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Magpies 2023

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Magpies 2023
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  • HigginsH Offline
    HigginsH Offline
    Higgins
    replied to kiwimatrix on last edited by
    #184

    @kiwimatrix said in Magpies 2023:

    No Toala???I thought the 2nd five from Tech might should have got in.

    Fixed.

    Mystified about the Toala non selection. Can only assume that the Manu must be holding pre World Cup camps that their players must attend but then that does not explain the selection of Neria Fomai. The midfied selections look entirely unthreatening but with just three named to cover two positions there must be space for one more to be named so maybe the absence of Toala is simply an oversite by the social media personnel who have probably got out of practise in reporting important things like team namings on their various outlets. Clearly the promoting of a new name for a mascot must be taking up too much of their time.
    The most mystifying is the complete disregarding of Liam Udy-Johns who has been comfortably ahead of all those he has come up against in the Club games I have watched. It almost defies logic that he should not be included.

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  • HigginsH Offline
    HigginsH Offline
    Higgins
    replied to Stargazer on last edited by Higgins
    #185

    @Stargazer said in Magpies 2023:

    The biggest disappointment from this squad naming is that the squad doesn't have a Sullivan in it. The second biggest disappointment is that Smith, Tiatia, Grigg and Higgins are still there. The first three are all Syms' signings and he isn't even there anymore.

    The huge positives of this squad is that it's an extremely young squad. Even if we end up near the bottom of the table this season, we're building great potential for the future. Hopefully, Brock James can coach and we'll see another surge to the higher end of the table like we saw under Ozich.

    If he was the backs attack coach last year well then I'm afraid our hopes and expectations for this season had better be lowered a notch or two as there was little in the way of exciting and inventive play by numbers 9 to 15 last season.

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  • K Offline
    K Offline
    kiwimatrix
    wrote on last edited by
    #186

    It's almost as if the whole club season was a waste of time
    They appear to have completely disregarded the club form and there's not even any fringe players named like they usually do.

    HigginsH 2 Replies Last reply
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  • StargazerS Offline
    StargazerS Offline
    Stargazer
    replied to kiwimatrix on last edited by
    #187

    @kiwimatrix It's not just you. In previous years, they often used the Hawke's Bay Today to write an article, which then - somewhat modified - appeared on the HBRU website. That may still happen, but later than usual. I don't understand why they can't just write a media release with some comments from the coach and some of the new players like other provinces do. It's not that hard.

    The timing is also weird. They can't be leaving for their camp in Taupō yet, as the remaining preseason games are more than two weeks away.

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  • K Offline
    K Offline
    kiwimatrix
    wrote on last edited by
    #188

    Exactly, I mean for all we know, 7 or 8 of the bay boys playing in the states may have recommended the Fijian winger ,but it would be nice to hear these things from the coach.

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  • HigginsH Offline
    HigginsH Offline
    Higgins
    replied to Daffy Jaffy on last edited by
    #189

    @Daffy-Jaffy said in Magpies 2023:

    @Stargazer Here are highlights from his time with Zebre -

    After watching this all I can say is that he must have improved immeasurably since those days as there was barely a broken tackle much less an actual linebreak shown.

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  • B Offline
    B Offline
    Billsy111
    wrote on last edited by
    #190

    I actually don't mind this Squad. Sure outside backs do look light, but there may be reasons for that. It would be good to hear from Brock, but I firmly believe Toala will be there come NPC time

    StargazerS 1 Reply Last reply
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  • HigginsH Offline
    HigginsH Offline
    Higgins
    replied to kiwimatrix on last edited by Higgins
    #191

    @kiwimatrix said in Magpies 2023:

    It's almost as if the whole club season was a waste of time
    They appear to have completely disregarded the club form and there's not even any fringe players named like they usually do.

    Excuse me but are you including Sam Smith, Isi Tu'ungafasi, Nick Grigg and Reilly Higgins as established players rather than fringe players? Incidentally @stargazer where has Nick Grigg been playing? My spies have told me Jordan Thompson-Dunn has been going good when Hastings have been running him in his preferred 2nd five spot so both him and my Mr. Popoali'i can count themselves hard done by after missing out to those named in midfield.

    On the brighter side they must have persuaded Tom Parsons to come back from retirement given the inexperience of most of the locks at first class level. No sign of Tiaki Fabish so guess he will probably bugger off somewhere else and you could not blame Liam Udy-Johns doing likewise.

    StargazerS 1 Reply Last reply
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  • StargazerS Offline
    StargazerS Offline
    Stargazer
    replied to Billsy111 on last edited by
    #192

    @Billsy111 Toala has been named in the Samoa squad. Unless he doesn't make the RWC squad, he won't be there.

