Magpies - 2019 Mitre 10 Cup
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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.
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Two snippets from the HBT's article about this weekend's club rugby:
Thanks to @kiwimatrix for drawing my attention to this:
Former Blues and Northland prop Namatahi Waa provided plenty of grunt for Taradale Rugby and Sports in this Tareha Recreation Reserve victory. "Namatahi has settled in the Bay with the aim of making the Magpies in the future and he's got the goods.Some of our Super boys are back:
Hurricane Danny Toala and Highlander Folau Fakatava displayed the benefits of their Super Rugby experience for Auto Super Shoppe Hastings Rugby and Sports in this Flaxmere Park drubbing. Toala had stints at centre and first five-eighth and used his tremendous pace and lethal step on his way to two tries. Halfback Fakatava took the field as a 50th minute substitute and increased the tempo. His Highlanders teammate Marino Mikaele-Tu'u will return to the side this week. -
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@Number-10 he's from up this way originally, but is a good prop, we never got to see the best of him due to injury, but will be a good option for you guys as he can play both sides as well
