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Written by Site Admin
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Tuesday, 21 November 2006 |
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The same coaching trio has been retained by Varsity Verne Wilson, Steve Morris and Geoff Thompson. Varsity is also expected to pick up newly-signed Manawatu prop Grant Polson, who arrives from Otago, and wing Mike Rowe, who played for Massey before heading to Northland two seasons ago.
In other club news...
Manawatu Turbos captain Joggie Viljoen has swapped clubs from Freyberg to Kia Toa for next season.
The former Springbok halfback will be in a player-coach role, but with Tasi Tahuna as head coach.
Tahuna returned from England and played a few senior matches for Kia Toa in the front row this year. Viljoen was seeking to play behind a stronger forward pack than at Freyberg, which again battled to win games this season. "I will play for two or three years and then I want to get into coaching," said Viljoen.
Dean Wilson has been the Kias player-coach for the last two seasons but he is expected to return as a player only. Most of this year's team is expected to return.
Paul Claridge was unavailable to coach Te Kawau next season so the club's colts coach, Tony Robinson, will take over.
Robinson is a former Horowhenua halfback who has a garage business in Foxton and before coming to Te Kawau coached the Manawatu College 1st XV.
Manawatu prop David Te Moana has registered with Te Kawau for next season and former Manawatu No 8 Bryan Matenga, who didn't return to Italy to play, will be available.
So will former Manawatu, Hawke's Bay and Taranaki midfield back Sam Leung-Wai who is back living in Palmerston North. In England he played for Bridgwater and Albion (Somerset) and Plymouth Albion last year.
Two other possibilities for Te Kawau are Manawatu reps in flanker-hooker Neil Florence (after shoulder surgery) and halfback Charlie Beetham (with the air force).
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