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ITM CUP SEASON PREVIEW.......................... .. 6What’s ahead in the ITM Cup Premiership and Championship.

ITM CUP PREMIERSHIP PREVIEWSAUCKLAND .................................................... .. 8COUNTIES MANUKAU.................................... .. 9 TARANAKI...................................................... .10TASMAN ......................................................... .10CANTERBURY................................................. .12WAIKATO........................................................ .13MANAWATU.................................................... .14 ITM CUP FIXTURE LIST........................ .16 –17ITM CUP CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEWSWELLINGTON .................................................18

HAWKE’S BAY.................................................. ..18NORTH HARBOUR............................................ .21SOUTHLAND..................................................... .21NORTHLAND.....................................................22BAY OF PLENTY.................................................22OTAGO................................................................25PINK® BATTS® HEARTLAND CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES...... .26All you need to know about this year’s Pink® Batts® Heartland Championship.

RUGBY WORLD CUP 2015 PREVIEW............. .28A look ahead to the Rugby World Cup in England next month. Can the All Blacks become the first team to win the Webb Ellis Cup three times and defend the title?

RUGBY WORLD CUP 2015 MATCH SCHEDULE..30

RUGBY 2015 CONTENTS

THIS IS THE MOMENT: Hawke’s Bay celebrate after retaining the Shield.

Managing.Editor:..Oliver.Lee

Editor:..Peter.White

Sub-Editor:..Elise.McDowell

Photography:..photosport.nz

Cover.Design.&.Art:..ONTIME.Associates

Printing:..PMP.Auckland

.Publisher:.

Box.331-667,...Takapuna,..Auckland.0740,..New.Zealand..T:.09.486.6966..E:.oliver@oliverlee.co.nzW:.oliverlee.co.nz

It is quite remarkable just how passionate New Zealand’s provincial rugby supporters are about the ITM Cup.

In this full-blown professional rugby era, where Super Rugby and All Blacks test matches are given wall-to-wall coverage, it would be understandable if rugby’s last connection to its amateur days was forgotten.

But nothing could be further from the truth in the heart-land of New Zealand provincial rugby, particularly outside the five Super Rugby bases. How their team performs in the ITM Cup is what gets the emotions running high in places like Whangarei, Tauranga, Palmerston North, Napier, New Plymouth, Nelson and Invercargill.

And we never want that to change.

This season is the sixth instalment of the national pro-vincial competition under the ITM Cup banner. It kicks off on Thursday August 13, with Auckland travelling down to Invercargill to take on the Southland Stags and promises to be a season to remember.

Last year’s Premiership final between Taranaki and Tasman was a classic of the ages; Taranaki just getting home 36–32 at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth. Tasman actually outscored Taranaki four tries to three, but as is so often the case in grand finals, goal kicking was the crucial factor. Codey Rei was the hero for Taranaki, kick-ing eight from eight in an impeccable display from the tee.

Fans will have to wait until the last week of this year’s competition to see a rematch of the final when Taranaki host Tasman on Thursday October 8.

THE HEART AND SOUL OF NZ RUGBY BY PETER WHITE

Last.year.Taranaki.won.a.pulsating.grand.final.over.Tasman.to.rule.supreme.in.the.ITM.Cup..The.victory.broke.Canterbury’s.run.of.six.successive.titles....

SPECIAL FEELING: TARANAKI celebrate after

winning the ITM CUP FINAL against Tasman.

Canterbury had won the previous six Premiership titles, but were halted at semi-final stage last year, losing 26–6 to a rampant Tasman side in Nelson.

Auckland were the other losing semi-finalist in an epic battle with eventual champions Taranaki. At fulltime, the match was level 30–30 but three tries in the first nine minutes of extra time swept the home team to the grand final.

In the Championship final, Manawatu scored four tries to two to defeat Hawke’s Bay 32–24 at FMG Stadium in Palmerston North. The result was thoroughly deserved as the Turbos were the form team throughout pool play, winning eight of their 10 matches.

At the other end of the spectrum, Wellington and Bay of Plenty had the least to be happy about in 2014. The Lions won just once and were relegated to the Championship, while the Steamers managed two victories to finish at the bottom of the Championship.

No rugby season would be complete without the drama that is the Ranfurly Shield.

Hawke’s Bay have warmed up for tougher challengers ahead by defending the Log o’ Wood against Wairarapa Bush, Horowhenua Kapiti and 2014 Meads Cup winners, Mid Canterbury.

Northland, North Harbour, Bay of Plenty, Auckland and Waikato will have to be repelled if the Magpies want to keep the Ranfurly Shield safe for another summer.

W W W . I T M C U P. C O . N ZRUGBY20156

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RUGBY20158 W W W . I T M . C O . N Z

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AUCKLAND

GAME BREAKER: Midfielder GEORGE MOALA

will be a key attacking weapon for Auckland.

PLACED FOURTH IN 2014: Auck-land could so easily have won the title. They drew 30–30 with Taranaki in the semi-final before losing in extra time to the even-tual champions. Auckland played with power, precision and flair which resulted in some superb try-scoring action.

KEY PLAYERS: X-factor players are not in short supply. George Moala’s offloading game and line breaks are crucial, and set to make a real impact are loose forwards Akira Ioane and Blake Gibson. First-five Simon Hickey played well last year and will provide direction for the team. Japanese halfback Kaito Shigeno may get early game time with injury to Leon Fukofuka.

YOUNG GUNS: It is hard to go past the Ioane brothers, in particular 18-year-old winger Rieko. He is already a seasoned All Blacks Sevens rep and has played for the Maori All Blacks this year. New Zealand Under-20s first-five Mitchell Hunt will keep Simon Hickey honest and loose forward Airi Hunt made his Blues debut this year from club rugby.

SEASON PROSPECTS: Paul Feeney is feeling confident ahead of his second season as head coach. “I learned a lot last year. The last three years we have made the semis or the final so obviously our aspirations are like any team in the competition to play good rugby and go as far as we can in the competition. Then hopefully results take care of themselves. Obviously we would love to be in the final and then win the Championship. We haven’t won a Championship in seven years. We need to improve in a couple of key areas of our game by five to ten per cent. Just atten-tion to detail really.”

