Magpies 2020
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Here's a club rugby highlights video from 2019. Mapu seems to be a good ballrunner, who likes bulldozing opposition players. Mostly wearing the 7 or 8 jersey.
Link to a try he scored for Samoa A during last year's Americas Pacific Challenge against Argentina XV. I haven't been able to find out how many times he has played for Samoa and - if any - how many of those tests were for the senior squad.
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Article in the Samoan Observer from May 2019:
Samoans making Taradale the team to beat
Samoan players are spurring Taradale Rugby Club on to success in Hawke's Bay's premier club competition this year, in a region that has had a longstanding relationship with the nation and its players.Taradale won the Tui Nash Cup on Saturday having gone through the first round of the club season ...
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@Stargazer That's a good article, I was a bit bemused when he turned up but he acquitted himself pretty well last year.
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@Stargazer said in Magpies 2020:
@Nepia He was good on attack; his defence was terrible. I hope he's improved that part of his game.
Clearly I'm only remembering his attack.
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Confirmed: Elijah Martin.
Didn't get game time, last year (he didn't have a full contract), but with Allardice gone, he will probably play, this year. Obviously, depending on who they're going to replace Allardice with.
Edited to add that - according to an article from last year in the HBT - he's not very tall for a lock: 1.92m. -
@Stargazer said in Magpies 2020:
Confirmed: Elijah Martin.
Didn't get game time, last year (he didn't have a full contract), but with Allardice gone, he will probably play, this year. Obviously, depending on who they're going to replace Allardice with.
Edited to add that - according to an article from last year in the HBT - he's not very tall for a lock: 1.92m.If hes the replacement for Allardice,its pretty underwhelming to be honest, in the Funaki and Wa'a category for mine.I hope we don't need to use him much.
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@kiwimatrix He's not Allardice's replacement; he was already in the squad, last year. Agree with the rest of what you're saying. They're maybe good enough as injury cover; not young talent coming through.
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Possible signing donovan mataria
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@frazzerbazzer Donovan Mataira, another player from the 2017 national champions Hastings 1st XV would be fitting, but he's also not very tall for a lock, is he? About the same height as Flanders (1.93m)? How did he go for Clive, this season?
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A bit more info about Elijah Martin (from the HBRU Facebook page):
Karamu High School Teacher Elijah Martin will be swapping his classroom for the rugby field as another excellent club season for Napier Tech has been rewarded with a contract for the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup. 26 year old Martin gets his first opportunity after getting a taste in the Magpies wider training squad last year without getting a run. An excited Martin said âIâm stoked with the opportunity as I ever since school its been a dream of mine to become a Magpieâ. The Taihape born Martin boarded at Napier Boys High and was part of the NBHS 1st XV in 2010 and 2011 alongside Blues halfback Jono Ruru before connecting with his club, Napier Tech. Many club rugby aficionados will have noticed Martin taking big strides in his performances over the last two years as his consistency and physicality have improved out of sight. When asked, Martin puts this down to âlots of hard work and not overthinking it, just getting out and playingâ He also credits Magpies forwards coach Josh Syms for his upskilling and guidance and still shakes his head in disbelief about how he got called into the squad. âSymsy came up and started chatting after a game last year, I thought he was here to speak to Conan (Houkamau) but he told me he had been impressed by my club performances and invited me to join the Wider training squadâ and added âItâs been awesome and I just want to enjoy my time in the environment, take nothing for granted and train and perform to hopefully force my way into the playing sideâ Given the huge strides Martin taken over the last 2 years, expect nothing less from the popular school teacher. -
Confirmed: Jacob Devery
After captaining Hastings Rugby and Sports to their first Maddison Trophy success in over 20 years, Jacob Devery has even more to smile about after earning a contract with the Magpies for this yearâs Mitre 10 Cup campaign.
