Magpies 2020
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hbmagpies: With 45 games under his belt we look forward to celebrating Jlo's 50th milestone this season. A man who feels at home in a Super Stock as much as in a scrum Jason Long is one of a very good stock of props we have.
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@Stargazer Given the depth of Props I don't see this guy getting much game time.
@Billsy111 I'm not so sure whether we have that much depth at prop. He'll probably be on the bench as back-up for Taumalolo, and Rakete-Stones moving to TH (starter), if May indeed retires after SR. Hintz and Waa are probably fighting for the TH bench spot, although I'd rather not see Waa signed. He was awful, last year. Tevita-Metcalfe is playing club rugby in Wellington, so I'm not sure he'll be back, this year. No idea whether Tim Farrell will be available, despite playing club rugby.
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Great news! From the HBRU Facebook page:
Exciting young stars re-sign for Magpies
Exciting locally-bred talent Kianu Kereru-Symes, Devan Flanders, Folau Fakatava, Lincoln McClutchie, and Danny Toala have re-signed with the Hawke’s Bay Magpies for the next two years.
The Hastings Boys’ High School products were all part of the winning 2017 National first XV competition team and have been Magpies since 2018 as well as going on to higher representative honours.
Flanders and Toala are in the Hurricanes, Fakatava, is with the Highlanders while Kereru-Symes has spent time with both the Highlanders and Blues as injury cover. McClutchie spent a 4 month stint with Japanese club NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes, returning to New Zealand just prior to lockdown.
Magpies head coach Mark Ozich said the re-signing of the five talented players signals their commitment to the Bay, as well as a strong belief that they can achieve further playing career opportunities by committing to the region.
“We’re really excited to have this group commit and stay in Hawke’s Bay.
“They’re all different young men, each brining their own unique attributes to the table.
“What’s common though is they’re all exceptionally talented young rugby players that have been nurtured here in Hawke’s Bay.
“We’re expecting big things from them in their third 3rd season of Mitre 10 Cup rugby.
Flanders, who has played 8 games for the Hurricanes in 2020 and has also been turned out for his club side Havelock North this season, is looking forward to the Mitre 10 Cup season.
“I am super stoked to be running out on to McLean Park in the black n White jersey,” he said.
The former New Zealand U20 representative has made the most of his opportunities in his first season of Super Rugby, benefiting from learning off the likes of Magpie team mate Gareth Evans and All Black Ardie Savea.
“I am really enjoying my time with the Hurricanes at the moment and have learnt a lot on and off the field,” Flanders said.
Hawke’s Bay Rugby Football Union CEO Jay Campbell is also delighted to keep local talent firmly in the Bay.
“Having these players commit to Hawke’s Bay for the next two years highlights the great environment Oz (Mark Ozich) and Symsy (Josh Syms – Magpies Assistant coach) are creating in the Magpies environment, which allows them to continue to develop into the exciting players we all know they can be here in front of fans, friends and family,” he said.
Campbell reiterated the importance of developing and retaining local talent.
“Our first option is always to develop and nurture our own home grown talent and it will be exciting to watch them all continue to grow on and off the field over the coming two years”.
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Also great is that a two-year contract means that a player like Lincoln McClutchie hasn't decided to leave for Japan on a more long-term basis (yet).
Note that Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe is indeed not in this group of re-signings.
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Great news! From the HBRU Facebook page:
Exciting young stars re-sign for Magpies
Exciting locally-bred talent Kianu Kereru-Symes, Devan Flanders, Folau Fakatava, Lincoln McClutchie, and Danny Toala have re-signed with the Hawke’s Bay Magpies for the next two years.
The Hastings Boys’ High School products were all part of the winning 2017 National first XV competition team and have been Magpies since 2018 as well as going on to higher representative honours.
Flanders and Toala are in the Hurricanes, Fakatava, is with the Highlanders while Kereru-Symes has spent time with both the Highlanders and Blues as injury cover. McClutchie spent a 4 month stint with Japanese club NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes, returning to New Zealand just prior to lockdown.
Magpies head coach Mark Ozich said the re-signing of the five talented players signals their commitment to the Bay, as well as a strong belief that they can achieve further playing career opportunities by committing to the region.
“We’re really excited to have this group commit and stay in Hawke’s Bay.
“They’re all different young men, each brining their own unique attributes to the table.
“What’s common though is they’re all exceptionally talented young rugby players that have been nurtured here in Hawke’s Bay.
