Comings and goings
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BOP Wasps 38...NZ University 21
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@Snollygoster This was actually one of the better "preseason/trial" games I've seen with plenty of endeavour between two evenly matched teams. Most of these early games with a team coddled together are pretty scrappy and meaningless but this was entertaining.
Bop lost the first half 21-14 but won the second half 24-0. Haimona and Webber never played (replaced by McDonald and Foketi) and, to be honest, some of the other replacements I never recognised .
Man of the Match, Luke Masirewa, must surely have earned a Bay jersey with his 3 tries. His speed and ability to keep the ball alive was impessive. Special mention must also go to Wardlaw who had a huge workrate and Mabbett-Stowerby who backed up his impressive club form. Others never did their chances any harm either.
So.... a pass mark..
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Thanks for the update. Good to hear Masirewa went well - we are going to need some X factor this year. Good win for a fringe BOP lineup - historically NZ University are a strong outfit.
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I hear this guy is to play for the Bay. (Not sure what year though)
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@Snollygoster Correct; it was mentioned in the Chiefs' media release: http://www.chiefs.co.nz/news/news/latest-news/446-tyler-ardron-signs-with-the-gallagher-chiefs
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Just putting the feelers out there as a Taniwha supporter,have heard some oil that Northland are looking to sign Tim Bond,a lock that played for the steamers in 2016,was also in the Sunwolves last season.
Must say from a Taniwha point of view,I'm a bit underwhelmed,but I suppose like anything in life,you give a person a chance.
Just want to know from steamers supporters how he rates..?
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Tim Bond is a good honest lock. No frills but works very hard and is aggressive. I am surprised he hasn't re-signed with BOP. I assume that he may have taken Retallick's spot (assuming he isn't returning from the Rebels), but then I remembered we have signed Franklin - although he has had a heavy load with the Landers and looked a bit buggered in the Maori game.
You could do a lot worse than Bond to be honest, but strange you don't have the depth up there. No big Fijian locks up there like the wingers...
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Yep, Gagaboy pretty much summed him up. From memory he never played for us much after getting concussed early on in the 2016 season. His move isn't at all surprising given that he is well down the pecking order in BOP locks. After the three existing locks (Retallick, Mewett and Callander) theres Franklin from the Highlanders, possibly The Canadian Ardron who apparently plays a bit at lock, Le'aupepe from Te Puke Sports and even maybe Wardlaw from Rotoiti who would be ahead of him so a move north isn't surprising. Seems strange to think that we're just over a month away from preseason games.
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Okay, work is quiet and I must be bored !
Its probably only a couple of weeks till the naming of the Steamers team and maybe a month till preseason games begin so its time to guess who has/hasn’t made the cut. I’m pretty sure the team will be pretty much known in rugby circles but nothing official via the press or BOPRU so I haven’t a clue. With today’s professional era and High Performance groups and Academies operating I’m sure things have been arranged which is unlike the old days when the team naming was a big deal.
Anyway, as mentioned earlier, a large proportion of last years team are still “about” but I’m in the dark as to who is contracted or available. For want of a better way of doing it lets go through them with each position.
HOOKERS:- Last year there was Harris, O’Reilly, Polwart, Royal and Siataga. Five hookers seemed an overkill at the time but given injuries and Harris being away with the AB’s that number was possibly justified. Royal is apparently playing in Auckland and I’m not sure where O’Reily is so a space is maybe there for someone else.
PROPS:- Last year there was Fisihoi, Lay, Ross, Sakalia, Tala’apilaga and Thwaites. Tala’apilaga is the only one gone apparently and his place seems to have been taken by James Lay (Brother of Jordan)
LOCKS:-Last year there was Callendar, Mewett and Rettalick. Rettalick is the only one who I am uncertain of as the other two are still playing locally. Sooner or latter he will have to hang up his boots but he seems to still be performing creditably so I wouldn’t discount him returning. I’m guessing Le'aupepe might be signed as his heir apparent. As we know Franklin has been signed but his huge workload in Super rugby must be taking a toll..Only having three specialist locks is a surprise but the No.6 usually provides cover.
LOOSE FORWARDS:-Last year we had Parette, Axtens, Cane, Blake, Karpik, Stowers, Smith-Wano and Tupe. Well Tupe is gone and I have no idea what Blake is up to so spaces available here. Ardon (the Canadian) has been signed but I am unsure what season he begins playing for us. Mua or possibly even Mabbet-Stowerby could be long shot for selection.
HALF BACKS:- Last year we had Campbell, Toma and Tipuna. I understood Toma was playing in Europe but I see he is turning out for Te Puna in club rugby recently so who knows! Richard Judd has been signed from Counties so expect changes.
FIRST FIVES:- Last year we had Hollinshead and Haimona. Haimona is the only one left. Hollinshead’s replacement is the most eagerly awaited selection as the first five seems to be taking the blame for our misfiring backs. The young Trask (Son of ex BOP Bruce Trask) seems to be talked about as the next in line and I haven’t watched enough local rugby to know who else is putting their hand up.
SECOND FIVE/CENTRE:- Last year we had Hepetema, Foketi, Nicolas and Stanaway. They are all still about but Liam Steel has been signed so someone will be dropped I assume. Garland from Shield Snorters is also on the scene.
WINGS:- Last year we had Webber, Ioane and Ware who, as far as I am aware, are still on the scene. It will be interesting if they give Masarewa a chance.
FULL BACKS:- Last year we had Fraser, Te Aute and Tiatia. Fraser has gone and my pick is for Robertson-Wepu to replace him who could also cover for first five.
As you’ve probably guessed, I am just as much in the dark as you guys. I have no doubt there will be new signings and changes to personal yet to be announced.
So now its your turn......What changes need to be made? Who should be cut from last year? Anyone know who else has been performing at club level? Have I missed any players?
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@KiwiPie said in Comings and goings:
Good summary there. When Hollinshead left for France, he was only going to be away until the end of the NH season but I don't know if that has changed. It's really hard to find any information online ....
Hollinshead has signed with Coca-Cola Red Sparks in Japan.
http://www.ccwest.co.jp/club/rugby/member.html#SHI posted this earlier in this same thread!
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This recent photo was from the high performance squad members having a day out in Rotorua. Firstly who is the guy in the middle ? Mike Delany ? I think the other two are Liam Steel and Hugh Blake (who it seems will be back for another season.)
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@Snollygoster Does look a lot like Mike Delany. He's just turned 35, wonder if he is going to play a season or 2 as a squad player?
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@KiwiPie said in Comings and goings:
@Snollygoster Does look a lot like Mike Delany. He's just turned 35, wonder if he is going to play a season or 2 as a squad player?
The Mafia Facebook page has the answer (via the Union) He's back!
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I will reserve any enthusiasm till I see how he plays. At 35 he won't be the same player he was when he played here last but (as has been mentioned many times) his experience will count. You have to wonder who else may be dragged back...Bourke is still only 33 and Latts is a baby at 31 !!
The team seems to be taking shape with only a handful of spots uncertain.
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@Snollygoster said in Comings and goings:
I will reserve any enthusiasm till I see how he plays. At 35 he won't be the same player he was when he played here last but (as has been mentioned many times) his experience will count. You have to wonder who else may be dragged back...Bourke is still only 33 and Latts is a baby at 31 !!
The team seems to be taking shape with only a handful of spots uncertain.
I'm working on an assumption (having not tracked his offshore career) that his goalkicking is still top drawer and will be a big step up on the last 2 - 3 seasons - even if the legs around the field are a bit older. Shame that Hollinshead isn't still around for the experience & mentoring.