For 2016
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<p>Source: Dominion Post, 11 November 2015:</p>
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<p><span style="font-size:18px;">St Pat's Town Premier 1 winning trio sign with Hawke's Bay Rugby Union</span></p>
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<p style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);">Three key players in St Pat's Town's Premier 1 winning first XV will be playing in the black and white of Hawke's Bay for the foreseeable future.</p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);"><strong>Captain Jack Nelson-Murray, halfback/first-five Zac Donaldson and No 8 Hannon Brighouse</strong> will make the move north in January after receiving little interest from their home union Wellington.</p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);">Such is the strength across Wellington first XV rugby that not every player leaving school could hope to sign with Wellington, but having three from the same school move to the same union is quite rare.</p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);">However, the move made sense for the trio, as they will be able to support each other as they look to make the next step in their rugby careers, staying in Donaldson's family's bach when they make the big move.</p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);">"My family is originally from Hawke's Bay, my grandparents and cousins and stuff still live up there and we have a bach up there, so that's where we're going to be staying, Jack, Hannon and myself," Donaldson said.</p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);">All three were approached individually by the union, with Donaldson saying he thought he would be making the move by himself.</p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);">"I thought it was just going to be, then my mum and dad came up to me a said Jack was being looked at and I thought that would be pretty sweet having him there.</p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);">"Then recently Hannon signed on and I was like 'far out, that'll be great'. That's where you build relationships and lifelong friends."</p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);">Donaldson has been behind Kemara Hauiti-Parapara in the age-group halfback stakes in Wellington for some time, but said the challenge of moving to a new region was more of a draw for him.</p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);">"It's always a good idea to get out of your parents' house and where you grew up, and live it all, and I think a different scenery, different culture, different people could be good and obviously I'm looked behind as a second halfback to another person that's why I was keen to look elsewhere."</p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);">When Nelson-Murray lifted the Wellington college premiership title in August, having beaten top qualifiers Scots College 19-8, it was the first win for the school in 20 years.</p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);">Nelson-Murray said that was the highlight of the year and great to do with friends he had played with for his entire five years at school.</p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);">"All of the team, barring about seven of them, had all played under-15s together, so we knew each other pretty well and it was something pretty special to win it with them."</p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);">While he would have liked to continue his career in Wellington, Hawke's Bay made an offer he couldn't refuse.</p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);">"You always want to play from where you're from, but in this day and age I guess being a top sportsman starts younger and younger and I felt there was more of an opportunity in Hawke's Bay.</p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);">"I hadn't really been approached by Wellington and wouldn't be getting that sort of role I'll be getting in Hawke's Bay, so I sort of felt I would be able to develop myself as a player a bit more in the Bay."</p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);">Both him and Donaldson already had an eye to their futures after rugby and would be studying a pre-apprenticeship in carpentry at Eastern Institute of Technology.</p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);">Will all that time together test their friendship?</p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);">"We'll be going to class together and it's only five minutes from our house, and we'll be training together alot, but we're pretty close so it should be alright," Nelson-Murray said.</p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);">Brighouse said was looking forward to developing his game with the likes of Blues loose forward Brendon O'Connor at the Bay and could play blindside flanker as well as No 8.</p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);">"I had a lot of interest from different regions and I really wanted to stay in Wellington but Hawke's Bay gave me a good offer and they gave me the opportunity to develop as a rugby player and that hooked me in."</p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);">Donaldson will look to learn off All Black Brad Weber and Chris Eaton and summed up all three's sentiment that the move would be good for their rugby development.</p>
<p style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51);">"We're still young, we might not be playing in our final positions yet, who knows I could get massive and play centre, obviously that's not going to happen but you get what I'm saying."</p>
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<p>Brighouse might be a bit out of luck trying to learn off Brendan O'Connor.Interesting they have brought in a young loosie,perhaps Renton may not be as good as they thought?</p>
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<p>It is not often first year out of school players front up in the ITM Cup unless they are supremely talented. We seem to be fairly well covered in the No 8 position with TBW and the young kid Joe Penitito so maybe we might not be seeing much of Hannon Brighouse in particular. Unless of course Mr. Philpott is still searching for reasons to keep TBW on the sidelines! Of course he could also be cover for Hugh Renton who might still be insufficiently recovered from injuries to take a full part yet again.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Number 10" data-cid="534426" data-time="1445800026">
