For 2016

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

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="552628" data-time="1452828216">
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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?
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We'll be able to see the new jersey of the sevens team tomorrow at the National Sevens tournament, but I'm not sure whether it will be the same as or similar to the Magpies jersey. The team line-up has still not been published by the way ... I'm keen to find out whether Kaka and Lamborn will be playing.

Stargazer

The HBRU posted this photo of the new 7s strip on FB. The sponsor name might be different on the Magpies jersey. Aerospread is - as far as I know - only the sponsor of the 7s team:
 
<img src="http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CYx9weBUkAAkBRo.png" alt="CYx9weBUkAAkBRo.png">

? Offline

Zac Guildford has had the second year of his Magpies contract cancelled by HB.
 
And apparently Trinity Spooner-Neera, loaned to Wanganui last year, has been signed by Taranaki.

Peter Mettrick

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Number 10" data-cid="558522" data-time="1455347434">
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Zac Guildford has had the second year of his Magpies contract cancelled by HB.
 
And apparently Trinity Spooner-Neera, loaned to Wanganui last year, has been signed by Taranaki. 
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Interesting although not that surprising about Guildford.I wonder if they think McNicol and Emmerson can do the job or will look for someone else?
Spooner Neera is no great loss,imo.

Higgins

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="552801" data-time="1452882397">
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The HBRU posted this photo of the new 7s strip on FB. The sponsor name might be different on the Magpies jersey. Aerospread is - as far as I know - only the sponsor of the 7s team:
 
<img src="http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CYx9weBUkAAkBRo.png" alt="CYx9weBUkAAkBRo.png">
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Repulsively ugly. Since when have our precious colours become black, white and grey :puke: :puke: and not even full hoops? Hopefully this will be just the sevens version and the Mitre 10 Cup version will revert to our beloved black and white hoops that have served us well enough for the best part of 125 years.

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Number 10" data-cid="558522" data-time="1455347434">
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Zac Guildford has had the second year of his Magpies contract cancelled by HB.
 
And apparently Trinity Spooner-Neera, loaned to Wanganui last year, has been signed by Taranaki. 
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Very disappointing. Guildford has always shown great loyalty to the Magpies and loves playing for his province. I still think he's not been managed properly. It will be interesting to see how he'll do at the Tahs as Gibson seems to have more understanding of his illness.
Somehow I think this has been a coach's decision, just like Hika Elliott. Both are Bay men through and through, and would love to play for the Magpies. I've never rated Phillpott; how many years has he still on his contract? Wish he'd bugger off.
 
If Guildford joins Elliott and Spooner-Neera at Naki, we may have a second Bay team in a few years. :biggrin:

? Offline

49-man trial camp for the NZ Under 20 team this weekend at Palm North.
 
Five from Hawke's Bay
Mason Kean
Max Fryatt
Marino Mikaele-Tu'u
Jonah Lowe
Mason Emerson
 
Not considered due to injury
Hugh Renton
 
I don't think he's played a game since 2014. Will he ever play again?

Stargazer

Grant Dearns leaving the Magpies! 

