The Chiefs Country Centurion Cup returns following the success of the 2020 competition. The Centurion Cup will once again see Chiefs Country Provincial Unions Bay of Plenty, Counties Manukau, Taranaki and Waikato play a quadrangular 1-day tournament in Cambridge at Hautapu Rugby Club on Saturday 20 March.  

At the conclusion of the Centurion Cup tournament, a Chiefs Development XV will be selected to play the Blues Development XV as curtain raiser to the Gallagher Chiefs vs. Blues fixture on Saturday 27 March at FMG Stadium Waikato. 

The Centurion Cup series was created in honour of the seven Gallagher Chiefs’ centurions: Liam Messam, Hika Elliot, Tanerau Latimer, Stephen Donald, Sam Cane, Brodie Retallick and Aaron Cruden, and is an opportunity to expose more players to the Gallagher Chiefs coaching team.  

Former Bay of Plenty Steamer, Tanerau Latimer, will coach the Bay of Plenty Centurion Cup team with Daryl Gibson and Ross Geldenhuys as assistant coaches. 

Bay of Plenty Rugby Mens Player Development Manager, James Porter, has been named as the campaign manager of the team and comments “The Centurions Cup has given us the opportunity to get 2021 off to a flying start as we look to shake off the 2020 season plagued by the disruptions of Covid-19.”  

“The High Performance unit lead by Rodney Gibbs, has put together a well-structured environment which is focused on preparing athletes for elite campaigns. With the Black Ferns camps, Chiefs Under 20s trials and now the Centurions Cup, 2021 has moved very quickly.”  

“The squad is primarily made up of current Bay of Plenty High Performance players, Chiefs Under 20’s squad members and several current and former Steamers. With 19 current Steamers involved in Super Rugby, this campaign allows the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union to have a decent look at our local talent.” 

This campaign has also provided the unique opportunity to develop some of our players transitioning from playing to coaching. Tanerau Latimer and Ross Geldenhuys have taken up coaching roles and will be well supported by Rodney Gibbs, James Porter and Daryl Gibson. 

“This coaching group has a wealth of knowledge and experience on the field so an opportunity like this provides them with an ideal learning environment” says Porter. 

Of the 37 players named in the squad, 28 players will be named to play against Counties Manukau this Saturday.

Bay of Plenty Rugby Chiefs Country Centurion Cup Coaching Team 
Head Coach: Tanerau Latimer 
Assistant Coaches: Daryl Gibson & Ross Geldenhuys 
Trainer: Thomas Stebbing 
Physiotherapist: Heiner Otumuli 
Campaign Manager: James Porter 
Manager: Wayne Brill 
Assistant Manager: Michaela Tahere 
High Performance Manager: Rodney Gibbs 

Bay of Plenty Rugby Chiefs Country Centurion Cup Squad 
Arana Millar (Whakarewarewa)
Axel Honeck (Whakarewarewa)
Beau Williams (Tauranga Sports)
Benet Kumeroa (Rangiuru)
Bernie Hati (Whakarewarewa)
Brandon Mudzekenyedzi (Rangiuru)
Cassius Misa (Whakarewarewa)
Champ Solomon-Mua (Rangiuru)
Filipo Losi (Greerton Marist)
Jack Sturmey (Rangiuru)
Jaya More (Whakarewarewa)
Jeriah Mua (Greerton Marist)
Jesse Mason (Whakarewarewa)
Jessie Williams (Tauranga Sports)
Jona Mataciwa (Tauranga Sports)
Josh Bartlett (Waikato Univeristy)
Justin Sangster (Te Puna)
Kane O’Connor (Rangataua)
Kohan Herbert (Mount Maunganui)
Lenny Valleye’ (Greerton Marist)
Leroy Carter (Tauranga Sports)
Lucas Cashmore (Tauranga Sports)
Mason Leaver (Tauranga Sports)
Nic Souchon (Tauranga Sports)
Nikora Broughton (Rangiuru)
Pasilio Tosi (Greerton Marist)
Peni Lasaqa (Tauranga Sports)
Pryor Collier (Mount Maunganui)
Rameka Poihipi (Chiefs)
Semesi Paea (Ngongotaha)
Stan van den Hoven (Greerton Marist)
Tama Te Aute (Rangiuru)
Taniela Filimone (Tauranga Sports)
Te Aihe Toma (Te Puna)
Te Hemara Gardnier-Toi (Rangatau)
Tevita Sole (Tauranga Sports)
Tu’ukalikali Vaipulu (Rangiuru)
Veveni Lasaqa (Greerton Marist)

Fixtures: 
Saturday 20 March - Hautapu Rugby Club, Cambridge 
Counties Manukau vs. Bay of Plenty, 1.00pm 
Waikato vs. Taranaki, 1.50pm 
3rd and 4th Play-off: Loser Game 1 vs. Game 2, 2.50pm 
Centurion Cup Final: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 3.45pm 

Saturday 27 March  
Chiefs vs. Blues, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, 7.05pm kick-off 
Chiefs Development XV vs. Blues Development XV, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, 4.25pm  

Article added: Wednesday 17 March 2021