NPC - news, injuries etc

Stargazer

<p><strong>Southland Stags</strong> squad:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Brayden Mitchell (c), Tim Boys, Jimmy Cowan, Dylan Collier, Elliot Dixon, Bill Fukofuka, Phil Halder, Wharenui Hawera, Keanu Kahukura, Peni Ravai, Mika Mafi, Mike McKee, Morgan Mitchell, Wade McRae, Guy Millar, Kieran Moffat, Mike Molloy, Aleki Morris, Junior Ngaluafe, Matthew Philip, James Schrader, Lima Sopoaga, Ezekiel Sopoaga, Mike Stewart, Shaun Stodart, Jaye Thompson Te Muunu, Tauasosi Tuimavave, Jahvis Wallace.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Media:</p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/82159254/southland-stags-squad-named-for-2016-provincial-season'>Rookie Stags coach Hoani Macdonald has made the tough call to not select Jamie Mackintosh for the 2016 season</a></p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/82039260/meet-the-2016-southland-stags-squad-for-the-2016-national-provincial-season'>Meet the 2016 Southland Stags squad for the 2016 national provincial season</a></p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/82211340/southland-stags-usher-in-new-era-with-induction-day'>Southland Stags usher in new era with induction day</a></p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/82172035/longserving-southland-captain-jamie-mackintosh-shocked-by-omission'>Long-serving Southland captain Jamie Mackintosh 'shocked' by omission</a></p>

Bovidae

<p>So Southland have poached Collier too. Waikato gets Willis Halaholo for a season in return.</p>

taniwharugby

<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.taniwha.co.nz/latest-news/club-rugby/2016-northland-mitre-10-cup-team-announced/'>http://www.taniwha.co.nz/latest-news/club-rugby/2016-northland-mitre-10-cup-team-announced/</a></p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"> </p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"> </p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><span style="font-size:14px;">Northland squad named</span></p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"> </p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;text-align:justify;">All players are Northland based and, outside the Super players, play club rugby in Northland.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;margin:0px;">Five Academy players have been included in order to further develop and to provide cover for injured players, returning Super players and players involved in club finals through the pre-season window.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:15px;color:rgb(255,255,255);"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><em><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;margin:0px;">Name / Super Rugby Franchise (if applicable) / Northland Club / Caps for Northland</span></em></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;margin:0px;">Props</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:15px;color:rgb(255,255,255);"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;margin:0px;">Chris Apoua (Mid Northern 0)<br>
Phil Kite (OBM 0)<br>
Howard Sililoto (OBM 16)<br>
Matt Talaese (Wellsford 8)<br>
Namatahi Waâ€™a (Blues, Hikurangi 17)<br>
Sesimani Tupou (Academy, Otamatea 0)</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);"><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;margin:0px;"><strong>Hookers</strong></span></span></span></p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:15px;color:rgb(255,255,255);"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;margin:0px;">Matt Moulds (Blues, Otamatea 28)<br>
Jordan Olsen (Mid Northern 12)<br>
Ross Wright (Wellsford 63)</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;margin:0px;">Locks</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:15px;color:rgb(255,255,255);"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;margin:0px;">Josh Goodhue (United Kawakawa 7)<br>
Shane Neville (Otamatea 18)<br>
Tom Robinson (Western Sharks 0)<br>
Sean Sweetman (Wellsford 8)<br>
Josh Larsen (Academy, Mid Northern 0)</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);"><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;margin:0px;"><strong>Loose Forwards</strong></span></span></span></p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:15px;color:rgb(255,255,255);"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;margin:0px;">Michael Faleafa (Hikurangi 0)<br>
Matt Matich (Western Sharks 0)<br>
Dan Pryor (Highlanders, OBM 53)<br>
Kara Pryor (Blues, OBM 21)<br>
Jack Ram (Blues, Kerikeri 20)<br>
Aorangi Stokes (OBM 0)<br>
Epineri Uluviti (Academy, Awanui 0)</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;margin:0px;">Halfbacks</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:15px;color:rgb(255,255,255);"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;margin:0px;">Matty Markwick (OBM 0)<br>
Malcolm McLeod (Mid Northern 0)<br>
Sam Nock (Blues, Kerikeri 10)</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);"><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;margin:0px;"><strong>1st 5/8</strong></span></span></span></p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:15px;color:rgb(255,255,255);"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;margin:0px;">Peter Breen (Blues, OBM 0)<br>
Dan Hawkins (Rebels, Otamatea 30)</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);"><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;margin:0px;"><strong>Midfields</strong></span></span></span></p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:15px;color:rgb(255,255,255);"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;margin:0px;">Warren Dunn (Hora Hora 24)<br>
Troy Gilbert (OBM 20)<br>
Jordan Hyland (Otamatea 9)<br>
Tamati Tua (Hikurangi 0)<br>
James Cherrington (Academy, Mid Northern 0)</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;margin:0px;">Outside</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:15px;color:rgb(255,255,255);"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;margin:0px;">Solomon Alaimalo (Otamatea 0)<br>
Monty Lama (OBM 0)<br>
Waisea Lawebuka (Mid Northern 7)<br>
Jone Macilai (Crusaders, Awanui 19)<br>
Levi Clark (Academy, Mid Northern 0)</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);"><strong><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;margin:0px;">Northlandâ€™s three pre season games include:</span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:15px;color:rgb(255,255,255);"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);"><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;margin:0px;">North Harbour (North Harbour Stadium, Friday 29th July, 2:30pm KO)<br>
Bay of Plenty (Whakatane, Friday 5th August, 3:00pm KO)<br>
Counties / All Blacks (Pukekohe, Friday 12th August, 5:30pm KO)</span></span></span></p>

