Waikato 2023

[Bovidae]

Pita Anae-Ah Sue must be back.

[Bovidae]

Hopefully WR release the fixtures for all rep teams.

[Bovidae]

Someone asked when the squad will be announced and WR responded it would be on the 18th.

The FPC squad next week.

[Yeetyaah]

@Bovidae Interesting, I asked yesterday and they just said "FPC soon and NPC later on." Cheers for the info.

[Bovidae]

@Yeetyaah It's on their FB page regarding the Open Day. Maybe it depends on who sees the post.

[Bovidae]

A gradual squad announcement?

[Bovidae]

I mentioned that an experienced 1st 5 will be needed, and Wharenui Hawera might be that player. He's the leading points scorer in Waikato club rugby, so is likely staying on this side of the Kaimai's.

[SouthernMann]

This post is deleted!

[SouthernMann]

@Bovidae said in Waikato 2023:

I mentioned that an experienced 1st 5 will be needed, and Wharenui Hawera might be that player. He's the leading points scorer in Waikato club rugby, so is likely staying on this side of the Kaimai's.

Haven't you signed Josh Ioane?

[Bovidae]

@SouthernMann said in Waikato 2023:

Haven't you signed Josh Ioane?

I've no idea. I only mentioned that he would be a good pickup if staying in NZ. We'll see in a couple of weeks.

[SouthernMann]

The ODT article after the Otago NPC side was named stated he is going to Waikato.

[Bovidae]

@SouthernMann OK, I hadn't seen that, only that Ioane wasn't returning to Otago.

Is there a link?

[SouthernMann]

"He adds experience to a young backline after stalwart Josh Ioane signed with Waikato and Vilimoni Koroi is exploring new opportunities."

Jul 3, 2023

Naholo to ‘add massively’ to Otago squad

The chant for Waisake Naholo will ring out around Forsyth Barr Stadium once again. The former Highlanders winger, who scored a team-record 45...

[Bovidae]

That article is paywalled, but I assume you've quoted the relevant info.

The Waikato Times doesn't cover any local rugby.

[mikedogz]

This is the B team?

2023 NEW ZEALAND HARLEQUINS XV SQUAD

Vincent Green ( Melville )

Jonas Pomare ( Fraser Tech )

Manahi Goulton (Te Awamutu Sports)

Stanly Paese (Hautapu)

Teha Rehara ( Hautapu )

Kaleb Saxon ( Hautapu )

Sean Ralph ( Te Awamutu Sports )

Luke White ( Melville )

Zinzan Hansen ( The University of Waikato )

Josh Coffin ( Te Awamutu Sports )

Jake Russ ( Te Awamutu Sports )

Dave Morris ( Hautapu )

Xavier Saifoloi ( The University of Waikato )

Tevita Taukeiaho ( Te Awamutu Sports )

Senita Lauaki ( Hautapu )

Rhys Dickinson ( Matamata )

Keaton Neals ( Marist )

Logan Allen ( Matamata )

Jack Harding ( The University of Waikato )

Sam Toa ( Te Awamutu Sports )

Levi Reweti ( The University of Waikato )

Guy Landsdown ( Fraser Tech )

Westyn Cobb ( Te Awamutu Sports )

Shauncy Waho ( Te Awamutu Sports )

Quintin Hill ( Hautapu )

Josh Calvert (Fraser Tech)

Jackson Neels ( Leamington )

Latrell Smiler-Ah-Kong (Te Awamutu Sports )

[Bovidae]

From the players I am familiar with it looks to be mainly development/younger players.

Who are they playing?

[mikedogz]

Thames Valley and King Country. Not sure if equivalent team or pre Season for Heartland. Counties B. I found the team on the mooloo site and the draw on the harlequins site.

They might be part of the competition run by the northern regions: https://www.sporty.co.nz/northernregionrep/

[Bovidae]

Last year the Chiefs Cup was played before the NPC squad was announced so a lot of U20 players and wider training squad players were involved in those pre-season games. That isn't the situation this year.

AFAIK Waikato didn't have a B team in 2022, or at least I never saw a team/fixture list.

[Bovidae]

So we've got two halfbacks. Hopefully Roe is fit again.

[Bovidae]

I would think Tucker will be looking overseas soon unless he picks up a SR contract.