The former Hastings Boys High 1st XV rake Devery, who played 9 matches for the Magpies including 8 in their 2018 campaign, has been selected at hooker alongside Highlanders and Magpies skipper Ash Dixon and last years NZ Under 20âs skipper Kianu Kereru-Symes. While most would see this as a tough proposition, 21 year old Devery wouldnât have it any other way as he says âI get to learn from some of the best and its up to me to train hard, soak up all the information and earn the right for game minutes. Ultimately I want to put pressure on the coaches to be selected based on my form whenever I get the opportunityâ
The sports coordinator at Flaxmere Primary says âI love my job, great bunch of kids and staff but I want to be a rugby player and this is another step towards that, so just stoked to be given the opportunityâ
Devery had a very consistent year leading HRS and when asked what the difference is this year from previous years was quick to say âa shift in mindset, concentrating on my core roles and realising I needed to do more to secure a black and white jerseyâ while relishing the opportunity to lead HRS saying âwe had a great bunch of lads and was pretty easy to captain with so many great players within the squadâ But his focus is now entirely on the Magpies and he cannot wait to get stuck into it.
Magpies forward coach Josh Syms has seen a marked improvement in Deverys play over the last 12 months saying âWe are delighted with Jacob who has improved the physical aspect of his game to go with a very strong set of skills that he has around lineout throwing and scrummaging. Its great to see him taking on the advice and making the necessary improvements to play first class rugby and we are delighted to have him as a part of the team. The 2020 squad is all about competition for spots and Jacob will certainly provide thatâ
Devery will get his first chance to impress when he suits up for a Hawkesâ Bay XV against Auckland in Rotorua on Saturday afternoon.
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Hell ya! Bryn Evans has signed!
From the HBRU Facebook page:
Bryn Evans returns to the Bay One of Hawkeâs Bay Rugbys favourite sons is returning to the Magpies with former captain and ex All Black Bryn Evans confirming his return for the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup. 35 year old Evans who left Hawkesâ Bay to play overseas at the end of the Magpies championship winning 2011 season has been plying his trade in Europe and for the last five seasons has been playing with the Sale Sharks in the English Premiership. Evans who played 77 games for Hawkeâs Bay between 2003 and 2011, as well as spending three years with the Hurricanes was recently named in the English Premiership team of the decade where he also represented London Irish in between a stint in France. ââThe rugby was tough and I learnt plenty especially around creating pressure and turning that pressure into points while the opportunity to travel and enjoy Europe was a real highlight. I thoroughly enjoyed the European culture, although the cold and dark winters not so muchââ Evans says as he enjoys a sunny Hawkeâs Bay spring day training at Tremain field. Evans has recently returned home to live in Havelock North with his wife Halle and young daughter Bowie and confirmed the attraction of possibly playing alongside younger brother Gareth was hard to turn down sayingâ Its an opportunity to finish where it all started but also an opportunity to play alongside my younger brother, which would be specialâ While plenty has changed since Evans was last in the enviornment, including the HB community training centre which he notes is impressive, Evans admits the opportunity to play alongside Sona Taumalolo and Ash Dixon once again would be great while noting long time assistant manager Brian Jenkinson and old mate Jason Shoemark are still among the staff from when he was last involved. Magpies Coach, Mark Ozich was rapt to have Evans involved saying âWeâre very pleased to have Bryn back in our enviornement. Heâll certainly add a degree of professionlism to the squad as well as depth and experience that we need in our locking department in what looms as a tough season ahead,â HBRU CEO, Jay Campbell added âBryn has played at the top level for almost 15 years and his experience and professionalism will rub off on all of our younger lads as well as ensure real compeititon for spotsâ while also confirming âBryn bleeds black and white and is an extremely popular figure around the Bay for his commitment he gave the Magpies during his previous stint with us.â âPlaying for the Magpies was a real highlight in my playing career and Iâm stoked to be able to return. I am looking forward to giving back to a province and team that means so much to meâ, Evans said today. -
Also confirmed: Connor McLeod
Behind a pay-wall in the NZH, but posted on the HBRU Facebook page:
Next Generationâs time to shine Promising young halfback Connor McLeod is the latest player to be confirmed for the Magpies 2020 Mitre 10 Cup campaign. McLeod will follow in the footsteps of his father Ross and Uncle Ian who both represented Hawkeâs Bay in the 80âs and 90âs with Ross scoring 188 points across 41 matches for the Bay from 1988 to 1995. The St Johns College educated McLeod played first XV rugby for the college in 2014 and 2015 and prior to that represented Hastings West Ross Shield in the 2010 Ross Shield tournament. While completing his commerce degree from Otago University, McLeod was selected for the NZ Universities side playing alongside current Hawkeâs Bay wider training members Caleb Makene and George Stratton calling it a âmassive experience and enjoyable tours with a superb bunch of teammatesâ. Outstanding club form for his University side in Dunedin Club rugby saw McLeod drafted into the Otago squad mid-season last year where he went on to play six games for Otago including coming off the bench in their extra time loss to Hawkeâs Bay in their McLean Park semi-final. McLeod thoroughly enjoyed his initial taste of first class rugby saying âI loved the opportunity and the step up in intensity and pressure and itâs a brilliant environment down there in Dunedinâ. Being one of the most consistent performers during the club season for the Maddison Trophy champions HRS, McLeod was quick to praise his team-mates suggesting âmy forward pack has been outstanding all year which provides great front foot ball and I have a hell of a backline outside me, which makes it easierâ although itâs fair to say the form halfback of club rugby was being modest with most agreeing his performances being a real catalyst for the Hastings side earning its first Maddison title in over 21 years. âIâm big on preparation during the week and then come game time Iâm really clear on what I have to doâ while looking forward to training and tussling with All Black halfback Brad Weber and Highlanders halfback Falou Fakatava âWatching and learning from someone like Brad is a great opportunity for me and will be great to see how he prepares and trains and goes about his weekâ Magpies coach Mark Ozich has been very impressed with his young charge since his return from Otago saying âConnor has earnt his inclusion with an excellent club season. I have been very impressed with his work ethic and coachability to go with his diverse skill set. Iâm looking forward to see how Connor progresses through the Mitre 10 cup campaign and Iâm positive he will put lots of pressure on the two half backs in front of him and a likely debut at some stage for the Bayâ Being the son of a Magpie, McLeod canât wait to secure his first cap saying âI am motivated to emulate Dad, Iâve always wanted to be a Magpie and Iâm really excited about running out in front of the family and friends at McLean Parkâ And finally when asked what his goal for the year was, McLeod simply answered âIâm here to do whatever it takes to help us win the Championship, keep working hard and take my opportunities when they come and just enjoy the whole experienceâ -
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@Number-10 Thanks. I knew about the games, but the HBRU has been awfully quiet about them. No info whatsoever. They don't seem to understand that fans want info about these games, such as team lists, results, scorers, even if we can't watch the game. Some unions are good at fan engagement this way; the HBRU certainly isn't.
Still hoping they'll do better for the Auckland game, although I doubt there will be a livestream, considering the game is at a neutral venue in Rotorua. But surely someone must be able to use a phone and post updates on Twitter or Facebook?
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The Magpies squad for the Auckland game in Rotorua (k/o 2.30pm) has been published in the article below:
15 Kurt Baker, 14 Jonah Lowe, 13 Stacey Ili, 12 Ollie Sapsford, 11 Mason Emerson, 10 Lincoln McClutchie, 9 Folau Fakatava, 8 Devan Flanders, 7 Brendon O'Connor, 6 Solomone Funaki, 5 Geoff Cridge, 4 Tom Parsons, 3 Joe Apikotoa, 2 Jacob Devery, 1 Pouri Rakete-Stones.
Substitutes:
Forwards, Dom Devine, Sona Taumalolo, Joel Hintz, Jason Long, Elijah Martin, Bryn Evans, Iakopo Mapu, Josh Gimblett.
Backs, Connor McLeod, Caleb Makene, Anzelo Tuitavuki, Sebastian Visinia, Neria Fomai.I wonder whether it's really Sebastian Visinia, or is it Lolagi, who is the brother actually signed by the HBRU? If it's really Bas in that line-up, where is Lolagi?
Also:
Ozich is impressed with the momentum his lads have been generating since the squad's Super players began returning a fortnight ago. Captain and hooker Ash Dixon and former All Black halfback Brad Weber will be missing today because of their commitment to their respective North and South teams at tonight's inter-island clash in Wellington. It is still not known whether openside flanker Josh Kaifa will miss the entire Mitre 10 Cup season with his knee injury.Prop Namatahi Waa will miss today's match as he is still recovering from appendix surgery and midfield back Sam McNicol is still recovering from injury. Several Super players including loosies Gareth Evans and Marino Mikaele-Tu'u and lock Isaia Walker-Leawere are still being rested. They will all be in the Magpies Mitre 10 Cup squash which will be announced on Monday.I had to google the name of Dom Devine, as I didn't know who he was, and found the article below. Interesting, because if I'm right, we still need a prop to replace Tavita-Metcalfe (and another back):
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=12314535
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Magpies rugby coaches place emphasis on contact area