Tim

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="598308" data-time="1468990729"><p><a class="bbc_url" href="http://www.taniwha.co.nz/latest-news/club-rugby/2016-northland-mitre-10-cup-team-announced/">http://www.taniwha.co.nz/latest-news/club-rugby/2016-northland-mitre-10-cup-team-announced/</a><br>
<br>
<br><span style="font-size:14px;">Northland squad named</span><br>
<br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;">All players are Northland based and, outside the Super players, play club rugby in Northland.</span></span></span><br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;">Five Academy players have been included in order to further develop and to provide cover for injured players, returning Super players and players involved in club finals through the pre-season window.</span></span></span><br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#000000;"><em><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;">Name / Super Rugby Franchise (if applicable) / Northland Club / Caps for Northland</span></em></span></span><br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;">Props</span></strong></span></span></span><br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chris Apoua (Mid Northern 0)<br>
Phil Kite (OBM 0)<br>
Howard Sililoto (OBM 16)<br>
Matt Talaese (Wellsford 8)<br>
Namatahi Waâ€™a (Blues, Hikurangi 17)<br>
Sesimani Tupou (Academy, Otamatea 0)</span></span></span><br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Hookers</strong></span></span></span></span><br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;">Matt Moulds (Blues, Otamatea 28)<br>
Jordan Olsen (Mid Northern 12)<br>
Ross Wright (Wellsford 63)</span></span></span><br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;">Locks</span></strong></span></span></span><br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;">Josh Goodhue (United Kawakawa 7)<br>
Shane Neville (Otamatea 18)<br>
Tom Robinson (Western Sharks 0)<br>
Sean Sweetman (Wellsford 8)<br>
Josh Larsen (Academy, Mid Northern 0)</span></span></span><br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Loose Forwards</strong></span></span></span></span><br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;">Michael Faleafa (Hikurangi 0)<br>
Matt Matich (Western Sharks 0)<br>
Dan Pryor (Highlanders, OBM 53)<br>
Kara Pryor (Blues, OBM 21)<br>
Jack Ram (Blues, Kerikeri 20)<br>
Aorangi Stokes (OBM 0)<br>
Epineri Uluviti (Academy, Awanui 0)</span></span></span><br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;">Halfbacks</span></strong></span></span></span><br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;">Matty Markwick (OBM 0)<br>
Malcolm McLeod (Mid Northern 0)<br>
Sam Nock (Blues, Kerikeri 10)</span></span></span><br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>1st 5/8</strong></span></span></span></span><br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peter Breen (Blues, OBM 0)<br>
Dan Hawkins (Rebels, Otamatea 30)</span></span></span><br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Midfields</strong></span></span></span></span><br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;">Warren Dunn (Hora Hora 24)<br>
Troy Gilbert (OBM 20)<br>
Jordan Hyland (Otamatea 9)<br>
Tamati Tua (Hikurangi 0)<br>
James Cherrington (Academy, Mid Northern 0)</span></span></span><br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;">Outside</span></strong></span></span></span><br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;">Solomon Alaimalo (Otamatea 0)<br>
Monty Lama (OBM 0)<br>
Waisea Lawebuka (Mid Northern 7)<br>
Jone Macilai (Crusaders, Awanui 19)<br>
Levi Clark (Academy, Mid Northern 0)</span></span></span><br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;">Northlandâ€™s three pre season games include:</span></strong></span></span></span><br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;">North Harbour (North Harbour Stadium, Friday 29th July, 2:30pm KO)<br>
Bay of Plenty (Whakatane, Friday 5th August, 3:00pm KO)<br>
Counties / All Blacks (Pukekohe, Friday 12th August, 5:30pm KO)</span></span></span></p></blockquote>
<br>
Derek Carpenter?

