This season O’Neills is kit partner to the Manuwatu Turbos and Hawkes Bay in New Zealand for their coming campaign.

They will line up against the likes of Auckland and Bay of Plenty, two of Joe Schmidt’s old coaching assignments. With New Zealand competitions running until halfway through the World Cup, there’s a chance that some of the players may end up receiving a call up to the All Blacks World Cup team in the event of injury.

In 2015 Joe Moody got a late injury call up and was selected to play in the semi-final and final. Manuwatu Turbos and Hawke’s Bay both field an exciting array of rugby talent with a strong mix of established and emerging talent, many of whom already have featured in Super Rugby, with the Maori All Blacks or development New Zealand squads.

 

Hawkes Bay Men to Watch

Danny Toala Full back or midfield. New Zealand Under-20s representative Toala made two appearances for the Hurricanes in Super Rugby this year and is a real handful.

 

Kianu Kereru-Symes 

Kereru-Symes played eight games last year and impressed with a maturity beyond his years. A tough Under-20s campaign will have rounded off parts of his game. 

 

Isaia Walker-Leawere 

Featured with the Maori All Blacks after seeing less game time than he’d have liked in the Super Rugby. Can play a key role this season for Hawke's Bay. 

 

Folau Fakatava 

Hastings Boys' High School alumni Fakatava made his Hawke’s Bay debut last season and featured in eight of their matches. Earned a Super Rugby contract with the Highlanders where he played three games this season. A prospect. 

 

Michael Allardice 

Lock Allardice is a key man for the Hawkes Bay men especially in their lineouts, an area in which the side will need supply if they are to advance their case for getting out of the Championship.

 

Turbos Men to Watch

Adam Boult

Boult brings searing pace to the full-back and wing positions. Fastest man in the Turbos. Goalkicker and try scorer, made his way back from injury. A good season in waiting. 

 

Brayden Lose

Lose captained the NZ Secondary Schools' 2016 side. Playing at Number Eight 8 he is a real powerhouse of the back of the scrum.

 

Josiah Maraku

Eighteen-year-old centre Maraku is surprisingly mature in his play and decision making. His positive approach, good running lines and passing skills he should relish any chance he gets to show his wares on the Mitre 10 Cup stage this season.

 

Ben Wyness

Wyness has had to wait his chance behind Aaron Cruden, Otere Black, Jade Te Rure and Sam Malcolm. Now 26 he should bring solidity to the position. This year he was called into the Hurricanes Development XV. 

 

Johnny Galloway

Galloway is a flanker who’s keen as mustard to get playing time in the Mitre 10 Cup. Forced his way into the provincial squad and will be seeking to make the no7 jersey his own.

 

O’Neills look forward to following the prospects of both teams in an action-packed Autumn of Rugby.