Magpies 2021
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@Stargazer Poihipi definitely leaving chch. Asked him if he was still here the other day. I’ll find out where he’s going
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I've been surprised the last year, or so, that Ozich's name was never mentioned as a Super Rugby assistant coach whenever one left at one of the NZ franchises. I'm glad he's keen to stay at the Magpies as I don't want to lose him as a coach, but I think he'd be a great coach at SR level. (The article is longer than what I've quoted)
In the near term, Ozich's future is at Hawke's Bay. He has a contract until the end of 2021 and is hopeful of extending that when he sits down with the Magpies in the next few weeks to discuss the future.
His wife and kids are happy and settled in the region, and there have been no nibbles of interest from the Super Rugby franchises, where openings are rare.
But the Magpies success’ - and their style – should at the least start a conversation about what it takes to be a good coach, and whether the pathways in this country are always rewarding the right people.
Super Rugby is dominated by coaches who, by and large, have played the game at a high level and go from playing into coaching in a relatively short time frame.
It can be a relatively cosy system where those with knowledge of the professional game as players are favoured for coaching roles in part because they know how it works.
But Ozich's story is really about education. To hear him talk passionately about the profession is really to get an insight into how to deal with young men. In fact, the Magpies have three teachers in their coaching setup and Ozich makes no bones about the fact they see that as “point of difference”.
“I think the interpersonal skills and the 'soft' skills are key," he says.
“Josh [Syms], my assistant coach here, and [scrum coach] Francisco [Deformes], we're all schoolteachers, the three of us.
“We all played a bit and dabbled at various levels but none of us were exceedingly great at rugby.
“But all those relationship skills are key, and then the ability to step back, reflect, look at a problem or a skill and break it down and try to create a context or drill to work on the deficiencies ... all that skill acquisition teaching he had as teachers helped us.
(...)
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@Stargazer It's a good article, and gives a good insight into Marks background and coaching philosophy. He is way too good as a coach for the Magpies not to resign.
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@Billsy111 I assume you mean "re-sign" haha?
Yeah, I think the HBRU will be very happy to keep him. Not only because the Magpies have been successful, but also because of this (from a pay-walled article in the Hawke's Bay Today):
Hawke's Bay Rugby Football Union Inc commercial manager Dan Somerville said the Magpies enjoyed the highest game attendance and highest television viewership numbers of all the teams in the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup, figures New Zealand Rugby have not yet released. He added that interest in the Magpies has been trending up over the past few years - unlike other professional rugby teams around the country - for a number of reasons, including the team getting better and better.
More Magpies scoop Super contracts - NZ Herald
Hawke's Bay also had two players named in the All Blacks Sevens squad on Friday.
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This video will probably expire soon. A quick look into the Magpies training facilities.
From the "Legend of Marty Banks" instagram stories.
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Didn't want to post this in the exodus thread, because it gets lost more easily there.
A good interview with Tiaan Falcon. Unfortunately behind a pay-wall.
The Japanese dream: Young Kiwi rugby star Tiaan Falcon attempts to flip the scriptSummary:
Toyota Verblitz already approached him before the 2020 season, but he declined, hoping to have a better season with the Chiefs in 2020 than the previous injury-filled seasons. But he only got 15 minutes with Cruden and Trask picked ahead of him at 10 and Dmac at 15, and Toyota approached him again. He signed a two-year contract (2021 and 2022), because he felt he was getting stale only training and not playing.
Everything turned out differently than expected, with Covid forcing him to live alone and have very few contacts outside training. He's still very positive, because he's learning a lot, being in the same squad as Read, Hooper, Le Roux and others; and head coach Simon Cron and - more from a distance - Steve Hansen.
"Coming over here early you kind of cash that experience being a younger guy. I feel like I've grown a lot in the last few months. Living by myself in a foreign country, all those things you can't really do in New Zealand. I think that experience can only make me better going forward. All those little things as well, the team dynamic here is so different. You don't really realise until you leave New Zealand rugby all the little connections you have."
Rugby wise, his game management has grown. Because of the language challenge, preparation during the week is even more important than usual. Key words to get his message across are essential and he has to have a loud voice to make sure everything is clear during a game situation.
Falcon's main competition for a start comes from South African first five Lionel Cronje. The former Sharks, Bulls and Brumbies No 10 is approaching his 33rd birthday and has had the nod for most of the season. Falcon has played in two of the seven Top League games so far, with his most impressive outing against Munakata Sanix Blues in the middle of March. In just over an hour, Falcon scored two tries and seven conversions in an eventual 61-29 victory. But with only seven foreign players able to be named in a matchday squad, and only six of those allowed on the field at any one time, it's been difficult to hold down that starting place..He'll come back in June, train with the Magpies and return to Japan in September.
Regarding the future, all options remain open. Any potential contract extension with Verblitz is yet to be discussed, with such discussions in Japan generally commencing later on than in other countries.
"I'm not too sure what I'm going to do afterwards. I'm quite open minded whether to stay here or potentially come back to New Zealand. I'll be 24 next year, so still young enough to see how things go."
Rugby World Cup years usually see an exodus of players from New Zealand as they move to Europe and Japan, which could open the door to a 2023 return to NZ with a Super Rugby side. Where so often players head overseas and are barely heard from again, it could well be that Tiaan Falcon is an exception to that rule. Japan could be the making of him. -
Keep your fingers, toes, eyes and everything else crossed that MMT will indeed be available for the Magpies ...
