For 2016

Higgins

It is not often first year out of school players front up in the ITM Cup unless they are supremely talented. We seem to be fairly well covered in the No 8 position with TBW and the young kid Joe Penitito so maybe we might not be seeing much of Hannon Brighouse in particular. Unless of course Mr. Philpott is still searching for reasons to keep TBW on the sidelines! Of course he could also be cover for Hugh Renton who might still be insufficiently recovered from injuries to take a full part yet again.

WingerHB

I suspect they've been signed to the HB rugby academy rather than the ITM Cup squad.

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Number 10" data-cid="534426" data-time="1445800026">
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According to this morning's HB Today Tony Lamborn has a Hurricanes WTG contract for 2016 and Dominic Bird and Sam McNicol could both be Magpies in 2016.
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McNicol's move back to the Bay is now confirmed (according to this article on the Stuff website:
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
Lions outside back Sam McNicol makes provincial shift home to Hawke's Bay
 
TOBY ROBSON
Last updated 18:26, December 9 2015
 
Talented fullback Sam McNicol will return home to Hawke's Bay next season, ending an injury-plagued two-year stint in Wellington.
 
The Napier Boys High School and New Zealand Secondary Schools star shifted to the capital in 2014 with high hopes, but never really got a chance to showcase his abilities due to regular injuries that restricted his provincial rugby to just one match for the Hurricanes and four matches for the Lions this year.
 
McNicol's first season in Wellington ended with double hip surgery after he experienced constant pain while playing for Petone in the local club competition and he was hit by injury again this year when he fractured his eye socket during the Lions' final preseason match against Canterbury, ruling him out of most of the provincial season.
 
The 20-year-old made his Lions debut on the wing against Bay of Plenty and played the final three matches of the season including the semifinal and final when Wellington's bid to gain promotion to the national provincial competition's top tier ended in a solitary point loss to Hawke's Bay at McLean Park.
 
Hawke's Bay's coaches clearly liked what they saw and jumped at the chance to bring one of the region's local schoolboys home to Napier.
 
"We're thrilled to have him coming back because he was one of the ones we didn't want to leave when he left," Hawke's Bay chief executive Mike Bishop said on Wednesday. 
 
"He's a great young footballer with a very good attitude and we always like our local boys to come home. He and Brad Weber are two good examples of that year, as is Brodie Retallick in some respects because he made his name with us first too. To have guys like Sam coming back again and seeing his future in a black and white jersey is good for us and exciting for Sam."
 
McNicol's provincial shift coincides with a move from the Hurricanes to the Chiefs in 2016. He made an eye-catching Super Rugby debut for the Hurricanes against the Chiefs earlier this year, a match in which he scored a brilliant solo try only to be called back due to a forward pass.
 
Bishop didn't believe McNicol's Super Rugby shift had played a part in his decision to leave Wellington. 
 
"He was keen on our set up here and we were more than happy to have him."
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WingerHB

Great signing. Will it be at the expense of Zac?

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="WingerHB" data-cid="546758" data-time="1449652452">
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Great signing. Will it be at the expense of Zac?
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That's possible. Or Lewis Marshall. Don't know for how long Marshall was signed. Or Fruean?

Stargazer

Gareth Evans has re-signed with the Magpies for 2016 and 2017.

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="WingerHB" data-cid="546758" data-time="1449652452">
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Great signing. Will it be at the expense of Zac?
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I thought Zac's deal is NSW for Super rugby and Magpies for NPC. 
 
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">we always like our local boys to come home.
 
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 :mocking: Comedy gold from Bishop again.

WingerHB

You're right about Zac's dual contract, but that might be doubt after his drinking relapse. They weren't prepared to comment on the latest incident, maybe for legal reasons? Would be a shame if he had his contract torn up.

WingerHB

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="546768" data-time="1449659447">Gareth Evans has re-signed with the Magpies for 2016 and 2017.</blockquote>
 
Hopefully we get more game from him. He's had terrible luck with injuries. Renton too - love to see what all the fuss is about.

? Offline

yes I think Zac was signed to HB for 2015 and 2016.

Munsterboy

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Number 10" data-cid="533882" data-time="1445726737">
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So far, there are only two confirmed departures:
 
Brendon O'Connor to Leicester
 
Tom Stanley to Oxford University
 
There must be a question mark with Andrew Horrell. He only signed a one-year contract with the Chiefs for 2016 which suggests he is then looking for overseas.
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Slight correctlon No.10, I believe Tom's off to Cambridge, not Oxford.
 
As it happens, he has kindly donated a signed Magpie's jersey for a charity auction I'm running in aid of ex-Canada international Matt King.
 
I'm also auctioning a signed All Blacks jersey donated by Codie Taylor!
 
If you're interested in bidding, you can do so here: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://www.32auctions.com/rugbykit'>https://www.32auctions.com/rugbykit</a>
 
Sorry, don't mean to spam the forum, just trying to raise awareness amongst Magpies/All Blacks fans who might be interested.
 
Please spread the word! Thanks!

Stargazer

Not only does the latest HBRU e-Newsletter confirm the departure of Brendon O'Connor (Leicester Tigers) & Tom Stanley (Oxford Uni), and the signing of Sam McNicol, it also mentions the:
 
- departure of first five Tyrone Elkington-MacDonald to Auckland (for work reasons)
- signing of Tiaan Falcon
- signing of Marino Mikaele Tu'u (also Hurricanes apprentice)
 
I knew Philpott was appointed assistant coach of the NZ U20s, but the e-letter also says that Danny Lee is a technical adviser of the team.
 