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COUNTIES MANUKAUPLACED FIFTH IN 2014: The Steel-ers had a slow start to the cam-paign after Ranfurly Shield fervour in 2013. Four losses in succession hurt before they had a storming finale and won their last three games. A 41–18 win over Auck-land showed their capabilities.

KEY PLAYERS: Super Rugby play-ers — winger Frank Halai, prop Pauliasi Manu and halfback Augustine Pulu, plus newcomer in exciting centre Cardiff Vaega and experienced former Blues flanker Onosa’i Auva’a are all key. First-five Piers Francis has ITM Cup experience with Auckland and Waikato, while Crusaders loose forward Jordan Taufua has great potential.

YOUNG GUN: “We have a few new young guys who are being given their opportunity,” says head coach Tana Umaga. “[Fullback] Jared Page was injured last year so we are looking forward to seeing him on the park this year. Viliame Rara-sea is getting his first full contract. Former Warriors Under-20s wing-er Ngataua Hukatai is in his first ITM Cup season so we are excited by that prospect.”

SEASON PROSPECTS: “We finish-ed really strongly last year, so we are keen to start the season like that this year,” says Umaga. “We have retained 22 players from last year and 11 of our players have Super Rugby experience. We expect those players to be our leaders on and off the field. We are under no illusions that the competition gets harder every year, so we believe we have established a squad that will help us deliver the results we expect. We want to continue to play a brand of open, expan- sive running rugby that Counties Manukau is well known for and is entertaining to watch.”

TOP CLASS: Chiefs and All Blacks halfback

AUGUSTINE PULU is a key player for Counties Manukau.

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TEAM PR EVIEWS FOR 2015The.top.seven.teams.will. .contest.the.Premiership.

W W W . I T M . C O . N ZRUGBY201510

PLACED SECOND IN 2014: What a season it was for the entertaining Tasman Makos. They finished first-equal after promotion to the Premiership, beat Canterbury 26–6 in a home semi-final, before storming home late in a memorable grand final — ultimately losing 36–32 to Taranaki.

KEY PLAYERS: Flanker Shane Christie is a real work-horse, he is a player the coaches have built the nucleus of the team around. Lock Joe Wheeler and goal kicking, record holder Marty Banks are consistently good players, while experienced Jimmy Cowan has plenty to offer. Highlanders prop Kane Hames will add quality to the front-row mix and is one of 18 Super Rugby players in the squad.

YOUNG GUN: Former New Zealand Warriors Under-20s star Viliami Lolohea will be watched with great interest. The try-scoring winger joined the Crusaders and Tasman at the end of 2013, but missed last year through injury.

SEASON PROSPECTS: Coaches Kieran Keane and Leon MacDonald are back in tandem before Keane joins the Chiefs. “The second year is always difficult as we slipped under the radar initially,” says MacDonald. “We have to be a lot better in a lot of areas and change things up a bit, as well. We have a core group of guys and we have kept most of them, which is so important.”

CHAMPIONS IN 2014: Taranaki were crowned New Zea-land’s top province after triumphing 36–32 in an unforget-table grand final against Tasman. It was a remarkable turnaround from 2013 when they finished sixth, with three wins from 10 games.

KEY PLAYERS: Assistant coach Willie Rickards says utility back James Marshall will captain the team. “He was massive for us last year. Tactically, and for the way he reads the game, he is the best I have seen. Charlie Ngatai has progressed so well over the last 12 months to the All Blacks and Blade Thomson is an important part of the leadership group.”

YOUNG GUN: Supporting Jamison Gibson-Park is New Zealand Under-20s halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi. He is a gifted halfback two years out of school, and Rick-ards regards him as “a gold nugget” for the team. Open-side flanker Lachlan Boshier was in the New Zealand Under-20s in 2013 and is highly regarded.

SEASON PROSPECTS: Rickards says going into the sea-son as defending champions is a big change. “The biggest shift for us is we are used to being the underdogs but this year, for a lot of the games, we are not going to be underdogs. But we are looking at that positively. The really exciting thing is we have most of our boys back from last year. We are very positive about the season.”

MR RELIABLE: SHANE CHRISTIE was one

of the very best for the Makos last season.

ITM PREMIERSHIP TEAM PREVIEWS continued from PAGE 9

TARANAKI

www.trfu.co.nz

LEADING BY EXAMPLE: Taranaki captain

JAMES MARSHALL is tactically very strong.

TASMAN

www.makos.co.nz

ITM.CO.NZ/WELOVEITHERE

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ITM PREMIERSHIP TEAM PREVIEWS continued from PAGE 10

CANTERBURY

PLACED THIRD IN 2014: After six consecutive ITM Cup Premiership victories, the run came to an end at the hands of Tasman at semi-final stage. Canterbury scored the most tries in the competition but lost three games to miss the crucial home advantage.

KEY PLAYERS: With 14 All Blacks in contention to make the final Rugby World Cup squad, head coach Scott Robertson has a wealth of riches to choose from no matter who gets selected for higher honours.

YOUNG GUN: Robertson picks out two young backs to watch, “[Mid-fielder] Jack Goodhue played ITM Cup last year as an 18-year-old and has won a world champion-

PROMISING: First-five RICHIE MO’UNGA is one of the best young players

in the Canterbury squad.

www.crfu.co.nz

ship with the Under-20s. [First-five] Richie Mo’unga has done a lot of work to improve his game and he has a real opportunity this year to cement himself as a start-er for us.”

SEASON PROSPECTS: Failure to extend their winning sequence last year was disappointing but there is a steely determination to get the title back, Robertson says. “We worked really hard and for half the season we led the ladder but we weren’t quite good enough in the end. We learned a lot of lessons, which we will take into this year, around how we played and how our structures worked for us. You just have to make sure the critical things that can make the differ-ence for you get better. We are happy with the way we do things but just have to be better at it.”

W W W . I T M . C O . N Z

W W W . I T M C U P. C O . N Z RUGBY2015 13

PLACED SIXTH IN 2014: The mini-mum target for any Waikato side is to make the play-offs, so last season’s final placing of sixth was disappointing. Along the way the mostly inexperienced side suffered some heavy defeats but enjoyed four good wins.

