NPC - news, injuries etc

[Stargazer]

Full time:

Counties Manukau Cavaliers 26 (Tries: Matt Vaai, Gafa Su'a, Feta Luamanu, Sepu Taufa; Con: Luteru Laulala (2), Jared Page)

Ta$man Buccaneers 49 (Tries: Pelefoti Siaki, Tomas Aoaki, Tom Hill, Tone Ng Shiu, Rupena Parkinson, Johnny Ika, Fletcher Matthews; Con: Tom O'Malley (6), James Hawkey)

[Tim]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/94264738/otago-sign-italian-test-lock-josh-furno-for-upcoming-mitre-10-cup-campaign

[Duluth]

I see Dan Bowden is playing 10 for Ponsonby. If he's over his injuries, he would be a decent stop gap until one of the younger flyhalfs is ready

[Stargazer]

Are there more foreign imports into the Mitre 10 Cup this year, or does it just look that way because they get more publicity? I can't say I find it a good development. Surely there must be good NZ locks that Otago could have signed?

[KiwiMurph]

@Duluth He's better than Hickey.

[Stargazer]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/94210308/jason-emerys-recovery-ahead-of-schedule-return-for-turbos-in-2017-likely

[Tim]

Ponsonby 10/12 Will Talataina-Mu (Blues dev) might be another candidate for Auckland 1st 5 this year.

Ponsonby comeback sinks University

It would be great to see some video coverage from that game.

[Tim]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/94410876/nick-crosswell-returning-to-manawatu-after-stint-in-wales

[Bones]

@Tim geez how is he only 31!

[Wurzel]

There's more going on here than anyone is letting on...

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/94454357/Southland-Stags-2016-standout-unlikely-to-line-up-in-2017

[Stargazer]

@Wurzel Well, if the reasons are personal, then that's all we are entitled to know, I reckon. I hope the media will leave the young lad alone.

[Rapido]

@Stargazer said in Mitre 10 Cup - news, injuries etc:

Are there more foreign imports into the Mitre 10 Cup this year, or does it just look that way because they get more publicity? I can't say I find it a good development. Surely there must be good NZ locks that Otago could have signed?

Hemopo was great v Lions , plus the young guy who made his debut as replacement v Lions was also good (Dickson).

Are they Otago signed? As well as Highlanders?

But in general I disagree with your point about foreigners. 14 teams, 2 starters plus a sub = 42 locks required each round by the 14 NPC teams.

Add in the confusion of NH bound exodusers usually leaving at end of SR rather than end of NPC, there's plenty of holes to fill.

[Stargazer]

@Rapido Generally speaking, I agree with you that there may not be enough players in NZ for each position in every Mitre 10 Cup team and that that could be an excuse for signing a limited number of overseas' players. However, considering that the Otago squad is based in one of the (bigger) main centres, I assumed they would have enough local players to chose from. Quite possibly that assumption is wrong, because players don't stay in their own province anymore like they used to (although the main centres are also likely to attract more players from smaller provinces due to the presence of tertiary education institutions and better employment opportunities).

[Chris B.]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/94498330/tasman-Mako$-lock-in-nelson-college-first-xv-star-leicester-faingaanuku

Mako$ have signed Faingaanuku Jr. for next year, when he finishes school. Pretty sure he featured for the NZ Schools side last year.

Interesting to see the Parramatta Eels making a play for him.

[Stargazer]

@Chris-B. He was named in the 2016 New Zealand Barbarians Schools team. So the Mako$ now have both Faingaanuku brothers. Nice!

[reprobate]

fuck, i misread the headline and thought he played lock... thought signing a kid that young in that position a bit crazy, even if he does have ardie's hair advantage.
fullback it is though, as you were.

[Tim]

Apparently James Lay and Liam Steel are leaving Auckland to sign for BOP.

http://www.thesilverfern.com/post/165738

[African Monkey]

@Tim Liam Steel has a bit of pace, decision making wasn't his strongest suit though. James Lay isn't much chop. Didn't look up to standard at all in his apparances last season.

[Tim]

Here's a list of (nine) players from last years squad who aren't available this year:

Charlie Faumuina
James Lay
Liaki Moli
Joe Edwards
Steven Luatua
Simon Hickey
Stacey Ili
Liam Steel
Lolagi Visinia

We might be missing Fatialofa, Seu, and Ravouvou through injury.

[Tim]

BTW, 2016 Wellington player Salesi Rayasi is playing club rugby in Auckland for Marist, and was in the 2017 Blues U20 squad. He's the leading try scorer in Auckland club rugby so far this year.