taniwharugby

<p>I wish...he has been gone for the last 2 or 3 ITM Cup campaigns...</p>

Immenso Rapido

On the new rules:<br><br>
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.punditarena.com/rugby/adrumm/wales-set-abandon-law-changes/'>http://www.punditarena.com/rugby/adrumm/wales-set-abandon-law-changes/</a>

Stargazer

<div>2016 <strong>Bay of Plenty Steamers </strong>Squad:</div>
<div>Hookers:</div>
<div>Nathan Harris â€“ Te Puke Sports (26), Liam Polwart* â€“ Greerton Marist, Joseph Royal â€“ Rotoiti (29), Sabastian Siataga â€“ Mount Maunganui (8)</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Props:</div>
<div>Siegfried Fisi'ihoi â€“ Rotoiti (18), Jordan Lay* â€“ Whakarewarewa, Aidan Ross â€“ Te Puke Sports (3), Solomona Sakalia â€“ Mount Maunganui (19), Pingi Tala'apitaga â€“ Tauranga Sports (34), Jeff Thwaites â€“ Te Puna (6)</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Locks:</div>
<div>Troy Callander â€“ Greerton Marist (7), Shahn Eru â€“ Te Puna (7), Keepa Mewett â€“ Tauranga Sports (17), Culum Retallick â€“ Tauranga Sports (92)</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Loose Forwards:</div>
<div>Matty Axtens* â€“ Mount Maunganui, Hugh Blake* â€“ Te Puke Sports, Sam Cane â€“ Tauranga Sports (18), Mitchell Karpik* â€“ Mount Maunganui, Jesse Parete* â€“ Arataki, Henry Stowers* â€“ Arataki, Eru Wano-Smith* â€“ Whakarewarewa, Joe Tupe â€“ Greerton Marist (23)</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Half backs:</div>
<div>Luke Campbell* â€“ Te Puke Sports, Ruki Tipuna â€“ Rangataua (12), Te Aihe Toma â€“ Te Puna (25)</div>
<div> </div>
<div>First five-eights:</div>
<div>Kelly Haimona â€“ Whakarewarewa (15), Dan Hollinshead â€“ Te Puke Sports (19)</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Midfield backs:</div>
<div>Lalakai Foketi â€“ Rangataua (10), Terrence Hepetema â€“ Te Puna (1), Teddy Stanaway â€“ Mount Maunganui (1), Joe Webber* â€“ Te Puke Sports</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Outside backs:</div>
<div>Te Rangi Fraser â€“ Whakarewarewa (10), Monty Ioane* â€“ Greerton Marist, Elijah Nicholas â€“ Whakatane Marist (6), Chase Tiatia â€“ Rangataua (11), Isaac Te Aute* â€“ Mount Maunganui, Regan Ware* â€“ Arataki</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Injury Cover:</div>
<div>Leigh Hughes* â€“ Mount Maunganui</div>
<div> </div>
<div>
<div>*Denotes Steamers debut</div>
<div>() Denotes Steamers caps</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.boprugby.co.nz/news--information/2016-steamers-squad-announced/'>http://www.boprugby.co.nz/news--information/2016-steamers-squad-announced/</a></div>
</div>

