"Steven Paul Bates" is a New Zealand rugby union footballer, whose usual position is at Rugby union positions/Number 8. He played for Waikato Rugby Union/Waikato at provincial level and the Chiefs (Super rugby franchise)/Chiefs in the Super Rugby/Super 14. Bates made the traditional All Blacks route to the top with appearances for New Zealand Secondary Schools, New Zealand U-19 and the U-21s, during this time he played Rugby League and was good enough to be selected for the Warriors U-19s. He has only played one test so far for his nation (v Italy 2004).

Currently, Bates resides in Fuchu, Japan with Top League team Toshiba Brave Lupus under Australian coach Joe Barakat, with other New Zealand players Richard Kahui and David Hill.

More Steven Bates on Wikipedia.

It should help us refocus in this competition if we are going to be competitive.

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I think, to be honest, it's helped us if anything.

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Last week we didn't have the ball to ask the questions we would have liked to ask (of the opposition) and that was a bit disappointing considering the ball-running talent we had out there.

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