Magpies 2023
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The two guys up from Chch playing midfield for Tech have both looked to be above average players although they have both played just the one game each, and not together as a combination. Admittedly each game has been a walk in the park so will have to wait until more challenging opposition is faced to see them operating under pressure. There must have been a reason why they have come north but will have to circumspect about making enquiries (if I even do so).
Liam Udy-Johns was all class again yesterday and even took over the goal kicking duties during the second half.
Looking forward to the clash with @Stockcar86 Napier Old Boys coming up on April 12 to see how all the Tech newcomers perform as they will certainly not have everything going their own way and will probably come under intensive pressure for the first time this season.
@Number-10 Did Taradale have their usual No 8 play yesterday. I have been impressed with him the few times I have seen him play. He looks strong and powerful with the ball in hand and seems to break, or wriggle out of tackles, frequently. To me he would be worth more than cursory consideration for higher levels of rugby but sadly looks to be about three or four inches too short to really make it as a loose forward at NPC level. Maybe hooker might be another spot for him but we are already very well covered (if injuries allowed everyone to be available) there? -
@Higgins Taradale's number 8 (yesterday) was Iakopo Mapu. He's been on the Magpies' fringes for years now (in the Development team). There will be some competition for the free number 8 spot (if Gareth Evans doesn't return), with Tupou Mafi Afungia preferred as an apprentice and for the 1st Heartland Ranfurly Shield game, last year.
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@Stargazer So is there any word on signings? I do believe Blake Gibson is one. But things have gone pretty quiet.
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@Stargazer Wonder if Altherm Tech and Taradale players will be excused ahead of the Nash Cup deciding clash on Saturday?
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@Higgins According to Tech's instagram, these Tech players will be playing tomorrow:
Nathaniel Hauiti (prop)
Nik Patumaka (prop)
Xavier McCorkindale (flanker)
Liam Udy-Johns (flanker)
Tim Sciascia (halfback)
Falealii Popoalii (second five-eighth)
Waitangi Tuisuga (centre)
Bethel Malasia (wing) -
@Stargazer Nic Patumaka must have had a stunning brilliant display against Pouri Rakete-Stones in the game that I was unable to attend on Saturday as I have never seen him there in the front row before. Maybe he didn't play and perhaps he may have been kept as a secret weapon the Texans were going to unleash against some completely unsuspecting opponent later in the season only for the secret to leak out of the bag. At this stage the Texans currently have used five different props in the Premiers this season with another (not Patumaka) being kept in the wings so it has taken even me by surprise.
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@Higgins Nik Patumaka is an Academy squad member. According to the HBRU Community Rugby page on FB, the squad for today's game is "a mix of Academy players and Wider Training Group players". I guess they didn't publish a squad list, because it's quite a big group and they'll be using rolling subs. They also said there won't be a livestream, unfortunately.
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@Stargazer But is he a prop? In the 2022 and 2023 seasons I have yet to see him play that position.
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@Stargazer Well I certainly await with great anticipation to witness how they are getting on as I have never seen him in anything other than a loose forwards jersey in the fifteen or twenty club games I have seen him play. Neither have I seen him fill in at prop when injuries might have seen any of his starting props go off.
