NPC - news, injuries etc

[Steven Harris]

@tim superb signing for the Turbos,good to see the Manawatu organisation is on the ball even over the holiday period which is more than I can say for the lot that I follow .

[SouthernMann]

The ODT is reporting Fletcher Smith is signing with Waikato. Otago is well and truly being picked apart.

[African Monkey]

@southernmann Josh Ioane looks a better prospect to me anyway so I wouldn't be too upset losing Smith if I were an Otago fan.

[Steven Harris]

@southernmann
Fletcher Smith had also looked at Northland as an option,but that fell by the wayside,so it sounds to me he had been looking around because he felt he might end up sitting in behind Josh Ioane,it’s a bugger for you guys ,because Otago looks a team on the rise..!.

[Stargazer]

Confirmed: Waikato have signed Fletcher Smith (Otago) and Jack Stratton (Canterbury). Kylem O'Donnell (Taranaki) and Toby Smith also return to the Mooloos.

http://www.mitre10cup.co.nz/News/31927/waikato-make-four-key-signings

[ARHS]

@stargazer

I am pleased by this. Some good signings to plug holes and add experience where it is needed.

[taniwharugby]

Assuming I am reading it correctly, this will upset some people I expect.

The New Zealand national squad officiate at the Mitre 10 Cup, Heartland Championship and Farah Palmer Cup.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11974125

[Bovidae]

I assume Cowley might be staying in the NH and Levien hasn’t developed. Stratton is a great replacement for TKB.

[taniwharugby]

@bovidae Stratton certainly looks like someone that could rise through the ranks quickly with the right opportunities

[Chris B.]

Interesting choice by Stratton.

Seemed to me like there was a reasonable prospect of him grabbing the Canterbury starting halfback role - especially with Enari missing Super rugby and Drummond having at least got a foot in the AB door.

[Stargazer]

@taniwharugby I don't remember watching a game officiated by Ganley, but Mahoney is a very good ref (she was in charge of the women's final at the National Sevens yesterday). I'm not surprised at all about her appointment. If she continues to develop well as a ref, I can see her becoming New Zealand's first female pro-ref and maybe officiate Super Rugby games in a few years (like Aussie Amy Perrett).

[taniwharugby]

@stargazer outside of the Black Ferns I don't watch a lot of Womens rugby (none) but I think given the state of some of the refs we are subjected to in Mitre10, SXX and International rugby, I'm all for letting women ref men if they are good enough, which is subjective I know given some of those appointed to Tests are deemed good enough by someone...

[Tim]

Any transfer rumours?

[Tim]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/100702741/demolition-possibility-for-main-stand-at-new-plymouth-yarrow-stadium

[Nogusta]

[Stockcar86]

Benji Marshall coming back?

[Tim]

@stockcar86 Beat it!

[taniwharugby]

@tim Carlos...he is playing 10s isn't he?

[Tim]

@taniwharugby Hey, it could be Quade Cooper for all I know.

I suspect they'll announce the coaching staff, and maybe some signings.

[chchfanatic]

4 players leaving Lincoln uni to try and make it outside of Canterbury.