MEDIA RELEASE
28 March 2019

Taranaki Rugby has been bolstered by the signings of Craig Clarke as forwards coach and loose forward duo Heiden Bedwell-Curtis and Kaylum Boshier for the 2019 Mitre 10 Cup.

Clarke captained Taranaki from 2010 until 2012 and Bedwell-Curtis returns to the province after previously representing the amber and blacks in 2012 where he played 2 non-competition matches. Boshier, brother of Lachlan, is out of the Taranaki U19 programme and New Plymouth Old Boys club.

Yarrows Taranaki head coach Willie Rickards said he is delighted with the arrival of the signings and first welcomed Clarke, who replaces Paul Tito, to the management team.

“We always felt that Paul’s replacement was in Taranaki. The local forwards coaches in our province are of a very high calibre and we saw value in appointing someone in our local club or school system. Craig certainly fits the profile that we were looking for in terms of being a current club coach, with Southern (forwards coach).

“Craig is a loyal and trusting individual who deeply cares about this team and province, it’s great to have him back”, Rickards said.

Clarke said he is very proud to be back involved in a team that has given him so much.

“I will bring a balanced outlook to the role. I very much demand growth and performance at an individual level so that our forward pack can operate like a Taranaki pack should”.

Clarke was the captain of Taranaki when the amber and blacks claimed the Ranfurly Shield off Southland in 2011, 15-12 – one of 69 appearances between 2007 and 2012. He started his domestic career with Canterbury in 2002. He also co-captained the Chiefs to back-to-back Super Rugby titles in 2012 and 2013.

The 35-year-old played 71 matches for the Chiefs after playing three games for the Crusaders and 13 for the Hurricanes.

He moved to play for Connacht in the Pro12 after the 2013 Super Rugby season, before moving back to Hawera with his wife Veree and their three children to farm in South Taranaki.

Meanwhile, Inglewood’s Heiden Bedwell-Curtis’ signing strengthens Taranaki’s options at loose forward.

Bedwell-Curtis will move back to Taranaki after spending time playing 50 matches for Manawatu between 2013 and 2018 in the Mitre 10 Cup. Following his time at New Plymouth Boys High School, he represented Inglewood in club rugby.

Rickards said Bedwell-Curtis is an exciting signing this year.

“It’s great to bring another local boy home. Heiden had a lot of interest from competing teams but wanted to be apart of the solution around getting Taranaki back to producing good performances. His attitude reflects his high character and passion for Taranaki.

“Heiden brings leadership qualities, is combative and has a mature and measured approach to the game. He will add great value to the team”.

This isn’t the first time Rickards and Bedwell-Curtis have connected. Bedwell-Curtis was the captain of the Taranaki sevens team which won the national title in 2013, which was coached by Rickards.

Bedwell-Curtis can’t wait until he returns to his home province close to his family and back around familiar surroundings.

“I get to play where it all started for me. Back to Inglewood for club footy, living back in Taranaki with my family and my wife’s family close by also.

“I’m looking forward to pulling on the jersey for my first Mitre 10 Cup game for the province. I have friends that are keen to see me back in amber and black as well”, he said. 

A product of New Plymouth Boys High School, the 27-year-old played for Taranaki in 2012 against Wanganui and King Country, before breaking his cheekbone in a development match that ruled him out of that season.

He is currently with the Hurricanes following a season with the Mitsubitshi Dynaboars in Japan.

Boshier was a standout in the CMK club rugby competition last year and performed well in the Ranfurly Shield clash against Poverty Bay. He was a key member of the Taranaki U19 squad before breaking his arm in a seeding match which ruled him out of the Jock Hobbs Memorial National U19 Tournament and the rest of the 2018 representative programme.

A former New Zealand U19 cricket captain and Taranaki cricket representative, Boshier is a gifted athlete but is committed to rugby with the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls.

“We believe Kaylum has the potential to positively influence the future of Taranaki Rugby. He will join a core group of young and talented players that will form the ‘spine’ of the Yarrows Bulls team for the future”, Rickards said.

“His athleticism, leadership qualities and competitive edge create a point of difference which will prepare him to succeed in the professional environment”.  

In addition to Clarke, former Taranaki and Hurricanes hooker Laurence Corlett has been appointed as scrum coach after coaching Tukapa to a premier club title in 2017, with current Yarrows Bulls assistant coach Tim Stuck. Corlett replaces Jason Hooper who is coaching Inglewood in premier club rugby. High Performance Manager David Ormrod will manage the side in an additional change to the management group.

-ENDS-

For more information, please contact;
Will Johnston
TRFU Media Manager
027 348 3831
will@trfu.co.nz 

Article added: Thursday 28 March 2019