KEY PLAYERS: Waikato have sev- eral Super Rugby players filtering back into the side, including newly capped All Black Brad Weber, his fellow Chiefs Ben Tameifuna, Damian McKenzie and Anton Lienert-Brown, plus Highlanders prop Josh Hohneck. Recovering All Blacks halfback Tawera Kerr- Barlow is likely to feature at some stage.

YOUNG GUN: New head coach Sean Botherway says New Zealand Under-20s captain Atu Moli and New Zealand Schools fullback

TOP CLASS: DAMIAN McKENZIE will guide

the Waikato team around the field from first-five.

www.mooloo.co.nz

WAIKATO

Shaun Stevenson are two to watch. “Shaun has x-factor, is the type of player who glides on attack and can break the line, plus he has very good vision. Atu is a young prop with a huge amount of potential. He is a leader and also a very good listener.”

SEASON PROSPECTS: Botherway is happy with the squad he has to work with this season. “There is a nice blend of youth and experi-ence — with many of them now into their third season. We are happy the squad reflects the importance of club rugby and our Waikato junior programme.”

RUGBY201514

ITM PREMIERSHIP TEAM PREVIEWS continued from PAGE 13

GOOD SKILLS: Young Manawatu first-five

OTERE BLACK is a key player for the Turbos.

CHAMPIONS IN 2014: The Turbos won promotion into the Premiership after defeating Hawke’s Bay 32–24 in last year’s Championship final. They were good value for their success, winning eight of their 10 games in pool play.

KEY PLAYERS: Head coach Jason O’Hallo-ran says first-five Otere Black is central to the success of their campaign. “He will be running our structure and I’m really pleas- ed with his development through Super [Rugby] and Maori All Blacks. We have key leaders like [flanker] Callum Gibbins, [lock] Fraser Stone and [hooker] Rob Foreman who are very important to us.”

YOUNG GUNS: Halfbacks Jamie Booth and Kayne Hammington are both in their second season with Manawatu, and were involved with Super Rugby as injury replacements. Their battle for the starting No. 9 jersey will be interesting.

SEASON PROSPECTS: O’Halloran is happy with his squad stepping up to the Premier-ship. “Last year was a good learning curve for us and how we dealt with pressure. It is good to have won a Championship and realise how hard you have to work to get there. Not getting too conservative in big games was the biggest learning. We just have to back ourselves as always and get the absolute maximum out of our players.”

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RUGBY201516

WEEK 1: THURSDAY AUGUST 13 — SUNDAY AUGUST 16 DATE MATCH VENUE TIME

.Thursday.August.13 Southland v Auckland Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill 7.35 pm

.Friday.August.14 Waikato v Tasman Waikato Stadium, Hamilton 6.05 pm

Bay of Plenty v North Harbour ASB Stadium, Baypark, Tauranga 8.05 pm

.Saturday.August.15 Taranaki v Wellington Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth 2.35 pm

Otago v Canterbury Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin 4.35 pm

.Sunday.August.16 Counties Manukau v Manawatu ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe 2.35 pm

Hawke’s Bay v Northland (RS) McLean Park, Napier 4.35 pm

WEEK 2: THURSDAY AUGUST 20 — SUNDAY AUGUST 23Thursday.August.20 North Harbour v Wellington QBE Stadium, Albany 7.35 pm

Friday.August.21 Tasman v Bay of Plenty Trafalgar Park, Nelson 7.35 pm

Saturday.August.22 Manawatu v Waikato FMG Stadium, Palmerston North 2.35 pm

Northland v Southland Toll Stadium, Whangarei 5.35 pm

Otago v Hawke’s Bay Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin 7.35 pm

Sunday,.August.23 Auckland v Taranaki Eden Park, Auckland 2.35 pm

Canterbury v Counties Manukau AMI Stadium, Addington 4.35 pm

WEEK 3: WEDNESDAY AUGUST 26 — SUNDAY AUGUST 30Wednesday.August.26 Bay of Plenty v Southland ASB Stadium, Baypark, Tauranga 7.35 pm

Thursday.August.27 Tasman v Manawatu Lansdowne Park, Blenheim 7.35 pm

Friday.August.28 Counties Manukau v Hawke’s Bay ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe 7.35 pm

Saturday.August.29 Auckland v Canterbury Eden Park, Auckland 2.35 pm

Taranaki v Otago Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth 5.35 pm

Wellington v Northland Westpac Stadium, Wellington 7.35 pm

Sunday.August.30 Bay of Plenty v Waikato The Domain, Tauranga 2.35 pm

Southland v North Harbour Rugby Park, Invercargill 4.35 pm

WEEK 4: WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 2 — SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 6Wednesday.Sept.2 Taranaki v Counties Manukau Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth 7.35 pm

Thursday.Sept.3 Manawatu v Canterbury FMG Stadium, Palmerston North 7.35 pm

Friday.Sept.4 Otago v Tasman Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin 7.35 pm

Saturday.Sept.5 Waikato v Auckland Waikato Stadium, Hamilton 2.35 pm

Southland v Wellington Rugby Park, Invercargill 5.35 pm

Hawke’s Bay v North Harbour (RS) McLean Park, Napier 7.35 pm

Sunday.Sept.6 Northland v Taranaki Toll Stadium, Whangarei 2.35 pm

Counties Manukau v Bay of Plenty ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe 4.35 pm

WEEK 5: WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 9 — SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 13Wednesday.Sept.9 Auckland v Manawatu Eden Park, Auckland 7.35 pm

Thursday.Sept.10 Waikato v Southland Waikato Stadium, Hamilton 7.35 pm

Friday.Sept.11 Wellington v Tasman Westpac Stadium, Wellington 7.35 pm

Saturday.Sept.12 North Harbour v Counties Manukau QBE Stadium, Albany 2.35 pm

Bay of Plenty v Taranaki International Stadium, Rotorua 5.35 pm

Canterbury v Hawke’s Bay AMI Stadium, Addington 7.35 pm

Sunday.Sept.13 Auckland v Otago Eden Park, Auckland 2.35 pm

Manawatu v Northland FMG Stadium, Palmerston North 4.35 pm

WEEK 6: WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 16 — SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 20Wednesday.Sept.16 Tasman v North Harbour Trafalgar Park, Nelson 7.35 pm

Thursday.Sept.17 Wellington v Otago Westpac Stadium, Wellington 7.35 pm

ITM CUP EXPLAINED2015 ITM CUPPREMIERSHIP

Auckland Canterbury

Counties ManukauManawatuTaranakiTasman Waikato

The seventh placed team is automatically relegated to the 2016 ITM Cup Championship.

