Hawke's Bay rugby 2018
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@number-10 It's good to have depth if these non-local players are indeed good enough, yes. That hasn't always been the case though. At least Taulagi has SR experience, so that's a plus. The proof will be in the pudding, I guess.
I'm fine with players from outside the region if they either have sufficiently proven their worth in NPC/SR, or if they have earned a spot by playing club rugby and proven to be better than the locals. They also shouldn't block the development of local young talent coming out of school, if these youngsters decide to stay in the province.
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@number-10 said in Hawke's Bay rugby 2018:
Wing/fullback JJ Taulagi
Queensland Reds 2014-2016
Sunwolves 2017
Samoa 1 test, 2017is in Hawke's Bay and will play for Tech OB.
I am hoping he will be good enough to get into the Texans 1st XV
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Renee Holmes (right photo in the tweet) is a young and very talented player, just out of Gisborne GHS, who played for the Hawke's Bay Tuis last year. Hopefully, she will stay for this year's Farah Palmer Cup and not be stolen by one of the other provinces or moving on to another sport. The Tuis have been woeful due to the lack of support from the union over the years (leading to good players going elsewhere - other provinces, league, netball etc), but the HBRU seems to have made some changes last year, so hopefully that will pay off. They definitely can use a talent like Holmes to lift the team.
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So indeed, Taulagi has signed with the Magpies. Confirmation also of Tom Parsons returning. An outside back and a lock.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=12014452
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And no Buckman and West ...
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=12014438
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@stargazer No mention of Sam Ulufonua,maybe hes pulled the pin on coming to the bay.
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Caught up with Mark Ozick and Josh Syms at Waitemata Park in Auckland yesterday,they were watching the Waka Nathan challenge cup which is to anyone outside of Auckland a preseason rally day were all the Auckland Club teams are on show,
A couple of players they were looking at were Siosiua (Josh) Kaifa a very rugged open side flanker who has appeared on a handful of times for Auckland and Sebastian Visinia younger brother of Lolagi Visinia,Sebastian is a very tall rangy midfielder.
Talking to both coaches they are looking for more gainline physicality which was a real issue for them in 2017.
Sam Ulufonua the Lock from ponsonby in Auckland has been signed but only on a PD contract,I stand to be corrected but it’s something similar to player development contract for younger players.
Gone from 2017 are both Vaega brothers and Hugh Renton ironically the younger of the Vaega brothers was running around for Gramnar Tech and I believe Cardiff is running around for Karaka in the Counties Manukau region.Both coaches seem to have a very good senergy with each other.
Auckland can never seem to select the right talent but man alive there is some talented rugby players running around at many of there clubs, I guess it’s all about having the ability to select that talent.
Even Southland have signed the 3 Costa brothers from Eden Rugby in Auckland,Kaifa while he looked a bit off the pace fitness wise,had very good size,is very physical,good over the ball and very accurate on the tackle will be a very good acquisition to the Bay.
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@steven-harris said in Hawke's Bay rugby 2018:
Caught up with Mark Ozick and Josh Syms at Waitemata Park in Auckland yesterday,they were watching the Waka Nathan challenge cup which is to anyone outside of Auckland a preseason rally day were all the Auckland Club teams are on show,
A couple of players they were looking at were Siosiua (Josh) Kaifa a very rugged open side flanker who has appeared on a handful of times for Auckland and Sebastian Visinia younger brother of Lolagi Visinia,Sebastian is a very tall rangy midfielder.
Talking to both coaches they are looking for more gainline physicality which was a real issue for them in 2017.
Sam Ulufonua the Lock from ponsonby in Auckland has been signed but only on a PD contract,I stand to be corrected but it’s something similar to player development contract for younger players.
Gone from 2017 are both Vaega brothers and Hugh Renton ironically the younger of the Vaega brothers was running around for Gramnar Tech and I believe Cardiff is running around for Karaka in the Counties Manukau region.Both coaches seem to have a very good senergy with each other.
Auckland can never seem to select the right talent but man alive there is some talented rugby players running around at many of there clubs, I guess it’s all about having the ability to select that talent.
Even Southland have signed the 3 Costa brothers from Eden Rugby in Auckland,Kaifa while he looked a bit off the pace fitness wise,had very good size,is very physical,good over the ball and very accurate on the tackle will be a very good acquisition to the Bay.
Thanks for the updates.
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@steven-harris I'm sorry for the late response. Thank you for this info!
Ozich has done some great work with Hastings BHS, but NPC is another kettle of fish. I really hope they know what they're doing when selecting new players. Buckman is going to be a huge loss and hard to replace. There are also a few other big holes to fill. While Falcon can easily replace West, I'm not sure whether McClutchie is ready to take Falcon's place on the pine. But at the same time, you don't want them to recruit a 10 from outside the region if that player going to block or delay McClutchie's development. Same with fullback and Toala, loosie and Flanders etc etc. But there's no doubt we need more and better depth than we had last year. If the players mentioned in your post are the right players to solve our depth problems, then they're more than welcome.
Oh, and a year without major injuries would be nice too, but it seems we're already starting with a couple of injuries. Cridge, Farrell, possibly Lowe (still haven't seen an update from the Canes about that foot injury from last Saturday). Sam McNicol's continuing concussion problems are also a worry. Not sure whether we'll ever see Edmonds back on the field.
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You can't trust Texans. They even stole Sam Giddens!
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@footy01 said in Hawke's Bay rugby 2018:
@wingerhb Tongia is shocking. There’s a reason why Hawkes bay let him go in the first place and why he was playing for Southland
Maybe but Hawkes bay have got quite a lot of spots to fill after last years debacle.Good thing is at least guys like him,Lewis Marshall,Willie McGoon etc are all playing club rugby so Ozich and co has time to assess his options before deciding if we need to bring players in at the last minute. Looks like Taradale have picked up 2 or 3 fringe Wellington forwards too.
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@stargazer said in Hawke's Bay rugby 2018:
Is Gillies Kaka still playing in Japan? His wife is contracted with the Black Ferns 7s, so I'm quietly hoping he'll be back in the Bay, but not sure.
He is still on the Red Dolphins player profile page from earlier this year
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Article about (& interview with) Sam Ulufonua:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=12025392
