For 2016

Stargazer

Grant Dearns leaving the Magpies! 

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Fitness guru headed to Japan By Shane Hurndell 4:50 AM Wednesday Mar 16, 2016 
 It's become a tradition within the Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team. 
 When a player or a member of the coaching staff leaves or brings up 100 first class games they have the opportunity to name their Magpies team, a selection of who they consider the best Magpies players during their time with the side. Magpies strength and conditioning coach Grant Dearns, who will leave the Bay next month after 12 years with the team to take up a similar role with Japanese Top 14 competition side NEC Green Rockets, politely declined the selection role. 
 "I knew you were going to ask me but I would disappoint too many players. Just look at the halfbacks I've got to choose from, Danny [Lee], Chris [Eaton] and Kahn [Fotuali'i] and they're just the big names," Dearns said. 
 However Dearns, who has a three-year contract with the Rockets and will work alongside former Magpies mentor Peter Russell, the head coach, and Bay of Plenty's Dave Dillon, who is the assistant coach, was quick to reply when asked to name his fittest Magpie and it was predictable. 
 "MJ [centurion and former captain Michael Johnson] was the best out of both the amateur and professional eras. He prepared the most completely and was the complete package ... I'm not surprised he's doing so well in triathlons these days. Mark Abbott, Michael Allardice and Tom Stanley wouldn't be too far behind MJ," Dearns, 51, said referring to three of last year's squad. 
 "It was a tough decision to leave the team but when you get to my age opportunities like this don't come very often." 
 He ranked the second shield tenure which ended last year as the highlight of his time with the Magpies. 
 "To be an involved fan and to help hold it for a long while ... it might not get better than that." 
 One of the keys to Dearns' success has been his ability to grasp new technology. 
 "My sole job is to help make better footy players and to do that you need the right tools. Sometimes you are limited by budget and some of the technology is still untested. Most teams have GPS tracking devices now with the aim of making better teams indoors and outdoors. When you get such devices the data has to be able to be used and the players and coaches need to understand it," Dearns explained. 
 Always one to sidestep kudos, Dearns said he heard fans praising the fitness levels of the Magpies when they were often the stronger team during the final 20 minutes last season. 
 "Winning or losing because of conditioning seldom happens ... maybe once or twice during a season. Coaches sub for tactical reasons first before fatigue-related ones too." 
 Dearns was full of praise for the support he received from the union's CEO Mike Bishop, chairman Brendan Mahony and the board. 
 "I'm very grateful for the time I've had ... some of the best years of my rugby career. I couldn't have asked for a better situation right from the time I first arrived when Richard [Hunt] was chairman. Richard has always been an influence," Dearns said. 
 "Whilst we are very sad to see him go, we are delighted for him that he has secured an excellent opportunity to experience Japanese rugby and we wish him and his family all the best for their future endeavours," Bishop said yesterday. 
 "Grant has been a fantastic servant of Hawke's Bay rugby during his 12 years with us. He is thoroughly professional and is universally respected by all the players that have come under his charge over that period and by all the other provincial union coaches and players. 
 "It was through his efforts that we were able to set a standard of fitness for the Magpies squads over the years that have ensured they are amongst the fittest and best conditioned team throughout the Provincial Unions and the Super Rugby franchises. This has of course then translated into success on the field of play throughout the years," Bishop said. 
 He had every right to praise Dearns' attention to detail and the manner in which he genuinely cares about the players he has worked with throughout his years with the union. 
 "Grant has been an absolute pleasure to work alongside," Bishop said. 
 "As a person he is of the highest calibre and has been an integral part of the many successes we have all enjoyed with Hawke's Bay Rugby throughout his time with us. 
 "He is a popular member of our team and has a deep passion for the Hawke's Bay region and the Magpies in particular." 
 The recruitment process to find a new Magpies strength and conditioning coach is under way. 
 - <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz/'>Hawkes Bay Today</a>
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Peter Mettrick

Dearns Will be a big loss,imo.The importance of strength and conditioning coaches is often underrated,imo.Hopefully they spend the money to get a good replacement.

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">"I knew you were going to ask me but I would disappoint too many players. Just look at the halfbacks I've got to choose from, Danny [Lee], Chris [Eaton] and Kahn [Fotuali'i] and they're just the big names," Dearns said.
 
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One of these things is not like the others ....

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Interesting career for Mr Eaton.
 
Debuted in 2005, persisted with by all three coaches from then (Ratcliffe, Russell, Philpott) but when Lee, Fotuali'i and Matthewson were signed he was number two behind them all, and when Lee, Fotuali'i, Matthewson weren't here he was number one.

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All five HB players at the NZ Under 20 trials were selected in the NZ team to play in the Oceania Under 20 championship in Australia, and hopefully the World Under 20 afer that.
 
Mason Emerson
Mason Kean
Jonah Lowe
Marino Mikaele-Tu'u
Pouri Rakete-Stones

Stargazer

Off topic, but I just noticed that fringe-Magpie Mikey Sosene-Feagai will play for San Diego in the new pro rugby competition in the USA.
 
<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/74956_994749823926874_1360945718962360736_n.jpg?oh=2706e19112b07a78fa806176f0b6eb1d&oe=578D5BB3&gda=1469237478_903a1c8dc7463d0feda3d9e6553e3976" alt="74956_994749823926874_136094571896236073">

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I wondered where he had gone.
 
The club season preview had him listed as a loss for Taradale this year, but didn't say where to.
 