2015 ITM CUP CHAMPIONSHIP

Bay of PlentyHawke’s Bay

North Harbour Northland

OtagoSouthlandWellington

The winner of the ITM Cup Championship

is automatically promoted to the 2016 ITM Cup Premiership.

All Premiership teams will play each other once, and all

Championship teams will play each other once (three home,

three away matches).

In addition, all 14 teams will play four crossover matches

(two home, two away matches) where Premiership and

Championship teams meet.All matches will carry

full competition points.FOR UP-TO-DATE

INFORMATION GO TO www.itmcup.co.nz

ITM CUP PREMIERSHIP & CH AMPIONSHIP DRAW 2015

W W W . I T M . C O . N Z

The 14 teams involved in the ITM Cup will play 70 matches before the pla y-offs in just nine weeks... visit www.itmcup.co.nz to keep up with all the action.

NOTE:.(RS) = Ranfurly Shield Challenge

RUGBY2015 17

WEEK 6 CONTINUED: WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 16 — SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 20 DATE MATCH VENUE TIME

Friday.Sept.18 Taranaki v Waikato Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth 7.35 pm

Saturday.Sept.19 Hawke’s Bay v Bay of Plenty (RS) McLean Park, Napier 2.35 pm

Southland v Manawatu Rugby Park, Invercargill 5.35 pm

Northland v Counties Manukau Toll Stadium, Whangarei 7.35 pm

Sunday.Sept.20 North Harbour v Canterbury QBE Stadium, Albany 2.35 pm

Tasman v Auckland Lansdowne Park, Blenheim 4.35 pm

WEEK 7: WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 23 — SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 27Wednesday.Sept.23 Canterbury v Waikato AMI Stadium, Addington 7.35 pm

Thursday.Sept.24 Hawke’s Bay v Auckland (RS) McLean Park, Napier 7.35 pm

Friday.Sept.25 Northland v Bay of Plenty Toll Stadium, Whangarei 7.35 pm

Saturday.Sept.26 Counties Manukau v Tasman ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe 2.35 pm

Otago v Southland Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin 5.35 pm

Manawatu v North Harbour FMG Stadium, Palmerston North 7.35 pm

Sunday.Sept.27 Waikato v Wellington Waikato Stadium, Hamilton 2.35 pm

Canterbury v Taranaki AMI Stadium, Addington 4.35 pm

WEEK 8: WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 30 — SUNDAY OCTOBER 4

Wednesday.Sept.30 Wellington v Hawke’s Bay Westpac Stadium, Wellington 7.35 pm

Thursday.October.1 North Harbour v Otago QBE Stadium, Albany 7.35 pm

Friday.October.2 Waikato v Counties Manukau Waikato Stadium, Hamilton 7.35 pm

Saturday.October.3 Tasman v Canterbury Trafalgar Park, Nelson 2.35 pm

Manawatu v Taranaki FMG Stadium, Palmerston North 5.35 pm

Auckland v Northland Eden Park, Auckland 7.35 pm

Sunday.October.4 Southland v Hawke’s Bay Rugby Park, Invercargill 2.35 pm

Bay of Plenty v Wellington ASB Stadium, Baypark, Tauranga 4.35 pm

WEEK 9: WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 7 — SUNDAY OCTOBER 11Wednesday.October.7 Northland v Otago Toll Stadium, Whangarei 7.35 pm

Thursday.October.8 Taranaki v Tasman Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth 7.35 pm

Friday.October.9 Hawke’s Bay v Waikato (RS) McLean Park, Napier 7.35 pm

Saturday.October.10 Canterbury v Southland AMI Stadium, Addington 2.35 pm

Wellington v Manawatu Westpac Stadium, Wellington 5.35 pm

Counties Manukau v Auckland ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe 7.35 pm

Sunday.October.11 North Harbour v Northland QBE Stadium, Albany 2.35 pm

Otago v Bay of Plenty Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin 4.35 pm

SEMI-FINALS:: FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 — SATURDAY OCTOBER 17

Friday.October.16 ITM CUP PREMIERSHIP SEMI-FINAL ONE 7.35 pm

Saturday.October.17 ITM CUP CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL ONE 2.35 pm

Saturday.October.17 ITM CUP CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL TWO 5.05 pm

Saturday.October.17 ITM CUP PREMIERSHIP SEMI-FINAL TWO 7.35 pm

FINALS: FRIDAY OCTOBER 23 — SATURDAY OCTOBER 24

Friday.October.23 ITM CUP CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL 7.35 pm

Saturday.October.24 ITM CUP PREMIERSHIP FINAL 7.35 pm

ITM CUP PREMIERSHIP & CH AMPIONSHIP DRAW 2015

W W W . I T M C U P. C O . N Z

The 14 teams involved in the ITM Cup will play 70 matches before the pla y-offs in just nine weeks... visit www.itmcup.co.nz to keep up with all the action.

NOTE:.(RS) = Ranfurly Shield Challenge

RUGBY2015 W W W . I T M . C O . N Z

HAWKE’S BAYPLACED SECOND IN 2014: For the second consecutive year the Magpies lost the final of the Championship. The 32–24 loss to Manawatu was disappointing but a thriller of a game. Hawke’s Bay did finish their season with the Ranfurly Shield though, after defending it in their final three home games.

KEY PLAYERS: Coach Craig Philpott highlighted the following players. “Brendon Edmonds is coming off a season at loosehead prop with the Highlanders, Brendon O’Connor was Blues’ player of the year — so we are expecting a big season from him. And we have Zac Guild-ford back. Zac is getting into match fitness and will prob-ably feature at fullback for us, rather than left wing.”

YOUNG GUNS: Aged 19, Fijian lock Sanaila Waqa is in his first year out of Hastings Boys’ High School – he is 2.02m tall, very fast and a good athlete. Philpott regards him as a special talent with x-factor. Jonah Lowe, younger brother of Karl, is a promising midfield back also straight out of school.

