Magpies 2021
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@higgins Yes, I posted - I think in the HB Representative Rugby thread - that I'd seen a post on his instagram saying that he was moving to Invercargill. I wondered whether he had signed with Southland.
It's a pity; I always thought he might become a Magpie one day, especially as Gareth Evans and Brendon O'Connor must be close to either going overseas or hanging up the boots.
Nothing preventing him from coming back, obviously, if the Magpies want to sign him in the future. It could be an idea from Ozich (who has been Southland assistant coach in the past) to get some experience down south, and then return when there's a spot available in the Magpies squad, if he proves to be good enough of course.
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@stargazer Sheesh, with the way our 8s are going down he might have got a run this year.
I wonder if Renton is locked in at Ta$man?
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@nepia I don't think Renton is signed with Ta$man, yet, but I have no doubt they'll want him back. The way he has been playing this year, there will be more than one province interested in signing him.
Looking at the club rugby team lists that I posted about two weeks ago, options are Emil Crichton (too early?), Josh Kaifa (mostly a 7, but can play 6), Jacob Devery (yep, the hooker who's playing at 8 for Hastings nowadays), Ricky Hayes and Hannon Brighouse (have both been in the squad before, but didn't play or not more than 1 game; no players to get excited about). There may be a few more, like former academy player Josh Gimblett, who's still studying in Wellington and plays for OBU (no idea whether he's good enough).
Maybe they should just sign Cooper Flanders!
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From the Magpies' Facebook page:
The Magpies will face their first challenge for the Ranfurly Shield confirming today that they will play 2019 Meads Cup winners, North Otago, the HBRU announced today.
âIt has been difficult scheduling matches given the uncertainty around our NPC campaign, but we are delighted to be playing North Otago who are a perennial Heartland Championship heavyweight who we know will be difficult opponents and be highly motivated by the opportunity to play for and attempt to win the Log of Woodâ HBRU CEO, Jay Campbell said today.
The Magpies first challenge of the 2021 season will be on Wednesday June 30th at McLean Park against the Meads Cup winners who are a compulsory challenge. Campbell added âwe would have loved to have played another defense against one of our near neighbors but with club rugby finals finishing earlier, and itâs difficult to find a date that works for both sides, however we will continue investigating an opportunityâ
âOur squad will be a mixture of locally based players combined with returning Super players, and we are excited to be get back out onto McLean Park and are expecting a tough challenge from the North Otago boysâ, Magpies Coach, Mark Ozich said today.
According to an article on Hawke's Bay app (about the Nash Cup Final), there is a preseason game between the Magpies and Waikato, this Wednesday, in Taupo. They don't mention the venue, but I assume it will be Owen Delany Park. No info about kick-off time, unfortunately. -
@stargazer Please post the live stream link when you uncover it thanks.
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Magpies squad for today's preseason game against Waikato (k/o 6pm, Owen Delany Park, TaupĹ):
15 Harry Godfrey, 14 Jonty Stewart, 13 Jordan Thompson-Dunn, 12 Kienan Higgins, 11 Hemaua Samasoni, 10 Lincoln McClutchie, 9 Connor McLeod, 8 Hannon Brighouse, 7 Iakopo Mapu, 6 Josh Gimblett, 5 Frank Lochore, 4 Elijah Martin, 3 Namatahi Waa, 2 Kianu Kereru-Symes (captain), 1 Jason Long.
I've added the numbers; some players playing out of position, it seems. Despite playing his club rugby in Wellington, Josh Gimblett still in the mix. Unfortunately, not Tiaki Fabish, but maybe too busy studying. He played club rugby, last weekend.They forgot to publish the subs, but the article on Hawke's Bay app mentions Morgan Innes, a Central player who has "returned" from Scotland, and a lock - Ben Freschini.
Today's match is the first of five pre-season games for the Magpies. The next outing will be against Wairarapa Bush in Masterton on Queen's Birthday - June 7.
Their first Ranfurly Shield defence of the season will be against North Otago in Napier on June 30. July 23 will see the Magpies take on Waikato and July 30 Counties-Manukau.
