For 2016

Stargazer

Fuck, damn, shit and all the rest *&$#?~^<!! Richard Buckman has signed with Panasonic Wild Knights. Unsure for how long, but it seems pretty certain that he won't play for the Magpies this year and who knows how many more years. Anyone who reads Japanese and can translate this?
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://panasonic.co.jp/sports/rugby/info/detail/2016/160609105231109/'>http://panasonic.co.jp/sports/rugby/info/detail/2016/160609105231109/</a>
 
How many players have we already lost? How many of those have been replaced not just by good players, but also experienced players?
 
And then there's Retallick who will probably never play for us, Dagg possibly with the ABs, if AB halfbacks get injured, Weber, too. Edmonds out for the season.
 
I hope we won't go straight back to the Championship, just like 2012. After the 2011 promotion, exactly the same happened.

Peter Mettrick

Damn Buckman is a huge loss.I think they will have to buy a few in.I dont think we can cover all the losses with just locals,especially at the top level.

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="matrix" data-cid="587434" data-time="1465800284">
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Damn Buckman is a huge loss.I think they will have to buy a few in.I dont think we can cover all the losses with just locals,especially at the top level.
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</blockquote>
 
I agree with that! We desperately need experienced players, especially midfielders, with Horrell, Fruean and Buckman not returning (if the rumours about the first two are confirmed). They can't expect Ropiha and Lowe to replace them without an additional, more experienced top player.
 
Must admit that I'm worried about the upcoming season.

Cpt Kumera

hearing a blues midfielder has been asked to go to hb

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Cpt Kumera" data-cid="587492" data-time="1465809596">
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hearing a blues midfielder has been asked to go to hb
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</blockquote>
 
I'd be happy if it was Rieko Ioane or George Moala :biggrin: but it won't be any of them; it won't be Ranger either; Male Sa'u ? TJ Faiane doesn't have enough experience; and they can keep Matt McGahan and Michael Little.

Nepia

SBW is coming!!!
 
:)

Higgins

I'll see if I can dig out the squad lists for last seasons Canterbury B and Canterbury Colts teams and post them here so we can start sifting through them to see if we can come up with who Mr. Phillpot will inflict upon us this coming season. Fingers crossed that Marvan Karawana might have been signed up for Wellington thus eliminating him from consideration once and for all!

Stargazer

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="587551" data-time="1465820318">
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I'll see if I can dig out the squad lists for last seasons Canterbury B and Canterbury Colts teams and post them here so we can start sifting through them to see if we can come up with who Mr. Phillpot will inflict upon us this coming season. Fingers crossed that Marvan Karawana might have been signed up for Wellington thus eliminating him from consideration once and for all!
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</blockquote>
 
Hmm, thinking of Canterbury. What about Rob Thompson? He's with the Landers now, so might want to leave Canterbury as well. Not sure why he hasn't been playing lately; is he injured?

? Offline

It's makes sense why Craig Philpott would look to Canterbury to fill any holes - he would have contacts there from past association that he would have more trust in opinion on rather than somewhere else in the country where he wouldn't have any contacts.
 
If the midfield is to be selected from within HB then first choice centre would be either Lewis Marshall or Jonah Lowe. I have watched Pirates play a couple of times and think their centre Matthew Garland could be a worthwhile addition to the squad. He played for Saracens against Wairarapa Bush. No other centre in club play suggests to me possible Magpie selection.
 
The only real option at second-five is Billy Ropiha. I haven't seen a second-five in club play that suggests possible Magpie selection.

Higgins

I too am yet to be convinced about Billy Rophia. Admittedly all I have seen of him is on TV during the NPC and even with my one eyedness have not seen him do much on attack. He tends to do a little hop up in the air, highland fling his legs and land again without actually stepping anyone. Number10 and Stargazer will have seen way more of him in club play so must be able to to give an assessment we can give credence to. I do know that sometimes decent players can take a little time to get used to the step up in level whilst others hit it off at the higher level straight away, Maybe he might be one of the earlier ones?
 
He has earned himself a big tick from me though after seeing him pull of a couple of spot tackles then instantly regaining his feet and securing possession.
 
Think he was also included in some sort of wider training thing with Sir Gordon Teitjens so he must have something going for him.

