Farah Palmer Cup: Canterbury on the prowl for fifth-straight title

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Canterbury celebrate winning their fourth-straight Farah Palmer Cup title in 2020.

The Crusaders aren’t the only team in town on a hefty title-winning run.

Canterbury can keep pace with five titles in as many years if they go on to be crowned Farah Palmer Cup champions in nine weeks.

The red and blacks are favourites to do so ahead of their season-opening home clash with Counties Manukau at Rugby Park in Christchurch on Saturday afternoon.

However, they’re bracing for a significantly tougher challenge than a year ago as the competition reverts to its previous format.

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Canterbury had to dig mighty deep to make it four titles in as many years last season.

READ MORE:* Kendra Cocksedge’s decision not to retire after World Cup postponement paying off* Rugby: Steph Te-Ohaere-Fox returns to Canterbury after second baby* Canterbury coach Blair Baxter doubts his team’s feat will be repeated* Black Ferns’ contenders have big chance to stake selection claim

Gone are the north and south groups, replaced by the premiership and championship model, meaning Canterbury will be tested early and often.

“I think it’s better for everyone. More competitive games, which is always good thing. You saw last year that pressure in the final, we hadn’t had that as much all season. So when it comes to it, it will be good to have that throughout the round games,” Canterbury captain Alana Bremner said.

She was referring to their last-gasp win against Waikato in the 2020 final, when lock Cindy Nelles barged over well after the hooter to steal an 8-7 win.

Canterbury had coasted through the regular season, virtually notching cricket scores every week in what was a vastly weaker south pool.

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Canterbury head coach Blair Baxter.

Waikato, Canterbury’s opponent in week two, Auckland and Counties Manukau are tipped to be the biggest threats to their title charge.

“Our girls like to be playing the best week in, week out. And that pressure they’re going to be playing under is only going to make them better,” Canterbury coach Blair Baxter said.

“We haven’t won anything this group. But there is a large portion that know how to win. To keep them fresh, keep an edge, it’s around mixing up their trainings, constantly challenging their skill set. And they are well aware that there is growth in their game.”

Baxter, assisted by Tony Christie, Whitney Hansen and Melissa Ruscoe, is heading into his second season in charge, having taken over the team which won three straight titles under Wayne Love and Kieran Kite.

The target on their backs has only got bigger since then, not that they mind being the team everyone wants to tip over.

“You’ve always got your target on your back and players always get up that 20 per cent when you are playing a dominant team. We used to try and do the same against Auckland,” Canterbury halfback Kendra Cocksedge said.

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Canterbury halfback Kendra Cocksedge and the red and blacks celebrate beating Waikato in the FPC final last year.

“For us, it’s always finding that smaller thing that’s going to make us better as a side. We create such a good culture here. For me individually, I thrive on that pressure and thrive on that excitement of that challenge.”

Cocksedge is one of a host of Black Ferns only playing in this year’s competition because the postponement of the World Cup on home soil ensured their availability.

However, unlike last year, Black Ferns sevens players – tied up with the Tokyo Olympics – will miss the majority of the competition.

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Auckland’s Daynah Nankivell on the charge against Canterbury during last year’s semfinal in Christchurch.

“Some of the girls might be back post Tokyo in that finals series maybe,” Baxter said.

Canterbury have lost a few players, including wing Martha Lolohea, who is taking a year off, but have been bolstered by the return of experienced front rower Steph Te Ohaere-Fox, and the arrival of Black Fern Amy du Plessis from Otago.

Three of the five new faces in their squad are coming from other codes, including trampolinist Bronwyn Dibb.

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Waikato are again expected to contend for the Farah Palmer Cup title in 2021.

She won silver in the trampoline world champs in Tokyo in 2019, and will take a break from rugby in a fortnight for the New Zealand championships.

Emma Dermody (netball) and lock Stacey Naio, a now former prominent member of New Zealand’s women’s volleyball team, will also debut on Saturday.

“I had my last game of national league volleyball last week and told everyone that I’m playing rugby now and focusing on that. Everyone was really supportive of my decision and just wished me all the best,” Naio said.

FARAH PALMER CUP 2021

Premiership teams: Canterbury, Waikato, Counties Manukau, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Otago

Championship teams: Manawatū, Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay, North Harbour, Northland, Tasman.

Format: Top four teams in respective groups make semifinals. Last placed premiership team is replaced by winner of championship in 2022.

Starts: July 17 premiership only, July 24 championship

Finals: September 10

Round one games

Saturday: Auckland v Bay of Plenty, Eden Park, 12.05pm; Canterbury v Counties Manukau, Rugby Park, 2.05pm

Sunday: Wellington v Otago, Jerry Collins Stadium, 11.35am

Canterbury v Counties Manukau

Where: Rugby Park, Christchurch

When: Saturday, 2.05pm

Canterbury: Rosie Kelly, Izzy Waterman, Grace Brooker, Liv McGoverne, Tayla Simpson, TeRauoriwa Gapper. Kendra Cocksedge, Lucy Anderson, Lucy Jenkins, Alana Bremner (c), Chelsea Bremner, Stacey Naio, Amy Rule, Rebecca Todd, Pip Love. Reserves: Steph Te Ohaere-Fox, Trina Greenslade, Amy Milne, Emma Dermody, Marcelle Parkes, Mel Puckett, Grace Steinmetz, Bronwyn Dibb.

Counties Manukau: Emily Kitson, Waikohika Flesher, Shyanne Thompson, Kataraina Enosa-Taifau, Taina Halasima, Hazel Tubic, Leititia Vaka, Harono Te Iringa, Ti Tauasosi, Glory Aiono, Amiria Te Iringa, Rebecca Burch, Leilani Perese, Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, Shaye Adams. Reserves: Cathy Leuta, Kalo Cuthers, Jacqui Aiono, Louise Taelega, Stacey Brown, Aeron Warbrooke, Cortez Te Pou, Shonte To’a.