Magpies 2021
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About one of the HB Saracens players:
Wind the clock back to the Hawke's Bay Saracens rugby team's 62-19 win over Wairarapa Bush in Masterton on Queen's Birthday. One of the first names Magpies head coach Mark Ozich mentioned when quizzed on the Saracens standouts was 19-year-old Napier Technical No 8 Xavier McCorkindale. Despite only weighing 87kgs, McCorkindale (pictured above, photo JT Photography) produced a gutsy 20 minutes off the subs bench at lock and scored a try. "There was a shortage of locks. I made the most of it and I couldn't drop lip for not getting to play in my regular position," McCorkindale explained. "It was a different level but enjoyable," McCorkindale recalled. A third-year Davcon Construction building apprentice who hails from Wairoa, McCorkindale, left Wairoa College for his Year 12 and 13 studies at Napier Boys' High School but couldn't progress beyond the 2nd XV. "I've found the love for playing again this year. Everything just seems to be working and hopefully, I can gain Magpies selection within the next two years. Hopefully, I can get up to 95kgs to boost my chances," McCorkindale said.Magpies forwards coach Josh Syms labelled McCorkindale as "a prospect for the future who just needs a bit more size." "With his form in club rugby he was hard to ignore. He has been with us for a couple of weeks and his training ethic is outstanding. He is a really hungry driven man," Syms said. -
@stargazer A lock who needs size! Finally we’re going to get a regular Canes starter.
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@stargazer Finally some forwards.
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Important announcement tomorrow!
hbmagpies
Player Signings - Folau Fakatava
Unfortunately due to the injury Folau sustained against the Crusaders back in April, it is unlikely that he will be playing for the Magpies this year. Stay tuned for tomorrow, where we will be announcing a new half back joining the Magpies squad. -
@stargazer , any thoughts yourself on who. It might be ..?,wonder if Syms and Ozich are looking towards ..can think of a couple of halfbacks they be looking at ..one playing in the MRL at the minute .
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@steven-harris In the MLR, I can only see two possible returnees: Danny Tusitala and Andy Ellis. Maybe Ozich knows Tusitala.
I can see other options: if he wants to move SR franchises, Ere Enari may be keen to move NPC teams as well. Not sure if Luke Campbell is still signed with BOP, but if the Canes want to move him into the catchment (assuming he's staying), he may be send to us.
And there are other possible returnees. I don't know what his contract status is in France, but if he comes back, Michael Ruru could be an option. Hopefully, it's not his brother.
Announced as leaving his Japanese club is Richard Judd.
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@stargazer Judd would be a good fit ..
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@stargazer Ere Enari is your man 99.9% sure
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@stargazer Richard Judd has close connections to my recently retired Club Coach down here who has recently moved to the Bay to establish a new business. Have lost his phone number so unable to give him a call to suss out if it is a possibility.
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@steven-harris He's best mates with Caleb Makene, so there's a connection.
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@stargazer I'm hoping it's Enari
I think he would be a very good buy. Does his core role very well, and behind what I think will be a very good forward pack he'd go well. -
@billsy111 said in Magpies 2021:
@stargazer I'm hoping it's Enari
I think he would be a very good buy. Does his core role very well, and behind what I think will be a very good forward pack he'd go well.Would be good to kick start his career as he'd be getting good gametime.
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From the Magpies FB page:
Hawke’s Bay Rugby today confirmed that talented Crusaders halfback Ere Enari has signed with the Magpies for the next two seasons. 24-year-old Enari, who was educated at Tu Toa and St Kentigern College before heading south to Lincoln University has been part of the Canterbury and Crusaders programmes since 2016 and played for the New Zealand Under 20’s in both 2016 and 2017. With outstanding Highlander’s halfback Folau Fakatava being ruled out of rugby for 12 months with a knee injury Magpies head coach Mark Ozich said ‘With the loss of Folau for the rest of the year and moving up to the Premiership Ere is a key acquisition to the squad. Ere brings with him immense experience having been involved with the Crusaders set up since he left school and has a desire to play and compete each week having battled through his own injuries as a young man.’ Enari will join up with his new Magpies teammates at the conclusion of the Trans- Ta$man Super Rugby, where he has been with the Crusaders since 2018, but given the depth of halfbacks, opportunities have been limited with both Mitchell Drummond and Bryn Hall performing well for the four time champions. Enari is excited about the move north saying ‘’I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to join such an awesome team of players and management in Hawkes Bay. It’s exciting and I can’t wait to contribute as much as I can to the foundation they’ve built so far and apply my trade. I’m ready to compete, and I look forward to doing that alongside a great team with huge potential.” HBRU CEO, Jay Campbell added “Ere will add real competition with our local halfbacks and provide great experience for both Connor McLeod and Zach Donaldson to call upon as they compete for positions in the 23 each week.” The Magpies first game is a Ranfurly Shield defense against North Otago on June 30th at McLean Park with their first Bunning NPC game scheduled for Saturday August 6th is away to Taranaki at Pukekura Park, New Plymouth.
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@stargazer I think signing this guy is a very good move by the Magpies. Not to dissimilar to Fakatava the way he plays the game, and has Super Rugby experience.
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