The Highlanders... injury crisis has deepened due to a season-ending injury to No 8 Marino Mikaele-Tu'u.
The Hawke’s Bay flanker, who was in the All Blacks conversation last year, will miss the entire trans- Ta$man competition after head coach Tony Brown revealed on Wednesday that he had a stress fracture in his lower leg.
“Marino’s out for the season,” Brown said. “It’s a bit consistent with the rest of our guys.
“We're losing about two guys a week on average, so it’s a big disappointment for him. Hopefully he can back and have a good...[Bunnings NPC].” -
Not sure if it has been previously confirmed or not but here is mention of Liam Udy-Jones turning out for Marist in Invercargill. You will have to scroll down toward the end of the article to see it.
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@higgins Yes, I posted - I think in the HB Representative Rugby thread - that I'd seen a post on his instagram saying that he was moving to Invercargill. I wondered whether he had signed with Southland.
It's a pity; I always thought he might become a Magpie one day, especially as Gareth Evans and Brendon O'Connor must be close to either going overseas or hanging up the boots.
Nothing preventing him from coming back, obviously, if the Magpies want to sign him in the future. It could be an idea from Ozich (who has been Southland assistant coach in the past) to get some experience down south, and then return when there's a spot available in the Magpies squad, if he proves to be good enough of course.
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@stargazer Sheesh, with the way our 8s are going down he might have got a run this year.
I wonder if Renton is locked in at Ta$man?
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@nepia I don't think Renton is signed with Ta$man, yet, but I have no doubt they'll want him back. The way he has been playing this year, there will be more than one province interested in signing him.
Looking at the club rugby team lists that I posted about two weeks ago, options are Emil Crichton (too early?), Josh Kaifa (mostly a 7, but can play 6), Jacob Devery (yep, the hooker who's playing at 8 for Hastings nowadays), Ricky Hayes and Hannon Brighouse (have both been in the squad before, but didn't play or not more than 1 game; no players to get excited about). There may be a few more, like former academy player Josh Gimblett, who's still studying in Wellington and plays for OBU (no idea whether he's good enough).
Maybe they should just sign Cooper Flanders!
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From the Magpies' Facebook page:
The Magpies will face their first challenge for the Ranfurly Shield confirming today that they will play 2019 Meads Cup winners, North Otago, the HBRU announced today.
“It has been difficult scheduling matches given the uncertainty around our NPC campaign, but we are delighted to be playing North Otago who are a perennial Heartland Championship heavyweight who we know will be difficult opponents and be highly motivated by the opportunity to play for and attempt to win the Log of Wood’ HBRU CEO, Jay Campbell said today.
The Magpies first challenge of the 2021 season will be on Wednesday June 30th at McLean Park against the Meads Cup winners who are a compulsory challenge. Campbell added ‘we would have loved to have played another defense against one of our near neighbors but with club rugby finals finishing earlier, and it’s difficult to find a date that works for both sides, however we will continue investigating an opportunity’
‘Our squad will be a mixture of locally based players combined with returning Super players, and we are excited to be get back out onto McLean Park and are expecting a tough challenge from the North Otago boys’, Magpies Coach, Mark Ozich said today.
According to an article on Hawke's Bay app (about the Nash Cup Final), there is a preseason game between the Magpies and Waikato, this Wednesday, in Taupo. They don't mention the venue, but I assume it will be Owen Delany Park. No info about kick-off time, unfortunately. -
@stargazer Please post the live stream link when you uncover it thanks.
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Magpies squad for today's preseason game against Waikato (k/o 6pm, Owen Delany Park, Taupō):
15 Harry Godfrey, 14 Jonty Stewart, 13 Jordan Thompson-Dunn, 12 Kienan Higgins, 11 Hemaua Samasoni, 10 Lincoln McClutchie, 9 Connor McLeod, 8 Hannon Brighouse, 7 Iakopo Mapu, 6 Josh Gimblett, 5 Frank Lochore, 4 Elijah Martin, 3 Namatahi Waa, 2 Kianu Kereru-Symes (captain), 1 Jason Long.
I've added the numbers; some players playing out of position, it seems. Despite playing his club rugby in Wellington, Josh Gimblett still in the mix. Unfortunately, not Tiaki Fabish, but maybe too busy studying. He played club rugby, last weekend.They forgot to publish the subs, but the article on Hawke's Bay app mentions Morgan Innes, a Central player who has "returned" from Scotland, and a lock - Ben Freschini.
Today's match is the first of five pre-season games for the Magpies. The next outing will be against Wairarapa Bush in Masterton on Queen's Birthday - June 7.
Their first Ranfurly Shield defence of the season will be against North Otago in Napier on June 30. July 23 will see the Magpies take on Waikato and July 30 Counties-Manukau.
Injury update:He said he will know in five weeks whether or not Highlanders loosie Marino Mikaele-Tu'u will be available for the NPC in the wake of his lower leg injury collected last month. Highlanders utility back Caleb Makene is expected to be available by round two or three after knee surgery and while Highlanders halfback Folau Fakatava is back in the gym after his knee surgery he will miss the entire season.
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@stargazer said in Magpies 2021:
Unfortunately, not Tiaki Fabish
Maybe he has seen the light and signed with Wellington.
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@canes4life Don't think so as speaking to him after his outfit pummelled my guys two weeks ago he said something about being under a PDC with the HBRFU. Presume things are still the same in that regard.
First Magpies Wider Training Group match of the season today