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<p>According to this morning's <em>HB Today</em> Tony Lamborn has a Hurricanes WTG contract for 2016 and Dominic Bird and Sam McNicol could both be Magpies in 2016.</p>
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<p>McNicol's move back to the Bay is now confirmed (according to this article on the Stuff website:</p>
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<p><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:18px;">Lions outside back Sam McNicol makes provincial shift home to Hawke's Bay</span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span>TOBY ROBSON</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span><span>Last updated 18:26, December 9 2015</span></span></span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Talented fullback Sam McNicol will return home to Hawke's Bay next season, ending an injury-plagued two-year stint in Wellington.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The Napier Boys High School and New Zealand Secondary Schools star shifted to the capital in 2014 with high hopes, but never really got a chance to showcase his abilities due to regular injuries that restricted his provincial rugby to just one match for the Hurricanes and four matches for the Lions this year.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">McNicol's first season in Wellington ended with double hip surgery after he experienced constant pain while playing for Petone in the local club competition and he was hit by injury again this year when he fractured his eye socket during the Lions' final preseason match against Canterbury, ruling him out of most of the provincial season.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The 20-year-old made his Lions debut on the wing against Bay of Plenty and played the final three matches of the season including the semifinal and final when Wellington's bid to gain promotion to the national provincial competition's top tier ended in a solitary point loss to Hawke's Bay at McLean Park.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Hawke's Bay's coaches clearly liked what they saw and jumped at the chance to bring one of the region's local schoolboys home to Napier.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">"We're thrilled to have him coming back because he was one of the ones we didn't want to leave when he left," Hawke's Bay chief executive Mike Bishop said on Wednesday. </span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">"He's a great young footballer with a very good attitude and we always like our local boys to come home. He and Brad Weber are two good examples of that year, as is Brodie Retallick in some respects because he made his name with us first too. To have guys like Sam coming back again and seeing his future in a black and white jersey is good for us and exciting for Sam."</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">McNicol's provincial shift coincides with a move from the Hurricanes to the Chiefs in 2016. He made an eye-catching Super Rugby debut for the Hurricanes against the Chiefs earlier this year, a match in which he scored a brilliant solo try only to be called back due to a forward pass.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Bishop didn't believe McNicol's Super Rugby shift had played a part in his decision to leave Wellington. </span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">"He was keen on our set up here and we were more than happy to have him."</span></span></p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="WingerHB" data-cid="546758" data-time="1449652452">
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<p>Great signing. Will it be at the expense of Zac?</p>
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<p>That's possible. Or Lewis Marshall. Don't know for how long Marshall was signed. Or Fruean?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="WingerHB" data-cid="546758" data-time="1449652452">
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<p>Great signing. Will it be at the expense of Zac?</p>
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<p>I thought Zac's deal is NSW for Super rugby and Magpies for NPC. </p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">we always like our local boys to come home.
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<p> :mocking: Comedy gold from Bishop again.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="546768" data-time="1449659447"><p>Gareth Evans has re-signed with the Magpies for 2016 and 2017.</p></blockquote>
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Hopefully we get more game from him. He's had terrible luck with injuries. Renton too - love to see what all the fuss is about. -
<p>yes I think Zac was signed to HB for 2015 and 2016.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Number 10" data-cid="533882" data-time="1445726737">
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<p>So far, there are only two confirmed departures:</p>
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<p>Brendon O'Connor to Leicester</p>
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<p>Tom Stanley to Oxford University</p>
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<p>There must be a question mark with Andrew Horrell. He only signed a one-year contract with the Chiefs for 2016 which suggests he is then looking for overseas.</p>
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<p>Slight correctlon No.10, I believe Tom's off to Cambridge, not Oxford.</p>
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<p>As it happens, he has kindly donated a signed Magpie's jersey for a charity auction I'm running in aid of ex-Canada international Matt King.</p>
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<p>I'm also auctioning a signed All Blacks jersey donated by Codie Taylor!</p>
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<p>If you're interested in bidding, you can do so here: <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://www.32auctions.com/rugbykit'>https://www.32auctions.com/rugbykit</a></p>
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<p>Sorry, don't mean to spam the forum, just trying to raise awareness amongst Magpies/All Blacks fans who might be interested.</p>
