Western Force front-rower Salesi Manu will make his ITM Cup debut for North Harbour on Sunday (26 August).
North Harbour will begin their campaign this weekend against 2010 and 2011 runners-up, Waikato, in Albany.
The WA prop was granted dispensation by the Australian Rugby Union to play in the New Zealand provincial competition.
Manu, who can play either side of the scrum, will join the likes of former Chiefs front-rower and North Harbour co-captain Ben Afeaki, and Auckland Blues backs Michael Hobbs, Francis Saili and Rudi Wulf.
The 21-year-old, who accumulated a total of eight caps in his first season of FxPro Super Rugby, says he’s keen to line up against some of New Zealand’s top scrummagers.
“The competition is not only high quality but it’s very condensed,” he said. “In one month we play seven games with a three and four day turnaround which is something I’ll have to get used to.
“I’m really excited to continue testing myself against some classy players. This is a strong competition and one that has a lot of excellent front-rowers.
“It’s been great being with Ben Afeaki and I’m sure there’s a lot for me to learn just from training and playing with him. The coaching staff have been very helpful and [former All Black prop] Greg Somerville’s the Scrum Coach and has given me some good advice.”
Manu joined the Emirates Western Force on an Extended Playing Squad contract for the 2012 season, making his FxPro Super Rugby debut off the bench against the Stormers in Week 10.
He earned his first run-on start at tighthead prop against the Brumbies in Week 16, holding down the starting role for the final three matches of the season opposing Wallabies loosehead Ben Alexander (Brumbies), and All Blacks front-rowers Tony Woodcock (Blues) and Ben Franks (Crusaders).
“I took a lot of confidence out of starting against those guys in the last few games” he said. “In saying that, it’s really important for me to front up in each match during the ITM Cup. Every prop’s different and if you want to be a good prop you’ve got to be able to adapt to different situations and adapt to the game. I’m still learning that but it’s good to have that confidence knowing I can compete against these guys.”
Emirates Western Force Forwards Coach Nick Stiles says the experience will hold in him good stead ahead of the 2013 FxPro Super Rugby season.
“Salesi’s one of the up-and-coming front-rowers in Australian rugby but he’s still young in front row terms and the experience he’ll gain by playing in competition like the ITM Cup will be endless,” he said.
“He developed so much through the second half of the season when he was given his opportunity in Super Rugby and this will accelerate his learning.
“He’ll come back significantly more experienced than he did 12 months ago when he started with us and we think we’ve got a very good blend of front row forwards and he’ll complement our squad and make competition for places very tough.”
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
so is he signed up for next year?
“Everyone knows whether it’s rugby, politics or whatever, front-rowers should rule the world, so to have a hooker at the helm makes sense,” Nathan Charles Western Force & Wallabies Hooker.
EPS if anything, certainly not in first 30 so far.
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
Gee he was great this year, not the best scrummager yet but learning quickly. But what impressed me the most was the hard metres he made and the hits he put on. Having the likes of Yoda teaching him is bloody great. hurry up and sign him up properly and let More food go
Generally speaking you aren’t learning much if your lips are moving!!!
There are 3 types of people in this world, those that can count and those that can't
saw big dog david Te moana on fox this arvo playing for manawatu
weighs about 150 kg by the look of him
scored a meat pie though
his arteries appear to be ok though![]()
Good to see a EWF boy doing the hard yards and so keen to learn! Great attitude! He is definately a bloke we need to hand on to. He and Cheese in the front row bring a lot of mungrel!
Pity we can't get our whole team in their comp.I reckon Vern should publicly ask the NZRU if for no other reason than to give JON the shits.It would be the best thing going for the Force players and WA hopefuls though.
Watched most of this yesterday, he played first 65 minutes and was subbed, good work at scrum against Waikato, did miss a tackle off scrum that lead to a classy Moo Moo try just before being subbed. Great experience for him![]()
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!