“We’re expecting big things from them in their third 3rd season of Mitre 10 Cup rugby.
Flanders, who has played 8 games for the Hurricanes in 2020 and has also been turned out for his club side Havelock North this season, is looking forward to the Mitre 10 Cup season.
“I am super stoked to be running out on to McLean Park in the black n White jersey,” he said.
The former New Zealand U20 representative has made the most of his opportunities in his first season of Super Rugby, benefiting from learning off the likes of Magpie team mate Gareth Evans and All Black Ardie Savea.
“I am really enjoying my time with the Hurricanes at the moment and have learnt a lot on and off the field,” Flanders said.
Hawke’s Bay Rugby Football Union CEO Jay Campbell is also delighted to keep local talent firmly in the Bay.
“Having these players commit to Hawke’s Bay for the next two years highlights the great environment Oz (Mark Ozich) and Symsy (Josh Syms – Magpies Assistant coach) are creating in the Magpies environment, which allows them to continue to develop into the exciting players we all know they can be here in front of fans, friends and family,” he said.
Campbell reiterated the importance of developing and retaining local talent.
“Our first option is always to develop and nurture our own home grown talent and it will be exciting to watch them all continue to grow on and off the field over the coming two years”.
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Also great is that a two-year contract means that a player like Lincoln McClutchie hasn't decided to leave for Japan on a more long-term basis (yet).
Note that Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe is indeed not in this group of re-signings.
@Stargazer Very good bunch of signings. Young and very talented. The more they play together for the Magpies the more they'll develop. Why Fokotava hasn't been coming off the bench for the Highlanders I'll never know. He's way better than Harrington.
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@Stargazer Very good bunch of signings. Young and very talented. The more they play together for the Magpies the more they'll develop. Why Fokotava hasn't been coming off the bench for the Highlanders I'll never know. He's way better than Harrington.
@Billsy111 Yeah, I'm happy to see this group has re-signed. I'm particularly pleased that McClutchie has committed for 2 more years, considering he didn't get a full SR contract for 2020. This means he hasn't given up trying and that his stint in Japan was - for now - short-term.
With Hammington ruled out for the remainder of SRA, Fakatava should finally get some game time. They can't continue to let Aaron Smith play 80 minutes every game (like against the Chiefs, when Folau didn't come off the bench); from a player welfare perspective that would be completely irresponsible.
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@Billsy111 Yeah, I'm happy to see this group has re-signed. I'm particularly pleased that McClutchie has committed for 2 more years, considering he didn't get a full SR contract for 2020. This means he hasn't given up trying and that his stint in Japan was - for now - short-term.
With Hammington ruled out for the remainder of SRA, Fakatava should finally get some game time. They can't continue to let Aaron Smith play 80 minutes every game (like against the Chiefs, when Folau didn't come off the bench); from a player welfare perspective that would be completely irresponsible.
@Stargazer Not only that, but he's simply a much better player and option than Harrington.
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@Billsy111 Yeah, I'm happy to see this group has re-signed. I'm particularly pleased that McClutchie has committed for 2 more years, considering he didn't get a full SR contract for 2020. This means he hasn't given up trying and that his stint in Japan was - for now - short-term.
With Hammington ruled out for the remainder of SRA, Fakatava should finally get some game time. They can't continue to let Aaron Smith play 80 minutes every game (like against the Chiefs, when Folau didn't come off the bench); from a player welfare perspective that would be completely irresponsible.
@Stargazer said in Magpies 2020:
They can't continue to let Aaron Smith play 80 minutes every game (like against the Chiefs
if they subbed Aaron off, do they still win?
I think unlikely, so theres that part to consider too.
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@Stargazer said in Magpies 2020:
They can't continue to let Aaron Smith play 80 minutes every game (like against the Chiefs
if they subbed Aaron off, do they still win?
I think unlikely, so theres that part to consider too.
@taniwharugby No doubt, the Landers lose valuable experience and leadership if they sub off Aaron, but it's just not good from a player welfare perspective to let him play 80 minutes every single week. Besides, they signed Fakatava to have a replacement for Smith in the long-term. How is Fakatava to become that replacement if he never plays? I know he's only 20, but they have to start giving him game time at some point and trust him to do a good job. I guess they'll look at where things are at during each game and will sub Smith off when either the game can't be won anymore, or when it's in the bag.