SEASON PROSPECTS: Philpott says having the Ranfurly Shield can be both a blessing and a hindrance. “It always makes you play well at home but can create pressures away from home. The key for us is winning a Champion-ship and to do that you probably need to win more than 50 per cent of your away games.”

www.hbmagpies.co.nz

INSPIRATIONAL:

Flanker BRENDON O’CONNOR will be

a key player for Hawke’s Bay.

ITM CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM PREVIEWSAutomatic promotion up to the ITM Premiership next year is the goal for these seven unions.

PLACED SEVENTH IN 2014: The Lions went from losing finalist in 2013 to relegation within a year. One win from 10 games was an unexpected return from a strong squad, although injuries impacted greatly on the final outcome.

KEY PLAYERS: New coach Earl Va’a says captain Brad Shields performed well under pressure last year. “He was a shining light in our campaign. He leads by example, but is also a good leader off-the-field with our young players. Flanker Ardie Savea, props Jeff Toomaga-Allen and Reggie Goodes have been in the environment for a while now and we will look to them to contribute in our leadership group.”

YOUNG GUN: Sam McNicol was a star for Napier Boys’ High School and New Zealand Schools in 2013 and is finally fit and raring to go. He is expected to make an impact from either fullback or wing. Highly regarded first-five Jonathan Bentley returns from overseas and likes to attack the line.

SEASON PROSPECTS: Coach Va’a is looking forward to the challenge ahead. “One area that I feel very strong about is for the boys to take ownership of what it means to be a Wellington Lion and how we conduct ourselves on and off the field. That all starts with our leadership group and our senior players.”

WELLINGTON

MOTIVATING: BRAD SHIELDS will lead the Lions again in 2015.

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NORTH HARBOURPLACED FIFTH IN 2014: It was a pleasing return to form for Harbour who missed out on a place in the semi-finals by just a point. A superb victory over Canter-bury at QBE Stadium was the undoubted highlight but there were plenty of other games that could have swung their way.KEY PLAYERS: Captain and halfback Bryn Hall missed the entire Super Rugby season with the Blues through injury. His inspirational style of play and leadership will be vital. Blues players James Parsons and Hayden Triggs bring plenty of experience. Chris Vui missed all of last season through injury but is one of the best young locks/blindside flankers in the competition.YOUNG GUN: Tevita Li was the star of the world cham-pion New Zealand Under-20s team. Coach Steve Jackson says he is expecting a big season from him, “I’m looking for him coming back and bringing that winning culture into our environment. We have a lot of young guys in our team who look up to him.”

SEASON PROSPECTS: “We are going to feel the full force of Bryn Hall being back and the style of the game we are going to play this year is really going to suit him,” says Jackson. “I am very excited about the season ahead. Rene Ranger may play part of our competition. If he does — that will be fantastic and I know the guys are excited about him joining us.”

PLACED FOURTH IN 2014: Repeating their 2013 finish, the Stags again placed fourth — with four wins, one draw and five losses. They started well with two straight wins but lost momentum before the emotional Ranfurly Shield challenge against Hawke’s Bay, a 20–20 draw.

KEY PLAYERS: Head coach Brad Mooar says he will be relying on a strong, core group of players. “We will be looking for big seasons from Woppa [Jamie Mackin-tosh], Josh Bekhuis, Elliot Dixon and Tim Boys, plus Lima Sopoaga and Willis Halaholo in the backline. We are definitely looking for some energy to come from the Highlanders boys.”

YOUNG GUN: Mooar sees huge potential in No. 8 Bill Fukofuka and fullback Junior Ngaluafe. “It will be good to see Bill kick-on from a really good debut season last year. He captained Tonga Under-20s at the world cup. Junior should provide plenty of x-factor and he showed real class at different stages last year.”

SEASON PROSPECTS: Coach Mooar has a good group of experienced players to work with. “We have a good bunch of guys together who get on well and will play for each other. We are really looking forward to the season. We are always looking to improve and certainly we learned plenty out of the campaign last year.”

SOUTHLAND

www.rugbysouthland.co.nz

HUGE TALENT: New Zealand Under-20s star TEVITA LI is set for

a big season with North Harbour.

YOUNG TALENT: Southland fullback JUNIOR

NGALUAFE will look to improve on some good

performances last year.

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W W W . I T M C U P. C O . N Z

ITM CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM PREVIEWS continued from PAGE 18

RUGBY201522

ITM CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM PREVIEWS continued from PAGE 21

22

NORTHLANDPLACED THIRD IN 2014: Northland Taniwha had a much improved season and were just beaten by Hawke’s Bay 26–21 in their semi-final, played in Napier.

KEY PLAYERS: Highlanders flanker Dan Pryor is out-standing but will miss the early part of the season recovering from injury. Blues hooker Matt Moulds is set for a big season and Namatahi Waa is a quality prop.

YOUNG GUN: Halfback Sam Nock was one of the most sought after players in the country after starring for Saint Kentigern College and New Zealand Schools. The 18-year-old is from Kerikeri and will form a top quality halves combination with Blues first-five Dan Bowden.

SEASON PROSPECTS: New head coach Richie Harris wants to change the players’ aspirations so they look further ahead than the ITM Cup. “They are all proud to play for Northland, which has a very strong element to it, but it is also a pathway to better things. We want to show to the players they are good enough, but it requires a real want and desire to push to the next level. We have a marker game for the season in round one against Hawke’s Bay and obviously we will not ignore the importance of that Ranfurly Shield game.”

PLACED SEVENTH IN 2014: The Steamers had a season to forget with injuries decimating the squad. The forward pack was competitive every game but inexperience in the backline cost them dearly in the tight games.

KEY PLAYERS: Blues lock Culum Retallick and No. 8 Carl Axtens have been named as co-captains. Midfielder Terrence Hepetema (Leicester Tigers), former Manawatu halfback Papa Wharewera, Canterbury hooker Seb Siataga, former Highlanders fullback Craig Clare and Hawke’s Bay winger Brynn Uriarau join a strong collec-tion of home-grown Steamers.

