Eden Park to Easton Park for Kahn

Eden Park to Easton Park for Kahn

Former Crusaders halfback and Samoa representative Kahn Fotuali’i will play a game of international rugby at Eden Park in Auckland tonight, then jump on a plane to make it home in time to play for his Foxton club in its Horowhenua-Kāpiti season semi-final against Waikanae less than 24 hours later.

The evergreen halfback/first five-eighth joins a Pacific Island All Stars team playing a Classic All Blacks team as a curtain-raiser to the test match between Scotland and Samoa.

Kahn, now aged 43 (pictured left), has played rugby all over the world. Un his prime he was rated one of the best halfbacks in world rugby, but for the past few seasons has been a regular of the reigning premier grade champion Foxton team.

Once upon a time he came close to All Blacks selection after forcing incumbent All Black Andy Ellis to the Crusaders bench for much of the 2010 Super Rugby campaign.

Foxton coach Tom Zimmerman says he has no qualms about Kahn backing up from the Eden Park match.

“He’s in good nick. He’s fit as,” Tom says. “He’s training to run a marathon at the end of the year.”

In 2011 Kahn joined top Welsh side Ospreys. In 2014, he signed with Northampton Saints and played there for three years, before playing three seasons at Bath. In the 2019-20 season he signed with French team Montpellier. Earlier in his career he played for both Hawke’s Bay and Tasman.

Kahn adds experience to an exciting Foxton backline that has scored plenty of tries this season and 495 point in 12 games – more than 100 points more than any other team – with Joeli Rauca and fullback Arana Murphy adding plenty of punch.

Arana has been wearing the number 23 jersey after the club made the decision to retire the number 15 jersey for the season as a mark of respect for club stalwart Ivan Coley, who died earlier this year. Ivan played his rugby at fullback for Foxton and was a club patron, a life member and former president, coach and committee member of the club.

It will be a big day for the club with their senior reserve team also earning a semi-final, playing Athletic in the curtainraiser.

Meanwhile, the other semi-final action is at Ōtaki Domain, with Rāhui hosting Paraparaumu in the premier semi-final and Levin College Old Boys in the senior B semi-final.

Both Rāhui teams earned home semi-finals last season, too.

Ramsbotham Cup  – teams

Foxton: George Jacobs, Jeremy David, Dion Mcerlean, William Lander, Kale Eriksson, Alby Hemopo, Dino Rutten, Makaere Harvey, Tema Tihema, Kahn Fotuali’I, Shaun Sue, Connor Paki, Joeli Rauca, Josh Sanson, Arana Murphy, Massie Harvey, Tevita Fehoko, Dave McErlean, Michael Laursen, Mason Pakau-Wallace, Kenny Hill, Moses Pearce.

Waikanae: Sam Gouk, Kolino Koto, Scott Cameron, Sam Gardner, Seth Stewart, Aaron Lahmert, George To, Jah Tarrant, Jaxon Poutama, Cam Bond, Esala Banuve, Jamie Hinds, Taine Hata, Suia Fotu, Shane Osmond, Mika Tyrell, Dyland Smith, Jake Carter, Isaia Ioka, Sam Mortiboy, Iraia Parapa. #22 tbc

Rāhui: Hayden Rassmussen, Liam Tooman, Edward Northcott, Makaire Kanavatoa, Sam Gibson, Wirangi Parata, Brodhi Archibald, Joel Winterburn, Jeziah Lewis, Tama Cook, Hamish Buick, Regan Verney, Vaianu Donaghy, Alizay Roach, Morehu Connor-Phillips (c), Teraiti Donaghy, Raahiri Connor, Charles Donaghy, Lewis Case, Kaharau Kaihe, Tonihi Raureti, Jayaiah Lewis.

Paraparaumu: Max Saunders, Brad Reilly, Ben Lynch-Philips (c), Zac Lemana, Dan Smith, Rob Fridd, Alex Brunskill, Mike Tuiala, Jayden Keats, Thomas Barnsley, Shaun Gardiner, Jayson Aquila, Jacob Keating, Dale McNamara, Max Hosking, Jimmy Cooper, Dane Dawson, Hayden Sale, Tone Lofi, Kahu Vermeeren-Thompson, Liam Rukuwai, Corey Voullaire.