The Silver Fern

According to the HB Today. Ryan Tongia is playing club rugby in the Bay. Probably worth a contract if he's available.

Marino Mikaele Tu'u has been called into the Highlanders.

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I have a bad feeling about this...

Feels like a continuation of last year...

Gareth Evans has joined the Hurricanes.

Ryan Tonga has signed with Southland with his first game likely to be against HB.

A claim from the Southland Times that another change to the NPC format might be a possibility. Short of a full round robin, this would be the best format which gives every team a chance of winning the Mitre 10 Cup.

• **I'm hearing there has been a proposal put to the provinces which would see the premiership and championship divisions scrapped and replaced by a southern pool and a northern pool.

This is how I understand it would work.

The format would remain pretty much the same in regard to teams playing each of the other six teams in their pool, as well as four cross-over games against teams in other pools.

But the top teams from each pool would then advance to the same playoffs, rather than the top or bottom division.

Clear as mud?

I guess the geographical split might see Southland join Otago, Canterbury, Ta$man, Wellington, Manawatu, and Taranaki in one pool.

The competition will remain the same for 2017 but could change be on its way?**

I suspect Riccitelli will sign with Taranaki. According to the HB Today his Magpies contract expires after this season. He was non-committal about sticking around, saying something about waiting until the end of the season to make a decision (never a good sign!!!). Combined with Taranaki looking for a new hooker after Rhys Marshall's departure, Riccitelli's pathway to the #2 jersey at the Bay blocked by Dixon, and the fact he is from there originally, I'm not hopeful he will be a Magpie post 2016.

Cridge,Renton and Evans back from injuries.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="546768" data-time="1449659447"><p>Gareth Evans has re-signed with the Magpies for 2016 and 2017.</p></blockquote>
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Hopefully we get more game from him. He's had terrible luck with injuries. Renton too - love to see what all the fuss is about.

You're right about Zac's dual contract, but that might be doubt after his drinking relapse. They weren't prepared to comment on the latest incident, maybe for legal reasons? Would be a shame if he had his contract torn up.

Great signing. Will it be at the expense of Zac?

I suspect they've been signed to the HB rugby academy rather than the ITM Cup squad.