Counties Manukau (Mitre 10 Cup)

Counties Manukau (often known as the Counties Manukau Steelers) are a New Zealand professional rugby union team based in Pukekohe, New Zealand. Established in 1976, they play in the Mitre 10 Cup, the provincial tournament in New Zealand. They play their home games at Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe in the Auckland region. The team is affiliated with the Chiefs Super Rugby franchise. Their home playing colours are black, white and red.

For the Counties Manukau governing body, see Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union.
Counties Manukau
UnionCounties Manukau Rugby Football Union
Nickname(s)Steelers
Founded1976 (1976)
LocationPukekohe, New Zealand
Ground(s)Navigation Homes Stadium (Capacity: 12,000)
CEOAaron Lawton[1]
Coach(es)Tai Lavea
Captain(s)Lyndon Dunshea & Orbyn Leger
League(s)Mitre 10 Cup
20206th, Championship Division
Team kit
Official website
www.steelers.co.nz/steelers-heat/

Current squad

The Counties Manukau Steelers squad for the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup is:[2][3]

Counties Manukau Steelers squad

Props

Hookers

Locks

Loose forwards

Half-backs (Scrum-halves)

First five-eighths (Fly-halves)

Midfielders (Centres)

Outside backs

(c) Denotes team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped, REP denotes a replacement squad player.
  1. Muir was not included in the original Counties Manukau squad, but subsequently joined the side in September 2020 as a replacement[4]
  2. Rarasea was not included in the original Counties Manukau squad, but subsequently joined the side in September 2020 as a replacement[5]

Honours

Counties Manukau have been overall Champions on one occasion, winning the title in 1979. Their full list of honours include:[6][7]

National Provincial Championship First Division
  • Winners: 1979
National Provincial Championship Second Division
  • Winners: 1993
ITM Cup Championship Division
  • Winners: 2012

Current Super Rugby players

Players named in the 2020 Counties Manukau Steelers squad, who also earned contracts or were named in a squad for any side participating in the 2020 Super Rugby season.[8][9][10][11][12][13]

Player Team
Kirisi Kuridrani Highlanders
Nepo Laulala Chiefs
Orbyn Leger Chiefs
Ezekiel Lindenmuth Blues
Donald Maka Chiefs
Tevita Nabura Highlanders
Etene Nanai-Seturo Chiefs
Conán O'Donnell Highlanders
Dalton Papalii Blues
Jonathan Taumateine Hurricanes

References
  1. "Staff". Counties Manukau Rugby. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  2. "Mitre 10 Cup Preview: Counties Manukau Steelers". Mitre 10 Cup. 31 August 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
  3. "2020 Counties Manukau PIC Steelers". Counties Manukau Rugby. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  4. "Strong PIC Steelers side confirmed for opener". Counties Manukau Rugby. 22 September 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  5. "Counties Manukau v Manawatu, Mitre 10 Cup, at Ecolight Stadium, 3rd October 2020". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  6. "National Provincial Championship winners, 1976–2014". Te Ara. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  7. "Mitre 10 Cup". Rugby Heartland. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  8. "Highlanders Reveal Refreshed Squad for 2020" (Press release). Highlanders. 12 November 2019. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  9. "2020 Gallagher Chiefs Squad Announced" (Press release). Chiefs. 12 November 2019. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  10. "Hard work edict for Blues 2020 squad" (Press release). Blues. 12 November 2019. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  11. "Nathan Harris to miss 2020 Investec Super Rugby Season" (Press release). Chiefs. 29 January 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  12. "Pulse Energy Highlanders name team to play the Brumbies" (Press release). Highlanders. 13 February 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  13. "Hurricanes unveil 2020 roster" (Press release). Hurricanes. 12 November 2019. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
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