Magpies 2017
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@Number-10 said in Magpies 2017:
Magpies assistant coach Danny Lee has joined Japanese club Honda Heat with immediate effect.
The recruitment process for his replacement will start this week.
Wow, things are really going well at Magpies head quarters. Leaving the sinking ship.
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Having a look at the Japanese teams, I just discovered that Sanaila Waqa - who was injured the whole 2016 Magpies season - has signed with NEC Green Rockets (joining Peter Russell & Grant Dearns). (Former Magpie Tino Nemani has signed with NEC, too.)
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@Number-10 I'm not unhappy about that. He adds some much needed strength & weight to our otherwise light forward pack. Maybe not the best prop in the country, but those are very hard to find anyway. Our club props have been pretty average the last few years, so May is definitely a big step up and a good one to keep! Still keeping my fingers crossed for Edmonds, but I've not heard anything to give us much hope of a return to the field ...
From the Hawke's Bay Today:
"He really enjoyed his time with us last year and is keen to help our young frontrowers Mason Kean, Tim Farrell and Pouri Rakete-Stones push for Magpies contracts," Philpott said.I wonder how May can push these young frontrowers for Magpies contracts when he's with the Canes now, and will only turn up in the Bay when the ink on all contracts should be well and truly dry? Either he means a contract next year, or this is just badly worded and meaning to say that they are already - or nearly - signed and that he'll help them push for a spot in the 23?
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Had another look at the Japan Top League website. If Google translate does its job well, then Andrew Horrell didn't play a single game last season. He has also left Coca-Cola Red Sparks after one year of his 2-year contract.
コカ・コーラレッドスパークス、退団スタッフおよび選手のお知らせ
コカ・コーラレッドスパークスより、2016年度の退団スタッフ・選手について発表がありましたので、ご紹介します。 ● 弊社ラグビー部（コカ・コーラレッドスパークス）の退団スタッフおよび選手をお知らせいたします。 なお、20…
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@Stargazer said in Magpies 2017:
Just read on the Napier Tech FB page that today is Trent BW's last game for them. Please, don't tell me he's also leaving (or retiring)?
damn. I've always rated him, unlike the HB coach. It would be nice if he could leave on a winning note, but I also want my team (NOB
M) to stuff them, so conflicted... -
@Stockcar86 I think I'll go to the U19s tournament this year to watch our Bay U19s play, which - hopefully - will be stacked with Hastings boys and actually has a chance of performing well. I need something to keep my spirits up, because I expect- unless we get some good signings - the Magpies season is going to be a nightmare for fans. Wooden spoon kind of nightmare.
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32-5 to the good guys in green, sorry TBW
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@Stargazer If it wasn't for Ioane we might be wondering how many tries Lowe would be scoring for the Crusaders.
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@Stargazer Hahahaha, I like how you deliberately miss the point.
As for TBW, well that sucks. But the guy should have moved away from the Bay at the end of Philpott's first season at the Magpies. He was never going to get a fair go under him.
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@Nepia Yes, I read in an interview that there had been some SR interest, but that it never lead to any offers. With another coach, more game time, and more victories, who knows he might have been playing SR. Opportunity missed. Could have been a good loosie/lock for any NZ side. Not brilliant, but solid.
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Yeah TBW and his other half cruising to asia for OE. Spoke to him in 2011 when I was home he had 3 SR clubs looking at him but no one took him up. Was surprised an aussie team like the force or rebels didn't pick him up would have been a good addition or a Japan club (similar to a Karne Hesketh who was overlooked for SR but dominated over there and made ever post a winner).
I think us northland and southland might be battling for the wooden spoon. Worst case for someone like me who has made ever person from other provinces aware when we have beaten them over the years. -
In response to a comment on a photo he posted on instagram, Brad Weber said that his recovery is going well and he "should be right by Mitre 10 Cup".
Lacking any good news on player recruitment for the Magpies, I'm clinging on to every little bit of good news I can find.
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That is good news on Brad Weber.
Geoff Cridge is hopeful of being available for the Mitre 10 Cup as well.
Have been advised that Billy Ropiha has gone overseas, having secured a contract in France apparently.
Although not a first choice last year, it reduces our depth.
Based on last year's first choice players we seem to currently have:
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- Ash Dixon
- Ben May (or 1?)
- Michael Allardice (missed last year but is now available for Chiefs)
- Geoff Cridge (if fit)
6 Hugh Renton
7 Tony Lamborn
8 Gareth Evans (missed last year but playing well for Highlanders)
9 Brad Weber (if fit)
10 Ihaia West
11 Mason Emerson
12 Tiaan Falcon
13 Jonah Lowe (or 14?)
14 ? (if not Lowe)
15 ?
Factor in: Sam McNicol at 14 or 15 (has been playing for Chiefs but suffered concussion again v Crusaders last Friday); Brendon Edmonds (will he ever play again?); Shannan Chase at 15 (has been playing well for Havelock North). Will Richard Buckman return (or go back to Japan)?
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@Number-10 Shit, Ropiha too? He still scored a try for Taradale on the weekend. Is West still under contract? I hope we can hold on to Falcon if West stays because he's a ten and I assume that's where he wants to play, too. I wouldn't mind them trying West at fullback and Falcon at ten, by the way (with McNicol and Lowe at 13 &14). I think Falcon is the better ten and I don't like having two midgets next to each other.
A mate of mine from Dunedin was saying he expected Buckman to sign with Otago, but he was probably just winding me up. I believe Kaka is back in Japan. Also wondering whether Horrell has retired or is still available (if not still injured), now that he's back from Japan. Also wondering where Tongia is; as far as I know, he also has no contract anywhere, unless he's ended up in the French 3rd division.
I think we still have Selesele, too? So we have a loosie for the bench. I heard Mason Kean has been playing well in club rugby?
We can probably add Mikaele-Tu'u and, I assume, Rakete-Stones (who can play both prop and hooker)? I have no doubt that Tangaere will return, unless another province steals him.
