Magpies 2023

[Stargazer]

@Higgins Taradale's number 8 (yesterday) was Iakopo Mapu. He's been on the Magpies' fringes for years now (in the Development team). There will be some competition for the free number 8 spot (if Gareth Evans doesn't return), with Tupou Mafi Afungia preferred as an apprentice and for the 1st Heartland Ranfurly Shield game, last year.

[Number 10]

@Higgins

Yes, Iakopo Mapu was number eight yesterday. Subbed off halfway during the second half and then came back on for the last five.

With ball in hand he is hard to stop, but is a not a ball winner in the lineout.

[Higgins]

@Number-10 Hence the need for a few more inches. Moot point given it will not happen but do you think he might be easily liftable in lineouts given his bulk if he had that extra height?

[Tim]

[Stargazer]

@Tim It's great how he and other players are doing a lot of fundraising. Several other Chiefs and Hawke's Bay players donating stuff, too. He, Retallick and Thompson have also been visiting schools in Hawke's Bay, recently.

[Number 10]

Magpies (Wider Training Group) have three upcoming fixtures against Manawatu:

April 25 at Rongotea
May 17 at Napier
June 5 at Dannevirke

[Stargazer]

@Number-10 It's a pity they just play Manawatū and not other teams, but I assume the Magpies will play several preseason games as well.

[Billsy111]

@Stargazer So is there any word on signings? I do believe Blake Gibson is one. But things have gone pretty quiet.

[Stargazer]

@Billsy111 I hope not. The round robin of the Japanese League One is over and he hasn't played a single game for Kintetsu Liners.

[Stargazer]

Game tomorrow. Haven't seen a squad list, yet.

[Higgins]

@Stargazer Wonder if Altherm Tech and Taradale players will be excused ahead of the Nash Cup deciding clash on Saturday?

[Stargazer]

@Higgins I think Tech and Taradale players who want to make the Magpies squad in a few months, don't want to be excused.

[Stargazer]

@Higgins According to Tech's instagram, these Tech players will be playing tomorrow:

Nathaniel Hauiti (prop)
Nik Patumaka (prop)
Xavier McCorkindale (flanker)
Liam Udy-Johns (flanker)
Tim Sciascia (halfback)
Falealii Popoalii (second five-eighth)
Waitangi Tuisuga (centre)
Bethel Malasia (wing)

[Higgins]

@Stargazer Nic Patumaka must have had a stunning brilliant display against Pouri Rakete-Stones in the game that I was unable to attend on Saturday as I have never seen him there in the front row before. Maybe he didn't play and perhaps he may have been kept as a secret weapon the Texans were going to unleash against some completely unsuspecting opponent later in the season only for the secret to leak out of the bag. At this stage the Texans currently have used five different props in the Premiers this season with another (not Patumaka) being kept in the wings so it has taken even me by surprise.

[Stargazer]

@Higgins Nik Patumaka is an Academy squad member. According to the HBRU Community Rugby page on FB, the squad for today's game is "a mix of Academy players and Wider Training Group players". I guess they didn't publish a squad list, because it's quite a big group and they'll be using rolling subs. They also said there won't be a livestream, unfortunately.

[Higgins]

@Stargazer But is he a prop? In the 2022 and 2023 seasons I have yet to see him play that position.

[Stargazer]

@Higgins Yes, on the Academy squad list published a few months ago, he was named as a prop. Maybe the Academy is converting him into a prop?

[Higgins]

@Stargazer Well I certainly await with great anticipation to witness how they are getting on as I have never seen him in anything other than a loose forwards jersey in the fifteen or twenty club games I have seen him play. Neither have I seen him fill in at prop when injuries might have seen any of his starting props go off.

[Stargazer]

That cheeky comment from Toala!

[Stargazer]

Half time in the preseason game:

Manawatū Evergreens 14 - 0 Hawke's Bay XV