Magpies 2021
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@stargazer said in Magpies 2021:
Saw an interesting post on the Magpies' Facebook page, in reply to comments from people complaining that the HBRU have signed an outsider instead of a local halfback.
Darryl Tapara (the poster)
Chur Paddy, Just a small whakapapa of Ereatara who was named after Ereatara Whaitiri aka Ernie Whaitiri of Whakatu, Tamatea Hard 🙂 Tama Cooper, lots of connections to Kahunungu his unlce's JB Smith & Tipene Heperi of Takapau, and the Takitimu Waka as he is half Samona from his Dad Falefatu Enari, Fatu"s mum is from Wairoa, the Smith whanau. Ere's mum Parehuia is a sister of Casey Tapara nee Whaitiri. We claim him to Whakatu with his Whaitiri uncles who are wanting to line him up to play for Clive 🙂, If uncle Ere has his way, he will line him up for Tamatea. Yes he has not played locally but he Whakapapa to us, "Bay All Day"
I wouldn't take too much notice of Tane and some of the ones whinging, they are Tamatea to the bone and are pushing the Tamatea halfbacks cause which is fine but we are at the very top level this season and you can't pick players just because they are local.You have to explore every Avenue to get the best squad and depth available ,imo.
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@kiwimatrix I only posted the reaction from Darryl Tapara because I find the whakapapa part interesting.
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Also posted in the exodus thread: Mason Emerson (Hawke's Bay) has signed a 2-year contract with French club Valence Romans, which has just been relegated from the Pro D2 to the Championnat Fédéral Nationale.
Emerson has been good for the Magpies for several years, but I think it's fair to say that he's been overtaken in the pecking order by other, better players the last two years. So good on him to get a contract overseas, even if it won't earn him a fat paycheck, as it's only 3rd division. Because of COVID, his stint in the MLR didn't last long, so it's great he gets this opportunity in France and travel a bit.
It's unclear whether he will still play NPC, but I guess we'll find out soon enough.
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Just in case you were wondering who they were last night:
Bottom left: Frank Lochore. Behind him from left to right: Josh Gimblett, Gene Syminton, Elijah Martin, Kienan Higgins and Dennon Robinson-Bartlett.
hbmagpies: Congratulations to our 6 debutants! You look good in the ⚫️⚪️
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Next signing is Connor McLeod.
We're almost there with the backs. Assuming Falcon has taken Baker's spot and Sapsford will be re-signed, too, we still need a replacement for Emerson and McNichol. Not sure what kind of contract Tuitavuki was on (injury replacement or not). If it wasn't an injury replacement contract, than that spot may be up for grabs, too. Bas Visinia was definitely on an injury replacement contract, so doesn't need replacing.
As Enari will be on a full contract, I wonder what kind of contract McLeod is on. Injury replacement for Folau, or a full contract? If full, than who's spot is that? Emerson's? Whatever it is, about two, three backs still to be named. I assume the midfield spot will go to Higgins, who looked good against North Otago. But as we already have Ili, Toala, presumably Sapsford, and Fomai for the midfield, I'm a bit disappointed that this spot may not go to a local player who has gone through our age grades. Wait and see whether someone else still gets a shot at that spot in the second Heartland RS game. Squads have to be named on 27 July, IIRC.
UNE DIX-SEPTIÈME RECRUE POUR LES DAMIERS !
