Magpies - 2018 Mitre 10 Cup
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@number-10 Do you know, have those who have come in from other provinces (returnees excluded) all been invited to come here and try for a Magpies spot, or have some come uninvited, just to try their luck? I understand from the HBT that Power was the 5th-ranked hooker in Wellington. It looks like we're a prime destination for other provinces' rejects or 3rd stringers.
Is this correct?
Joe Apikotoa - Wellington
Tom Parsons - Manawatu returnee
Lui Luamanu - Wellington
Solomone Funaki - BoP
Visinia - Auckland
Tofilau - Auckland
Taulagi - Sunwolves
Ben Power - Wellington
Ulufonua - Auckland
Dunn - Auckland (arrived last year)
Marshall - Manawatu returneehttps://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=12081880
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@stargazer said in Magpies - 2018 Mitre 10 Cup:
@number-10 Do you know, have those who have come in from other provinces (returnees excluded) all been invited to come here and try for a Magpies spot, or have some come uninvited, just to try their luck? I understand from the HBT that Power was the 5th-ranked hooker in Wellington. It looks like we're a prime destination for other provinces' rejects or 3rd stringers.
Is this correct?
Joe Apikotoa - Wellington
Tom Parsons - Manawatu returnee
Lui Luamanu - Wellington
Solomone Funaki - BoP
Visinia - Auckland
Tofilau - Auckland
Taulagi - Sunwolves
Ben Power - Wellington
Ulufonua - Auckland
Marshall - Manawatu returneehttps://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=12081880
Yes, you've got them right.
The ones in bold played Mitre 10 Cup last year.
Taulagi is the only one with a Magpies contract. The others have been invited to come and try their luck. If they don't secure a Magpies contract this year they, no doubt, will be elsewhere in 2019. In retrospect, the Vaega brothers coming here last year was a waste of time - just one year here and then gone. So am not quite sure if the influx of hopefuls is a good thing or not.
Having watched a lot of club rugby I think the level of club rugby this year has probably been lifted, which is, of course, a good thing, coupled wth more players to choose from in certain positions.
But with our Super Rugby players to come back, I also think a few of last year's debutants should be persevered with, like Tim Farrell, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Jacob Devery.
And, I have said it before, I reckon halfback Folau Fakatava is worthy of a Magpies contract this year in his first year out of school.
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If Ben Power was really interested in playing his way into the Magpies he should have shown the commitment and desire to represent the Bay and come right at the start of the Club season rather than turning up at the last minute. Smacks of "Oh hell, I've got no show of making the Wellington Team after all, who will have me and where can I go to earn a bit of coin". We seem to be becoming the haven or last resort call for people that can't make it elsewhere, eg that guy that was on the fringe of BoP turning up here and what look like being railroaded into the Magpies when in reality he was just a squad member at BoP that got limited game time at best.
Having said that Ben Power is a reasonable player, but ITM Cup level - it remains to be seen.
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@stargazer What about Josh Kaifa is he still around?
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@kiwimatrix He got injured (ankle) during the preseason game against Ta$man a while ago. I don't think he has returned from that injury yet.
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@stargazer Somebody wrote on Instagram it was Will Tremain with the serious injury.
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@kiwimatrix Damn. After all the injuries he's already had. Really unlucky. Hope it isn't a season-ending injury.
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Manawatu thugs
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Geez, 10 injuries.
From the HBT article below:
"When the ambulance came on for Will Tremain in the 70th minute we were down to 14 players. It was a physical game and while we had a lot of injuries Manawatu had nothing major. That can be the nature of the beast when it comes to rugby," Ozich said. Substitute flanker Tremain was taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg. He had a huge gash from his knee down to his ankle. Prop Joe Apikotoa will be sidelined for three to four weeks with a knee injury. Flanker Ricky Hayes will be out for a similar period with a shoulder injury. Locks Tom Parsons and Lui Luamanu will be sidelined for up to four weeks with respective shin and knee injuries. First five-eighth Lincoln McClutchie has a groin injury and will be sidelined for two weeks. Utility back Danny Toala and lock Sam Ulufonua will both be out of action for two to three weeks with ankle injuries and winger Mitch Drew and No 8 Solomone Funaki face at least two weeks with spectator roles after collecting calf and hip injuries respectively.https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=12083212
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Two videos of the preseason game between the Saracens and Manawatu Evergreens.
Unfortunately, they positioned the camera wrong, so you can't see tries scored in the corners.First, long video (42 min), with sound from referee mic:
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Second, highlights video (11 min):
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I know that it was paraded during the 60's Shield era, so at least that old. @Higgins probably knows...
