Magpies - 2019 Mitre 10 Cup
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Considering the HBRU seem to be doing their announcements via the HBT rather than on their own media platforms, I think it's safe to say it's now official:
Isaia Walker-Leawere has signed with the Magpies for 3 years, and Brendon O'Connor is returning to the Bay. This article doesn't say for how many seasons though.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=12238209
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Magpies wider training squad for the July 3 pre-season match against Manawatu
From HBRU Facebook:
Mark, Josh and Francisco have announced a 42 man wider training squad who will prepare for the July 3 pre-season match against Manawatu at Napier's McLean Park. "We've got the likes of Donovan Mataira, Liam Udy-Johns and Tyrone Dodd-Edwards in there. They are seen as potential future Magpies and while it may not be this year it will be in the next year or two." "This squad has a good mix of older and younger guys. While all of them may not play against Manawatu being involved in the training's will assist their progress," Ozich said. Congratulations to all those named in the squad..
From HBT:
Hawke's Bay Magpies utility back Stacey Ili will return to the province on Sunday and will play club rugby for Napier Old Boys Marist from June 22. The return of Ili and former Magpies prop Jody Allen are features of a 42-strong Magpies squad named today to prepare for the July 3 pre-season match against Manawatu at Napier's McLean Park. Ili, 28, played 10 first class games for the Magpies in the starting XV last year, nine at centre and one at first five-eighth, before heading overseas for a stint with the Singapore-based Asia Pacific Dragons in the Global Rapid competition. Before coming to the Bay last year Ili spent two years with Irish provincial side Connacht after previous playing for Auckland and Melbourne Rising. Allen, 31, played the last of his 10 first class games for the Magpies in 2013. The former North Harbour rep recently returned to the Bay after playing in Spain and had his first starting XV appearance for Taradale Rugby and Sports against Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports at the weekend after an appearance as a substitute the previous weekend.Ozich has also named the injured pair of Napier Old Boys Marist loosie Ricky Hayes and Napier Technical outside back Penikolo Latu. Hayes is expected to be back in action in a fortnight after recovering from a leg injury and while Latu will be out of action for another 10 weeks Ozich said it is crucial to keep Latu in the training environment.Ozich agreed his latest squad had a "developmental look".He intends to play 26 players against Manawatu. "This squad has a good mix of older and younger guys. While all of them may not play against Manawatu being involved in the trainings will assist their progress," Ozich added.www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=12238981
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I see that McNicol and Makene have already been included. I hope that that means they will already be available to play in the preseason game. For Sam, it has been ages ago since he played, so the sooner the better from a match fitness p.o.v..
Maybe my memory is wrong, but wasn't Jody Allen one of those props who was playing well above his level? In other words, he was terrible and he shouldn't be in the squad? I hope the fact that he has played for the Magpies previously doesn't automatically mean that he gets selected ahead of young blokes like Farrell or Tavita-Metcalfe. And if it's been Allen and Long, I'd pick Long, too.
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Hoping (from a selfish club perspective) that McNicol and Ili get to play Maddison trophy next weekend
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You can't get experience if you have not been playing. All you can get is more real hard physical toughness as you get older but if his technique/propping ability was not that good to start with you don't have a lot of things waving in your favour. Has he been playing oveseas in one of those non descript semi-professional leagues they have in places like Spain and Russia and French Div 2 or 3 and places like that?
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@Higgins Yep, Spain.
From that HBT article that I quoted:
Allen, 31, played the last of his 10 first class games for the Magpies in 2013. The former North Harbour rep recently returned to the Bay after playing in Spain and had his first starting XV appearance for Taradale Rugby and Sports against Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports at the weekend after an appearance as a substitute the previous weekend.I remember that he left Hawke's Bay to play for North Harbour, hoping to get a starting spot there. It didn't work out as he'd hoped. Then he played for VRAC (Valladolid) in Spain, the same team where Chris Eaton played last year. Apparently, he has now returned and hopes to get another shot at the Magpies.
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Retallick said he has also re-signed with Hawke’s Bay Rugby. “Even though I haven’t played for the ‘Mighty Magpies’ for a few years, I do want to acknowledge my connections to Hawke’s Bay and thank them as well for their support.”Geez, couldn't he slot in a game or two, in his extended break. C'mon Brodie, you know you want to ..
http://www.allblacks.com/News/34254/retallick-signs-new-deal-to-extend-his-career
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@Stargazer said in Magpies - 2019 Mitre 10 Cup:
Retallick said he has also re-signed with Hawke’s Bay Rugby. “Even though I haven’t played for the ‘Mighty Magpies’ for a few years, I do want to acknowledge my connections to Hawke’s Bay and thank them as well for their support.”Geez, couldn't he slot in a game or two, in his extended break. C'mon Brodie, you know you want to ..
http://www.allblacks.com/News/34254/retallick-signs-new-deal-to-extend-his-career
If he does let me know he has my 3MVP points for any games he can slot in for during the break. I will also continue to vote for him 3MVP points for any ABs games he doesn't play.
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Tongia, yeah or nah?
Don't discount Ryan Tongia's chances of earning a Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team recall this season. The former Papua New Guinea rugby league representative and Highlanders Super Rugby outside back who last played for the Magpies in 2016 is happy with his comeback from a 12-month spell with a knee injury and has told Magpies head coach Mark Ozich he will be available if required. Tongia, 29, will start at fullback for Progressive Meats Havelock North against Tanalised Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports in today's feature Tui Maddison Trophy eighth round encounter at Anderson Park, a match the villagers must win to stay in semifinal contention. "It's a bit like when I first came here in 2014. I have to put my hand up each weekend in club rugby and make the most of my opportunities," Tongia said. Four weeks ago he returned to the club scene with an outing for the villagers reserve grade team. Today's match will be Tongia's third this season for the premiers.https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=12244885
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@Stargazer I see Namatahi Waa the ex northland prop is playing for Taradale.I wonder if he has a magpies deal or is just hoping for the best.
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@kiwimatrix He isn't in the WTG that was named last month, but things can change. We'll see who will be named in the squad for the preseason game this Wednesday.
