Magpies - 2018 Mitre 10 Cup
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@number-10 Actually, if the coaches job description and performance only relate purely to results then the HBRU Board deserve a bullet. There has to be a wholistic (sorry for the wanky buzzword) view that includes the promotion of born and bred talent, and the showing of pathways for local talent.
It's not sustainable to go from year to year buying a team with pathways blocked for homegrown talent. We want the Magpies to be the go to team for young HB talent and not see them drift off (either to other provinces or out of the game).
I've always said I'd rather lose with homegrown players (like Manawatu) than win all the time with imports - hell we're at the stage where we're now behind the Poo even with the imports - that hasn't changed.
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2018 Magpies squad:
Michael Allardice - lock - Napier Pirate
Joe Apikotoa - prop - Taradale
Mark Braidwood - prop - Napier Tech
Hannon Brighouse - flanker - Napier OB Marist
Geoff Cridge - lock - Hastings R&S
Jacob Devery - hooker - Hastings R&S
Ash Dixon - hooker - Napier Tech - captain
Gareth Evans - loose forward - Havelock North
Tim Farrell - prop - Napier Tech
Devan Flanders - flanker/no. 8 - Havelock North
Solomone Funaki - loose forward - MAC
Josh Kaifa - loose forward - Clive
Kianu Kereru Symes - prop/hooker - Tamatea
Jason Long - prop - Hastings R&S
Ben May - prop - Central
Marino Mikaele-Tu'u - loose forward - Hastings R&S
Tom Parsons - lock - Central
Ben Power - hooker - Havelock North
Pouri Rakete-Stones - prop - Napier Pirate
Fa'alemiga Selesele - loose forward - MAC
Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe - prop - Hastings R&S
Will Tremain - openside flanker - Napier OB Marist
Sam Ulufonua - lock - Havelock NorthMichael Buckley - wing - Napier OB Marist
Pasqualle Dunn - midfielder - Central
Mason Emerson - outside back - Hastings R&S
Folau Fakatava - halfback - Hastings R&S
Tiaan Falcon - first five-eighth - Clive
Stacey Ily - utility back - Napier OB Marist
Jonah Lowe - wing - Clive
Lincoln McClutchie - first five-eighth - Tamatea
JJ Taulagi - outside back - Clive
Danny Toala - fullback - Hastings R&S
Sasa Tofilau - midfielder - Clive
Shae Tucker - midfielder - Napier OB Marist
Brad Weber - halfback - Napier OB MaristI can only assume that Gareth Evans wasn't available for the team naming. Surely, he must be in the squad?
Ben May, Brodie Retallick (although he won't play) same thing.Most notable omissions (compared to last year; not known to have moved somewhere else): Mason Kean, Jacob Devery (still injured?), Ellery Wilson, Sam McNicol (because of injury?)
Edit: just confirmed on FB that indeed Ben May and Gareth Evans are also in the squad; also Jacob Devery (have added them to the list). Theyre still forgetting to mention Brodie.
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So is Sebastian Visinia the only import that didn't make it?
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@duluth No, Lui Luamanu (from Wellington) also didn't make it.
I feel most sorry for Jacob Devery. If he hadn't had his serious injury, he could have made the NZ U20s squad this year. He came back from injury recently(?) (he played the preseason game last Saturday), but hasn't been included in the squad. His spot has gone to an import, Ben Power.
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@nepia said in Magpies - 2018 Mitre 10 Cup:
Shit, that is a green looking squad. Most of those backs probably call Weber Koro.
It's also a lot more local than was expected from the lead up. No relatively big name signings to fill out the team.
Yes, 7 players were still at school last year; 4 players were still at school in 2016.
This must be the youngest and most inexperienced team we've ever had, or at least for a long time.
Sheesh, Ozich better be a hell of a coach or we'll "win" the wooden spoon.8 players are 2018 imports.
Of last year's imports (fewer than this year), only Dunn is still in the squad. -
@stargazer Who are the imports?
Anyone keen to have a go at a top 22? I have no idea and would likely just pick all the recent schoolboys.
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@number-10 We disagree about this. IMO playing one season (some only half a season or less) of club rugby after being invited to come to the Bay (or coming at their own initiative after not making the WTG squad of their "old" province or getting little game time last year) doesn't make them local players in my book.
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@stargazer Stacey Ili was playing in Auckland (Manukau Rovers) earlier this year.
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@number-10 said in Magpies - 2018 Mitre 10 Cup:
Magpies facebook post also adds Ben May, Gareth Evans and Jacob Devery to the squad.
The only real import/signing is Stacey Ili - he played no club rugby.
Those are decent additions to the named squad (obviously apologies to Higgins and his war on Ben May
)!Sadly no McNicol which would have helped solidify the backline.
Also, why wasn't BBBR named? All the other squads name their ABs don't they?
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What do you guys think of the forwards - backs split?
Last year, there were 19 forwards (including Retallick) and 13 backs (and 4 backs - of whom 3 halfbacks - as temporary injury cover).
This year, there are 24 forwards (including Retallick) and 13 backs.Have all squads more players than last year?
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Lots of names I don't know but all I know is we better beat southland in round one. Can't have my Gf having bragging rights.
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@stargazer The heavy leaning towards the number of forwards is probably due to the fact that last year our forward pack was usually (with injuries admittedly) outplayed. Of the two divisions (forwards/backs), that needed the greatest strengthening. Forwards dominance or parity - now there's a concept I'm sure someone, surely, must have thought of before.