Higgins

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Number 10" data-cid="587594" data-time="1465850912">
<div> I haven't seen a second-five in club play that suggests possible Magpie selection.
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</blockquote>
 
If i can find my running shoes I'll start training tonight then! Ahh that try against Dannevirke Derelicts, admittedly playing out of position, a few years back is still holding pride of place in my CV.

Stargazer

This is the new Magpies jersey. Hoops! 
 <img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ck5l35dUgAApqku.jpg" alt="Ck5l35dUgAApqku.jpg"> 
 
There's a lot of other, new replica gear as well. 
 
This is from the HBRU Facebook page: 

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
The Magpies 2016 Mitre 10 Cup jerseys are now on sale. Paladin Sports, the HBRU and Magpies players have designed a selection of playing and supporters gear which is priced extremely well and looks fantastic. This year marks 50 years from the famous 1966 -1969 shield reign and this sees a return of full black and white hoops to the playing and replica jerseys. You will notice that alongside both adults and kids replica jerseys there are replica t shirts which look exactly like a jersey. This makes it even more achievable to get into Magpies kit this season and fill McLean Park to support your team. All items are available online now as a pre order with delivery around 20th July and will be sold in Mitre 10 MEGA Napier, Hastings and Waipukurau around the same date.
</blockquote>
 
Link: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.paladinsports.co.nz/hawkes-bay-magpies-official-merchandise-store'>http://www.paladinsports.co.nz/hawkes-bay-magpies-official-merchandise-store</a>

Stockcar86

Not so bad after all - more traditional than the previous versions, having the stripes all the way round
 
I'll be scoring a couple of the training shirts as exercise shirts I think
 
<img src="http://www.paladinsports.co.nz/components/com_mijoshop/opencart/image/cache/data/Club Shops/Hawkes Bay Magpies/Magpies-Training-Shirt-500x500.jpg" alt="Magpies-Training-Shirt-500x500.jpg">

? Offline

Yay, back to the all-round hoops they last wore in 2005. Added the vertical side panels in 2006.

Stargazer

I'm happy the hoody is back, too!
<img src="http://www.paladinsports.co.nz/components/com_mijoshop/opencart/image/cache/data/Club Shops/Hawkes Bay Magpies/Magpies-Hoody-500x500.jpg" alt="Magpies-Hoody-500x500.jpg">

Nepia

Yep, I'll be picking up a couple of T shirts and the hoody.

Stargazer

Ex-Magpie seems to be going well in Auckland club rugby. Although not a Bay boy, I liked him as West's back-up. He has a good boot. Wonder how much game time he will get in Auckland if both Hickey brothers play for Auckland again.
 
<img src="https://fbcdn-photos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-0/p480x480/13417646_10154998788516110_8603687639989556790_n.jpg?oh=c583bacfb21733bfd1372f065d74e9be&oe=57C46D69&gda=1476603263_75067885f6fac6b5d1ef63a78b751a44" alt="13417646_10154998788516110_8603687639989">

Stargazer

Just read that Clint Newland is playing club rugby in Wanganui. If he makes himself available, he may even be picked for the Heartland competition and play with Wanganui for the Ranfurly Shield on 6 August.
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/midweek/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503658&objectid=11657100'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/midweek/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503658&objectid=11657100</a>

Stockcar86

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="588416" data-time="1466016194">
<div>
Just read that Clint Newland is playing club rugby in Wanganui. If he makes himself available, he may even be picked for the Heartland competition and play with Wanganui for the Ranfurly Shield on 6 August.
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/midweek/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503658&objectid=11657100'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/midweek/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503658&objectid=11657100</a>
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</blockquote>
Now they just need Nemia Tialata to come back to NZ to play against Critter for a bit of spice...

Stargazer

Trying to remember which players we are losing or who otherwise won't play this season:
 
Horrell
Fruean
Guildford
Buckman
Eaton?
Elkington-MacDonald
O'Connor
Stanley
Franks B
Edmonds (injury)
Michael Allardice (injury - out for most, if not all, of the season)
Dagg (if selected for ABs)
Retallick (ABs)
 
New to the squad and likely to play for the Magpies (haven't included players who are contracted to HBRU but no certainties for Magpies selection):
Sam McNicoll
Brad Weber (unless needed for ABs)
 
Am I missing someone?

The Silver Fern

For 2016