Magpies 2020
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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. -
Next up in the 2020 squad updates:
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hbmagpies: Grit, determination and speed that’s what you get from Mason Emerson every time he plays for the Magpies. Having returned from playing in the USA during the off season we hope to see him in space and scoring plenty of tries this season.
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Next one. O'Connor's second year of his contract was optional, so it's now confirmed he'll stay.
From the HBRU Facebook page:
Tough, dependable and inspiring, Brendon O'Connor has been a great Magpies servant over the years and will be one of many very good loose forwards in the 2020 squad.
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With the news that Tiaan Falcon has signed with a Japanese club, I wonder whether he'll still be available to the Magpies in 2020? Not sure when the Japanese preseason begins, but McClutchie and Parsons left after Mitre 10 Cup in 2019, but this year the NPC finishes later and the next Top League season/schedule will probably look completely different ...
If Falcon isn't available (or not the entire season), I wonder who'll be the back-up 10. Hopefully, not Ili again. I wonder whether that's one of the reasons why Caleb Makene is playing first five for Taradale? I can't imagine Latrell Smiler-Ah Kiong being ready for NPC level. I think he's too green. Danny Toala might be another option. Auckland probably have already signed Zarn Sullivan, but I wouldn't mind him coming home.
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@Stargazer is Stacy ili still in the bay
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@frazzerbazzer I don't know. He wasn't on the NOBM team list that was published at the beginning of the club rugby season, but that doesn't mean he's not playing. His last instagram post is less than 2 weeks old and it's a photo of him in a Magpies jersey. There's no caption. So, no idea.
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Already knew this, but again confirmed for 2020:
A great addition to the Magpies team in 2020 after coming home to Hawke's Bay from his time in the South Island. Fullback, wing or 1st five Caleb Makene is courageous and will add good balance to the team.
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@Stargazer Given the depth of Props I don't see this guy getting much game time.
