Magpies 2020
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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 ‘I’m stoked with the opportunity as I ever since school its been a dream of mine to become a Magpie’. 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 ‘lots of hard work and not overthinking it, just getting out and playing’ 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. ‘Symsy 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 squad’ and added ‘It’s 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 side’ 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 year’s 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 20’s skipper Kianu Kereru-Symes. While most would see this as a tough proposition, 21 year old Devery wouldn’t have it any other way as he says ‘I 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 opportunity’
The sports coordinator at Flaxmere Primary says ‘I 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 opportunity’
Devery had a very consistent year leading HRS and when asked what the difference is this year from previous years was quick to say ‘a shift in mindset, concentrating on my core roles and realising I needed to do more to secure a black and white jersey’ while relishing the opportunity to lead HRS saying ‘we had a great bunch of lads and was pretty easy to captain with so many great players within the squad’ 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 “We 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 that”
Devery will get his first chance to impress when he suits up for a Hawkes’ 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 Hawke’s 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 Hawkes’ 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 Hawke’s 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. ‘’The 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 much’’ Evans says as he enjoys a sunny Hawke’s 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 saying’ Its an opportunity to finish where it all started but also an opportunity to play alongside my younger brother, which would be special’ 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 ‘We’re very pleased to have Bryn back in our enviornement. He’ll 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,” HBRU CEO, Jay Campbell added “Bryn 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 spots’ while also confirming ‘Bryn 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.” “Playing for the Magpies was a real highlight in my playing career and I’m stoked to be able to return. I am looking forward to giving back to a province and team that means so much to me”, Evans said today. -
Also confirmed: Connor McLeod
Behind a pay-wall in the NZH, but posted on the HBRU Facebook page:
Next Generation’s 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 Hawke’s Bay in the 80’s and 90’s 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 Hawke’s Bay wider training members Caleb Makene and George Stratton calling it a ‘massive experience and enjoyable tours with a superb bunch of teammates’. 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 Hawke’s Bay in their McLean Park semi-final. McLeod thoroughly enjoyed his initial taste of first class rugby saying ‘I loved the opportunity and the step up in intensity and pressure and it’s a brilliant environment down there in Dunedin’. 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 ‘my 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 easier’ although it’s 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. ‘I’m big on preparation during the week and then come game time I’m really clear on what I have to do’ while looking forward to training and tussling with All Black halfback Brad Weber and Highlanders halfback Falou Fakatava ‘Watching 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 week’ Magpies coach Mark Ozich has been very impressed with his young charge since his return from Otago saying ‘Connor 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. I’m looking forward to see how Connor progresses through the Mitre 10 cup campaign and I’m 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 Bay’ Being the son of a Magpie, McLeod can’t wait to secure his first cap saying ‘I am motivated to emulate Dad, I’ve always wanted to be a Magpie and I’m really excited about running out in front of the family and friends at McLean Park’ And finally when asked what his goal for the year was, McLeod simply answered ‘I’m 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 experience’ -
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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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@number9 I've been looking about every 10 minutes, today, but haven't been able to find any info about a livestream or even score updates being given. Unfortunately, this game is being played in Rotorua - so no home game for either team - which makes arranging a livestream probably more difficult. No excuse for either team to not posting any updates though.
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@Stargazer said in Magpies 2020:
@number9 I've been looking about every 10 minutes, today, but haven't been able to find any info about a livestream or even score updates being given. Unfortunately, this game is being played in Rotorua - so no home game for either team - which makes arranging a livestream probably more difficult. No excuse for either team to not posting any updates though.
Cheera mate.
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Anyone know Auckland 23 there playing
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@frazzerbazzer Nope, not posted anywhere.
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Found this just now - but nothing on the Auckland lineup.
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@Daffy-Jaffy Yeah, I had already posted the Magpies line-up this morning, but have indeed not been able to find the Auckland squad.
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@Stargazer Thats an ok result for Auckland considering first game and they were not even allowed to train together until Monday this week.
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@Stargazer said in Magpies 2020:
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):
he had a young Hoskins Sotutu in that same U15 squad at Sacred Heart
Magpies rugby coaches place emphasis on contact area
