Magpies 2017
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Don't know Luke McKenna, so can't say anything about him, but there's some interesting info in this article about today's game between the Hawke's Bay Academy team and the Manawatu Academy team:
"I had a chat with Craig Philpott the other day. He told me Tony Lamborn is the only contracted No 7 but No 8 Fa'alemiga Selesele could also be used as a No 7. This is likely to leave me and Ben Hamelink battling for the other spot," McKenna said referring to Lamborn's 2016 deputy.First, this seems to suggest that Selesele has another year on his contract. Second, they don't plan to sign another experienced loosie. Third, Tony Lamborn will definitely be returning to the Magpies this year, despite his American adventures & missing out on a Canes spot.
In a previous post, I included a list of players signed to the Pro-Zone Academy (as reported by HBT). Today's academy squad also includes Kini Naholo (who wasn't on that list). Wonder whether he's now also part of the academy? Strong, fast lad, just like his big brother. (Another brother, Meli, is playing in Taranaki)
Nine members of the Hastings Boys' High School 1st XV which finished second in the National Top Four comp last year will be in action for the Bay today. They are frontrowers Kianu Kereru-Symes and Jacob Devery, lock-loosie Tane Hohipa, loosie Jeriah Mua, halfback Folau Fakatava, first five-eighth Lincoln McClutchie, wingers Kini Naholo and Trent Hape and centre Danny Toala.Surprised by the "centre Danny Toala", I thought he played full-back for HBHS?
HB teams for the 2pm match which will be played in three 30-minute thirds: Team One: Nick Biss, Al Momoisea, Danny Toala, Mitch Drew, Kini Naholo, Paul Bickle, Zac Donaldson, Hannon Brighouse, Luke McKenna, Ricky Hayes, Tyler Symon-Burke, Josh Bokser, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Jacob Devery, Tim Farrell. Team Two: Al Momoisea, Nick Biss, Danny Toala, Mitche Drew, Trent Hape, Lincoln McClutchie, Folau Fakatava, Devan Flanders, Will Tremain, Josh Bokser, Tyler Symon-Burke, Tane Hohipa, Josiah Tavita, Kianu Kereru-Symes, Tim Farrell. Team Three: Thomas Agnew, Nick Biss, Al Momoisea, Mitch Drew, Trent Hape, Lincoln McClutchie, Angus Kilmister, TBC, Jeriah Mua, Tane Hohipa, Hannon Brighouse, Josh Bokser, Josiah Tavita, Kianu Kereru-Symes, Cameron Huata.http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=11807212
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Hawke's Bay Academy 60 - 12 Manawatu Academy
Don't get too excited, the detail is at the end of the HBT article: Manawatu missed 14 players that would have been selected if they had been available. But still a very good result if the article sums up the game well.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=11807992
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At their AGM tonight, the Hawke's Bay RU announced a profit of $202,000 mainly due to the selling of their property in Latham Street.
This is the 18th consecutive profit declared by the union. Reserves now stand at $1.1 million.
The union has entered into agreement to buy a freehold property at Park Island and develop it, which is valued at $600,000. They will vacate their offices at McLean Park, that they pay $50,000 a year in rent for, and move their entire operation to the new Park Island site within three years.
There will be eight fields there where they will be able to do all their coaching, training, gym work etc in one place.
All Magpies matches will still remain at McLean Park.
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Thanks @Number-10!
Is that what was reported in this HBT article? Were there any more rugby related points on the agenda?http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503462&objectid=11750974
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@Stargazer said in Magpies 2017:
Thanks @Number-10!
Is that what was reported in this HBT article? Were there any more rugby related points on the agenda?http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503462&objectid=11750974
Yeah, that's the one.
At the AGM the Board revealed a bit more.
As well as this option, they had also been approached to base themselves at the Hastings Sports Park.
But of course there would be a rental to do that and they would be sharing, whereas the option to buy something freehold for $600,000 was more attractive as the asset can turn into $3 million. And they could also lease training facilities out during offseason to other sports.
So, off-field is looking promising, just have to get on-field performance to improve. There is a lot of very good local playing talent coming through, which have been signed up for the Academy. But the problem is, as it is for all unions, they can't all play for the province when their three year Academy contract expires so talent is always lost every year.
