Magpies 2020
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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.
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Not really happy with this signing, but I agree with @Billsy111. When I read about the possible move of Black and Thompson, I was wondering what was going on with Manawatu. My wife even wondered whether they were going to pull out of the comp for financial reasons, but then there was the news of the signing of Alaalatoa and others, so that's not likely to happen. Really strange situation. I guess they could have signed a worse player than Baker; I wonder whether he comes in to replace McNicol? Maybe his ankle injury is so bad that he won't be available again?
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Not really happy with this signing, but I agree with @Billsy111. When I read about the possible move of Black and Thompson, I was wondering what was going on with Manawatu. My wife even wondered whether they were going to pull out of the comp for financial reasons, but then there was the news of the signing of Alaalatoa and others, so that's not likely to happen. Really strange situation. I guess they could have signed a worse player than Baker; I wonder whether he comes in to replace McNicol? Maybe his ankle injury is so bad that he won't be available again?
@Stargazer Yes quite possibly that's the case. Kurt Baker does offer a really good attacking option, and adds depth. To be honest I do like the way the Bay are shaping there team.
