Schmidt promises dollar-a-point

OPINION: Former Woodville man and soon to be the Leinster rugby coach in Ireland, Jo Schmidt, is doing his bit for the Manawatu Turbos.

When back in Palmerston North a few days ago, Schmidt signed up to a dollar-a-point scheme to help the Manawatu Rugby Union's stretched financials.

Schmidt will pay a dollar for every point the Turbos score this season. Last year they managed 305 points, and as Schmidt said, if 500 people signed up, that would bring in more than $150,000.

"It's a manageable amount for people, a great idea," he said. "I'll be supporting them from afar."

The Save The Turbos campaign helped save them last year but that was a oncer.

Palmerston North's Paul O'Brien, in his role as an ambassador for the Manawatu region, fields lots of call from people on subjects associated with Manawatu.

He had a quirky one the other day from a gent who said there was credence to Andy Haden's comments about the makeup of players being brought in by Canterbury.

"All the players from Manawatu have been white locks," the caller said.

The declining output from Manawatu Jets American import Richard Jeter must have the fans wondering what has happened to the former points machine.

The American averaged 25 across the first five games of the season, but his average has dropped to 16.9 as coach Ryan Weisenberg became fed up with his inconsistency. In the past three fixtures Jeter has scored only 16 points and Weisenberg has had to turn him into a bench player.

Jeter's scores make erratic reading: 29, 11, 30, 29, 25, 16, 17, 7, 14, 0, 34, 17, 25, 8, 6, 2.

Sometimes it pays to be in the most accommodating line of work. Palmerston North travel broker Steve Lee has received notice to be on a flight for Nelspruit, South Africa, on Thursday.

He will be away for five nights to attend the All Whites' game Fifa world Cup next weekend against Italy. If it's good enough for John Key and his son, it's good enough for Steve.

A former All Black was spotted playing rugby for the College Old Boys' president's social team a week ago.

It was none other than former Crusaders No8 Mose Tuiali'i, whose brother-in-law lives in Palmerston North.

Tuiali'i wanted a runaround so the pressies were happy to accommodate. The last we heard he was earning yen playing for Japanese club Yamaha Jubilo.

The rumour Sonny Bill Williams might play rugby for Manawatu is without foundation, but Turbos physiotherapist Mike Harnett would love to see it happen.

He said if it was mentioned to Sonny Bill, he might like to operate under Dave Rennie, one of the country's best backs coaches, Harnett would be prepared to contribute towards him coming.

A couple of packed home games would recoup the cost.

- © Fairfax NZ News