Waikato 2024
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Speaking to someone on Sat there are only about 4 NPC contracts up for grabs. I would think that the majority of the squad will be those used in 2023. It looks like the squad won't be named until later this month.
My guesses are:
Props
Ayden Johnstone
Ollie Norris
Mason Tupaea
George Dyer
Solomone Tukuafu
Gabe RobinsonThe same 6 props. Add in Will Martin as a Development player.
Hookers
Samisoni Taukei'aho
Sean RalphWill need another two. Rhys Marshall and Pita Anae-Ah Sue were used last year. No idea where Anae-Ah Sue is currently. The next option will likely be Hakaraia Richards-Coxhead, who has been converted from prop.
Locks
Laghlan McWhannell
James Tucker
Hamilton BurrThese three are locked in. Zinzan Hansen was used briefly last year and provides plenty of height, and there are the two NZ U20 lock/loose forwards Tai Cribb and Andrew Smith who should be involved.
Loose forwards
Samipeni Finau
Luke Jacobson
Mitch Jacobson
Malachi Wrampling
Patrick McCurran
Te Rama Reuben - knee injury, out for season
Jahrome Brown
Xavier SaifoloiI am assuming Brown plays NPC. Senita Lauaki is probably the next loosie in line.
Halfbacks
Xavier Roe
Cortez Ratima
Quintony Ngatai
Nui Muriwai1st 5s
Damian McKenzie
Taha Kemara
D'Angelo LeuiaMaybe Aaron Cruden again but he isn't playing. Latrell Smiler-Ah Kiong returned from Europe for the latter stages of club rugby.
Midfield
Anton Lienert Brown
Quinn Tupaea
Bailyn Sullivan
Gideon Wrampling
Austin Anderson
Tana TuhakarainaHeaps of options here, and some could play on the wing.
Outside backs
Daniel Sinkinson
Tepaea Cook-Savage
Liam Coombes-Fabling
Aki Tuivailala
Josh MoorbyJole Naufahu and Waisake Salabiau as Development players.
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@cgrant said in Waikato 2024:
Isn't Andrew Smith a blind side loose forward ?
Yes, but he played lock in pre-season games last year. Assuming Smith is in the squad, he could play lock or 6.
And Tuivailala a centre ?
More likely to be used on the wing (where Aki debuted last year) than in the midfield I would think with Tupaea, Sullivan, Wrampling etc.
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@Yeetyaah said in Waikato 2024:
Aaron Cruden is at Mooloo open day, wonder if he's lacing up again.
I said he could be a possibility. Neither of the 1st 5s who played for the Harlequins (Logan Allen and Jack Harding) are good enough at this stage.
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A day early. By accident?
Cruden is included. They will need to find other hookers and halfbacks.
2024 Waikato National Provincial Championship Squad Announced
Waikato Rugby are pleased to announce their initial 34-man Bunnings Warehouse National Provinicial Championship (NPC)...
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Josh Moorby joins Waikato for the 2024 Bunnings NPC campaign.
Waikato Rugby is proud to announce the key signing of inform, outside back, Josh Moorby, who has committed to Waikato...
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@Yeetyaah I'm sure most look at the WR SM channels and not the website. Also, the media release says a 34-man squad but only 33 players are listed. Tana Tuhakaraina is missing.
I expect all of the NZ U20 players will be on development contracts and training with the main squad.
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Couple of (already known) departures from last season such as Rhys Marshall, Simon Parker and Josh Ioane but otherwise a pretty consistent squad.
Gabe Robinson is the only one to have not played a game of provincial rugby but he was involved with the squad last year (think he might have been injured).
Ayden Johnstone's continued selection as captain has really hampered Ollie Norris' development, in my mind.
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@Bovidae said in Waikato 2024:
@Mr-Fish Yeah, Robinson was injured so never debuted. He was in the NZ U20s last year so like Mason Tupaea only young.
Johnstone is still only 27 but, I agree, hopefully Filipo shares their workload and both get starts.
Feels like Johnstone has been around forever. He's a good provincial player but I think Norris has the much higher ceiling and with Johnstone as captain, his minutes are always going to be restricted.
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@Yeetyaah said in Waikato 2024:
Aaron Cruden is at Mooloo open day, wonder if he's lacing up again.
Player / Coach
