For 2016

? Offline

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.
</blockquote>
 
<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>

? Offline

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.

? Offline

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?

Stockcar86

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Number 10" data-cid="581185" data-time="1463798909">
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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?
</div>
</blockquote>
Billy and Jonah Lowe would be my pick

? Offline

Yes, that is a better combo.

? Offline

Ta$man have announced the signing of Zac Guildford for 2016 which confirms his contract being terminated early.
 
Should add a little bit extra to the Magpies v Ta$man match at McLean Park on 24 September.

Higgins

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="WingerHB" data-cid="546758" data-time="1449652452">
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Great signing. Will it be at the expense of Zac?
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</blockquote>
 
Yes
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/80314927/zac-guildford-signs-with-tasman-Mako$-for-new-npc-rugby-season'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/80314927/zac-guildford-signs-with-tasman-Mako$-for-new-npc-rugby-season</a>

Nepia

Higgins, you'll be happy to know that Hugh Renton has played for the full strength Magpies ... on my PS4 in the new rugby game.
 
I'm currently playing the NPC, weirdly, as the game came out a few months ago it's the 2014 NPC with the 2015 team. I'm 3 matches in to the season and have beaten Ta$man, Taranaki and Counties Manukau. Take that!
 
Renton is rated higher than almost all of the Magpies loose forwards other than Tom Stanley who is the highest ranking Magpie loosie (clearly the makers of this game no sweet F-all about rugby). 
 
All the Magpies are either 60-70 rated (out of 100) except for Zac and Izzy who are 86 and 91 respectively. My game plan is basically get it to Zac in space so he's my top try scorer.
 
Other ways the game is weird in it's rankings, the Chiefs are way behind the Canes, Crusaders and Highlanders in the rankings, somewhere in the 70s while the other 3 are in the mid mid 80s. I wonder if Shark is on the design team. 
 
Oh, Shannon Chase looks like Shannon Chase but is listed as a 10 and is tied to England.

Higgins

What's the background behind this?
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hurricanes-rugby-team/news/article.cfm?c_id=230&objectid=11645290'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hurricanes-rugby-team/news/article.cfm?c_id=230&objectid=11645290</a>

? Offline

Has to be through parent or grandparent as Tony was born in Timaru.
 
Hopefully it will not impact on his Hurricanes contract (by not being NZ qualified) after 2017 (I presume he has the standard two-year contract?)

Higgins

Very perceptive of you 10
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/80413850/years-of-hard-work-pay-off-for-usabound-flanker-tony-lamborn'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/80413850/years-of-hard-work-pay-off-for-usabound-flanker-tony-lamborn</a>

? Offline

I knew Tony Lamborn was born in Timaru thru having a copy of the 2016 Super Rugby media guide (page 247).

? Offline

In this morning's HB Today Brendon Edmonds says he is probably a year away from playing again, at least, so we won't see him in black and white this year. The operation on his cartilage went fine but the bigger problem is he has also done some nerve damage.

Stockcar86

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Number 10" data-cid="584151" data-time="1464636928">
<div>
In this morning's HB Today Brendon Edmonds says he is probably a year away from playing again, at least, so we won't see him in black and white this year. The operation on his cartilage went fine but the bigger problem is he has also done some nerve damage.
</div>
</blockquote>
Bugger - does Mason Kean who didn't make the U20 World Cup play loosehead as well?

Stargazer

I'd also like to know what kind of injury ruled Kean out of the JWC.
 
Any more experienced props available around the country? Kean is a young talent without much experience at NPC level and I'd rather have a more experienced player starting.
 
Will Fahamokioa be back this year? He plays LH, doesn't he? Looked good last year; just seems to be a player who's injured often.

? Offline

Of last year's props - all still around - Fahamokioa (Tech RS) and Long (Hastings RS) were looseheads while Aoake (NOBM) and Braidwood (Tech RS) were tightheads.

Higgins

I've watched a young loosehead down here a couple of times this season that looks like he might have the goods but it is probably a year or two too soon for him to pitch him into the Mitre10 Cup. Its his first year out of school so give him a year or two to physically mature and he might be one to be worth considering. Doesn't help us this year I know but it might in a couple of years. Also watched Ben May play club rugby at the Basin Reserve on Saturday and he looked ok with a couple of powerful midfield bursts as well as dealing to his opponent scum time (admittedly his opponent was nowhere near the size of May but he might be available given that he seemed to be about number five in the pecking order of props in the Championship silver medal winning Wellington team last season so the step up to Premiership level might catch him out!!!!!l

The Silver Fern

For 2016