Magpies 2020
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@Nepia think he is doing Rugby Development stuff down your way (by your way, I mean HBians that live there) anyway isnt he?
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@taniwharugby Yes, he works for the HBRU as a Academy Player Development Manager.
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Confirmed: Sona Taumalolo has signed with the HBRU! This was posted on the HBRU Facebook page this morning:
TAUMALOLO RETURNS TO MAGPIES One of Hawke’s Bays favorite sons will return to pull on the Magpies jersey for the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup. Former Tongan international, Chiefs and Magpie prop Sona Taumalolo has signed with Hawke’s Bay and will add vital experience to what will be an exciting Magpies team and season for fans. Taumalolo who has been playing in France for Perpignan, Racing Métro and Grenoble since 2012 and is looking forward to the chance to add to his 61 caps and 18 tries for the Magpies. “I am really excited to return to Hawkes Bay with the chance to again pull on the black and white jersey. I look forward to sharing my experience with the young team and playing in front of the Magpies fans once again” Magpies Coach Mark Ozich was naturally delighted to have Taumalolo join his squad this season “ It’s great to have Sona back in the Bay and with the magpies for the 2020 Mitre 10 cup. We’re looking forward to working with him and he’s a great addition to our squad with a proven track record. For Sona and his family I know it’s an exciting time to return home and be amongst family and friends.” HBRFU Chief Executive Jay Campbell shared in Ozich’s delight having worked with Taumalolo during his previous stint in Hawke’s Bay. “Sona is a crowd favourite amongst Magpies fans and the fact he wanted to return home and represent Clive and the Magpies before he hangs up his boots epitomises what these teams mean to him. I’m sure everyone will be excited to see him running out on McLean Park once again” Taumalolo, wife Di and family will soon be back and New Zealand and once through the isolation process will be looking to settle in Hawkes Bay. • Hawke’s Bay, 61 games, 18 tries, 2005-2011 • Chiefs, 52 games, 15 tries, 2009-2012 • Tonga, 20 Tests, 4 tries, 2011-2015.
I'm not even sure he played for Racing Métro, unless it was on loan, but it's strange that they don't mention his last two years in France for Provence Rugby.It looks like this text is the same as this HBT article:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=12345033
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@Billsy111 said in Magpies 2020:
@Stargazer It's definitely not Sona. I spoke with him the other day about the reports he was coming back, and he said he knows nothing about it. He said he wished it was true, but it's not.
Sneaky Sona.
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At 16, Kianu Kereru-Symes playing for Otago Rugby club side Harbour, possible movement ? -
@stargazer You would have thought he would be good enough to start a club match?
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@NateHill74 Or injury cover for the Highlanders? Their only fit players are Ash Dixon and Liam Coltman. Ricky Jackson still not back from injury, I think, and Nathan Vella (called up as cover for Jackson) still suffering from concussion symptoms, apparently.
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@Stargazer Ricky Jackson is playing for University in club rugby in Dunedin this week
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@NateHill74 Hmm, still, maybe an extra injury cover until Vella is okay?
I don't even want to consider the possibility that he'd move from the Magpies to Otago.
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@Billsy111 Spoke to Sona again tonight. Said he was swarn to secrecy, so couldn't say anything. I said bring a big ugly expatriate Kiwi lock with you, as it seems Brodie won't be pulling on the Jersey.
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@Billsy111 Are you referring to Donimic Bird? Would fit seemlessly into the Central HB pack in Brodie's place!
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@Higgins And in the Magpies pack in Allardice's place, assuming he may miss the season because of his shoulder reconstruction surgery (I've no idea how long recovery after such surgery lasts but it sounds like something that could take a while).
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I didn't expect him to go anywhere else, but good to see the confirmation that Mikaele-Tu'u is in the 2020 Magpies squad. He has improved massively this year. It's clear that the players that have left the Highlanders (L Whitelock & Elliot Dixon in particular) were blocking his path and it's good that he now has the opportunity to grow.
I can only wish that our other young SR players will soon get that opportunity, too.
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hbmagpies: The barnstorming #8 has been a standout for the Highlanders this season and his name has been thrown around in the All Black mix, we are delighted to have Marino as a part of a special looking group of loose forwards this season.
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@Stargazer Impressive forward pack shaping up for Hawkes Bay. Who are your starting tight five?
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The HBRU seems to be dripfeeding the 2020 squad. Now, confirmed (not surprisingly): Jonah Lowe
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hbmagpies: Loves an intercept, Jonah “Jonesy” Lowe returns from the Hurricanes having also turned out several times for his beloved Clive Club. Always exciting, put your $$ on plenty of tries from this man in 2020.
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@Stargazer said in Magpies 2020:
put your $$ on plenty of tries
As much as I'm a fan I'm not risking my $$, he's likely to injure himself out of the season while stepping off the bus.
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New Magpies signing: Lolagi Visinia
From the HBRU Facebook page:
New signing lends muscle to Magpies backline
Former Blues and All Black 7's player Lolagi Visinia will join the 2020 Magpies squad.
The wing will "add size" to the Magpies backline which many indicated as a need to have to compete week after week with the best provincial union sides throughout New Zealand.
The back, who has returned from France where he has been playing for FC Grenoble since 2017, said he's "excited" after moving to Hawke's Bay and keen to contribute to the community through club rugby.
"I'm looking forward to getting into club rugby with Clive and playing for the Magpies," he said.
"This a massive opportunity for me to be a part of the Magpies team as I have been following their success of over the last few years and I'm keen to be a part of the legacy."
Magpies coach Mark Ozich was "thrilled" to have Visinia joining his backline.
"It is fantastic to have secured Lolagi into our Magpies squad. He adds a different dimension to our team at 1.94m and 105kg and having the ability to play a number of positions in the backline."
HBRFU chief executive Jay Campbell echoed Ozich's comments Lolagi is a proven performer at fullback and wing at Super Rugby level and said his additional "size and pace will complement our other outsides we have within our roster".
Visinia has also played representative rugby for the Auckland and New Zealand Schools and Under-20 sides.
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No doubt, the fact that his brother Sebastian Visinia moved to the Bay several years ago and stayed, despite not making the Magpies, has something to do with this move as well. Great for Clive to have both brothers in the squad now.