    HigginsH 1 Reply Last reply
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  • HigginsH Offline
    HigginsH Offline
    Higgins
    replied to Stargazer on last edited by
    #193

    @Stargazer By that, do you mean he won't be there for HB? All other possible internationals look to have been named so the absence of Toala's name can only mean he has signed for someone else, presumably an overseas outfit.

    StargazerS 1 Reply Last reply
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  • StargazerS Offline
    StargazerS Offline
    Stargazer
    replied to Higgins on last edited by
    #194

    @Higgins said in Magpies 2023:

    Excuse me but are you including Sam Smith, Isi Tu'ungafasi, Nick Grigg and Reilly Higgins as established players rather than fringe players?

    I think @kiwimatrix means the development players that were named in the squad in 2021 and 2022. Either they forgot to mention them, or they're not naming them this year.

    IIRC, the programme of the HB Development team will consist of more games this year (unless my memory is totally off), so that may be a possible reason.

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  • StargazerS Offline
    StargazerS Offline
    Stargazer
    replied to Higgins on last edited by Stargazer
    #195

    @Higgins said in Magpies 2023:

    @Stargazer By that, do you mean he won't be there for HB? All other possible internationals look to have been named so the absence of Toala's name can only mean he has signed for someone else, presumably an overseas outfit.

    Nope. I'm sorry for my laziness, but I already posted another possible explanation:

    @Stargazer said in Magpies 2023:

    This is a very small squad. They've left a lot of players out who are in the Samoa and Tonga squads, but not all of them. I assume the players that have not been named were off-contract, while the players who were named were still signed for 2023.

    Edited to add that the squad may be small on purpose: maybe they are keeping those spots open for players that have not been named because of being selected for Tonga/Samoa for the pre-RWC internationals, but may still miss out on the RWC. For example, the squad is very light in the midfield. Toala and Ili have not been named in the squad, because they are in the Samoa squad for the pre-RWC matches. If they're not included in Samoa's RWC squad, maybe they'll still get to play for the Magpies because there's still room in the squad.
    If not, they may use Development players if needed.

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  • StargazerS Offline
    StargazerS Offline
    Stargazer
    wrote on last edited by Stargazer
    #196

    HBT article:

    Hawkes Bay Today, Sport, Rugby, All Blacks, NPC, New Zealand

    Rugby: Hawke's Bay Magpies squad named

    Rugby: Hawke's Bay Magpies squad named

    A squad of 36 has been named for the 2023 NPC season.

    Godfrey made his Magpies debut last year

    That's incorrect. He made his NPC debut last year, but already played for the Magpies in a non-competition game v Northland in 2021.

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  • HigginsH Offline
    HigginsH Offline
    Higgins
    wrote on last edited by
    #197

    The writer of the article looks like they have done little more than reguritating a press release from the HBRFU. There is no indication that any questions have been asked like why certain players from last season have missed selection as one example (specifically Danny Toala), nor any explanation why halfbacks McLeod and Enari have been overlooked for a newcomer from Auckland. I'm happy for @Nepia that the writer did not pose the question about the availability of Kurt Baker.

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  • StargazerS Offline
    StargazerS Offline
    Stargazer
    wrote on last edited by Stargazer
    #198

    A nerd's view on the squad's changes:

    2022 2023
    2022 PROPS 2023 PROPS
    Joe 'Apikotoa Joe 'Apikotoa likely unavailable (Tonga)
    Mark Braidwood still playing club rugby; was probably Waa's injury replacement in 2022
    Lolani Faleiva possibly injured; hasn't played recently for Toronto Arrows Tim Farrell 2017 NZ U20; returns after a few years' absence; has 6 caps, 5 from 2017, 1 from 2019 (all off the bench); probably a bigger talent than Faleiva
    Joel Hintz Joel Hintz
    Jason Long retired Isi Tu'ungafasi 2015 NZ U20; then AKL, NOR, TAS/Crusaders 2019-2021; 2023 Moana Pasifika
    Pouri Rakete-Stones Pouri Rakete-Stones
    Namatahi Waa retired Isaac Salmon Ta$man (38)/Toronto Arrows (26)
    2022 HOOKERS 2023 HOOKERS
    Jacob Devery Jacob Devery
    Kianu Kereru-Symes Kianu Kereru-Symes
    Tyrone Thompson Tyrone Thompson
    Gene Syminton was Devery's injury replacement in 2022
    2022 LOCKS 2023 LOCKS
    Bryn Evans retired Tom Allen from Academy; 2022 NZ schools; 2023 NZ U20; first year out of school
    Frank Lochore 2021-2022 5 caps (all off the bench) Frank Lochore
    Tom Parsons Tom Parsons
    Brodie Retallick played a few games, but mostly ABs Brodie Retallick will be with ABs
    Sione Tuipulotu lock/loosie; only played one game for us in 2022 Hunter Morrison from Academy; 2021 NZ Barbarians Schools; 2022 NZ U19; 2023 NZ U20; second year out of school
    Isaia Walker-Leawere Isaia Walker-Leawere
    2022 LOOSIES 2023 LOOSIES
    Gareth Evans was injured in 2022; now retired
    Tiaki Fabish should have gotten more chances than his 2 non-NPC caps Cooper Flanders Top 4 champ 2019; 2021 NZ Schools; 2022 NZ U19; 2023 NZ U20. From Academy; second year out of school.
    Devan Flanders Devan Flanders
    Solomone Funaki unavailable in 2023 (Tonga)
    Josh Gimblett Josh Gimblett
    Josh Kaifa Josh Kaifa
    Marino Mikaele-Tu'u Marino Mikaele-Tu'u
    Sam Smith Sam Smith Really shouldn't be in the squad, but was maybe signed on a 2-year contract? Liam Udy-Johns deserved this spot.
    Will Tremain is overseas (not for rugby) in 2023 Patrick Tuifua arrived in NZ from New Caledonia in 2020 on Lindisfarne scholarship; 2023 HB Academy
    2022 HALFBACKS 2023 HALFBACKS
    Ere Enari unavailable in 2023 (Samoa) Sam Wye Fijian; ex-Auckland; one cap for Moana Pasifika
    Folau Fakatava was injured/with ABs Folau Fakatava
    Connor McLeod Why Sam Wye and not Connor McLeod? Gone to another province?
    Brad Weber was with ABs Brad Weber still a small chance to make the ABs
    2022 1ST FIVES 2023 1ST FIVES
    Caleb Makene Caleb Makene
    Lincoln McClutchie Lincoln McClutchie
    2022 MIDFIELDERS 2023 MIDFIELDERS
    Nick Grigg left early in 2022 for stint with Carcassonne Nick Grigg
    Kienan Higgins Kienan Higgins
    Stacey Ili unavailable in 2023 (Samoa)
    Ollie Sapsford Ollie Sapsford
    Danny Toala unavailable in 2023 (Samoa)
    2023 OUTSIDE BACKS 2023 OUTSIDE BACKS
    Neria Foma'i Neria Foma'i likely to be unavailable (Samoa)
    Harry Godfrey Harry Godfrey
    Jonah Lowe Jonah Lowe
    Dennon Robinson-Bartlett hardly got any game time Paula Balekana Fijian winger; 2018-2020 Zebre; 2021 Houston Sabercats; 2022-2023 NE Free Jacks; attended Kelston Boys'
    Chase Tiatia Chase Tiatia
    Anzelo Tuitavuki Anzelo Tuitavuki
    Lolagi Visinia
    HigginsH 1 Reply Last reply
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  • HigginsH Offline
    HigginsH Offline
    Higgins
    replied to Stargazer on last edited by
    #199

    @Stargazer Olly Sapsford is in the Australian A Team that plays the 'Ikale Tahi up in Nuku 'alofa on July 14. That's quite an achievement going from the Magpies bench to that level in such short time.

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  • StargazerS Offline
    StargazerS Offline
    Stargazer
    wrote on last edited by
    #200

    Okay, to finish the mascot news, the name of the new Magpies mascot is Swoop. 🤦🏽♂

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  • StargazerS Offline
    StargazerS Offline
    Stargazer
    wrote on last edited by
    #201

    Here's the HBRU media release.

    https://www.sporty.co.nz/magpies/newsarticle/130396

    You will notice some familiar faces missing from previous Magpies squads with several players expected to be selected for Samoa or Tonga in the Rugby World Cup and its likely more players will be added to the squad over the next couple of weeks. Players signed to the Magpies such as Brodie Rettalick, Brad Weber, Folau Fakatava, Joe Apikotoa, and Anzelo Tuitavuki have all recently been selected for the All Blacks and Tonga respectively so could still be named in world cup squads, if not then will be running out in a Magpies jersey on the 5th August against North Harbour at McLean Park.

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  • StargazerS Offline
    StargazerS Offline
    Stargazer
    wrote on last edited by
    #202

    A bit of info in this article about Paula Balekana.

    Suphawadee

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  • StargazerS Offline
    StargazerS Offline
    Stargazer
    wrote on last edited by Stargazer
    #203

    Updated Magpies squad.
    Tiaki Fabish, Connor McLeod and Lolagi Visinia have been added.

    image.png

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