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Fitness guru headed to Japan By Shane Hurndell 4:50 AM Wednesday Mar 16, 2016 
 It's become a tradition within the Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team. 
 When a player or a member of the coaching staff leaves or brings up 100 first class games they have the opportunity to name their Magpies team, a selection of who they consider the best Magpies players during their time with the side. Magpies strength and conditioning coach Grant Dearns, who will leave the Bay next month after 12 years with the team to take up a similar role with Japanese Top 14 competition side NEC Green Rockets, politely declined the selection role. 
 "I knew you were going to ask me but I would disappoint too many players. Just look at the halfbacks I've got to choose from, Danny [Lee], Chris [Eaton] and Kahn [Fotuali'i] and they're just the big names," Dearns said. 
 However Dearns, who has a three-year contract with the Rockets and will work alongside former Magpies mentor Peter Russell, the head coach, and Bay of Plenty's Dave Dillon, who is the assistant coach, was quick to reply when asked to name his fittest Magpie and it was predictable. 
 "MJ [centurion and former captain Michael Johnson] was the best out of both the amateur and professional eras. He prepared the most completely and was the complete package ... I'm not surprised he's doing so well in triathlons these days. Mark Abbott, Michael Allardice and Tom Stanley wouldn't be too far behind MJ," Dearns, 51, said referring to three of last year's squad. 
 "It was a tough decision to leave the team but when you get to my age opportunities like this don't come very often." 
 He ranked the second shield tenure which ended last year as the highlight of his time with the Magpies. 
 "To be an involved fan and to help hold it for a long while ... it might not get better than that." 
 One of the keys to Dearns' success has been his ability to grasp new technology. 
 "My sole job is to help make better footy players and to do that you need the right tools. Sometimes you are limited by budget and some of the technology is still untested. Most teams have GPS tracking devices now with the aim of making better teams indoors and outdoors. When you get such devices the data has to be able to be used and the players and coaches need to understand it," Dearns explained. 
 Always one to sidestep kudos, Dearns said he heard fans praising the fitness levels of the Magpies when they were often the stronger team during the final 20 minutes last season. 
 "Winning or losing because of conditioning seldom happens ... maybe once or twice during a season. Coaches sub for tactical reasons first before fatigue-related ones too." 
 Dearns was full of praise for the support he received from the union's CEO Mike Bishop, chairman Brendan Mahony and the board. 
 "I'm very grateful for the time I've had ... some of the best years of my rugby career. I couldn't have asked for a better situation right from the time I first arrived when Richard [Hunt] was chairman. Richard has always been an influence," Dearns said. 
 "Whilst we are very sad to see him go, we are delighted for him that he has secured an excellent opportunity to experience Japanese rugby and we wish him and his family all the best for their future endeavours," Bishop said yesterday. 
 "Grant has been a fantastic servant of Hawke's Bay rugby during his 12 years with us. He is thoroughly professional and is universally respected by all the players that have come under his charge over that period and by all the other provincial union coaches and players. 
 "It was through his efforts that we were able to set a standard of fitness for the Magpies squads over the years that have ensured they are amongst the fittest and best conditioned team throughout the Provincial Unions and the Super Rugby franchises. This has of course then translated into success on the field of play throughout the years," Bishop said. 
 He had every right to praise Dearns' attention to detail and the manner in which he genuinely cares about the players he has worked with throughout his years with the union. 
 "Grant has been an absolute pleasure to work alongside," Bishop said. 
 "As a person he is of the highest calibre and has been an integral part of the many successes we have all enjoyed with Hawke's Bay Rugby throughout his time with us. 
 "He is a popular member of our team and has a deep passion for the Hawke's Bay region and the Magpies in particular." 
 The recruitment process to find a new Magpies strength and conditioning coach is under way. 
 - <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz/'>Hawkes Bay Today</a>
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Peter Mettrick

Dearns Will be a big loss,imo.The importance of strength and conditioning coaches is often underrated,imo.Hopefully they spend the money to get a good replacement.

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">"I knew you were going to ask me but I would disappoint too many players. Just look at the halfbacks I've got to choose from, Danny [Lee], Chris [Eaton] and Kahn [Fotuali'i] and they're just the big names," Dearns said.
 
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One of these things is not like the others ....

? Offline

Interesting career for Mr Eaton.
 
Debuted in 2005, persisted with by all three coaches from then (Ratcliffe, Russell, Philpott) but when Lee, Fotuali'i and Matthewson were signed he was number two behind them all, and when Lee, Fotuali'i, Matthewson weren't here he was number one.

? Offline

All five HB players at the NZ Under 20 trials were selected in the NZ team to play in the Oceania Under 20 championship in Australia, and hopefully the World Under 20 afer that.
 
Mason Emerson
Mason Kean
Jonah Lowe
Marino Mikaele-Tu'u
Pouri Rakete-Stones

Stargazer

Off topic, but I just noticed that fringe-Magpie Mikey Sosene-Feagai will play for San Diego in the new pro rugby competition in the USA.
 
<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/74956_994749823926874_1360945718962360736_n.jpg?oh=2706e19112b07a78fa806176f0b6eb1d&oe=578D5BB3&gda=1469237478_903a1c8dc7463d0feda3d9e6553e3976" alt="74956_994749823926874_136094571896236073">

? Offline

I wondered where he had gone.
 
The club season preview had him listed as a loss for Taradale this year, but didn't say where to.
 
Mind you, he was born in Los Angeles.

Higgins

I had the pleasure of seeing former HB contracted player, Marvan Karawana, in action in club rugby in Wellington today. I'm pleased to set everyones mind at rest to confirm he is still playing at practically the same level he showed for HB. A couple of beautiful missed tackles that resulted in tries being conceded were most reassuring. Hopefully he will continue to impress the Wellington selectors enough to be retained, especially for the cross over pool match when Championship level Wellington take on Premiership level Hawkes Bay!

Peter Mettrick

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="571202" data-time="1460205544">
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I had the pleasure of seeing former HB contracted player, Marvan Karawana, in action in club rugby in Wellington today. I'm pleased to set everyones mind at rest to confirm he is still playing at practically the same level he showed for HB. A couple of beautiful missed tackles that resulted in tries being conceded were most reassuring. Hopefully he will continue to impress the Wellington selectors enough to be retained, especially for the cross over pool match when Championship level Wellington take on Premiership level Hawkes Bay!
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Has always been average,quite unbelievable he played 30 odd games of 1st grade nrl.

The Silver Fern

For 2016