WELLINGTON CHAMPION LOCKS UNWANTED

Michael from Trentham

Wellington Lions won the 2024 NPC rugby title and they did it through an unmatched pack of forwards foremost. And in the "engine room" were its outstanding young locks Akira Ieremia (ex St Pats Silverstream) and Hugo Plummer.

Yet neither were selected among the Hurricanes squad with its six locks nor picked up by any of the other franchises - and this includes Australian teams plus Fiji and Pacifica. So these two players who fit the bill in all aspects are not rated among the top 70 locks in three countries plus the smaller Pacific islands.

It simply should not be so.

Ieremia is 1.92m tall and around 120kg. He can also play backrow. Plummer is 1.98m tall and around 120kg.

What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.

Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.

This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.

Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?

• Yes
• No
• Other - I'll share below

Vote View Results

• 84.5% Yes
  84.5% Complete
• 14% No
  14% Complete
• 1.5% Other - I'll share below
  1.5% Complete

1303 votes