Three Hawke's Bay boys are in the final NZ Under 20 trial - Tiaan Falcon, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, and Pouri Rakete-Stones.
Stood next to Marino Mikaele-Tu'u last year, he was a big boy for just 18 (then).
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So, indeed (as I just posted in another thread), Matt Garland has left Hawke's Bay because the HBRU didn't want to confirm his Mitre10 Cup contract for 2017 and BOP did. If the HBRU continues its poor player retention like this, we end up struggling for the wooden spoon with Southland and Northland. I'll be interested to hear who's going to replace him. There's still no indication whether Buckman will be back.
I somehow expect West not to return (think he'll go overseas if he doesn't get a new SR contract and that is likely to be the case) and then Falcon will move to first-five (where he should play, of course, he's no second-five), but then we're without a decent 12 and 13 or 14 (depending on where they want Lowe to play). With Fruean and Tongia both gone as well, we'll need a few new recruits (Horrell was never properly replaced), but considering the poor recruitment by the HBRU the last few years, not hearing about good signings worries me.
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Poor recruitment indeed, but Garland didn't show enough to make me think we should be keeping him anyway.
Ihaia has a few more games this season to turn things around but crazy to think he's soon to be the old man of the Magpies backline if he stays. It would be good to get Bucky back for a season.
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@Nepia Geez all we seem to hear about is players leaving, and no one coming. I assume there will be and no names have as yet been released. It's bloody good the business is taken care of off the paddock, but to do the new facilities justice, we have to do the buisness on the paddock otherwise it becomes a bloody big white elephant.
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According to Manawatu Standard club season preview, Mark Atkins (Magpie 2013-2014) has left PN OB Marist and returned to Hawke's Bay.
He didn't play for Manawatu at all in 2016 due to a broken leg and only played twice for them in 2015.
Mark Abbott has signed a two-year deal to play in Japan, and will leave after this Hurricanes season. Ben May is yet to re-sign with Hawke's Bay.
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The news about all these Magpies leaving or not re-signing is depressing.
This is what we know:
Leaving/have left:
Robbie Fruean - Bath
Ryan Tongia - Bayonne
Ricky Riccitelli - Taranaki
Mark Abbott - Coca-Cola Red Sparks
Matt Garland - BOPStaying:
Jonah Lowe
Mason Emerson
Tony Lamborn
Brad Weber
Geoff Cridge
(Brodie Retallick)
(Israel Dagg)Contracted Academy players:
Lincoln McClutchie (1st five 8th)
Danny Toala (fullback)
Folau Fakatava (halfback)
Jacob Devery (hooker)
Kianu Kereru-Symes (prop)
Al Momoisea (winger)
Mitch Drew (center)
Will Tremain (openside flanker)
Tim Farrell (LH prop)Unconfirmed/unkown (to me, anyway):
Fa'alemiga Selesele (indications are that he's returning)
Marino Mkaele-Tu'u (who has been missing in all Hurricanes U20s games, but was selected for NZU20s camp; I assume he's staying)
Pouri Rakete-Stones (U19s last year, played all Hurricanes U20s games at TH, named in NZU20s trial squad; maybe getting a contract?)
Tiaan Falcon (not sure for how long he was signed for last year, played all Hurricanes U20s & Dev team games, named in NZU20s trial squad; I assume he's staying; will be crucial if West decides to leave)Gareth Evans (don't know his contract status and unsure for how long he's signed with the Highlanders)
Hugh Renton (don't know his contract status and unsure for how long he's signed with the Hurricanes; played one U20s game, but now absent: injured again?)
Ash Dixon (his contract with the Highlanders runs until the end of the 2017 SR season)
Brendon Edmonds (under contract with the Highlanders until the end of the 2018 season, but will he play again?)
Michael Allardice (his contract with the Chiefs ends after the 2017 SR season and hasn't played due to injury for a very long time)
Ihaia West (coming off contract)
Ben May (has not yet decided)
Tolu Fahamokioa (might not return because he is playing club rugby for Tawa (Wellington)
Ross Filipo (reading between the lines - in his tweets - I think he has now really retired)Richard Buckman???
