Maori Tour
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@tim odd, he didnt look injured when he went off, just looked farked, but then I heard he had injured his shoulder in the game v Auckland so maybe he's been carrying it (and its been affecting his play) and needs to get it right for super rugby?
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@taniwharugby Yeah, he's had a lot of injuries this year, so maybe he needs surgery or rest until Super Rugby?
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@bovidae said in Maori Tour:
A quick look at last year's Maori squad shows that Emery, Guyton and Marty McKenzie have missed out amongst the backs. No Prinsep, Apisai and Kainga in the forwards.
So to answer your question @Nepia, Polwart is a hometown pick.
A little surprised not to see Marty McKenzie not make it given he is a reliable goal kicker and can cover 10 and 15. He's had a decent NPC season this year too.
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@stargazer Who are the wings going to be? Seems to be a very odd selection, albeit only two games.
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@crucial said in Maori Tour:
Very light on loosies as well. One more probably needed.
It's only two games and there might be an option to cherry pick some players off the AB squad for the French Baabaas game if there are injuries in Vancouver.
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@pakman The official team naming lists Curtis, Wainui and Ngatai as outside backs, which is odd, because Wainui and Ngatai are midfielders. Ngatai has covered fullback a few times for Taranaki, but Wainui??? They wil name at least one more outside back, so hopefully Wainui will provide cover from the bench only.
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Surely they are after two more outside backs? Joe Webber and Declan O'Donnell must be strong contenders, but how does that impact on sevens contracts? Hopefully one or both make it. Else it is a toss-up between Emery, McKenzie and Lowe.
Franklin gives enough loosie and lock cover IMO. Surprising Prinsep misses out though.
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@arhs said in Maori Tour:
Surely they are after two more outside backs? Joe Webber and Declan O'Donnell must be strong contenders, but how does that impact on sevens contracts? Hopefully one or both make it. Else it is a toss-up between Emery, McKenzie and Lowe.
Franklin gives enough loosie and lock cover IMO. Surprising Prinsep misses out though.
Clayton McMillan said after the team naming that of the two players still to be named, definitely one would be an outside back and the other someone who could cover frontrow.
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@stargazer said in Maori Tour:
@crucial said in Maori Tour:
Maybe they are negotiating to get Lowe. When does his new contract start?
Now why would they do that? That wouldn't make sense at all. Less than selecting TKB for the ABs.
Maybe because the coaches are tasked with selecting the best available to win games?
Why does everyone get caught up in trying to look to the future or 'punish' leavers?
If Lowe is available and is the best option available then why not?
It is a long shot anyway with Leinster expecting him as soon as the NPC is finished for him, but I was just throwing it out there as a possibility. -
This post is deleted!
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From an interview with Ash Dixon in the Hawke's Bay Today:
"There're a few old heads and we have some pretty exciting youth in the squad. Being realistic and from the season we had with the Magpies we should be pleased to have three selected. There are still two spots up for grabs and we could get more as Tiaan [Falcon] and Pouri [Rakete-Stones] are among several players coming into camp with us and the two players will be selected from them," Dixon explained.That indicates how they're planning to select two further players, but also that Jonah Lowe probably isn't in that group. I can't imagine him not being mentioned in an interview with a Hawke's Bay paper if he were. Obviously, I hope I'm wrong.
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@nepia said in Maori Tour:
@nepia No fullbacks in the squad?
Maybe Ngatai is the fullback?
What a weird selection.
At least there's only Keepa Mewett as the random coach home province selection rather than the 2 or 3 Cooper used to include.
Oi! That's Championship Finalist & Captain Keepa Mewett to you, Hawkes
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@donsteppa said in Maori Tour:
@nepia said in Maori Tour:
@nepia No fullbacks in the squad?
Maybe Ngatai is the fullback?
What a weird selection.
At least there's only Keepa Mewett as the random coach home province selection rather than the 2 or 3 Cooper used to include.
Oi! That's Championship Finalist & Captain Keepa Mewett to you, Hawkes
Apologies - Championship finalist and Captain random home coach home province selection Keepa Mewett! Better?
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@nepia said in Maori Tour:
@donsteppa said in Maori Tour:
@nepia said in Maori Tour:
@nepia No fullbacks in the squad?
Maybe Ngatai is the fullback?
What a weird selection.
At least there's only Keepa Mewett as the random coach home province selection rather than the 2 or 3 Cooper used to include.
Oi! That's Championship Finalist & Captain Keepa Mewett to you, Hawkes
Apologies - Championship finalist and Captain random home coach home province selection Keepa Mewett! Better?
It's been a long time between drinks, we're deifying the players while we can
