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Jake Ilnicki has signed to play for Manawatu Turbos in the Mitre 10 Cup. The Canadian international prop replaces Hubert Buydens on the Manawatu roster after his San Diego Breakers teammate suffered a season-ending knee injury while on PRO Rugby duty. Ilnicki arrived in New Zealand on Wednesday and is in the running for Manawatu’s opening fixture against Northland next Friday.
The Williams Lake, BC, native started six games at tighthead for the Breakers in the inaugural PRO season, captaining them in their Week 14 match against San Francisco. Ilnicki has previously captained Canada at u20 level and has won 15 senior caps for his country, starting all three tests in June against Japan, Russia, and Italy. He has previously experienced Southern Hemisphere rugby as part of Eastern Suburbs in the Shute Shield and the NSW Country Eagles in Australia’s National Rugby Championship.
Mawawatu return to the Championship Division of New Zealand’s National Province Championship in 2016, having been relegated from the Premiership at the end of last season. In a unique competition format, teams in the Mitre 10 Cup (previously ITM Cup) play against sides in both divisions during the regular season, splitting the two groups at the knock-out stages. Aside from Buydens, the Turbos have also previously been a home for US Eagles prop Eric Fry during the 2012 season.
