For 2016

Higgins

I had the pleasure of seeing former HB contracted player, Marvan Karawana, in action in club rugby in Wellington today. I'm pleased to set everyones mind at rest to confirm he is still playing at practically the same level he showed for HB. A couple of beautiful missed tackles that resulted in tries being conceded were most reassuring. Hopefully he will continue to impress the Wellington selectors enough to be retained, especially for the cross over pool match when Championship level Wellington take on Premiership level Hawkes Bay!

Peter Mettrick

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I had the pleasure of seeing former HB contracted player, Marvan Karawana, in action in club rugby in Wellington today. I'm pleased to set everyones mind at rest to confirm he is still playing at practically the same level he showed for HB. A couple of beautiful missed tackles that resulted in tries being conceded were most reassuring. Hopefully he will continue to impress the Wellington selectors enough to be retained, especially for the cross over pool match when Championship level Wellington take on Premiership level Hawkes Bay!
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Has always been average,quite unbelievable he played 30 odd games of 1st grade nrl.

Higgins

But not as amazing as knowing he played even one Mitre10 Cup level game in NZ.

? Offline

According to this morning's HB Today the best case scenario for Brendon Edmonds to play for the Magpies this year, if at all, is October. A blow,

Stargazer

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According to this morning's HB Today the best case scenario for Brendon Edmonds to play for the Magpies this year, if at all, is October. A blow,
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Yes, I just read that. Really disappointing for Edmonds, and for the Magpies. So we need another prop and at least two loosies (to replace O'Connor & Stanley). I wouldn't mind an extra prop, because I think we need better props than Long and Aoake now we're in the Premiership.
 
It's a pity the HBRU doesn't give more squad updates and info about the trial team etc like some other unions do. I'd like to know where who they have in mind to step up from last year's dev team and from club rugby. It will be tougher in the Premiership, so they can't rely on dev. players alone IMO. We need experienced players, with O'Connor, Guildford & especially Horrell not expected to return (but I haven't heard anything about him signing overseas yet?), and Retallick (and possibly, Weber?) on AB duties.

Nepia

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Yes, I just read that. Really disappointing for Edmonds, and for the Magpies. So we need another prop and at least two loosies (to replace O'Connor & Stanley). I wouldn't mind an extra prop, because I think we need better props than Long and Aoake now we're in the Premiership.
 
It's a pity the HBRU doesn't give more squad updates and info about the trial team etc like some other unions do. I'd like to know where who they have in mind to step up from last year's dev team and from club rugby. It will be tougher in the Premiership, so they can't rely on dev. players alone IMO. We need experienced players, with O'Connor, Guildford & especially Horrell not expected to return (but I haven't heard anything about him signing overseas yet?), and Retallick (and possibly, Weber?) on AB duties.
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Maybe it's a chance for Kean and/or the other bloke in the U20s to step up?
 
Wont a finally fit Renton replace one of the loosies.

? Offline

There are a lot of high hopes for Mason Kean. Only turned 20 in February. Hugh Renton turns 20 next month, and I think I read his last game of rugby was 2013?
 
Don't want a repeat of 2012 when we came straight back down from the Premiership, but we did lose a lot of players from 2011 - Bryn Evans, Hikairo Forbes, Kahn Fotuali'i, Dan Kirkpatrick, Kas Lealeamanua, Anthony Perenise, Brodie Retallick, Sona Taumalolo, Kane Thompson, Tu Umaga-Marshall.

? Offline

Andrew Horrell and Robbie Fruean not returning to the Magpies this year.
 
After Super Rugby both are going overseas - Horrell to Japan, Fruean to ?

Nepia

Bummer that Horrell is going but he's given us great service.
 
Not too fussed about Fruean, all he'd do would be keep a young HB player on the bench and he was hardly outstanding for us.
 
Looks like we'll be hunting for a few backs this year. I'm going to smack somebody in the nose if Marvin Karawana winds up in the team.

Higgins

Or, perish the thought, Luke Rooney!

Stargazer

I hope this isn't true, our midfield would need huge reinforcements considering Horrell and Fruean are also leaving). Who've we got left? Jonah Lowe, Billy Ropiha, ...? We need some experienced guys.
 
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Also considering a big-money move to Japan are Highlanders outside backs Patrick Osborne and Richard Buckman. Osborne, who recently re-committed to the Highlanders for another season while also putting his lot in with Fiji, is said to be heading to Ricoh.
 
Buckman, who was ruled out for the season after hurting a shoulder in pre-season against French club Racing Metro in Hong Kong in February, is linked to Panasonic.
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<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11640819'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11640819</a>

? Offline

It's just how it is since the game went professional.
 
Players generally don't have long provincial careers now when better money can be earned overseas.
 
Buckman has been a good servant for Hawke's Bay - so good luck to him.
 
Seems like a brand new midfield for Hawke's Bay this year.
 
 
Edit: According to 1pm sports news on radio - Buckman has signed another two years for Highlanders. Could still play in Japan though, skipping the NPC.

? Offline

Training in the Magpies wider-training squad are Billy Ropiha and Star Timu (last appeared 2012 - remember him?).
 
Unless a signing is made, or Buckman comes back earlier than anticipated, then those two could be the first choice midfield pairing or perhaps Lewis Marshall at 13?

Stockcar86

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Training in the Magpies wider-training squad are Billy Ropiha and Star Timu (last appeared 2012 - remember him?).
 
Unless a signing is made, or Buckman comes back earlier than anticipated, then those two could be the first choice midfield pairing or perhaps Lewis Marshall at 13?
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Billy and Jonah Lowe would be my pick

? Offline

Yes, that is a better combo.

? Offline

Ta$man have announced the signing of Zac Guildford for 2016 which confirms his contract being terminated early.
 
Should add a little bit extra to the Magpies v Ta$man match at McLean Park on 24 September.

Higgins

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Great signing. Will it be at the expense of Zac?
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Yes
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/80314927/zac-guildford-signs-with-tasman-Mako$-for-new-npc-rugby-season'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/80314927/zac-guildford-signs-with-tasman-Mako$-for-new-npc-rugby-season</a>

Nepia

Higgins, you'll be happy to know that Hugh Renton has played for the full strength Magpies ... on my PS4 in the new rugby game.
 
I'm currently playing the NPC, weirdly, as the game came out a few months ago it's the 2014 NPC with the 2015 team. I'm 3 matches in to the season and have beaten Ta$man, Taranaki and Counties Manukau. Take that!
 
Renton is rated higher than almost all of the Magpies loose forwards other than Tom Stanley who is the highest ranking Magpie loosie (clearly the makers of this game no sweet F-all about rugby). 
 
All the Magpies are either 60-70 rated (out of 100) except for Zac and Izzy who are 86 and 91 respectively. My game plan is basically get it to Zac in space so he's my top try scorer.
 
Other ways the game is weird in it's rankings, the Chiefs are way behind the Canes, Crusaders and Highlanders in the rankings, somewhere in the 70s while the other 3 are in the mid mid 80s. I wonder if Shark is on the design team. 
 
Oh, Shannon Chase looks like Shannon Chase but is listed as a 10 and is tied to England.

Higgins

What's the background behind this?
 
<a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hurricanes-rugby-team/news/article.cfm?c_id=230&objectid=11645290'>http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hurricanes-rugby-team/news/article.cfm?c_id=230&objectid=11645290</a>

? Offline

Has to be through parent or grandparent as Tony was born in Timaru.
 
Hopefully it will not impact on his Hurricanes contract (by not being NZ qualified) after 2017 (I presume he has the standard two-year contract?)

The Silver Fern

For 2016