Magpies 2020
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@Number-10 said in Hawke's Bay v Canterbury:
Just spoken to Sam McNicol, hopes to be available next week.
That's good to hear! I assume he'll makes his comeback via the bench. I wonder where they're going to play him and who'll lose his spot in the 23. Sapsford?
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Most interesting bit from this article on Hawke's Bay app:
Inspirational Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby captain Ash Dixon is unsure whether this season will be his last with the team.
But the 32-year-old Maori All Black and Highlanders hooker agreed if the Magpies could capture the Ranfurly Shield in his 100th appearance for the team in tomorrow's challenge against Otago in Dunedin and go on to win the Mitre 10 Cup Championship it would make a memorable final season.
"One of the reasons I came back this season was to try and get my 100 ...
If this is Ash Dixon's last season, I hope the HBRU makes an attempt to get Tyrone Thompson back to the Bay.
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@Stargazer you can have James O’Reilly. Tyrone looks to be fairly comfortable in Yellow and Black. 😁
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@Canes4life said in Magpies 2020:
@Stargazer you can have James O’Reilly. Tyrone looks to be fairly comfortable in Yellow and Black. 😁
Mods, can we ban posters from threads?
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If we have a spot for a midfielder next season (not sure they'll re-sign McNicol), I hope they'll have a good look at Antonio Mikaele-Tu'u. I like what I've seen from him thus far for Harbour. Still a rookie at this level, of course, so plenty to learn and improve.
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@Stargazer said in Magpies 2020:
If we have a spot for a midfielder next season (not sure they'll re-sign McNicol), I hope they'll have a good look at Antonio Mikaele-Tu'u. I like what I've seen from him thus far for Harbour. Still a rookie at this level, of course, so plenty to learn and improve.
Maybe Ben Lewis will have a big club season and step up to rep level. There was also a big centre playing for Pirates who was pretty raw but had size and some skills. Too many beers celebrating retaining the shield and can't remember his name
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@Stockcar86 The Pirates centre, do you mean Al Momoisea?
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@Stargazer No, nor Hayden Hann. I didn't see any Pirates games this year, but he played inside centre I think last year for Pirates. Young kid just out of school, about 6ft 2 or 3. Made a few mistakes but had silky skills too.
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@Stargazer said in Magpies 2020:
The 2020 Magpies awards recipients:
Player of the Year: Devan Flanders
People's Choice: Ash Dixon
Best Forward: Devan Flanders
Best Back: Folau Fakatava
Player's Player: Devan Flanders
Rookie of the Year: Lolagi VisinaCan't really argue with any of those although the definition of rookie is somewhat stretched.
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@Nepia said in Magpies 2020:
@Stargazer said in Magpies 2020:
The 2020 Magpies awards recipients:
Player of the Year: Devan Flanders
People's Choice: Ash Dixon
Best Forward: Devan Flanders
Best Back: Folau Fakatava
Player's Player: Devan Flanders
Rookie of the Year: Lolagi VisinaCan't really argue with any of those although the definition of rookie is somewhat stretched.
@Nepia be thankful they did not give it to Baker...
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@Stockcar86 said in Magpies 2020:
@Nepia said in Magpies 2020:
@Stargazer said in Magpies 2020:
The 2020 Magpies awards recipients:
Player of the Year: Devan Flanders
People's Choice: Ash Dixon
Best Forward: Devan Flanders
Best Back: Folau Fakatava
Player's Player: Devan Flanders
Rookie of the Year: Lolagi VisinaCan't really argue with any of those although the definition of rookie is somewhat stretched.
@Nepia be thankful they did not give it to Baker...
The already gave Baker playing time that's more than enough.
Agree with player of the year. I think if there was a most valuable player which I would usually say is one in the same. I would 100% give it to Ash. Has been amazing as a player but also as a captain/leader.
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Does jonah lowe got canes contract for 2021
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What a season, what a team, and what a leader. Things didn't look good earlier on in the season, with the loss to Southland, but as Tom Parsons said that was the kick in the arse they needed. After that this team just grew, and to be honest have become one of the best in the country. Mark Ozich, and Josh Symes quickly realized that with the campaign being a long one, they needed depth in critical positions, and this is exactly what they built up. The players they bought in all contributed bloody well, and made competition within the squad for starting spots very competitive. Seriously how many teams can afford to have players like Gareth Evans, Isia Walker Leaware, Calab Makene, on there bench, and players like Danny Toala, and Bryn Evans left out all together. Of course there were flat patches such as the hiding from North Harbour, but that was always going to happen given the length and schedule of the season. Mark Ozich is a very clever coach, and clearly has the ability to turn any team he coaches into a formidable side. Hastings Boys High, and now Hawkes Bay are proof of that. This team has been rewarded for there efforts, with the Ranfurly Shield locked away, and now the Championship as well. Individual players have been rewarded with New Zealand Maori and Moana Pasifica selection, and to be honest more should follow with Super Rugby selection, Tom Parsons, and Joe Apikitoa are two examples of this. With victories over Counties Manakau, Otago, Manawatu, Wellington, Canterbury, Taranaki twice, Northland twice, this has been a season to remember. No doubt the squad will be bolstered even further next year, and course some may move on, and in the professional era that's the way it is, but all you can say is well done Hawkes Bay, your a bloody good side and have earnt all the rewards that have come your way. Oh and Ash when you do retire, and hopefully that won't be any time soon,write a book. I'd guarantee it would be a best seller in Hawkes Bay.
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@Billsy111 HB were a different side when Ash was playing, you could have the same 14 players with another hooker and I think you arent near as good; but slot Ash in there, and it's like the players become better because of him, they want to be better because he is there, the ultimate leader who gets the best out of his team.
Unlucky timing to have never picked up a Black jersey.
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@taniwharugby Totally agree
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Magpies 2020 Season highlights.
Here's another link. I don't seem to be able to embed this video.
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devanflanders: Today is the day I say goodbye to my best mate, he has been a crowd favourite and everyone loves him. But I have had enough of him so I have to let him go. Goodbye crooked nose, you will not be missed 💔
Here’s to breathing properly, cheeeheeee 😋
Before and after photos coming soon
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2021 Super Rugby contracts:
Hurricanes (6):
Gareth Evans
Devan Flanders
Pouri Rakete-Stones
Danny Toala
Lolagi Visinia
Isaia Walker-LeawereChiefs (2):
Jonah Lowe
Brad WeberHighlanders (4):
Ash Dixon (co-captain)
Bryn Evans
Folau Fakatava
Marino Mikaele-Tu'uBlues and Crusaders: 0
All Blacks sevens:
Kurt Baker
Ollie SapsfordWait and see whether competing at the Ignite 7s leads to the step up to a sevens contract:
Caleb Makene
(Anzelo Tuitavuki and Lattrell Smiler-Ah Kiong also selected for Ignite 7s)Unlucky to miss out (age between brackets):
Lincoln McClutchie (21)
Kianu Kereru-Symes (21)
Geoff Cridge (25)
Tom Parsons (30, situation probably similar to Fomai and Ili - see below)
Sam McNicol (25 - could be explained by the number and severity of his injuries)
Neria Fomai and Stacey Ili (respectively, 28 and 29 years old, so age may play a part; their situation is different from Bryn Evans, who already has plenty of experience at a higher level)