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<p>Please spread the word! Thanks!</p> -
<p>Not only does the latest HBRU e-Newsletter confirm the departure of Brendon O'Connor (Leicester Tigers) & Tom Stanley (Oxford Uni), and the signing of Sam McNicol, it also mentions the:</p>
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<p>- departure of first five Tyrone Elkington-MacDonald to Auckland (for work reasons)</p>
<p>- signing of Tiaan Falcon</p>
<p>- signing of Marino Mikaele Tu'u (also Hurricanes apprentice)</p>
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<p>I knew Philpott was appointed assistant coach of the NZ U20s, but the e-letter also says that Danny Lee is a technical adviser of the team.</p>
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<p>Mason Emerson, Mason Kean, Max Fryatt, Marino Mikaele Tu'u and Jonah Lowe are all in the wider training squad of the U20s.</p>
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<p>I doubt Tiaan Falcon will be ready to step up as a replacement of Ihaia West if he gets injured. I hope they are looking to sign another 10, esp if it is doubtful that Dagg will return in 2016. We need another good goal kicker.</p>
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<p>I'm, by the way, quite sure Guildford was only signed for 2015. Hope he'll be back in 2016.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="stoli" data-cid="551841" data-time="1452502365">
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<p>Another change for 2016 is a change of gear sponsor with Kooga no longer the supplier. I don't know who will be but do know its not Canterbury</p>
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<p>Interesting ... that may explain why Kooga has reduced the price of most of the Magpies gear on their website.</p>
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<p>Looking at the other gear sponsors in the NPC, that leaves Kukri (Counties, Waikato), Samurai (BOP), ISC (Turbos), BLK (Wellington, Ta$man, Canterbury), or a completely new gear sponsor (at least, new to the NPC).</p> -
<p>Magpies 2016 wider training squad was named last month.</p>
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<p>* 2015 Magpie</p>
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<p>Star Timu (2015 Hastings RS/HB Dev team)</p>
<p>* Lewis Marshall</p>
<p>Penikolo Latu (2015 MAC/HB Dev/HB Sevens)</p>
<p>Michael Vuicakau (2015 Havelock North/HB Dev) </p>
<p>* Mason Emerson</p>
<p>* Shannan Chase</p>
<p>Neria Fomai (2015 HB Sevens)</p>
<p>Cole Eru (2015 Central HB/HB Dev)</p>
<p>* Jonah Lowe</p>
<p>* Billy Ropiha</p>
<p>Tianua Potu (2015 Clive/HB Dev)</p>
<p>Tiaan Falcon (2015 Lindisfarne College/Hurricanes U18)</p>
<p>* Jonathan Ruru</p>
<p>* Chris Eaton</p>
<p>* Ellery Wilson</p>
<p>Marino Mikaele-Tu'u (2015 Hastings BHS/Hurricanes U18/NZ Schools/HB Sevens)</p>
<p>* Joe Penitito</p>
<p>Ben Hamelink (2015 Hastings RS/HB Dev)</p>
<p>* Kaleb Sweet</p>
<p>* Trent Boswell-Wakefield</p>
<p>Lloyd Foote (2015 Pirates)</p>
<p>Ben Taylor (2015 Rathkeale College/Wairarapa Bush U18)</p>
<p>Ben Parsons (2015 Hastings RS/HB Dev)</p>
<p>* Sanaila Waqa</p>
<p>Max Fryatt (2015 Onga Tiko/HB U19)</p>
<p>* Jorian Tangaere</p>
<p>* Ricky Riccitelli</p>
<p>Pouri Rakete-Stones (2015 Napier BHS/Hurricanes U18)</p>
<p>* Jarvy Aoake</p>
<p>* Mark Braidwood</p>
<p>* Mason Kean</p>
<p>* Tolu Fahamokioa</p>
<p>* Jason Long</p> -
<p>Magpies pre-season matches for 2016:</p>
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<p>June 29 - Saracens v Evergreens, Palmerston North</p>
<p>July 30 - HB v Manawatu, Palmerston North</p>
<p>August 6 - HB v Taranaki, Hawera</p>
<p>August 13 - HB v North Harbour, Napier</p> -
<p>Paladin Sports is the new gear sponsor. This is from the HBRU Facebook page, posted today:</p>
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<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color:rgb(20,24,35);">The Magpies will be wearing a new brand of jerseys this season.</span></span></span></p>
<p style="color:rgb(20,24,35);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The Hawkes Bay Rugby Union is pleased to announce a 3 year Sponsorship and Apparel agreement with Paladin Sports.</span></span></p>
<p style="color:rgb(20,24,35);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Paladin is a New Zealand owned Company, which supplies apparel to Clubs and schools throughout N.Z, Australia, England, USA and Singapore. Paladin is a bespoke supplier of high quality on and off field apparel and team wear.</span></span></p>
<div style="color:rgb(20,24,35);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">
<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The new HBRU Paladin apparel will be seen publicly for the first time at the National Sevens tournament on 16th January 2016, where the Central Region Champion Hawke’s Bay Sevens team will be wearing the new strip.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">“We are delighted to be launching the Paladin Brand into the New Zealand First Class rugby scene. We see the fit between the Magpies brand and that of Paladin being an excellent one for both parties. Paladin presented the HBRU with a compelling package to become our apparel partner and we look forward to forging a strong association with Tim and his team over the next few years†HBRU CEO, Mike Bishop said today.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">â€It’s a proud day for Paladin and we are delighted to be associated with HBRU and Magpies and look forward to a great working relationship together. Our aim is to not only provide the teams from HBRU with high quality playing gear and off field apparel, but to provide a range of cool, modern and unique off field merchandise that supporters are keen to wear and which will be priced at very attractive levels not seen for a long time.†Paladin CEO, Tim Morris said today.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Replica jerseys will be abailable for purchase closer to the season. Will keep you posted when we know a date.</span></span></p>
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<p>Hopefully we will be back to traditional hoops that run unbroken completely round the jersey rather than the half pie ones we have been stuck with these last few seasons. Sadly there are no shots of what the new gear will look like on the Paladin Sports website or facebook pages. Is this a bad omen or not?</p>