119 Kane Ferris - Playing for the Celebration Lions Chch Link
Unsure of Kane's occupation but he was still playing for Celebration Lions in Christchurch. Was also part of the 26 man squad for the Canterbury Bulls that played Wellington in the annual Centenary Shield match. He was injured during the Pirtek Cup period so didnt take the field for the Bulls.
Anyone have contacts in Christchurch? Be good to get a little more on Kane...
Hornets aim to rediscover sting
ANTHONY MORGAN
"We are not chokers".
This is what the Halswell Hornets will endeavour to prove as they enter their fourth straight grand final after having finished with the minor premiership in each of those seasons.
Halswell beat Sunday's opponents Celebration 50-16 in the 2011 final but they have come unstuck in extra time in the past two deciders to Hornby after producing the goods for the whole season.
Hornets coach Darrell Coad doesn't believe his side has a choking reputation.
"We looked at that game - the final last year - and it went for a long period of time," Coad said.
"Nearly 100 minutes of football, and the year before it went down to the wire as well, so I wouldn't say so much choking.
"I don't expect it to be anything different this year but hopefully this time we will be on the other side of the ledger."
The 2014 Hornets side has several new faces who have combined well with the experienced heads, which helped them take the minor premiership off Celebration after a strong back end of the season.
One of those new faces is former Celebration hooker Dan Moevao and he is looking forward to taking on his old side.
"I'm excited about it. To go against some of the old boys and some of my friends will be good," Moevao said.
Coad was happy with Moevao's form after he had an enforced layoff through concussion and he said another new face as well as a returning one has set their backline alight this season.
"Dan's had a little bit of time out this year through concussion so he's quite fresh at the moment and has been playing some really good football.
"It's good to see Jade Hoy back. He's come back from a stint off with injury and he has been really good for us this year, and young Ken Tofilau, our fullback, has been outstanding.
"He is up for New Zealand under-18 selection soon so I am sure he will have a good chance of making that."
Moevao crossed to Halswell from the Lions in the offseason and, while he has enjoyed his time at both clubs, he said there were plenty of differences between the two sides.
"Everyone is pretty committed here [at Halswell]," he said.
"I've enjoyed the atmosphere, everyone is really competitive. They are the sort of things I like.
"[At Celebration] the same guys would just turn up when we needed to. [The team culture] is bit of the same here but when it comes down to the real deal, you need everyone to be there."
Moevao expects
Kane Ferris to be Celebration's main ball player and he said the Hornets will have to look out for Lions halfback Kasiano Petelo.
"They've got a couple of players who are pretty handy, like their halfback Kasiano; he's pretty sneaky that little fella."
Another former Celebration player, Manu Weepu, said the loss of Kasi and Kyle Leka would be massive for the Lions and he hopes his side will capitalise on their absence.
"I think it is a huge loss for Celebration but that is the consequences for doing what they have done. Hopefully we can capitalise on it as I rate them as good players to play against," Weepu said.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/sport/10364173/Hornets-aim-to-rediscover-sting
Bulls recall experienced quartet
Former New Zealand Residents representatives Jonny Limmer, Chris Bamford and James Baxendale and
former Warrior Kane Ferris are back in the Canterbury Bulls rugby league squad.
New coach Darrell Coad named the quartet in a 26-man training squad to prepare for the May 31 Centenary Shield match against Wellington in Wellington.
Coad is also blooding New Zealand 18s representative Ken Tofilau, Papanui backs Izic Placid and James Wihongi and Alani Kakoi.
"I am really excited at the talent and experience within the squad," Coad said. "It will be trimmed to just 17 before heading to Wellington and that is going to be the toughest job, given all 26 squad members are displaying good form for their respective clubs."
"This is the beginning of the campaign for later in the year when we play in the national provincial championship and look to put the Bulls back up to where they should be on the national stage
"While this is the initial squad all premier players displaying good club form will be considered for future squads. The door is not closed on anyone"
The Bulls training squad is: Erwin Sauni (Halswell Hornets), Kasi Leka (Celebration Lions), James Wihongi (Papanui Tigers), Craig Smith (Hornby Panthers), Bruce Havea (Celebration), Kyle Pauro (Halswell), Izic Placid (Papanui), John Tafua (Celebration), Sean McDowell (Linwood), Ken Tofilau (Halswel), Jordan Kane (Halswell), Jonny Limmer (Hornby), Chris Bamford (Celebration), Kyle Leka (Celebration), Dan Moevao (Halswell), James Baxendale (Hornby), Jaye Pukepuke (Papanui), J J Smith (Aranui Eagles), Jessie Rodgers (Halswell), Alani Kakoi (Celebration), Rakatau Rawiri (Linwood), Vincent Paul (Aranui), Darren Tonihi (Papanui), Paul Sauni (Halswell),
Kane Ferris (Celebration), Will Tafua (Halswell).
https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/sport/9990665/Bulls-recall-experienced-quartet