Duluth

<p>North Harbour</p>
<p> </p>
<div>Hookers   </div>
<div>James Parsons</div>
<div>Raymond Niuia</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Props </div>
<div>Karl Tuikanafe   </div>
<div>Nic Mayhew</div>
<div>Sione Mafileo </div>
<div>Adrian Smith </div>
<div>Toketa Fatai</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Locks   </div>
<div>Gerard Cowley-Mariner </div>
<div>Brandon Nansen   </div>
<div>Chris Vui</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Loose Forwards   </div>
<div>Murphy Taramai   </div>
<div>Hapakuki Liavaa-Moala </div>
<div>Kane Jacobsen </div>
<div>Glen Preston   </div>
<div>Josh Tyrell</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Half Backs </div>
<div>Bryn Hall </div>
<div>Chris Smylie</div>
<div> </div>
<div>1st 5s   </div>
<div>Bryn Gatland </div>
<div>Matt McGahan</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Midfield </div>
<div>James Little   </div>
<div>Pita Ahki </div>
<div>Matt Vaega </div>
<div>Michael Little   </div>
<div>Rene Ranger </div>
<div>Daniel Hilton Jones</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Outsides   </div>
<div>Tevita Li   </div>
<div>Matt Duffie   </div>
<div>Marty Swart </div>
<div>Afa Faatau</div>

Tim

<p>Is Ranger expected to be available for any of the season?</p>

Duluth

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="599919" data-time="1469402994">
<div>
<p>Is Ranger expected to be available for any of the season?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>I can't find anything about his fitness. I thought he was ruled out of the NPC too?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>They named plenty of midfielders.</p>

taniwharugby

<p>if he doesn't end up playing, that's 2 seasons he's been signed and not played, and from what I've heard, he wants to come back here anyway. If that did transpire, we could go from an iffy mid-field to a very good one if Goodhue returned as rumoured as well.</p>

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Duluth" data-cid="599907" data-time="1469401608">
<div>
<p> </p>
<p>North Harbour</p>
<p> </p>
<div>Hookers   </div>
<div>James Parsons</div>
<div>Raymond Niuia</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Props </div>
<div>Karl Tuikanafe   </div>
<div>Nic Mayhew</div>
<div>Sione Mafileo </div>
<div>Adrian Smith </div>
<div>Toketa Fatai</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Locks   </div>
<div>Gerard Cowley-Mariner </div>
<div>Brandon Nansen   </div>
<div>Chris Vui</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Loose Forwards   </div>
<div>Murphy Taramai   </div>
<div>Hapakuki Liavaa-Moala </div>
<div>Kane Jacobsen </div>
<div>Glen Preston   </div>
<div>Josh Tyrell</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Half Backs </div>
<div>Bryn Hall </div>
<div>Chris Smylie</div>
<div> </div>
<div>1st 5s   </div>
<div>Bryn Gatland </div>
<div>Matt McGahan</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Midfield </div>
<div>James Little   </div>
<div>Pita Ahki </div>
<div>Matt Vaega </div>
<div>Michael Little   </div>
<div>Rene Ranger </div>
<div>Daniel Hilton Jones</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Outsides   </div>
<div>Tevita Li   </div>
<div>Matt Duffie   </div>
<div>Marty Swart </div>
<div>Afa Faatau</div>
<p> </p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>They should be able to put together a useful backline out of that side with an ok tight 5. Surely they can at the very least get a semi final spot.</p>

Tim

<p>You'd think they'd be able to poach a Prior brother to play 7.</p>

taniwharugby

<p>you'd think wouldn't you....keep your hands off ;)</p>

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="599947" data-time="1469406538">
<div>
<p>you'd think wouldn't you....keep your hands off ;)</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Yes you guys do need all the help you can get :mocking:</p>

taniwharugby

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="599953" data-time="1469406807">
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<p>Yes you guys do need all the help you can get :mocking:</p>
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<p>how dare you...oh wait.</p>
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<p>Still amuses me we have our highest number of contracted super players after what was probably worst season I can recall us playing (even worse than that time where we might not have won a game for 2 seasons - but at least we looked good in parts, unlike last year)</p>

