2020 Hawke's Bay club rugby
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Club rugby starts Saturday 21 March with Nash Cup. New format sees only the top eight clubs go forward to the Maddison Trophy starting May 23.
Opening round sees a match between last year's Maddison Trophy finalists:
Home team first:
Central HB v Tech OB
Pirates v MAC
Napier OB Marist v Hastings RS
Tamatea v Havelock North
Clive v Taradale
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I see ex Samoan sevens and 15s rep,Alatasi Tupou is playing sevens for MAC at the moment. Im not sure if hes moved to the bay or just playing sevens,anybody heard any gains and losses from the club teams???
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@kiwimatrix Not yet. Usually, the HBT publishes team lists in the first week of the Nash Cup. Then we'll know more. Playing sevens doesn't mean a thing.
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This weekend was the annual Spillane Tournament, hosted by NOBM and won by NOBM.
I'm posting three articles about the tournament below, because they discuss several players that will play Club Rugby in the Bay and might be worth keeping an eye on for the Magpies WTG.
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Magpies flanker Will Tremain will miss the club season after shoulder surgery, lock Dan Law will also miss the season after surgery as will utility back and last season's Magpies squad outside back Saia Paese.
Hastings manager James Rosenberg said Magpies hooker Jacob Devery will start at second five-eighth.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=12314535
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https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=12314782
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https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=12314907
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@Number-10 said in 2020 Hawke's Bay club rugby:
Revised club draw released.
Just one round for Maddison Trophy by the look of it (Nash Cup cancelled).
Ah good, that's one less trophy the might fall into the hands of NOB
M!!!
From what I have heard earlier this year the Texans were looking poised for a much better performance this season than last. Hopefully all those things are still in place despite the delayed start. We will get some indication after they take on the Doolies at Whitmore Park in the first round on June 20th. -
The HB Today newspaper, one of the numerous owned by NZME, no longer has a dedicated sports reporting department. Sports editor Anendra Singh and sports reporter Shane Hurndell have recently lost their jobs.
So it looks like the rugby coverage we have been used to is going to dramatically shrink. Club rugby reporting will probably just be something like bare results.
Doug Laing has done a lot of sports reporting over the years. He was on the Napier Daily Telegraph from the late 1970's, and on to the HB Today in 1999 when the Daily Telegraph and the Hastings paper the Herald-Tribune merged, but for many years now has been farming reporter. Maybe will do farming and sport?
He also covered the 1986 Cavaliers tour of South Africa for NZ newspapers and wrote a booklet on the tour.
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@Number-10 Geez, unless other local editors/reporters cover sports, we'll hear nothing anymore.
It's a pity that the Dom Post stopped it's HB sports coverage (HB Sun Sport) a few years ago, as well.
I wish the Clubrugby website did more than covering Wellington club rugby. Or that there was some kind of local initiative (a FB page, for example) dedicated to HB club/school rugby, with volunteer contributors.
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Pre-season game on Sat 13 June 2020:
Premiers
Havelock North v Taradale - 2 pm, Tareha Park
Napier Pirate v Napier Tech - 2pm, Tamatea ParkColts
Napier Pirate v Napier Tech - 12pm, Tamatea ParkThere may be more preseason games, but I have not been able to find them.
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Very interesting!! I haven't bolded the SR players, but look at some of the other names. A few returnees and club changes!
2020 premier clubs and squads
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MAC
Maori Agricultural College (MAC) narrowly missed out on a top four spot in 2019 and are looking at an improved result in 2020. A new look backline with a competitive forward pack gives this year's MAC Premier team a good balance.
Players to watch – Magpies flanker Solomone Fuanki and first five Lincoln McClutchie will show their class, Samoan 7s representative Tom Iosefo should continue his fine form.
Willy Benson (Captain), Kianu Kereru-Symes, Damarus Hokianga, Paipai Siofolau, Paula Latu, Amiga Mikaele, Mason Kean, TK Kata, Larry Olive, Everard Reid, Teina Huia, Tupou Afungia, Solomone Funaki, Lexus Greening, Faalemiga Selesele, Tom Iosefo, John Ika, Colin Hokianga, Lincoln McClutchie, Gideon Kautai, Paul Bickle, Alatasi Tupou, Andrew Tauatevalu, Vailoa Kereti, Jackson Waerea, Roger Paewai, Hemi Waerea, Tinania Atiga, Filemoni Asolua, William Ahkiong
Coaches: Mutu Ngarimu, Matt Marsh, Pat Benson,
Managers: Anthony Morley, Len Huia, Ray Raha, Narley Tuliau, James Mitchell
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Taradale Rugby and Sports
Taradale have size upfront and added impact in the backs for a competitive line up across the field. Many will be picking them to improve on their semifinalists position in 2019.
