Magpies 2017
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@Stargazer I agree with most of what you say. I personally wouldn't mind if Ben May came back. The other prop you mentioned from Wellington is in my opinion a useful player when fit. Kean im not sure about. Edmonds hopefully can play again. Buckman may be back. (Here's hoping). Kaka would be very welcome. McNicholl if he shrugs off injury and concussion problems would also be an asset. Definitely need a midfielder. We seen to be ok at lock with 3 super rugby players. Filipo please don't come back..Hooker assuming Riccitelli has gone to Taranaki is another area. I'm not at all sold on our back up. All in all the wallet needs the moths shaken off it. Oh and please Chris Eaton ( great servant that you've been) please retire. Ellery Wilson is a much better option.
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Expectations/fears confirmed: Riccitelli has signed with Taranaki for 2 years. Ash Dixon better not get injured/leave, because our current selectors suck at finding replacements (in time). Hope they prove me wrong though ...
Any candidates you can think of?
Taranaki Rugby
The official website of Taranaki Rugby and the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls. Inspiring Taranaki. Enriching Lives.
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@Stargazer Hikare Forbes was dam good value when he was here. Would only be 30 so he'd be worth while. And let us not forget Hika, he'd jump at the chance. But can Mike Bishop swallow his stupid pride and ask.
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@billsy11 Not sure whether we should have two top dogs in Ash & Hika. I don't think we should go for a 2nd hooker, who is older than Dixon, unless we can't find a good 2nd hooker, who is younger than 28. Tangaere is 22-23 years old.
Is it Bishop who should swallow his pride, or the head coach, or some board members?
How long has Bishop been the CEO now? And how long have we had the same board? If those board members keep on being nominated for re-election by the clubs (or whoever nominates them), you can't expect much innovation and new ideas.
I don't know what the problem/cause is, but we've had so many Super Rugby players the last few years. We should perform much better than some other Mitre 10 Cup teams with more club players, yet we don't. We should be well-established in the Premiership, but we have been relegated again. They must be doing something wrong, and with "they" I mean the coaches, (other staff?) & decision-makers, not the players. Something needs to change.
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@Stargazer We would be getting a 1st hooker with Hika ....
It's Bishop and head coach that would need to swallow their pride re: Hika. (Anyway, I can't see it happening now). What's Sam Anderson-Heather up to these days?
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Lock Geoff Cridge has been ruled out for the season after having knee surgery post Hawke's Bay's Mitre 10 Cup campaign ...Some people have no luck! Injured again & will miss the Super Rugby season. Hopefully, he'll be fully fit for the Mitre 10 Cup.
Good to see that Jonah Lowe, Tiaan Falcon & Hugh Renton are all starting for the Canes in their first preseason game, with Mason Emerson and Mark Abbott on the bench. Has Renton already played for the Canes? I remember Cridge making his debut last year, but can't remember whether Renton also earned his first cap or was injured all season. Anyway, Canes debut for Lowe, Falcon and Emerson. Will be a good experience for them, even if their stay with the Canes ends after preseason.
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The non-Wellington Hurricanes have been allocated to local clubs.
The Magpies have been allocated as follows:
Old Boys-University: Hugh Renton, Ben May (both Hawkes Bay)
Poneke: Mark Abbott (Hawkes Bay)
Wellington: Jonah Lowe (Hawke's Bay)I wonder whether the fact that Lowe is on this list means that the Canes have extended his temporary contract?
Hurricanes in club rugby this season
Above: Hurricanes prop Loni Uhlia, the Tongan Bear, playing for Marist St Pat's last year. The WRFU has released its list of allocations to clubs of non-WRFU contracted players in the Hurricanes for the 2017 season...
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The young lad is being noticed, by the Canes coaches but also now by the media. Still not sure whether this means that Jonah now has his short-term Canes contract extended though.
