5 players to watch: Canterbury

Able to produce a seemingly unending production line of talent, Canterbury will be hoping new stars continue to emerge in the 2019 season.

Check out five players to watch for Canterbury this season.

Fergus Burke

Not yet 20, Ferg Burke has impressed Canterbury rugby people since he shifted south from Waikato’s St Paul’s Collegiate at the end of 2017.

He is an accurate goalkicker and good general at No 10, and showed all that for the New Zealand Under 20s in May and June, and in the 2018 Jock Hobbs Memorial national Under 19 tournament.

Expect him to understudy Brett Cameron, at least for the early Mitre 10 Cup games.

Brett Cameron

Brett Cameron proved last season that, with 121 points for Canterbury, he is one of the best goalkickers in the country. 

That won him an All Blacks jersey, in Japan. But there is a bit of pressure on the first five to prove himself again after an uncertain Crusaders campaign.

Still just 22, there is time, however, behind a solid Canterbury pack, to again show us his wares.

Billy Harmon

There is No Matt Todd at No 7 for Canterbury, but there will be either Billy Harmon or Tom Christie.
Harmon, out of the New Brighton club, is still only 24, but has racked up 25 games for the union, along with nine Crusaders matches. A real fetcher, Harmon brings a tigerish approach to his loose forward work.

Dallas McLeod

Another New Zealand Under 20s player who looks set to thrive in the Canterbury provincial ranks, McLeod, at 1,88m and 99kg, will learn plenty in the midfield from the wise head that is Tim Bateman.

He may have to be patient for regular game time but, on the evidence of his consistent displays for the Under 20s, following on from the Canterbury Under 19s in 2018, McLeod could be around for several years.

Ngane Punivai

In just what position Ngane Punivai cuts loose in 2019 is up for debate, but he will cut loose at some stage for Canterbury.

The 20-year-old is a versatile footballer and classy runner who will combine well with his colleagues off both set-piece and counter-attack.

Much will depend on how Joe Maddock marshals his backline resources, but he could suit up at either centre, on the wing or even at fullback. He has already played for the Crusaders.

Full article via Mitre 10 Cup