Players to watch – Former Magpies prop Joe Apikatoa returns to Hawke's Bay, flanker Iakopo Mapu was outstanding in 2019 and midfield back Levi Harmon has been a good acquisition from Wellington.
Joe Apikotoa, Jacob Baker, Josh Combs, Josh Eden-Whaitiri, Grayson Ewart, Andrew Gardner, Levi Harmon, Karl Hewitt, Caleb Makene, Iakopo Mapu, Angelo Mufana, Dylan Ramsay, Nathan Ramsay, Cameron Robinson, Ian Rore, Liam Rowlands, Hemaua Samasoni, Ollie Sapsford, Humphrey Shield, Toby Single, Brad Truesdale, Majella Tufuga, Namatahi Waa, Thomas Williams
Coaches: Boyd Carswell and Tim Combs
Managers: Jordan Wise, Paul Wise and Jack Byrne
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Clive Rugby and Sports
Andrew Clark Tremains Clive Rugby & Sports have a good look about this year's squad. The traditionally slow starters will be looking to hit their straps from game one.
Expect a big robust tight five mixed this year with some speedy loose forwards. The backline has excitement potential if Super Rugby players Tiaan Falcon and Jonah Lowe are made available. The ever-reliable goal kicking of Tianua Poto, the return of Sebastian Visinia and acquisition of Nick Biss add stability to the backline.
Players to watch – HB Academy flanker Liam Udy-Johns with backs Visinia and Biss
Kereama Peni, Zac Southwick, Corban Kireka, Simon Haimona, Jono Soffe, Rocky Pohatu, Donovan Mataira, Rana Huata, Henry Blake, Jay Tuivaiti, Jordan Kupa, Joeseph Fuimaono, Liam Udy-Johns, Jesse Tuhua, Filipo Schmidt, Sam Wong, Bronson Hokianga, Tama Dunn, Te Kahika Thompson, Tianua Poto, Tiaan Falcon, Moses Riely, Sebastian Visinia, Duff Pentito, Marcus Moat, Connor Rahui-Catley, Corey Tautau, Jonah Lowe, Eti Collins, Wharewaiata Rolls and Nick Biss
Coaches: Vaine Maui, Jorian Tangaere
Managers: Dean Hales, Ted Tauta
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Havelock North Rugby Club
The Progressive Meat and Shanley and Co Surveyors premier team is full of excitement about the season look to hit the ground running. The villagers are renowned for playing some razzle-dazzle backed up with some solid additions and many returning players who will add experience.
Players to watch – Highlanders and Maori All Black Brendon Edmonds named to play and coach, talented young first five Latrell Smiler-Ah Kiong from Hastings Boys' and the return of crowd favourite Shannon Chase
Jasper Wylie, Cameron Pratt, Kelly Petrowski, Callum Hardie, Brendon Edmonds, Otzhuka Tuanui, Joe Walding- Karaitiana, Matt Phillips, Wayne Lush, JJ Scales, Fillipe Kuruvoli, Shane Cusack, Ben Morgan, Willie McGoon, Jacob Stephenson, Isiah Renata, Devan Flanders, Gareth Evans, Tony Lamborn, Trent Hape, Matt Hill, Latrell Smiler- Ah Kiong, Adam Blake, Ethan Taylor, Kalin Paewai, Jessie Paewai, Farani Tupai, Trinity Spooner- Neera, Anzelo Tuitavuki, Mikey Vuicakau, Shannon Chase.
Coaches: Edmonds Fuiava, Brendon Edmonds, Isaac Paewai, Nathan Paewai
Managers: Richard Kinnear, Phil Drummond
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Napier Old Boys Marist
In the off-season, WIT NOBM coach Craig Gowler has had his recruiting hat on and has bolstered the ranks with new exciting players to join last year's Maddison Trophy-winning side.
Magpies' Will Tremain returns to the loose forwards, youngsters Tom Devine and James Holbrook have joined the NOBM front row with a 2.03cm addition at lock in Australian Alex Williams. George Stratton has joined the slick backline, after his representative time for Canterbury under 19s and 20s and Josh McIntyre (ex NBHS) has returned to the Bay after time in Palmerston North.
Players to watch – Will Tremain will be keen to start the season and stay injury free, speedster Michael Buckley has an eye for the try line and tough loose forward Ricky Hayes will add grit.