Mind you, he was born in Los Angeles.

Higgins

I had the pleasure of seeing former HB contracted player, Marvan Karawana, in action in club rugby in Wellington today. I'm pleased to set everyones mind at rest to confirm he is still playing at practically the same level he showed for HB. A couple of beautiful missed tackles that resulted in tries being conceded were most reassuring. Hopefully he will continue to impress the Wellington selectors enough to be retained, especially for the cross over pool match when Championship level Wellington take on Premiership level Hawkes Bay!

Peter Mettrick

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="571202" data-time="1460205544">
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I had the pleasure of seeing former HB contracted player, Marvan Karawana, in action in club rugby in Wellington today. I'm pleased to set everyones mind at rest to confirm he is still playing at practically the same level he showed for HB. A couple of beautiful missed tackles that resulted in tries being conceded were most reassuring. Hopefully he will continue to impress the Wellington selectors enough to be retained, especially for the cross over pool match when Championship level Wellington take on Premiership level Hawkes Bay!
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Has always been average,quite unbelievable he played 30 odd games of 1st grade nrl.

Higgins

But not as amazing as knowing he played even one Mitre10 Cup level game in NZ.

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According to this morning's HB Today the best case scenario for Brendon Edmonds to play for the Magpies this year, if at all, is October. A blow,

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Number 10" data-cid="572024" data-time="1460577210">
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According to this morning's HB Today the best case scenario for Brendon Edmonds to play for the Magpies this year, if at all, is October. A blow,
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Yes, I just read that. Really disappointing for Edmonds, and for the Magpies. So we need another prop and at least two loosies (to replace O'Connor & Stanley). I wouldn't mind an extra prop, because I think we need better props than Long and Aoake now we're in the Premiership.
 
It's a pity the HBRU doesn't give more squad updates and info about the trial team etc like some other unions do. I'd like to know where who they have in mind to step up from last year's dev team and from club rugby. It will be tougher in the Premiership, so they can't rely on dev. players alone IMO. We need experienced players, with O'Connor, Guildford & especially Horrell not expected to return (but I haven't heard anything about him signing overseas yet?), and Retallick (and possibly, Weber?) on AB duties.

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="572330" data-time="1460669310">
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Yes, I just read that. Really disappointing for Edmonds, and for the Magpies. So we need another prop and at least two loosies (to replace O'Connor & Stanley). I wouldn't mind an extra prop, because I think we need better props than Long and Aoake now we're in the Premiership.
 
It's a pity the HBRU doesn't give more squad updates and info about the trial team etc like some other unions do. I'd like to know where who they have in mind to step up from last year's dev team and from club rugby. It will be tougher in the Premiership, so they can't rely on dev. players alone IMO. We need experienced players, with O'Connor, Guildford & especially Horrell not expected to return (but I haven't heard anything about him signing overseas yet?), and Retallick (and possibly, Weber?) on AB duties.
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Maybe it's a chance for Kean and/or the other bloke in the U20s to step up?
 
Wont a finally fit Renton replace one of the loosies.

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There are a lot of high hopes for Mason Kean. Only turned 20 in February. Hugh Renton turns 20 next month, and I think I read his last game of rugby was 2013?
 
Don't want a repeat of 2012 when we came straight back down from the Premiership, but we did lose a lot of players from 2011 - Bryn Evans, Hikairo Forbes, Kahn Fotuali'i, Dan Kirkpatrick, Kas Lealeamanua, Anthony Perenise, Brodie Retallick, Sona Taumalolo, Kane Thompson, Tu Umaga-Marshall.

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Andrew Horrell and Robbie Fruean not returning to the Magpies this year.
 
After Super Rugby both are going overseas - Horrell to Japan, Fruean to ?

Nepia

Bummer that Horrell is going but he's given us great service.
 
Not too fussed about Fruean, all he'd do would be keep a young HB player on the bench and he was hardly outstanding for us.
 
Looks like we'll be hunting for a few backs this year. I'm going to smack somebody in the nose if Marvin Karawana winds up in the team.

Higgins

Or, perish the thought, Luke Rooney!

Stargazer

I hope this isn't true, our midfield would need huge reinforcements considering Horrell and Fruean are also leaving). Who've we got left? Jonah Lowe, Billy Ropiha, ...? We need some experienced guys.
 
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
Also considering a big-money move to Japan are Highlanders outside backs Patrick Osborne and Richard Buckman. Osborne, who recently re-committed to the Highlanders for another season while also putting his lot in with Fiji, is said to be heading to Ricoh.
 
Buckman, who was ruled out for the season after hurting a shoulder in pre-season against French club Racing Metro in Hong Kong in February, is linked to Panasonic.
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<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11640819'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11640819</a>

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It's just how it is since the game went professional.
 
Players generally don't have long provincial careers now when better money can be earned overseas.
 
Buckman has been a good servant for Hawke's Bay - so good luck to him.
 
Seems like a brand new midfield for Hawke's Bay this year.
 
 
Edit: According to 1pm sports news on radio - Buckman has signed another two years for Highlanders. Could still play in Japan though, skipping the NPC.

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Training in the Magpies wider-training squad are Billy Ropiha and Star Timu (last appeared 2012 - remember him?).
 
Unless a signing is made, or Buckman comes back earlier than anticipated, then those two could be the first choice midfield pairing or perhaps Lewis Marshall at 13?

The Silver Fern

For 2016