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From HBRU Facebook:
Preseason games
Fri 28 August - 2.05pm - venue TBC
Waikato v Hawke's BayFri 4 September - 2.30pm - venue TBC
Hawke's Bay v AucklandThey called the latter game an "actual game", but not "first class". So I assume the HB Saracens or a Hawke's Bay XV will play the first game and the Magpies will play the second.
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@Stargazer said in Magpies 2020:
From HBRU Facebook:
Preseason games
Fri 28 August - 2.05pm - venue TBC
Waikato v Hawke's BayFri 4 September - 2.30pm - venue TBC
Hawke's Bay v AucklandThey called the latter game an "actual game", but not "first class". So I assume the HB Saracens or a Hawke's Bay XV will play the first game and the Magpies will play the second.
They've edited the post on Facebook. Both preseason games will be played at Owen Delaney Park, Taupo.
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@Stargazer said in Magpies 2020:
From HBRU Facebook:
Preseason games
Fri 28 August - 2.05pm - venue TBC
Waikato v Hawke's BayFri 4 September - 2.30pm - venue TBC
Hawke's Bay v AucklandThey called the latter game an "actual game", but not "first class". So I assume the HB Saracens or a Hawke's Bay XV will play the first game and the Magpies will play the second.
They've edited the post on Facebook. Both preseason games will be played at Owen Delaney Park, Taupo.
@Stargazer said in Magpies 2020:
@Stargazer said in Magpies 2020:
From HBRU Facebook:
Preseason games
Fri 28 August - 2.05pm - venue TBC
Waikato v Hawke's BayFri 4 September - 2.30pm - venue TBC
Hawke's Bay v AucklandThey called the latter game an "actual game", but not "first class". So I assume the HB Saracens or a Hawke's Bay XV will play the first game and the Magpies will play the second.
They've edited the post on Facebook. Both preseason games will be played at Owen Delaney Park, Taupo.
Interesting that they're playing the games in King Country province, or has Taupo rejoined us?
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@Stargazer said in Magpies 2020:
@Stargazer said in Magpies 2020:
From HBRU Facebook:
Preseason games
Fri 28 August - 2.05pm - venue TBC
Waikato v Hawke's BayFri 4 September - 2.30pm - venue TBC
Hawke's Bay v AucklandThey called the latter game an "actual game", but not "first class". So I assume the HB Saracens or a Hawke's Bay XV will play the first game and the Magpies will play the second.
They've edited the post on Facebook. Both preseason games will be played at Owen Delaney Park, Taupo.
Interesting that they're playing the games in King Country province, or has Taupo rejoined us?
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Magpies have signed Kurt Baker (All Blacks Sevens/Manawatu/Taranaki/NZ Maori/Highlanders). He is playing for Tech OB tomorrow against Central.
@Number-10 @Magpie_in_aus Bloody hell, just when things were going along so swimmingly and then this hits us. In my case, and Magpie-in-Aus as well, it is a double whammy with him also turning out for our beloved Texans. Luckily I am not up home again until Aug 15 (v Havelock) all going well but by god this is going to be hard to accept an imposter from the 'Poo in my team! Bring back the Barracuda ASAP.
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Magpies have signed Kurt Baker (All Blacks Sevens/Manawatu/Taranaki/NZ Maori/Highlanders). He is playing for Tech OB tomorrow against Central.
@Number-10 said in Magpies 2020:
Magpies have signed Kurt Baker (All Blacks Sevens/Manawatu/Taranaki/NZ Maori/Highlanders). He is playing for Tech OB tomorrow against Central.
:astonished_face: Why? He's a great attacking player but why would he come to us and not the poo where he belongs? I expect our penalty/card account to increase this year.
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@Number-10 said in Magpies 2020:
Magpies have signed Kurt Baker (All Blacks Sevens/Manawatu/Taranaki/NZ Maori/Highlanders). He is playing for Tech OB tomorrow against Central.
:astonished_face: Why? He's a great attacking player but why would he come to us and not the poo where he belongs? I expect our penalty/card account to increase this year.
@Nepia I think there's something going on in Manawatu that we don't know about. If it's true that Otere Black, and Rob Thompson have both gone to Bay of Plenty, Aaron Cruden not playing for them, and Laumape as well, and possibly Milner-Skudder then suddenly there Million dollar backline becomes $2. Kurt Baker's still a very good player who will add experience, but yes his discipline needs to be right.