Pedro Bezanilla, Michael Buckley, Bain Champion, Dominic Devine, Luke Donaldson, Zachary Donaldson, Liam Edwards, Pouvi Fatialofa, Matthew Gardner, Ricky Hayes, James Holbrook, Chris Johnston, Ioane Lauano, Migao Lauano, Terry Marsh, Lee Moleli, Andrew Robinson, Sean Skeet, George Stratton, Patrick Teddy, Alexander Williams, Ellery Wilson, Jack Winson, Will Tremain, Josh McIntyre
Coaches: Craig Gowler, Steve Bennett
Managers: Greig Lindsay, Todd Donaldson, Glenn Donaldson
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Hastings Rugby and Sports
Auto Super Shoppes HRS were superb in 2019, narrowly losing the final in extra time. A year on their squad looks settled with some great additions from Hastings Boys' High School.
In the forwards they have a mix of workers in the tight five and dynamic loosies who will provide a good platform for a backline which has a good mix of young and old.
Players to watch – Otago Mitre 10 cup halfback Connor McLeod will add direction, HBHS outside back Joeli Rauca is an exciting prospect and Magpies wing Mason Emerson who has returned from a season in the US.
Jardine Chung Ching, Emil Crichton, Jacob Devery, Neria Fomai, Thomas Kirikiri, Jesse Lesa- Sipaia, Miracle Lolofie, Jason Long, Jono Makris, Fale Matamata, Angus McGuire, Connor McLeod, Antonio Mikaele- Tu'u, Sakopo Ofa, Joeli Rauca, Jayden Rihia, Saifiti Saifiti, Daniel Saifiti, Eugene Sandilands, Joe Taafi, Denis Tapusoa, Jordon Thompson (I assume that's Jordan Thompson-Dunn?), Etuate Tuanaki, Danya Tulou, Mason Emerson, Manase Uaisele, Timo Vaiusu, Ausage Fomai, Reihana Wilkie, Samuel Walton – Sexton, Marino Mikaele - Tu'u, Danny Toala, Folau Fakatava
Coaches: Sione Kite, Bevan Lynch, Andrew Hui
Managers: John Makris, James Rosenberg
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Napier Technical Old Boys
Whilst centenary celebrations may have been put on hold due to Covid-19 Altherm Window Systems Napier Tech have fronted with a strong looking squad. Full of experienced club and rep players the NTOB management have worked hard to entice former players to return this season and will be much improved.
Players to watch – captain and workhorse lock Elijah Martin, Wellington Lions halfback Sheridan Rangihuna and eyes will be on former All Black Zac Guildford.
Mark Braidwood, Tim Farrell, Perrin Manual, Conan Houkamau, Makaro Joel, Elijah Martin, Todd Cushing, Trent Boswell-Wakefield, James Hughes, Hannon Brighouse, Slayde Lange, Tauese Fatialofa, Logan Ede, Jazz Reti, Jordan Faia, Sheridan Rangihuna, Martin Watson, Ted Walters, Sam Giddens, Te Rangi Fraser, Junior Saufoi, Misi Lealaisalano, Tamati Samuels, Penikolo Latu, Zac Guildford, Scott Mogford
Coaches: Asa Ene, Simon Lord
Managers: Rod Cushing, Cyril Whitburn
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Central Hawke's Bay Rugby and Sports
Northfuels CHB Rugby and Sports field a settled team full of local and seasoned players. An extremely hard-working forward pack will play for 80 minutes each and every game.
Expect this team to play cohesively and any team who travels to Waipukurau always finds it a tough challenge.
Players to watch – Magpies 2019 player of the year Tom Parsons, HBRU Academy loose forward Frank Lochore has a bright future and HB 7s rep Tomo Fogary.
Marcus Jackson, Trei Nepe-Apatu, William Gunson, Karl Lepelaars, Warwick Slingsby, Tom Beachen, Ruan De Lange, Cory Cathro, Tom Parsons, Troy McIvor, Max Fryatt, Joel Hintz, Wilbur Redward, Tomo Fogarty, Frank Lochore, Geoff Cridge, Ben Parsons, Finau Nimatasau, Tim Sciascia, James Logan, Zac Simpson, Jason Cutbush, Sean Baker, Nick White, Ben May
Coaches: Dave Lochore, Richard Kupa
Manager: Ian Large
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Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports – No information supplied
Tamatea Rugby Club - No information supplied
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=12341308
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@Stargazer Interesting, looks like a few clubs have strengthened up a bit, should be plenty of depth for the magpies this year.I cant see Josh Kaifas name anywhere he must have left.
