Magpies 2023
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@Stargazer Don't know for sure, but his second name is Arapata, so I guess Maori.
He's a decent signing - been pretty solid for us without kicking on to super rugby (a squaddie for the Blues for a season).
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Ere Enari, Neria Fomai and Danny Toala have made the Manu Samoa squad for the RWC.
Stacey Ili hasn't.
As Fomai was named in the Magpies, and Ili wasn't, would there be a chance that Ili gets Fomai's spot in the Magpies? I'd love to have him back. I'd prefer him over both Tiatia and Sapsford in the starting line-up.
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IWL's injury looked bad, tonight. Broken arm or collarbone? Dislocated shoulder? He looked like he was in a lot of pain.
Unfortunately, he may have played his one and only game of the season. That probably means that Lochore will become the preferred starting lock with Tom Parsons, and will get a lot of minutes.
It will be interesting who they see as the number 3 lock now, who'll get the bench spot. Will it be Morrison or Fabish? Probably not Tom Allen. I suspect it will be Morrison.
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So with the Tongan RWC squad named, we're losing both Joe 'Apikotoa and Anzelo Tuitavuki. I assume wingers are more easily available than props. I wonder who will brought into the squad?
Looking at the props in the development squad, I'm not too sure any of them are ready or good enough for the step up. I'm slightly less worried about wingers.
I haven't spotted Stacey Ili in photos of training, yet. I really hope he'll be added to the squad.
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NPC Battle of the Bays: Free tickets going fast for Magpies v Steamers at McLean Park
Thousands of free tickets have already gone as the possibility of a full house looms.
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From a press release on the website of the Red Hurricanes Osaka (translated by Google), dated 20 August 2023:
We are pleased to announce that Kumitsu Shimada, who is enrolled in Red Hurricanes Osaka and is currently studying in New Zealand, has signed with HAWKE'S BAY RUGBY UNION and joined HAWKE'S BAY MAGPIES.
I can only assume that Jacob Devery is injured again? He's the only of our three hookers who hasn't played since the Counties game. Or is Kereru-Symes' move to LH prop and Rakete-Stones' move to TH permanent, because 'Apikotoa is going to the RWC?
It would have been nice if the HBRU had posted (and explained) this on their socials. I had the impression it was only for one or a few games.
【リリース】HAWKE'S BAY MAGPIES（ホークス・ベイ代表）に島田久満選手が選出されました！！ | ニュース | レッドハリケーンズ大阪
レッドハリケーンズ大阪のオフィシャルウェブサイトです。試合スケジュール・試合結果・選手等を紹介しています。
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@Stargazer said in Magpies 2023:
And meh news, we now have our own no-name Aussie prop from the Western Force (24 years old, 12 caps in two seasons). I hope he's any good.:
He is, presumably, Australian (even if his name indicates he might be a foreigner) and a bit part player from the Western Force that I cannot ever recall noticing so that might answer a few ponderings on his status. Still I will refrain from giving the official verdict until the time if he ever makes the field. I will be at the Development Team's game against the 'Poo at Park Island tomorrow so should be able to see him live for the first time if he is good enough to make their match day 23 and will report back on my observations.
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@Stargazer Surely there must be some sort of semi-decent prop at Manakau Rovers or some other club in Auckland that we could have coerced into become a Magpie? Still I suppose that it revolves around a club players full time work and family commitments over whether they want to relocate for a few months. Much easier I guess to get an existing full time professional player that has no qualms about moving for short periods as there will not be the same amount as disruption to their personal life when compared to the example I used above, even if you might get a more proficient player plying their trade at club level. The full time player does have the vast benefit of better fitness and endurance as well as the benefits of concerted work in the weight gym that the clubbie simply cannot find the time to achieve.