Out of King's College and with a New Zealand under-20 campaign behind him, plus the award as Hawke's Bay's best back in 2016, Lowe is an interesting outside back option as the Canes await the playing return of Julian Savea from his off-season. "Jonah has gone really well. He is a late inclusion in our squad. He had a good game against the Blues last weekend and he, like a number of other people, will be keen to knock down the door to get them further up the pecking order," says Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd.http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11798670
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@Stargazer said in Magpies 2017:
The non-Wellington Hurricanes have been allocated to local clubs.
The Magpies have been allocated as follows:
Old Boys-University: Hugh Renton, Ben May (both Hawkes Bay)
Poneke: Mark Abbott (Hawkes Bay)
Wellington: Jonah Lowe (Hawke's Bay)I wonder whether the fact that Lowe is on this list means that the Canes have extended his temporary contract?
Above: Hurricanes prop Loni Uhlia, the Tongan Bear, playing for Marist St Pat's last year. The WRFU has released its list of allocations to clubs of non-WRFU contracted players in the Hurricanes for the 2017 season...
Yes, Jonah will remain with the Hurricanes to end of 2017 campaign. Be interesting to see how much game time he might get.
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@Number-10 said in Magpies 2017:
@Stargazer said in Magpies 2017:
The non-Wellington Hurricanes have been allocated to local clubs.
The Magpies have been allocated as follows:
Old Boys-University: Hugh Renton, Ben May (both Hawkes Bay)
Poneke: Mark Abbott (Hawkes Bay)
Wellington: Jonah Lowe (Hawke's Bay)I wonder whether the fact that Lowe is on this list means that the Canes have extended his temporary contract?
Above: Hurricanes prop Loni Uhlia, the Tongan Bear, playing for Marist St Pat's last year. The WRFU has released its list of allocations to clubs of non-WRFU contracted players in the Hurricanes for the 2017 season...
Yes, Jonah will remain with the Hurricanes to end of 2017 campaign. Be interesting to see how much game time he might get.
He posted a photo on instagram with the text "Pre seasons finally over.. Time to run on the waters ✔️#waterboy #thirsty"
I'm afraid that waterboy will indeed be his main role this season, until and unless injury strikes .. A bit like Wes Goosen last year? Just hope he'll be able to show enough to get a contract for next year. Would also be awesome if he could make the Maori ABs or the Barbarians (provincial) team to play the Lions, but competition for a spot will be fierce ... -
Don't know Luke McKenna, so can't say anything about him, but there's some interesting info in this article about today's game between the Hawke's Bay Academy team and the Manawatu Academy team:
"I had a chat with Craig Philpott the other day. He told me Tony Lamborn is the only contracted No 7 but No 8 Fa'alemiga Selesele could also be used as a No 7. This is likely to leave me and Ben Hamelink battling for the other spot," McKenna said referring to Lamborn's 2016 deputy.First, this seems to suggest that Selesele has another year on his contract. Second, they don't plan to sign another experienced loosie. Third, Tony Lamborn will definitely be returning to the Magpies this year, despite his American adventures & missing out on a Canes spot.
In a previous post, I included a list of players signed to the Pro-Zone Academy (as reported by HBT). Today's academy squad also includes Kini Naholo (who wasn't on that list). Wonder whether he's now also part of the academy? Strong, fast lad, just like his big brother. (Another brother, Meli, is playing in Taranaki)
Nine members of the Hastings Boys' High School 1st XV which finished second in the National Top Four comp last year will be in action for the Bay today. They are frontrowers Kianu Kereru-Symes and Jacob Devery, lock-loosie Tane Hohipa, loosie Jeriah Mua, halfback Folau Fakatava, first five-eighth Lincoln McClutchie, wingers Kini Naholo and Trent Hape and centre Danny Toala.Surprised by the "centre Danny Toala", I thought he played full-back for HBHS?
