Magpies 2022
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The 15th player signing confirmed today is Tyrone Thompson.
I guess we can't really expect surprises when they make these announcements, considering Parsons already said in an interview ages ago that about 38 of last year's squad have re-signed for this year's NPC. Still hoping for one (good) surprise signing, like Tyrone's. I doubt we'll get one of the Sullivan's this year though. It's probably too soon for Cooper Flanders, although we may need a new loosie.
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@Stargazer Looks like they are putting it at such an awkward time so they can ensure people won't be able to make it there during work hours thus avoiding the expense of paying gatekeepers and the likes of security staff as sod all spectators are likely to be there at that time of day (myself obviously excluded if I am still in Napier of course!)
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@Higgins They couldn't play the game in the evening, because it's the same day as the first Māori All Blacks game v Ireland. They should have re-scheduled to another day. I guess they didn't want to play it on the following Saturday, because then players wouldn't be available for club finals. But why not on the Tuesday night?
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Haha may as well just re-name the team the Moana Pasifika Magpies (just kidding).
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@African-Monkey Haha, we had them first! MP can adopt that name!
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Looks like we will be running with the same squad as last season with these announcements so far, with the obvious exception of Tyrone Thompson and probably the halfback situation where Messrs Fakatava, Weber and Enari are all contenders for international duties. Maybe some change at prop where Sona Taumalolo must surely have retired permanently and maybe lock where Bryn Evans is about the same stage too! A couple of the hardly ever played squad members from last season might also be wondering whether it is worthwhile taking three months off work to train and wear number 1s to the grounds and watch others play.
I suppose it revolves around a union's income as to what their maximum NPC squad size these days given the % of said income allowed to be spent on salaries and the minimum and maximum salary to indidual players?
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@Higgins There's no reason why Enari and others in the Samoa squad wouldn't be available. Their last test match is on 16 July; our first NPC game is 3 weeks later on 6 August (away v Waikato), so they're unlikely to miss more than the 1st game. The Tongan test players may be available a week later; their last match (a RWC qualifier) is on 23 July. Unless Weber is called up as an injury replacement for Smith or added to the Rugby Championship squad, he should be available all season.
I'm sure the rookies that didn't get much game time, last year, will be keen to be pushing for more games this year. You never know how many injuries will take out players each season.
Last year we had 40 squad members and two apprentices. Those 40 included injury replacements for IWL and Fakatava. I understand we'll have about the same number this year, and will need an injury replacement for Jacob Devery. If Falcon is signed for this year, there's another spot for an injury replacement. It then depend on how bad Jonah Lowe's hamstring injury is, whether there'll be an injury replacement needed for him, too.
About 37/38 of last year's squad will return according to Tom Parsons in an interview after last season. So it's reasonably predictable who'll be in it. Add Thompson for Dixon. There are basically only one or two "unknowns": possibly at lock (for Evans or Martin?) and fullback (Falcon).
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@Stargazer Tiaan Falcon is not a fullback and last year Loloani Visinia played there but really was almost a one dimensional battering ram, although a pretty effective one. Caleb Makene looked reasonably OK there and even though Kurt Baker is missing (thankfully a lot would say!) is missing we should be able to cover the spot with who we have. Maybe Gillies Kaka might be relocating back home as a very well travelled and experienced longshot? Is there any out of the HBHS juggernaught that is ready to step up? Could the forever hoped for return home of utlilty Baylin Sullivan see him slot in there?
Questions, many questions about the possibilities. -
I haven't spotted TBW around the club fields for Tech so guess he will be a non starter when it comes time for consideration (didn't he front up at East Coast last season?). We have a couple of promising loosies at Tech that would not look out of place but they are a year or so away from being ready.
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@Higgins Falcon has played a lot at fullback for us, in the past. He's a 10, but can easily slot in at the back. Exactly the same story for Makene. I'd love to have Gillies back for a final season; he's been good for us in the past and he may like another year in black and white before he retires. But I'm afraid it's going to be the not-to-be-named addition to your Tech squad who'll get that spot.
Unfortunately, I can't see Bailyn return, this year, and fullback is more spot for his little brother, who's also not likely to come back home this year. I hope Thompson will be very happy with his return by the end of the season, and will be a positive influence on his mate Zarn and the bro and that they will come back, next year.
I honestly don't have that many questions about this year's squad. If 38 of 40 have re-signed, Thompson is one of the newbies (makes it 39), then that leaves room for one more new signing and maybe one or two injury replacements. That's probably it, unless Bryn Evans or Martin decides to step down.
If Brendon O'Connor is the other player not returning (as rumoured), there will be plenty of cover in Solomone Funaki (the likely starter), Gareth Evans, Josh Kaifa and Will Tremain. No need now for a new openside flanker, I think. I think the next rookie loosie to be signed will be Cooper Flanders (possibly next season) or Tiaki Fabish as a lock/loosie.