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@kiwimatrix Yes, the changes are definitely interesting. Lincoln McClutchie has moved from Tamatea to MAC. Zac Guildford back in the Bay. Brendon Edmonds playing again. I had already seen on instagram that Joe Apikotoa was back, too, and that Trinity Spooner-Neera was keen to play again after a long break from XVs. Connor McLeod is a Bay boy who made his Mitre 10 Cup debut for Otago in 2019. Maybe he has finished his uni studies?
Also interesting to see which clubs last year's Hastings Boys National Champions are playing for. Most for HRS, but Smiler-Ah Kiong has chosen to stay at Havelock North where he played 7s. IIRC he said earlier this year, he was considering playing XVs for Clive. Unfortunately, lock Julian Goerke has ended up - I think - in Manawatu (I assume because of uni).
No sign of a return of Hugh Renton, yet. I understand he's in the final stages of his studies in Chch.
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@kiwimatrix HBT must have made a mistake. Josh Kaifa is still with Clive. This photo was posted on Clive's Facebook page with the caption "Clives Premiers team for 2020":
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All local rugby content appearing in the HB Today is supplied to them now by the Hawke's Bay RU.
The clubs are supplying the information to the Union who are compiling it and sending it in.
If the HBRU didn't take the initiative on this then no local rugby would be appearing in the HB Today.
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@Number-10 It's appreciated. I follow as many clubs as possible on social media, but still not all of them have public Facebook pages (which I find a bit odd in this day and age) or post info that you'd expect, such as upcoming games with k/o times and venues, and team line-ups. So anything that the union posts (whether on their own pages, or via the HBT) is welcome!
If I lived in the Bay and had the time for it, I'd probably try contributing articles to the club rugby website. That's all volunteer work, as far as I know, but at the moment they cover mostly Wellington club rugby, and now and then something about Taranaki.
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By the way, Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe has moved to Wellington and has joined Northern United. I wonder whether that means he won't return to the Magpies?
The same might apply to Saia Paese, who has joined Oriental-Rongotai. For Paese it's a return to Wellington. He attended St Pat's Town.
I don't know him, but Cole Cornelius (a Napier Boys Old Boy) has moved to this club, as well.
Finally, I also noticed the name of Luke Johnson (who played in the same HB U19s team as McClutchie, Fakatava, Kereru-Symes, Toala, Flanders and Tavita-Metcalfe) on the list of schoolleavers joining the OBU Green Colts team in Wellington. Google tells me he went to St John's College.
I don't know whether they're still part of the HB Academy (as origin players), but Josh Gimblett and Tiaki Fabish will be playing for Old Boys Uni.
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Premiers games Sat 20 June 2020 (3pm k/o):
Central v Tamatea at Central Park 1
Hastings R&S v Clive at Elwood Park 1
MAC v Taradale at Flaxmere Park 1
Napier Tech v Napier OBM at Whitmore Park 1
Napier Pirate v Havelock North at Tamatea Park 1.
I've only been able to find two team line-ups. Will add more if they are posted online.NOBM
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Napier Tech
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This article just appeared on my twitter feed.Today’s fixtures will see some Super Rugby players taking to the field including Highlanders halfback Folau Fakatava and Hurricane Danny Toala featuring for Hastings Rugby and Sports in their match against hosts Clive, who are expected to select Hurricane Jonah Lowe and Chiefs first-five Tiaan Falcon.
Former All Black Zac Guildford will get game time for Napier Tech lineup against last year’s championship winning side Napier Old Boys Marist at Whitmore Park.
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Hastings beat Clive 29-22. Clive led 17-7 at halftime.
Clive forwards dominated the last 20 minutes of the first half, Hastings forwards dominated the whole second half.
Hastings were awarded two penalty tries in the second half. The first after Clive conceded a third consecutive penalty on their line, the second after a scrum going backwards on their line.
In the first half, Hastings conceded six consecutive penalties on their line and did not concede a penalty try although they did lose a man to a yellow card. So the referee was certainly not consistent in applying the penalty tries.
For Hastings new halfback from Otago Connor McLeod looked okay, played 75 minutes - has a good pass on him, particularly off his left hand, but did no running and kicked just once, so not much variation. Folau Fakatava came on for the last 20 minutes and played at centre.
Danny Toala and Mason Emerson did not play - Toala took out the kicking tee and Emerson was water boy.
Tiaan Falcon played the whole game for Clive at first-five, and Jonah Lowe played the whole game as well - at second five-eighth for the first half and right wing for the second half.
Josh Kaifa played the whole game for Clive as well.
HB Rugby thrilled to see players finally take to the field