YOUNG GUN: Chase Tiatia, 20, was a revelation for Wellington Under-19s and has an uncanny ability to make things happen. He can play first-five but has been selected as an outside back. Melbourne Rebels and Australian Under-20s centre Lalakai Foketi has joined from Bayonne in France and is highly regarded, as is New Zealand Under-20s prop Aidan Ross.

SEASON PROSPECTS: New head coach Clayton Mc- Millan has named 15 new players, many with international pedigree. “We are looking forward to earning the respect of our supporters and stakeholders by playing with passion and a brand of rugby synonymous with the Bay of Plenty,” he says. The squad is undoubtedly stronger with more depth in key positions than the last two years.

www.taniwha.co.nz

FEARLESS: Flanker DAN PRYOR

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ITM CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM PREVIEWS continued from PAGE 22

OTAGO

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PLACED SIXTH IN 2014: Otago disappoint-ed with a second-to-last finish last year, having three wins from 10 games. They started well enough with two wins from their opening three games but then their form fell away as they won just once more.

KEY PLAYERS: New coach Cory Brown picked out a few players to watch. “Prop Aki Seiuli and flanker James Lentjes will be important. Hooker Liam Coltman is going to be a huge player. He is pretty experienced now, so hopefully what he did at Super Rugby — he can drag a couple of others up to his level. Halfback Josh Renton is looking forward to a big ITM Cup and moving on to Super [Rugby] after that.”

YOUNG GUN: Brown highly rates first-five Fletcher Smith and winger Gavin Stark. “Fletcher has a phenomenal skill set. He is a young [No.] 10 who just missed out on the New Zealand Under-20s and has play-ed particularly well for his club. Gavin is very quick and scores a lot of tries. He is big and strong and is another key young player who will have a good ITM Cup.”

SEASON PROSPECTS: Brown is very posi-tive about the season, especially after the Highlanders success. “It is outstanding what they achieved and these are exciting times down in Dunedin. We are going to go out there and certainly finish better than last year. I want the guys to be better individually and collectively. The players are hurting about what happened and they have something to prove. The only way to do that is on the pitch.”

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RUGBY201526 W W W . H E A R T L A N D C H A M P I O N S H I P. C O . N Z

The 10th edition of the hugely popular Pink® Batts® Heartland Championship will feature night rugby for the first time.

Wairarapa Bush will test their new lights and artificial turf at Masterton’s Trust House Memorial Park on Saturday August 29, when they will face last season’s Lochore Cup finalists North Otago. In week eight of the competition, on Saturday October 10, King Country will take on East Coast under the new lights at Taupo’s Owen Delany Park.

Both night games kick-off at 7.30 pm and will add even more interest and prestige to this outstanding competi-tion that continues to grow in popularity.

The season began early for Wairarapa Bush, Horo-whenua Kapiti and Mid Canterbury when they took on Hawke’s Bay — with the Ranfurly Shield at stake. The early season challenges are now an established part of the Shield programme and a huge boost to promoting rugby in the heartland.

MATCH SCHEDULE: Home team listed first.

WEEK 1.SATURDAY AUGUST 22Buller v King Country Westport 2.30 pmEast Coast v Poverty Bay Ruatoria 2.30 pmHorowhenua Kapiti v Wanganui Levin 2.30 pmMid Canterbury v South Canterbury Ashburton 2.30 pmNorth Otago v West Coast Oamaru 2.30 pmThames Valley v Wairarapa Bush Paeroa 2.30 pm

WEEK 2.SATURDAY AUGUST 29King Country v Horowhenua Kapiti Te Kuiti 2.30 pmPoverty Bay v Thames Valley Gisborne 2.30 pmSouth Canterbury v East Coast Timaru 2.30 pmWanganui v Mid Canterbury Wanganui 2.30 pmWest Coast v Buller Greymouth 2.30 pmWairarapa Bush v North Otago Masterton 7.30 pm

WEEK 3.SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 5Thames Valley v East Coast Paeroa 2.00 pmBuller v Wairarapa Bush Westport 2.30 pmHorowhenua Kapiti v Poverty Bay Waikanae 2.30 pmMid Canterbury v King Country Ashburton 2.30 pmNorth Otago v Wanganui Oamaru 2.30 pmSouth Canterbury v West Coast Timaru 2.30 pm

WEEK 4.SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 12East Coast v Horowhenua Kapiti Ruatoria 2.30 pmKing Country v Thames Valley Taupo 2.30 pmPoverty Bay v North Otago Gisborne 2.30 pmWairarapa Bush v South Canterbury Masterton 2.30 pmWanganui v Buller Wanganui 2.30 pmWest Coast v Mid Canterbury Greymouth 2.30 pm

WEEK 5.SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 19Buller v Poverty Bay Westport 2.30 pmHorowhenua Kapiti v North Otago Levin 2.30 pmMid Canterbury v East Coast Ashburton 2.30 pmSouth Canterbury v Thames Valley Timaru 2.30 pmWanganui v King Country Wanganui 2.30 pmWest Coast v Wairarapa Bush Greymouth 2.30 pm

WEEK 6.SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26Thames Valley v Wanganui Paeroa 2.00 pmEast Coast v West Coast Ruatoria 2.30 pmKing Country v South Canterbury Te Kuiti 2.30 pmNorth Otago v Buller Oamaru 2.30 pmPoverty Bay v Mid Canterbury Gisborne 2.30 pmWairarapa Bush v Horowhenua Kapiti Masterton 2.30 pm

WEEK 7.SATURDAY OCTOBER 3Mid Canterbury v Horowhenua Kapiti Ashburton 2.00 pmBuller v Thames Valley Westport 2.30 pmEast Coast v Wairarapa Bush Ruatoria 2.30 pmSouth Canterbury v North Otago Timaru 2.30 pmWanganui v Poverty Bay Wanganui 2.30 pmWest Coast v King Country Greymouth 2.30 pm

WEEK 8.SATURDAY OCTOBER 10Thames Valley v West Coast Paeroa 2.00 pm Horowhenua Kapiti v Buller Levin 2.30 pmNorth Otago v Mid Canterbury Oamaru 2.30 pmPoverty Bay v South Canterbury Gisborne 2.30 pmWairarapa Bush v Wanganui Masterton 2.30 pmKing Country v East Coast Taupo 7.30 pm