Gillies Kaka??? -
Andrew Horrell is back in the bay. That's good news
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@Number-10 said in Magpies 2017:
Unfortunately, Stockcar, I think he is only back between Japanese seasons. The Japanese Top League starts August as our Mitre 10 Cup does, and he's got one more year on his contract with Coca Cola Red Sparks.
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Lewis Marshall has returned to Manawatu.
Did he play at all last year? Think he was injured all season?He played eight games for the province over two seasons.Anyway, I'm looking forward to hearing about all those fine, new Magpie recruits ... [insert Tui ad here]
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He played just the first two matches - Wellington and Taranaki - and not selected for the third - Counties Manukau - due to concussion against Taranaki, and didn't appear again. Whether his non-appearance for the remainder was still due to the concussion or the coaches just preferred to stick with Marshall's replacement Matthew Garland, I don't know. He never appeared for the Development team, so maybe the concussion lingered?
Other provinces have announced signings already this year so it makes you wonder if the HBRU are actively recruiting at the moment? There definitely are positions where outside recruitment would be beneficial. Although in their defence, they had signed Brad Weber for four/five months before it was announced, so maybe they are just not into announcing signings this far out from the Mitre 10 Cup?
Based on last year, the first-choice 2016 starting players available to us in 2017 are:
1 ?? (R. Riccitelli gone to Taranaki)
2 A. Dixon
3 ?? (B. May currently not re-signed)
4 G. Cridge - currently injured, will he be available?
5 ?? (M. Abbott gone to Japan)
6 T. Boswell-Wakefield / H. Renton
7 T. Lamborn
8 F. Selesele
9 B. Weber - currently injured, will he be available?
10 I. West
11 M. Emerson
12 T. Falcon
13 ?? (R. Fruean gone to England)
14 J. Lowe
15 ?? (M. Garland gone to BOP; Lewis Marshall gone to Manawatu)Factor in, maybe: Michael Allardice (hasn't played since Super Rugby 2016), Sam McNicol (hasn't played since Super Rugby 2016 due to concussion), Brendon Edmonds (will he play again due to his injury?), Shannan Chase (unavailable for much of last year due to concussion but played on the weekend for Havelock Nth).
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@Number-10 Looking beyond the first choice starting XV, there's also very limited depth. We need to able to fill that bench, too! We desperately need props, locks, but also a couple of midfielders and outside backs!
I assume you can add Gareth Evans to the list of available loose forwards. Surely, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u will be there, too? Loosies are probably the only position where we don't have to despair unless the injury curse hits again. You'd think Will Tremain will make the U19s and maybe the HB Saracens? He and Hannon Brighouse have both played for the Canes U20 and Dev team. These players will probably be used when injury strikes.
I wonder what happened to Mason Kean? Will they add Pouri Rakete-Stones to the squad or the HB Saracens? Tim Farrell?
All that young talent is great, but we'd need experience, too! Damn, I so hope Bucky will return!
Although Tongia's short-term contracts (first with Bayonne, then Agen) have finished and he doesn't seem to have a new contract at the moment, I doubt he'll be back for Mitre 10 Cup.
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Just noticed on the Waikato twitter page a post with the line-ups for the first round of local club rugby. Apart from Zac Guildford, the squad of Hamilton Old Boys also includes a Sam McNicoll (with to "L"s) at 13. Is that "our" Sam or someone with the same name spelled differently?
Oh, and Michael Allardice is named in their opponent's (Melville) team.
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@Number-10 said in Magpies 2017:
According to Manawatu Standard club season preview, Mark Atkins (Magpie 2013-2014) has left PN OB Marist and returned to Hawke's Bay.
He didn't play for Manawatu at all in 2016 due to a broken leg and only played twice for them in 2015.
Mark Abbott has signed a two-year deal to play in Japan, and will leave after this Hurricanes season. Ben May is yet to re-sign with Hawke's Bay.
Mark Atkins is actually in Poverty Bay.
The only player with first-class experience who has arrived in the province this year is Tamati Samuels who has returned to play for Tech OB. He played for Tech OB before going to Wellington in 2014 and playing for Poverty Bay on loan in 2015 and 2016.