Mason Emerson, Mason Kean, Max Fryatt, Marino Mikaele Tu'u and Jonah Lowe are all in the wider training squad of the U20s.
 
 
I doubt Tiaan Falcon will be ready to step up as a replacement of Ihaia West if he gets injured. I hope they are looking to sign another 10, esp if it is doubtful that Dagg will return in 2016. We need another good goal kicker.
 
I'm, by the way, quite sure Guildford was only signed for 2015. Hope he'll be back in 2016.

stoli

Another change for 2016 is a change of gear sponsor with Kooga no longer the supplier. I don't know who will be but do know its not Canterbury

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="stoli" data-cid="551841" data-time="1452502365">
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Another change for 2016 is a change of gear sponsor with Kooga no longer the supplier. I don't know who will be but do know its not Canterbury
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Interesting ... that may explain why Kooga has reduced the price of most of the Magpies gear on their website.
 
Looking at the other gear sponsors in the NPC, that leaves Kukri (Counties, Waikato), Samurai (BOP), ISC (Turbos), BLK (Wellington, Ta$man, Canterbury), or a completely new gear sponsor (at least, new to the NPC).

? Offline

Magpies 2016 wider training squad was named last month.
 
* 2015 Magpie
 
Star Timu (2015 Hastings RS/HB Dev team)
* Lewis Marshall
Penikolo Latu (2015 MAC/HB Dev/HB Sevens)
Michael Vuicakau (2015 Havelock North/HB Dev) 
* Mason Emerson
* Shannan Chase
Neria Fomai (2015 HB Sevens)
Cole Eru (2015 Central HB/HB Dev)
* Jonah Lowe
* Billy Ropiha
Tianua Potu (2015 Clive/HB Dev)
Tiaan Falcon (2015 Lindisfarne College/Hurricanes U18)
* Jonathan Ruru
* Chris Eaton
* Ellery Wilson
Marino Mikaele-Tu'u (2015 Hastings BHS/Hurricanes U18/NZ Schools/HB Sevens)
* Joe Penitito
Ben Hamelink (2015 Hastings RS/HB Dev)
* Kaleb Sweet
* Trent Boswell-Wakefield
Lloyd Foote (2015 Pirates)
Ben Taylor (2015 Rathkeale College/Wairarapa Bush U18)
Ben Parsons (2015 Hastings RS/HB Dev)
* Sanaila Waqa
Max Fryatt (2015 Onga Tiko/HB U19)
* Jorian Tangaere
* Ricky Riccitelli
Pouri Rakete-Stones (2015 Napier BHS/Hurricanes U18)
* Jarvy Aoake
* Mark Braidwood
* Mason Kean
* Tolu Fahamokioa
* Jason Long

? Offline

Magpies pre-season matches for 2016:
 
June 29 - Saracens v Evergreens, Palmerston North
July 30 - HB v Manawatu, Palmerston North
August 6 - HB v Taranaki, Hawera
August 13 - HB v North Harbour, Napier

Stargazer

Paladin Sports is the new gear sponsor. This is from the HBRU Facebook page, posted today:
 
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The Magpies will be wearing a new brand of jerseys this season.
The Hawkes Bay Rugby Union is pleased to announce a 3 year Sponsorship and Apparel agreement with Paladin Sports.
Paladin is a New Zealand owned Company, which supplies apparel to Clubs and schools throughout N.Z, Australia, England, USA and Singapore. Paladin is a bespoke supplier of high quality on and off field apparel and team wear.
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The new HBRU Paladin apparel will be seen publicly for the first time at the National Sevens tournament on 16th January 2016, where the Central Region Champion Hawkeâ€™s Bay Sevens team will be wearing the new strip.
â€œWe are delighted to be launching the Paladin Brand into the New Zealand First Class rugby scene. We see the fit between the Magpies brand and that of Paladin being an excellent one for both parties. Paladin presented the HBRU with a compelling package to become our apparel partner and we look forward to forging a strong association with Tim and his team over the next few yearsâ€ HBRU CEO, Mike Bishop said today.
â€Itâ€™s a proud day for Paladin and we are delighted to be associated with HBRU and Magpies and look forward to a great working relationship together. Our aim is to not only provide the teams from HBRU with high quality playing gear and off field apparel, but to provide a range of cool, modern and unique off field merchandise that supporters are keen to wear and which will be priced at very attractive levels not seen for a long time.â€ Paladin CEO, Tim Morris said today.
Replica jerseys will be abailable for purchase closer to the season. Will keep you posted when we know a date.
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Higgins

Hopefully we will be back to traditional hoops that run unbroken completely round the jersey rather than the half pie ones we have been stuck with these last few seasons. Sadly there are no shots of what the new gear will look like on the Paladin Sports website or facebook pages. Is this a bad omen or not?

Stockcar86

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* Jason Long 2NZ :i_am_so_happy:
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? Offline

National Sevens at Rotorua this Saturday (16) and Sunday (17)
 
Matches are live on Sky Sports 3
 
Pool matches on Saturday, Magpies in Pool B.
 
11.45am v Taranaki
3.15pm v Wellington
5.55pm v Otago

The Silver Fern

For 2016