HB teams for the 2pm match which will be played in three 30-minute thirds: Team One: Nick Biss, Al Momoisea, Danny Toala, Mitch Drew, Kini Naholo, Paul Bickle, Zac Donaldson, Hannon Brighouse, Luke McKenna, Ricky Hayes, Tyler Symon-Burke, Josh Bokser, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Jacob Devery, Tim Farrell. Team Two: Al Momoisea, Nick Biss, Danny Toala, Mitche Drew, Trent Hape, Lincoln McClutchie, Folau Fakatava, Devan Flanders, Will Tremain, Josh Bokser, Tyler Symon-Burke, Tane Hohipa, Josiah Tavita, Kianu Kereru-Symes, Tim Farrell. Team Three: Thomas Agnew, Nick Biss, Al Momoisea, Mitch Drew, Trent Hape, Lincoln McClutchie, Angus Kilmister, TBC, Jeriah Mua, Tane Hohipa, Hannon Brighouse, Josh Bokser, Josiah Tavita, Kianu Kereru-Symes, Cameron Huata.http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=11807212
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Hawke's Bay Academy 60 - 12 Manawatu Academy
Don't get too excited, the detail is at the end of the HBT article: Manawatu missed 14 players that would have been selected if they had been available. But still a very good result if the article sums up the game well.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=11807992
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At their AGM tonight, the Hawke's Bay RU announced a profit of $202,000 mainly due to the selling of their property in Latham Street.
This is the 18th consecutive profit declared by the union. Reserves now stand at $1.1 million.
The union has entered into agreement to buy a freehold property at Park Island and develop it, which is valued at $600,000. They will vacate their offices at McLean Park, that they pay $50,000 a year in rent for, and move their entire operation to the new Park Island site within three years.
There will be eight fields there where they will be able to do all their coaching, training, gym work etc in one place.
All Magpies matches will still remain at McLean Park.
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Thanks @Number-10!
Is that what was reported in this HBT article? Were there any more rugby related points on the agenda?http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503462&objectid=11750974
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@Stargazer said in Magpies 2017:
Thanks @Number-10!
Is that what was reported in this HBT article? Were there any more rugby related points on the agenda?http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503462&objectid=11750974
Yeah, that's the one.
At the AGM the Board revealed a bit more.
As well as this option, they had also been approached to base themselves at the Hastings Sports Park.
But of course there would be a rental to do that and they would be sharing, whereas the option to buy something freehold for $600,000 was more attractive as the asset can turn into $3 million. And they could also lease training facilities out during offseason to other sports.
So, off-field is looking promising, just have to get on-field performance to improve. There is a lot of very good local playing talent coming through, which have been signed up for the Academy. But the problem is, as it is for all unions, they can't all play for the province when their three year Academy contract expires so talent is always lost every year.
Three Hawke's Bay boys are in the final NZ Under 20 trial - Tiaan Falcon, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, and Pouri Rakete-Stones.
Stood next to Marino Mikaele-Tu'u last year, he was a big boy for just 18 (then).
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So, indeed (as I just posted in another thread), Matt Garland has left Hawke's Bay because the HBRU didn't want to confirm his Mitre10 Cup contract for 2017 and BOP did. If the HBRU continues its poor player retention like this, we end up struggling for the wooden spoon with Southland and Northland. I'll be interested to hear who's going to replace him. There's still no indication whether Buckman will be back.
I somehow expect West not to return (think he'll go overseas if he doesn't get a new SR contract and that is likely to be the case) and then Falcon will move to first-five (where he should play, of course, he's no second-five), but then we're without a decent 12 and 13 or 14 (depending on where they want Lowe to play). With Fruean and Tongia both gone as well, we'll need a few new recruits (Horrell was never properly replaced), but considering the poor recruitment by the HBRU the last few years, not hearing about good signings worries me.
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Poor recruitment indeed, but Garland didn't show enough to make me think we should be keeping him anyway.
Ihaia has a few more games this season to turn things around but crazy to think he's soon to be the old man of the Magpies backline if he stays. It would be good to get Bucky back for a season.
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@Nepia Geez all we seem to hear about is players leaving, and no one coming. I assume there will be and no names have as yet been released. It's bloody good the business is taken care of off the paddock, but to do the new facilities justice, we have to do the buisness on the paddock otherwise it becomes a bloody big white elephant.