WEEK 9 SEMI-FINALS for Meads and Lochore CupsSaturday October 17 — SEMI-FINALS FOR LOCHORE CUP

5th ranked team from pool round v Venue tbc 2.30 pm 8th ranked team from pool round6th ranked team from pool round v Venue tbc 2.30 pm7th ranked team from pool round Saturday October 17 — SEMI-FINALS FOR MEADS CUP

Top ranked team from pool round v Venue tbc 2.30 pm 4th ranked team from pool round2nd ranked team from pool round v Venue tbc 2.30 pm 3rd ranked team from pool round

WEEK 10 FINALS for Meads and Lochore CupsSaturday October 24 — MEADS CUP FINAL

Winner semi-final 1 v Winner semi-final 2 1.35 pmSunday October 25 — LOCHORE CUP FINAL

Winner semi-final 1 v Winner semi-final 2 2.35 pm

For.all.up-to-date.information.about.the.Pink® Batts® HEARTLAND CHAMPIONSHIP.please.visit.www.rugbyheartland.co.nz

PINK® BATTS® HEARTLAND CHAMPIONSHIP DRAW

The Heartland Championship gets underway on August 22. Back-to-back Meads Cup champions Mid Canterbury start their campaign at home in Ashburton against local rivals South Canterbury.

Lochore Cup champions Wanganui head south to Levin to face Horowhenua Kapiti in their opening match.

Last year’s Meads Cup finalists Buller host King Country in Westport, neighbours East Coast and Poverty Bay square-off in Ruatoria, North Otago take on the West Coast in Oamaru, and Thames Valley and Wairarapa Bush meet in Paeroa.

This is the fourth year since there was a major overhaul of the Heartland Championship format and the same structure is in place for 2015.

The eight-week competition will be followed by semi-finals on October 17, and the Meads Cup and Lochore Cup champions are decided in finals televised live on SKY TV on October 24 and 25, respectively.

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W W W . R U G B Y W O R L D C U P. C O M

It is hard to believe it has been nearly four years since Andy Ellis kicked the ball into touch and referee Craig Joubert brought to an end the 2011 Rugby World Cup final.

The All Blacks had hung on for dear life over the final stages, holding a slender 8–7 margin against a rejuven-ated French team that refused to submit. For many at the ground, and watching in their millions around the world, it was almost too much to bear.

But prevail they did and a nation drew breath at the end of one of the greatest tournaments of any era. That unfor-gettable night at Eden Park was filled with enough drama to fill a season’s worth of international rugby. Who will ever forget replacement player Stephen Donald kicking the winning penalty after being summoned from a fishing holiday? It is the stuff of fiction writers, surely.

Most importantly, it was when the All Blacks finally put to bed so many demons from failed campaigns of the past.

Their 2011 triumph repeated the success of 1987 when the All Blacks won the inaugural title at a very different-looking Eden Park. New Zealand, South Africa and Aus-tralia have each held aloft the Webb Ellis Cup twice, with England a winner on one occasion from a total of seven tournaments played.

And now it is England who will host the 2015 version of this glittering array of the world’s best rugby players.

The tournament opens in the early hours of September 19 (New Zealand time) when England play Fiji at Twicken-ham, and will finish with the grand final on November 1 back at the home of English rugby.

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 21: New Zealand v Argentina ............................ London ........................ 3:45 am

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25: New Zealand v Namibia .............................. London ........................ 7:00 am

SATURDAY OCTOBER 03: New Zealand v Georgia ............................... Cardiff ......................... 8:00 am

SATURDAY OCTOBER 10: New Zealand v Tonga .................................. Newcastle ................... 8:00 am PLEASE NOTE: Game dates and times are stated in New Zealand time — not local time

2015 RUGBY WORLD CUP ALL BLACK FIXTURES VENUE TIME SCORE

The All Blacks are in Group C alongside Argentina, Georgia, Namibia and Tonga. Their tournament begins against Argentina on Sunday September 20 at the 90,000- capacity Wembley Stadium.

The All Blacks will be the top-ranked team going into Rugby World Cup after fashioning an almost perfect record since the end of 2011 that no other team can match.

Across the 2012, 2013 and 2014 international seasons, the All Blacks have played 42 games and secured 38 wins, had two losses and also two draws. In 2013 they became the first Test team of the professional era to secure a 100 per cent record through a season when they won all 14 of their games. The previous unbeaten season was also by the All Blacks in 1997 when they won 11 successive tests before drawing 26–26 with England at Twickenham.

There is no doubt that this All Blacks team under the outstanding captaincy of Richie McCaw and astute man-agement of head coach Steve Hanson will be as well-prepared as humanly possible.

New Zealand has every chance of becoming the first nation to win three Rugby World Cup titles — and the first to defend their crown.

Every rugby fan around the world knows there are no guarantees, which makes the winner of a tournament like Rugby World Cup so hard to pick.

But, there is one certainty. Every New Zealander will be hoping that it is McCaw who gets to hold aloft the Webb Ellis Cup at Twickenham on Saturday 31 October 2015.

RUGBY201528

Rugby.World.Cup.2015.kicks-off.in.London.next.month..Can.the..All.Blacks.win.the.title.for.a.record.third.time?.

WORLD’S BEST: BRODIE RETALLICK

will want to recapture his best form that saw

him awarded the 2014 IRB PLAYER

OF THE YEAR.

