NPC - news, injuries etc

[Number 10]

If they can shift the June Test window to July - as reports seem to indicate is getting to be a greater possibility - which will allow Super Rugby to finish end June instead of end July as now, you will be able to expand the Mitre 10 Cup to a full 13-round robin comp (as we had 2009-2010) by starting earlier and scrap the premiership and championship divisions.

[Stargazer]

@Number-10 Hmm, I'd rather use the extra time to rest the Super Rugby players and then give them a proper preseason with their provincial team. I don't like how SR players only join the team preps for NPC in the week before the Mitre10 Cup kicks off. That's way too late.

[taniwharugby]

while I like the crossover games, if they only had 3 instead of 4, you wouldn't need that 3 games in 8 days every team gets.

[Stargazer]

Leo Crowley is the Ta$man Mako$' new assistant rugby coach.
He will be joined by former All Blacks prop Greg Somerville as Ta$man's new set piece assistant coach and ex-Northland strength and conditioning coach James Holden.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/90656010/crowley-to-replace-hammett-as-tasmans-new-assistant-npc-rugby-coach

[Tim]

Chris Eves returns to Harbour.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11825544

[Stargazer]

Neria Fomai (Samoa 7s) has signed with the Southland Stags. In previous years, he played for the Hawke's Bay Development team.

[Stargazer]

Two Harbour players off to Japan:

Matt McGahan won't play for Harbour this Mitre10 Cup season and has signed with Yamaha Jubilo.
Also absent from the Harbour squad will be Michael Little, who has signed with Mitsubishi Dynaboars.

[Stargazer]

Antonio Kiri Kiri has re-signed with the Turbos:

http://www.turbosrugby.co.nz/news/246-kiri-kiri-is-a-2017-turbo

Heiden Bedwell-Curtis has been confirmed as the Manawatu Turbos' captain for 2017

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/91197979/heiden-bedwellcurtis-named-captain-of-manawatu-turbos-for-2017

[Stargazer]

Not sure how often (if ever) they'll wear the Naki jersey at the same time, but a certain someone is joining his 2 brothers at the same Mitre10 Cup team .......

Scott Barrett has signed with Taranaki!!

Just thought this was exciting Mitre10 Cup news!

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/sport/rugby/barretts-reunited-scott-signs-taranaki

[KiwiMurph]

@Stargazer Liam Napier on twitter also stated "Expect Scott to join Jordie and Beauden at the Canes in 2019 too"

[Stargazer]

@KiwiMurph Yes, I saw that, but not sure whether that's a fact or wishful thinking on Liam Napier's part ...

[Tim]

Thinking about the Blues region teams this year. North Harbour should have a pretty solid XV:

1. Mayhew/Eves
2. Parsons
3. Mafileo
4. Nansen (injury?)
5. Cowley-Tuioti
6. Vui
7. Jacobson/Taramai
8. Moala-Liava'a/Taramai
9. Hall
10. Gatland
11. Li
12. Ahki (is Little available at all?)
13. Vaega
14. Stevenson
15. Duffy

[Tim]

Auckland's XV will be interesting, with a few good young prospects coming through. Any one know when Luatua is off?

1. Hodgman (injured?)
2. GPT
3. O. Tu'ungafasi
4. Fatialofa (injured?) - two locks in the NZ U20, Nee Nee, Moli, Seu
5. Scrafton - Pat T should get some rotation time here too
6. Seu/Papali'i
7. Gibson
8. A. Ioane
9. Fukofuka/Milo-Harris
10. Wiseguy Faiane/D’Angelo Leuila/Fonoti/Fosita - anyone else available? (Harry Plummer won't be ready/available until next year.)
11. B. Lam/Caleb Clarke
12. T.J. Faiane
13. Aso - Moala and R. Ioane should get some game time in the midfield too.
14. Trainor/Caleb Clarke
15. Nanai

9 & 10 the big issues (as always). Frontrow depth also a concern.

[KiwiMurph]

@Tim Did I see Harry Plummer was playing club rugby for Grammar TEC this past weekend? I take it he hasn't had his surgery yet.

[Tim]

@KiwiMurph Yep, scored all their points, I think. Hopefully he's already had surgery and has recovered. Sounds unlikely though.

[African Monkey]

@Tim said in Mitre 10 Cup - news, injuries etc:

Auckland's XV will be interesting, with a few good young prospects coming through. Any one know when Luatua is off?

1. Hodgman (injured?)
2. GPT
3. O. Tu'ungafasi
4. Fatialofa (injured?) - two locks in the NZ U20, Nee Nee, Moli, Seu
5. Scrafton - Pat T should get some rotation time here too
6. Seu/Papali'i
7. Gibson
8. A. Ioane
9. Fukofuka/Milo-Harris
10. Wiseguy Faiane/D’Angelo Leuila/Fonoti/Fosita - anyone else available? (Harry Plummer won't be ready/available until next year.)
11. B. Lam/Caleb Clarke
12. T.J. Faiane
13. Aso - Moala and R. Ioane should get some game time in the midfield too.
14. Trainor/Caleb Clarke
15. Nanai

9 & 10 the big issues (as always). Frontrow depth also a concern.

Ben Lam has signed for Wellington hasn't he? I'm assuming Hodgman is still with Canterbury as well. Hope to see Wiseguy Faiane at 10 as well

[Tim]

@African-Monkey said in Mitre 10 Cup - news, injuries etc:

Ben Lam

I thought Hodgman had signed with Auckland too, but I may well be wrong. Can't recall anything about Lam signing with Wellington.

[Kiwidom]

@Tim Jamie Lane could be another option at lock, he was nz u20s two years ago. Plays for Ponies.
Also Pryor Collier on the wing looked quite useful last year in his first season.

[Duluth]

@Tim said in Mitre 10 Cup - news, injuries etc:

Can't recall anything about Lam signing with Wellington.

He signed with Wellington at the same time as the Hurricanes

I wouldn't pick him, but I expect Tyrone Elkington-MacDonald will be in the squad.

[Kiwidom]

Not sure if it has already been mentioned, but Jordan Taufua has signed for the Ta$man Mako$ for the ITM cup. He played for them back in 2012,so not totally new to their environment.