KiwiPie

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="599095" data-time="1469234035">
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<p> </p>
<div>2016 <strong>Bay of Plenty Steamers </strong>Squad:</div>
<div>Hookers:</div>
<div>Nathan Harris â€“ Te Puke Sports (26), Liam Polwart* â€“ Greerton Marist, Joseph Royal â€“ Rotoiti (29), Sabastian Siataga â€“ Mount Maunganui (8)</div>
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<div>Props:</div>
<div>Siegfried Fisi'ihoi â€“ Rotoiti (18), Jordan Lay* â€“ Whakarewarewa, Aidan Ross â€“ Te Puke Sports (3), Solomona Sakalia â€“ Mount Maunganui (19), Pingi Tala'apitaga â€“ Tauranga Sports (34), Jeff Thwaites â€“ Te Puna (6)</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Locks:</div>
<div>Troy Callander â€“ Greerton Marist (7), Shahn Eru â€“ Te Puna (7), Keepa Mewett â€“ Tauranga Sports (17), Culum Retallick â€“ Tauranga Sports (92)</div>
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<div>Loose Forwards:</div>
<div>Matty Axtens* â€“ Mount Maunganui, Hugh Blake* â€“ Te Puke Sports, Sam Cane â€“ Tauranga Sports (18), Mitchell Karpik* â€“ Mount Maunganui, Jesse Parete* â€“ Arataki, Henry Stowers* â€“ Arataki, Eru Wano-Smith* â€“ Whakarewarewa, Joe Tupe â€“ Greerton Marist (23)</div>
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<div>Half backs:</div>
<div>Luke Campbell* â€“ Te Puke Sports, Ruki Tipuna â€“ Rangataua (12), Te Aihe Toma â€“ Te Puna (25)</div>
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<div>First five-eights:</div>
<div>Kelly Haimona â€“ Whakarewarewa (15), Dan Hollinshead â€“ Te Puke Sports (19)</div>
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<div>Midfield backs:</div>
<div>Lalakai Foketi â€“ Rangataua (10), Terrence Hepetema â€“ Te Puna (1), Teddy Stanaway â€“ Mount Maunganui (1), Joe Webber* â€“ Te Puke Sports</div>
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<div>Outside backs:</div>
<div>Te Rangi Fraser â€“ Whakarewarewa (10), Monty Ioane* â€“ Greerton Marist, Elijah Nicholas â€“ Whakatane Marist (6), Chase Tiatia â€“ Rangataua (11), Isaac Te Aute* â€“ Mount Maunganui, Regan Ware* â€“ Arataki</div>
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<div>Injury Cover:</div>
<div>Leigh Hughes* â€“ Mount Maunganui</div>
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<div>*Denotes Steamers debut</div>
<div>() Denotes Steamers caps</div>
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<div><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.boprugby.co.nz/news--information/2016-steamers-squad-announced/'>http://www.boprugby.co.nz/news--information/2016-steamers-squad-announced/</a></div>
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<p>If they made it a Sevens comp, we'd be right in the mix!</p>

Bovidae

<p>Most of the sevens squad must live at The Mount, hence Webber and Ware's transfer to BOP.</p>
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<p>I see a couple of other ex Waikato rep/club players are in the NH squad as well - Tyrell and Jacobsen.</p>

Higgins

<p>The North Harbour squad looks to be somewhat light, numbers wise anyway, in a couple of areas. I suppose it must be dictated by financial pressures, or perhaps blind optisism if the can only include four outside backs and three locks. Maybe it could be there is just not the talent available to them locally and numbers from outside the area are not interested in playing for them?</p>
<p>If Afa Fa'atau is the same guy that played on the wing for Poverty Bay last season then he looks like he could cover prop and most other forwqard positions judging by the size of him.</p>

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="600043" data-time="1469419050">
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<p>The North Harbour squad looks to be somewhat light, numbers wise anyway, in a couple of areas. I suppose it must be dictated by financial pressures, or perhaps blind optisism if the can only include four outside backs and three locks. Maybe it could be there is just not the talent available to them locally and numbers from outside the area are not interested in playing for them?</p>
<p>If Afa Fa'atau is the same guy that played on the wing for Poverty Bay last season then he looks like he could cover prop and most other forwqard positions judging by the size of him.</p>
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<p>I suppose Matt McGahan can cover fullback and he usually plays there for them. They could take a lock from Auckland as we have plenty lol but that's not gonna happen.</p>
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<p>And yes, that is the same Afa Fa'atau. He was in the Blues wider training squad but didn't see any game time.</p>

The Silver Fern

NPC - news, injuries etc