Injury update:He said he will know in five weeks whether or not Highlanders loosie Marino Mikaele-Tu'u will be available for the NPC in the wake of his lower leg injury collected last month. Highlanders utility back Caleb Makene is expected to be available by round two or three after knee surgery and while Highlanders halfback Folau Fakatava is back in the gym after his knee surgery he will miss the entire season.
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@stargazer said in Magpies 2021:
Unfortunately, not Tiaki Fabish
Maybe he has seen the light and signed with Wellington.
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@canes4life Don't think so as speaking to him after his outfit pummelled my guys two weeks ago he said something about being under a PDC with the HBRFU. Presume things are still the same in that regard.
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@stargazer said in Magpies 2021:
Magpies squad for today's preseason game against Waikato (k/o 6pm, Owen Delany Park, TaupĹ):
15 Harry Godfrey, 14 Jonty Stewart, 13 Jordan Thompson-Dunn, 12 Kienan Higgins, 11 Hemaua Samasoni, 10 Lincoln McClutchie, 9 Connor McLeod, 8 Hannon Brighouse, 7 Iakopo Mapu, 6 Josh Gimblett, 5 Frank Lochore, 4 Elijah Martin, 3 Namatahi Waa, 2 Kianu Kereru-Symes (captain), 1 Jason Long.
I've added the numbers; some players playing out of position, it seems. Despite playing his club rugby in Wellington, Josh Gimblett still in the mix. Unfortunately, not Tiaki Fabish, but maybe too busy studying. He played club rugby, last weekend.They forgot to publish the subs, but the article on Hawke's Bay app mentions Morgan Innes, a Central player who has "returned" from Scotland, and a lock - Ben Freschini.
Today's match is the first of five pre-season games for the Magpies. The next outing will be against Wairarapa Bush in Masterton on Queen's Birthday - June 7.
Their first Ranfurly Shield defence of the season will be against North Otago in Napier on June 30. July 23 will see the Magpies take on Waikato and July 30 Counties-Manukau.
Injury update:He said he will know in five weeks whether or not Highlanders loosie Marino Mikaele-Tu'u will be available for the NPC in the wake of his lower leg injury collected last month. Highlanders utility back Caleb Makene is expected to be available by round two or three after knee surgery and while Highlanders halfback Folau Fakatava is back in the gym after his knee surgery he will miss the entire season.
Looks like Ben Freschini is a Lindisfarne kid whose been playing in Otago.
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Magpies WTG defeated Waikato XV 36-22.
Tries:
Kienan Higgins (2), Dominic Devine (2), Hemaua Samasoni, Paula Latu,Conversions:
Connor McLeod, Harry Godfrey, Tianua PotoMagpies WTG made 10 changes at halftime.
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Magpies in Super Rugby, thus far:
Blues:
no game time, but Fomai was in the WTG for some time.Chiefs:
in squad and getting plenty of game time: Weber & Lowe;
added to squad later and getting game time off the bench: 'Apikotoa.Crusaders: in WTG, and now getting his first game off the bench: O'Connor.
Highlanders:
in squad and getting (plenty of) game time: Dixon, B Evans, Fakatava (until his injury), Mikaele-Tu'u (until his injury);
added to the squad later and did get game time: Makene
now added to squad as injury replacements: Fomai and Solomone Funaki.Rebels:
in squad and getting plenty of game time: IliHurricanes:
in squad and getting plenty of game time: Flanders and Walker-Leawere;
in squad and getting limited game time off the bench: Rakete-Stones;
injured, but close to returning to fitness: G Evans;
in squad, but not getting any game time: Toala and Visinia. -
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Would be great to see him in action for Magpies on June 30.
However the AB's have an unfilled (so far) date of July 3 for a test - you would assume that if filled, Brodie would be assembled with the AB's instead of available for the Magpies.
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@number-10 I wouldn't be so sure about that. Surely James Blackwell must be a lock in for the ABs given his indispensable leadership attributes! I hope to be up home for that June 30 game (taking my boots as well just in case!).
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@number-10 Yeah, don't know. Or he may be in ABs camp, but not yet play? He may get told to get a match in NZ under his belt, before being selected for the next test? Clutching at straws, I know, but I just really want him to play on the 30th haha.
First Magpies Wider Training Group match of the season today
