Magpies 2017
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Hmm, so according to Philpott this explains the bad preseason results?
He pointed out his troops are still coming to grips with their new attacking systems and this contributed to the Magpies high error rate.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=11902610
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This pre-season seems shocking similar to last years.
Last year it was complaining about the new rules. How does not coming to grips with a new attacking system means they leak 38 points
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@Stockcar86 If this season is going to be just as awful as last year's, surely they can't extend Philpott's contract again? Someone must be held responsible, and I don't mean the players. Would Mark Ozich be ready to take over as head coach and could he achieve with the Magpies what he's achieved with Hastings Boys?
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Was just thinking, but not sure it would be legally possible, that with our halfback crisis, the HBRU should try getting Michael Ruru back to the Bay. He looked good in his first year of SR for the Force. Maybe he's contracted to the Perth Spirit NRC team, but he'll be looking for a job in Super Rugby & that may be easier from the Mitre 10 Cup than from the NRC.
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Team launch was early this morning. It looks like Mitch Drew (NOBM?) has been brought in as injury cover for Jonah Lowe (clearly limping in the video below), and no one seems to have been added to replace Matt Gardner. Rihia as injury cover for injury cover Eaton.
So this is the updated, full Magpies squad:
FORWARDS
Props: Jarvy Aoake (TH), Mark Braidwood (LH), Mason Kean (TH?), Jason Long (LH), Tim Farrell (LH), Ben May (LH/TH), Pouri Rakete-Stones (LH/TH)
Hookers: Ash Dixon (captain), Jacob Devery
Locks: Michael Allardice, Geoff Cridge, Nick Palmer, Brodie Retallick (ABs)
Loosies: Gareth Evans (co-vice captain), Matt Gardner (injured), Tony Lamborn, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u (no. 8 ), Hugh Renton, Fa'alemiga SeleseleBACKS
Halfback: Zac Donaldson (injury cover), Chris Eaton (injured injury cover), Jayden Rihia (injury cover), Brad Weber (co-vice captain; injured), Ellery Wilson (injured)
First-five: Tiaan Falcon (fullback, second-five), Ihaia West
Midfield: Pasqualle Dunn, Hayden Hann, Cardiff Vaega
Outside back: Israel Dagg (ABs), Mason Emerson, Sam McNicoll, Tj Vaega
Utility back: Richard Buckman, Mitch Drew (injury cover), Jonah Lowe (injured) -
Yes, Mitch Drew is a winger for NOB
MStill gutted that Penitito did not make the squad
wow, full moonboot for Lowe
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@Stargazer Just looking at that squad and allowing for guys that won't be available for selection there is not a lot there that screams "Winners of the Championship Division". Won't be holding my breath as that would lead to fatal consequences so will just have to resort to simply crossing my fingers nd hoping for some divine intervention. Even Southland on Saturday has got me a little anxious.
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@Crucial said in Magpies 2017:
The Stags have had a reasonable pre-season. I think they are flying under the radar a little and won't be as weak as some think.
I don't think anyone is talking down Southland's chances, we're more inclined to talk down ours. We look a bit rubbish - I think even the bumpkin, three digit, potato farmers are going to beat us ....
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Nice reward for unlucky Tim Farrell, who will be out action for at least another two weeks.
Previous winners of the award are: 2006 Bryn Evans, 2007 Israel Dagg, 2008 Zac Guildford, 2009 Richard Buckman, 2010 Ihaia West, 2011 Brodie Retallick, 2012 Brendon Edmonds, 2013 Jason Long, 2014 Geoff Cridge, 2015 Hugh Renton and 2016 Pouri Rakete-Stones. Four of these players, Evans, Dagg, Guildford and Retallick, went on to become All Blacks and only two, Long and Rakete-Stones, have yet to gain Super Rugby selection.
In other news:
Philpott had some good news on the Magpies' injury list. Winger Mason Emerson's ankle sprain isn't as bad as first feared and he is expected to be available to play within three weeks. New Hurricanes No 8 Gareth Evans' chances of playing against Bay of Plenty on Friday night in the wake of his thigh injury collected against the Stags at the weekend are considered 50-50. Former Hurricanes flanker Tony Lamborn is unlikely to require surgery on his dislocated shoulder and could resume playing within four to six weeks. In Lamborn's absence Fa'alemiga Selesele will be in the Magpies 23 for Friday night's match against the Bay of Plenty Steamers in Rotorua and Hawke's Bay Saracens captain and flanker Ben Hamelink will train with the Magpies this week.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=11908358
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From the Hawke's Bay Saracens Facebook page:
A couple of changes to today's line up - Jorian Tangaere and Dan Snee have been brought into the Magpie squad, and out of today's Saracens lineup.
So it looks like Dixon and West are in doubt for Wednesday's game ...
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Injury update 6/9/2017:
From today's HBT:
Philpott pointed out none of the 13 players on his injury list have season-ending injuries. "That is a positive and the guys who are filling their jerseys know they can create selection issues. Those who wore them previously don't just get them back automatically."
I only have 11 players on the list (having moved Wilson back on the list without further confirmation that he has indeed recovered earlier than expected). Don't know for sure who the 12th and 13th players are, but there aren't many players left. They have to be TJ Vaega and Pasqualle Dunn, unless they are counting guys from the Saracens squad.
Edit: had to edit the list because I had overlooked Selesele being named on the bench.
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That's an interesting comment from Mr. Philpott. Clearly there are selection issues with the number of injuries, most likely finding someone who is available and can take a couple of days of work rather than anything else. Given the way our guys are dropping like flies I suspect the bus driver must be under serious consideration to strip and sit on the reserve bench.
The last sentence is a hint that there might be new players on the radar to come in late and take the place of some of the contracted players even though they might have recovered from their injuries. Sadly I too am carrying a left arm injury that is season ending so I won't be under consideration!
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@Higgins Haha, they should just send the guys to the gym who have (relatively) recently retired and get them back to fitness. Thinking of former Magpies like Karl Lowe, Jason Shoemark, Dan Waenga. Is Taumalolo still in France?
Or they may be desperately waiting for the school rugby season to end this weekend, although many of those Hastings Boys will end up in the NZ Schools squad.
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Bloody hell
Another four players were added to the Magpies lengthy injury list after tonight's 40-27 loss to the Wellington Lions in the capital. Thirteen players were unavailable for the match and after the final whistle Magpies head coach Craig Philpott learnt lock Geoff Cridge and Tony Lamborn won't be available for Sunday's match against Otago in Napier after failing head checks. Flanker Lucas Goodin collected a shoulder injury and prop Jason Long collected a knock. "We're particularly desperate for loosies as Ben Hamelink was concussed when playing for the Saracens last weekend too," Philpott said.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=11918430
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Nice picture Herald - did we play Auckland not Wellington?
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@Stargazer In all seriousness though is Karl Lowe injured or something? He has been still playing top level and is now back in the bay. Surprised he wasn't selected anyway. Need to call Trent back up and tell him to cut his OE down and come back and play. Shoemark I reckon could still get the vocal cords on full bore with a last minute try or assist. How nice would a buckman/shoemark/emerson(or Mcnicol) 12/13/Wing be.
Can't see Dan unretiring after retiring from head knocks. Maybe bring Adam Brady back in as utility bench spot covering 6-15