RUGBY WORLD CUP 2015 PREVIEW BY PETER WHITE

RUGBY2015

All match times are British Standard Time (BST) except for those played on or after October 25 which are GMT. All times are correct at time of going to press but are subject to change. For up-to-date information on the Rugby World Cup 2015 visit.www.rugbyworldcup.com

RWC 2015 MATCH SCHEDULE

POOL AAUSTRALIAENGLANDWALESFIJIURUGUAY

FRI, SEPT 18, 20:00 Twickenham, LondonENGLAND v FIJI

SUN, SEPT 20, 14:30 CardiffWALES.v.URUGUAY

WED, SEPT 23, 16:45 CardiffAUSTRALIA.v.FIJI

SAT, SEPT 26, 20:00 Twickenham, LondonENGLAND.v.WALES

SUN, SEPT 27, 12:00 Villa Park, Birmingham AUSTRALIA.v.URUGUAY

THU, OCT 1, 16:45 Cardiff WALES.v.FIJI

SAT, OCT 3, 20:00 Twickenham, LondonENGLAND.v.AUSTRALIA

TUE, OCT 6, 20:00 Milton KeynesFIJI.v.URUGUAY

SAT, OCT 10, 16:45 Twickenham, LondonAUSTRALIA.v.WALES

SAT, OCT 10, 20:00 Manchester City StadiumENGLAND.v.URUGUAY

QUARTER FINAL 1SAT, OCT 17, 16:00 Twickenham, LondonWINNER.POOL.B..v.RUNNER-UP.POOL.A

POOL BSOUTH.AFRICASAMOASCOTLANDJAPANUSA

SAT, SEPT 19, 16:45 Brighton SOUTH.AFRICA.v.JAPAN

SUN, SEPT 20, 12:00 BrightonSAMOA.v.USA

WED, SEPT 23, 14:30 GloucesterSCOTLAND.v.JAPAN

SAT, SEPT 26, 16:45 Villa Park, BirminghamSOUTH.AFRICA.v.SAMOA

SUN, SEPT 27, 14:30 Elland Road, Leeds SCOTLAND.v.USA

SAT, OCT 3, 14:30 Milton Keynes SAMOA.v.JAPAN

SAT, OCT 3, 16:45 St James’ Park, NewcastleSOUTH.AFRICA.v.SCOTLAND

WED, OCT 7, 16:45 Olympic Stadium, LondonSOUTH.AFRICA.v.USA

SAT, OCT 10, 14:30 St James’ Park, NewcastleSAMOA.v.SCOTLAND

SUN, OCT 11, 20:00 GloucesterUSA.v.JAPAN

QUARTER FINAL 2SAT, OCT 17, 20:00 CardiffWINNER.POOL.C..v.RUNNER-UP.POOL.D

POOL CNEW.ZEALANDARGENTINATONGAGEORGIANAMIBIA

SAT, SEPT 19, 12:00 GloucesterTONGA.v.GEORGIA

SUN, SEPT 20, 16:45 Wembley StadiumNEW.ZEALAND.v.ARGENTINA

THU, SEPT 24, 20:00 Olympic StadiumNEW.ZEALAND.v.NAMIBIA

FRI, SEPT 25, 16:45 GloucesterARGENTINA.v.GEORGIA

TUE, SEPT 29, 16:45 Sandy Park, Exeter TONGA.v.NAMIBIA

FRI, OCT 2, 20:00 Cardiff NEW.ZEALAND.v.GEORGIA

SUN, OCT 4, 14:30 Leicester City StadiumARGENTINA.v.TONGA

WED, OCT 7, 20:00 Sandy Park, ExeterNAMIBIA.v.GEORGIA

FRI, OCT 9, 20:00 St James’ Park, NewcastleNEW.ZEALAND.v.TONGA

SUN, OCT 11, 12:00 Leicester City StadiumARGENTINA.v.NAMIBIA

QUARTER FINAL 3SUN, OCT 18, 13:00 CardiffWINNER.POOL.D..v.RUNNER-UP.POOL.C

POOL DFRANCEIRELANDITALYCANADAROMANIA

SAT, SEPT 19, 14:30 CardiffIRELAND.v.CANADA

SAT, SEPT 19, 20:00 TwickenhamFRANCE.v.ITALY

WED, SEPT 23, 20:00 Olympic StadiumFRANCE.v.ROMANIA

SAT, SEPT 26, 14:30 Elland Road, LeedsITALY.v.CANADA

SUN, SEPT 27, 16:45 Wembley Stadium IRELAND.v.ROMANIA

THU, OCT 1, 20:00 Milton Keynes FRANCE.v.CANADA

SUN, OCT 4, 16:45 Olympic Stadium, LondonIRELAND.v.ITALY

TUE, OCT 6, 16:45 Leicester City StadiumCANADA.v.ROMANIA

SUN, OCT 11, 14:30 Sandy Park, ExeterITALY.v.ROMANIA

SUN, OCT 11, 16:45 CardiffFRANCE.v.IRELAND

QUARTER FINAL 4SUN, OCT 18, 16:00 Twickenham, LondonWINNER.POOL.A..v.RUNNER-UP.POOL.B

SEMI-FINAL 1SAT, OCT 24, 16:00 Twickenham, LondonWINNER.QUARTER-FINAL.1..v.WINNER.QUARTER-FINAL.2

SEMI-FINAL 2SUN, OCT 25, 16:00 Twickenham, LondonWINNER.QUARTER-FINAL.3..v.WINNER.QUARTER-FINAL.4

BRONZE FINALFRI, OCT 30, 20:00 Olympic Stadium, LondonRUNNER-UP.SEMI-FINAL.1..v.RUNNER-UP.SEMI-FINAL.2

FINALSAT, OCT 31, 16:00 Twickenham, LondonWINNER.SEMI-FINAL.1..v.WINNER.SEMI-FINAL.2

30 W W W . R U G B Y W O R L D C U P. C O MRUGBY2015

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andmusic.Stream and listen with great qualityfrom your Smart TV, with access tomusic services like iHeartRadio andPandora. Chill out or entertain witha huge variety of genres and playlists.Music appreciation from yourtelevision has never been easier!

andgames.Don’t just play games, experiencegames. With Smart TVs, experiencegames better with your consolegames and your favourite gameapps. Beat your best score or getcompetitive with multi-user options.

VISIT YOUR LOCAL HARVEY NORMAN STOREAND LEARN MORE ABOUT ANDROID TV

Thinkof the content you love to experience via your Smartphoneor tablet - nowyou canenjoy thembigger andbetterthanever onBravia.ModelledonGoogle’s pioneeringoperating system,Sony’sAndroidTV is powerful,

easy touse andunbelievably intelligent.StreamNetflix*4, listen to iHeartRadioorplay your favourite games.AndroidTVwill changeyourTVexperience forever.

$4988Sony 75”(190cmv) FullHD Smart*3 LEDTV with 3Dcapability.

BONUS$200

HARVEY NORMANGIFT CARD

when you purchasethis Android TV*2

190c

mvPerfect for

the big game!