Magpies 2021
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@stargazer Is that the one that debuted for the 'Ikale Tahi the other night or was that one the brother that plays on the wing?
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@higgins Penikolo Latu played for 'Ikale Tahi on the wing. Not sure whether he's related to Paula Latu. The player who debuted for them was Solomone Funaki.
Paula Latu played for Regional XV earlier this year against the Hurricanes Hunters and was surprisingly good! From following the media about club rugby, I understand he's been going well all season for MAC and has scored quite a few tries. He's quite fast (they refer to him as a prop-loosie, so that might explain things).
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Solomone Funaki is out of the Tonga squad due to injury. I hope it's not too bad. We have a few injuries already and I have no idea how bad they are: him, Falcon, IWL, Kereru-Symes, obviously Makene, and there was another one, I think? (not counting Fakatava).
I guess we'll find out when they name the team for the Shield game against NPEC.
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@stargazer he broke his hand against the all blacks
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@gizzygobby Thanks, I'd missed that. Oh, and welcome to the Fern!
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@stargazer said in Magpies 2021:
Next signing for 2021: Joel Hintz.
I wonder who they're going to replace Taumalolo with? Paula Latu maybe?
Paula Latu has signed with Southland.
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@number-10 I hope our coaches aren't going to regret letting him go!
So if Latu isn't Taumalolo's replacement, then who will it be? It may be a bit early for Jayden Walker? Having to follow club rugby from a distance, I'm not really sure who'd be the best to become our third choice LH prop. For example, not sure how old and how good Troy McIvor is.
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Finally, a new signing and it looks like he'll be replacing Mason Emerson or Sam McNicol (or Anzelo Tuitavuki?): Dennon Robinson-Bartlett.
He moved to BOP after finishing school (not getting a spot in our own Academy?), got capped twice by them in 2019, but he returned home after they let him go (I think last year, but not sure). Another member of the 2017 Hastings Boys 1st XV National Champions team becoming a Magpie. I don't think he was one of their stand-outs, so wait and see how he goes at this level.
He's the son of 2-game Magpies winger Jason Robinson (2002), nephew of former Magpies flanker (2003-2006, 23 games) and world title-winning touch player Nui Bartlett and cousin of Tohu Harris.
Here's an interesting article about him from 2016:
League: Robinson following a plan - NZ Herald
Browse local and regional news from the Hawkes Bay region, including Napier, Hastings, Dannevirke and Havelock North - hawkesbaytoday.co.nz
Edited to add: if you ever read or hear about "triple Ds" in a Hastings Boys context, that refers to Devan, Danny and Dennon. They're back together!
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@stargazer Is McNicol officially gone?
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Another youngster signed! Josh Gimblett, fresh out of the academy. I wonder who's spot he's taking? Iakopo Mapu's or Will Tremain's? Or are we signing more players this year? Or is he an injury replacement? So many questions ...
For who doesn't know: he was in the Napier Boys' 1st XV squad that made the National Top Four Final in 2018.
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@stargazer said in Magpies 2021:
Another youngster signed! Josh Gimblett, fresh out of the academy. I wonder who's spot he's taking? Iakopo Mapu's or Will Tremain's? Or are we signing more players this year? Or is he an injury replacement? So many questions ...
For who doesn't know: he was in the Napier Boys' 1st XV squad that made the National Top Four Final in 2018.
Im not sure about this one,possibly cover for Funaki.I think he probably benefits from being a local,if a player of this standard was signed from elsewhere people would be up in arms.You would think Tremain would be in the squad given they have included him the last 2 years.
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@kiwimatrix Not sure what you mean with a player "of this standard". It sounds a bit negative, but not sure that's how you mean that. If you mean that he's a young (about 20/21 years old) without any experience at NPC level, I agree with you. He's unproven and he'll probably get no or little game time this year, other than for the HB Saracens, unless there are multiple injuries. I also don't expect him to become Devan Flanders - like good, but he has talent and was good at 1st XV level. I haven't seen him in club rugby (he plays in the Wellington comp), but I liked what I saw in that Shield game v North Otago. Still lots of development to do and, yes, I'd rather see them invest in him as a local talent than in a similarly young and inexperienced player from another province.
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@stargazer Is he really any better than Mapu or Tremain though who at least play club rugby in the bay.I believe last year he wasn't even starting at club level in Wellington. You're probably right he won't play much,whatever happened to Patrick Teddy??
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@stargazer said in Magpies 2021:
@nepia I can't remember seeing McNicol's name on any club team list since the start of club rugby, so it's more an assumption because he doesn't seem to have played club rugby in the Bay (or anywhere else). So, officially gone, no.
No, he hasn't played at all this year.
Unfortunately still affected by lingering concussion effects and leg injury.
Poor bugger just can't catch a break.
Hopefully the year off will get him right for 2022.
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Also signed for 2021: Anzelo Tuitavuki. I'm a bit disappointed. Couldn't they find anyone better? Last year, he was on an injury replacment contract for Sam McNicol. Is he on a short-term contract again and for whom? Surely not a full contract?
I hope they give more (complete) info when the team is officially named, whenever that will be.
