Hawke's Bay rugby 2018
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Just read this edit in the USA Eagles squad announcement:
UPDATE 6/3: Tony Lamborn and David Tameilau replaced by Vili Toluta'u and Greg Peterson.I've tried to find out why Lamborn is out of the squad, but all I could find is that he's unavailable, and no reason why.
I have no idea whether he's planning to return to the Magpies this season, but - whatever the case may be - I hope hasn't suffered a serious injury. -
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Does anyone know whether Nick Palmer will be a Magpie again in 2018? Or is Sam Ulufonua meant to become his replacement?
Palmer has played 4 games for the Waratahs and a number of club games this season and has been injured since late April/early May. He's expected to be available again end of July/early August. I don't know what kind of injury he had, but he was allowed to walk without crutches only since last week. So if he's still contracted to the Bay, he'll be quite undercooked when he arrives. Not a good thing, considering Cridge hasn't played any rugby either, as far as I know. I hope Allardice can stay in one piece this year.
Btw, I found this article about Palmer (published in Feb 2018).
Waratahs player Nick Palmer's Super Rugby road to recovery
A little over a year ago, the 26-year-old couldn't sit up because of a hamstring injury. He struggled to make himself a cup of coffee in the morning and had to stand straight-legged when using the toilet.
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I just read on the website of Oyonnax that they haven't been able to retain Hika Elliott (after his first year of a 2-year contract). Partially because they were relegated to Pro D2, which has budgetary consequences, and partially because of the mandatory recruitment of at least 15 players that have come through French academies (was: 12) this upcoming season.
I haven't read anything about Hika retiring. I know he's back in the Bay, playing for Tamatea. Has anyone heard anything about his plans?
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Very disappointing to us, but you can't blame the guy if this is true. Would have loved to have him at fullback this season; he'd be a great mentor to all our young backs and, especially, a great help to young Tiaan. Just wondering whether we'll ever see him back in black and white? He'll probably go overseas if he doesn't make the RWC squad next year.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=12088558
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@stargazer said in Hawke's Bay rugby 2018:
Very disappointing to us, but you can't blame the guy if this is true. Would have loved to have him at fullback this season; he'd be a great mentor to all our young backs and, especially, a great help to young Tiaan. Just wondering whether we'll ever see him back in black and white? He'll probably go overseas if he doesn't make the RWC squad next year.
Well, with this and the Crusaders he really is dead to me!
Nah, a couple of months of easier rugby might see him have a proper tilt at the 2019 RWC.
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@stargazer Last I heard he was a Southland player, not a HB one.
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Tony Lamborn has moved to Southland, a bit of a surprise that one.
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@kiwimatrix Yeah, I noticed that too when I posted the Southland squad in the general Mitre 10 Cup thread. Not sure what to think of it. I guess it depends on who will be named in the Magpies squad in his place. It obviously hasn't been his choice to leave the Bay; I'd have thought he'd be in the squad, especially because Renton has also left the province.
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Last year's Magpies loosies:
Gareth Evans - signed
Matt Gardner - playing club rugby
Tony Lamborn - has moved to Southland
Marino Mikaele-Tu'u - I assume he's signed, but couldn't find a source for that
Hugh Renton - has moved to Canterbury
Fa'alemiga Selesele - off-contract? (playing club rugby for MAC)Last year's Saracens loosies who played one or more games for the Magpies:
Lucas Goodin
Ben Hamelink
Ricky HayesLoosies in this year's trial squad:
Hannon Brighouse (NOBM)
Solomone Funaki (MAC)
Ben Hamelink (HRS)
Ricky Hayes (NOBM)
Chris Johnston (NOBM)
Josh Kaifa (Clive, still injured?)
Lui Luamanu (Taradale)
Jake Nelson-Murray (NOBM)
Fa'aleminga Selesele (MAC)
Tyler Symon-Burke (NOBM) - not initially named, but played in one of the preseason games
Will Tremain (NOBM)
Nathan Tweedy (Taradale) - not initially named, but played in one of the preseason games
Sam Ulufonua (Havelock N)Assuming they'll again sign 6 loosies, and that currently (as far as I know) we only have Evans, Mikaele-Tu'u and Flanders (assumption), who of the lists above are likely to be signed? Ulufonua has a development contract and may be a strong candidate, and possibly Tremain. Haven't seen any club rugby and the footage of the preseason games was of insufficient quality to form an opinion.
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@stargazer TBH, and I know you're a big fan of Lamborn, he's moved past being a pure openside and is a mix of 6 and 7 - now our former idiot coach seemed happy to play him as such, but I'm not fussed about him leaving as I've never thought he was as good as you do.
In saying that obviously I would have liked him to remain for depth reasons (so too Renton).
Of your list and add ons, I think Flanders will get game time this year.
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@nepia I wouldn't call myself a big fan of Lamborn; I liked his work rate, (to a degree) his aggression and - to me - he was really the best of the rest (but clearly behind players like Evans, Mikaele-Tu'u, and now I'd also say Flanders, who's an immense prospect for a SR contract IMO. I also rate TBW ahead of him. Thought Lamborn re-gressed a bit last year, but it's hard to say with whole team underperforming.)
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@stargazer said in Hawke's Bay rugby 2018:
@nepia I wouldn't call myself a big fan of Lamborn; I liked his work rate, (to a degree) his aggression and - to me - he was really the best of the rest (but clearly behind players like Evans, Mikaele-Tu'u, and now I'd also say Flanders, who's an immense prospect for a SR contract IMO. I also rate TBW ahead of him. Thought Lamborn re-gressed a bit last year, but it's hard to say with whole team underperforming.)
I stand corrected - actually looks like we agree
- is there another HB poster on here who is a big fan that I've confused you with.Yeah, I liked him when he was a pure 7 but the hybrid 6 change didn't work for me (especially when TBW was getting splinters).
