Api & Kez milestones
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Api Manuel reaches 100 games and Kieran Black makes the blazer club with 50 Division 1 appearances.
Over the past two weeks these two outstanding New Brighton players reached milestones for the div 1 side. Api Manuel celebrated his 100th div 1 game with a fine win over Old Boys on July 16th. The following week on Blazer day Kieran Black got his blazer for his 50th div 1 appearance. Api first played div 1 10 years ago and has played almost as many games for div 2. This shows what an outstanding club man he is. Happy to be part of the div 2 set while consistently improving his game to the stage now where he has played every div 1 game this season. A guard of honour by his former div 2 team mates as Api ran onto the field showed the respect he carries in both teams. Was also great to see some emotion from the hard man at speeches, which reflected what it meant to Api to join the 100 club. This is something very special which can never be taken away from him. Div 2 coach Dennis Cations and Div 1 coach Steve Crotty spoke on behalf of the club and the players when congratulating Api on his fine achievement.
Kieran Black reached his 50th div 1 game and blazer the following week July 23rd v Christchurch. The guys had a narrow loss but the bonus point was all that was required to make the top 4 for the first time for a while. Div 2 also made the top 4 which was a great effort and the first time both times have made the top 4 together since 1996. Kieran came to New Brighton looking for a div 1 opportunity around 2006. He quickly became an outstanding open side flanker and made the Canterbury Metro Colts in 2008. Mid way through 2008 Kieran received an offer to play for Sanyo in Japan, rumoured to be a handsome six figure sum not through phone hacking, more because he told the boys).This was a wonderful opportunity to live the dream of a professional rugby player. With the support of his partner Judy, Kieran set off and played three seasons for Sanyo who have had a great run of success winning both the Japan Cup and Top League competitions in the past two years. Top League is similar to our super rugby and the Japan Cup has the format of an FA cup or Heineken cup where the teams start in pool play and win their way through to finals. Japan Cup starts with the top league sides as well as the teams just below and a couple of University sides. Kieran and Judy returned home after the Japanese earthquake and is currently finishing his last year in his teachers degree. We the club are very happy to have him back in the gold jersey. Kieran coming back to us from playing a higher level has been great as he has been leader on and off the field.
Posted on 27/07/2011