NPC 2023

[SouthernMann]

@Bovidae said in NPC 2023:

I'm not sure why they wanted to have a separate category for the ABs, as the same could apply for PI-eligible players who won't be playing in the NPC. Just name a full (larger) squad.

It's a flex.

[Bovidae]

Of course it's self-promotion but they failed that too by excluding Lord.

[Chris B.]

Mako have signed Will Gualter.

[Grooter]

@Chris-B was very impressed by him when he got some game time with the Crusaders this year

[Chris]

@Chris-B

hopefully he gets game time in his proper position of Centre he isn't really a wing.

[Chris B.]

@Chris said in NPC 2023:

@Chris-B

hopefully he gets game time in his proper position of Centre he isn't really a wing.

I'm waiting to see our squad for the year and then who gets picked for the ABs.

I'm thinking most likely our first choice midfield and wings will be 11. Springer, 12. Aumua, 13. Nankivell, 14. Tavatavanawai - not sure whether we'll have Fetuli Paea or not - he may already be in Italy.

Then there's Dave Havili, Big Leicester and Will Jordan - can't imagine we'll have Will. (Don't think we'll have Sevu Reece). In the same iffy AB boat, Finlay Christie, Ethan Blackadder and Shannon Frizell - we won't have Lomax!

If a couple of ferners were picking the AB RWC squad, I'd be able to do another music medley as we marched to the title!

[Tim]

@Chris-B said in NPC 2023:

Nankivell

Won't be available. URC starts in September.

[Chris B.]

@Tim Google tells me you're right. I thought he must be hanging round till after RWC since he's in the NZ XV.

Gualter probably will get plenty of time at centre then.

[Stargazer]

[Crazy Horse]

@FakatavaABXV said in NPC 2023:

@Chris-B was very impressed by him when he got some game time with the Crusaders this year

I can't say I was 'very impressed' by him. His time was too limited, but he held his own. The jury is still out for me.

[Bovidae]

Mentioned in the Highlanders thread. Neither Alaimalo brother. Ben Strang has moved from Manawatū.

Edit: Semisi Tupou Ta'eiloa has been loaned from Otago. I hadn't noticed Shneil Singh amongst the locks. He's a player who must have been close to Waikato squads in the past. I'll be interested in seeing how he goes.

[frugby]

Strang is a curious one... I'd expect him to be three in the pecking order there.

[Bovidae]

@frugby said in NPC 2023:

Strang is a curious one... I'd expect him to be three in the pecking order there.

Strang isn't very old himself but suggests that Manawatū will be relying on even younger hookers (Tuputupu and Bason) as Bryn Gordon moved to NH.

[Yeetyaah]

@Bovidae also noticed Singh, I remember reading an article about him a few years back about how he could be the first Indian All Black. He played in Japan for Toyota for a few seasons I think.

[Bovidae]

@Yeetyaah

Shneil Singh could be New Zealand’s first Indian 'All Black in the making' | News from St Paul’s Collegiate School

<p>New Zealand’s first Indian 'All Black in the making' couldn't be more Kiwi after growing up on a farm in Waikato.</p> <p>Shneil Singh was one of eight Waikato juniors called into Craig Philpott’s first New Zealand under-20s squad, the Baby Blacks, this week.</p> <p>International recognition...

More recently he was playing for Fraser Tech when in Waikato club rugby.

[frugby]

@Bovidae Yep... funnily enough I actually think he would stand a better chance in Otago, where Jackson is always injured and coming off a lengthy one + the club hookers not all that flash... of course, Strang himself clearly not that sharp according to coaches.

[Stargazer]

His third team?

[Stargazer]

Rogers is taking a few players from the MLR to Manawatū. Here's another one, a South African lock.

[Kruse]

@Stargazer That photo... poor fluffybunny.

[Kruse]

@Stargazer Atlanta, Palmerston North... same shit.