For 2016

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?
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Billy and Jonah Lowe would be my pick

? Offline

Yes, that is a better combo.

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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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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>

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

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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">
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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.
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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.

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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

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Hawke's Bay (minus their Super Rugby players) are playing Wairarapa Bush at Masterton on Queens Birthday Monday at 1pm.

Higgins

Will we finally get the chance to see the likes of Hugh Renton and Geoffrey Cridge in the lineup given their rather limited involvement on match days with the Hurricanes?

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="584780" data-time="1464855940">
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Will we finally get the chance to see the likes of Hugh Renton and Geoffrey Cridge in the lineup given their rather limited involvement on match days with the Hurricanes?
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Renton has been starring in the NPC (for me on the PS4) ... but he should be, his ranking is higher than all of the other loose forwards in the team.
 
Will the Canes release them or make them play for Wellington clubs.

? Offline

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="584780" data-time="1464855940">
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Will we finally get the chance to see the likes of Hugh Renton and Geoffrey Cridge in the lineup given their rather limited involvement on match days with the Hurricanes?
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No, neither of these players are playing on Monday.
 
Their play/workload is controlled by the Hurricanes, not surprisingly.
 
But the intention of the game was always just for HB club players to show their talent. Team hasn't been published yet, but Star Timu has been picked at fullback, Shannon Chase is on one wing. At centre is Matthew Garland who's been scoring tries and kicking goals for Pirates and played for the Hurricanes Dev team earlier this year, He is also taller than the other midfield options of Billy Ropiha, Jonah Lowe, Lewis Marshall, Star Timu.

Higgins

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Number 10" data-cid="584852" data-time="1464900175">
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No, neither of these players are playing on Monday.
 
Their play/workload is controlled by the Hurricanes, not surprisingly.
 
But the intention of the game was always just for HB club players to show their talent. Team hasn't been published yet, but Star Timu has been picked at fullback, Shannon Chase is on one wing. At centre is Matthew Garland who's been scoring tries and kicking goals for Pirates and played for the Hurricanes Dev team earlier this year, He is also taller than the other midfield options of Billy Ropiha, Jonah Lowe, Lewis Marshall, Star Timu.
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That's disappointing to say the least. How can they be overworked when they never play for the Hurricanes and do not always play club rugby every Saturday, especially in the case of Renton. How can they possibly be overworked and in need of a rest? They are professional rugby players.and are paid to train and play with their salaries coming from the bank account of the NZRFU. The last time I looked the NZRFU is effectively "owned" by those rugby clubs (thus the financial members of those clubs) affiliated with them via their respective provincial Unions and as a financial member of a couple of rugby clubs I am effectively their employer. I fail to see how one game of rugby on a Monday can possibly overwork them especially when their professional involvement, playing wise anyway, is on hold for at least a month.
 
I see Chiefs player Atu Moli is turning out in a Ranfurly Shield match for Waikato next week.

Higgins

The following Hurricanes players are listed as starting in Wellington club rugby tomorrow so clearly tiredness nor overuse can be cited as a reason why they might not be available for selection for Hawkes Bay for the traditional Queens Birthday fixture against Wairarapa-Bush. Maybe they don't meet the residential requirements surrounding eligibility? These we well recall from 1928!
 
Hisa Sasagi (Tawa)
Loni Uhila (Marist-St.Pats)
Willis Halaholo (Poneke)
Hugh Renton is not listed as starting for his Old Boys-University team
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.clubrugby.co.nz/wellington/games-results.php?competition=1&season=12&round=13'>http://www.clubrugby.co.nz/wellington/games-results.php?competition=1&season=12&round=13</a>

The Silver Fern

For 2016