Magpies 2021
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Just in case you were wondering who they were last night:
Bottom left: Frank Lochore. Behind him from left to right: Josh Gimblett, Gene Syminton, Elijah Martin, Kienan Higgins and Dennon Robinson-Bartlett.
hbmagpies: Congratulations to our 6 debutants! You look good in the
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Just in case you were wondering who they were last night:
Bottom left: Frank Lochore. Behind him from left to right: Josh Gimblett, Gene Syminton, Elijah Martin, Kienan Higgins and Dennon Robinson-Bartlett.
hbmagpies: Congratulations to our 6 debutants! You look good in the
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Tiaan Falcon's non-appearance in the game against North Otago was due to a dislocated shoulder he suffered in the club game against Tamatea last weekend.
Although it was popped back into place, he could be out for at least four weeks.
@number-10 Ah, I'm sorry to hear that. So if he's lucky he may, if he's unlucky he may not, appear in the Ranfurly Shield Defence against Ngati Porou East Coast on Sat 24 July. Fingers crossed!
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Next signing is Connor McLeod.
We're almost there with the backs. Assuming Falcon has taken Baker's spot and Sapsford will be re-signed, too, we still need a replacement for Emerson and McNichol. Not sure what kind of contract Tuitavuki was on (injury replacement or not). If it wasn't an injury replacement contract, than that spot may be up for grabs, too. Bas Visinia was definitely on an injury replacement contract, so doesn't need replacing.
As Enari will be on a full contract, I wonder what kind of contract McLeod is on. Injury replacement for Folau, or a full contract? If full, than who's spot is that? Emerson's? Whatever it is, about two, three backs still to be named. I assume the midfield spot will go to Higgins, who looked good against North Otago. But as we already have Ili, Toala, presumably Sapsford, and Fomai for the midfield, I'm a bit disappointed that this spot may not go to a local player who has gone through our age grades. Wait and see whether someone else still gets a shot at that spot in the second Heartland RS game. Squads have to be named on 27 July, IIRC.
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Next signing is Connor McLeod.
We're almost there with the backs. Assuming Falcon has taken Baker's spot and Sapsford will be re-signed, too, we still need a replacement for Emerson and McNichol. Not sure what kind of contract Tuitavuki was on (injury replacement or not). If it wasn't an injury replacement contract, than that spot may be up for grabs, too. Bas Visinia was definitely on an injury replacement contract, so doesn't need replacing.
As Enari will be on a full contract, I wonder what kind of contract McLeod is on. Injury replacement for Folau, or a full contract? If full, than who's spot is that? Emerson's? Whatever it is, about two, three backs still to be named. I assume the midfield spot will go to Higgins, who looked good against North Otago. But as we already have Ili, Toala, presumably Sapsford, and Fomai for the midfield, I'm a bit disappointed that this spot may not go to a local player who has gone through our age grades. Wait and see whether someone else still gets a shot at that spot in the second Heartland RS game. Squads have to be named on 27 July, IIRC.
@stargazer said in Magpies 2021:
Next signing is Connor McLeod.
We're almost there with the backs. Assuming Falcon has taken Baker's spot and Sapsford will be re-signed, too, we still need a replacement for Emerson and McNichol. Not sure what kind of contract Tuitavuki was on (injury replacement or not). If it wasn't an injury replacement contract, than that spot may be up for grabs, too. Bas Visinia was definitely on an injury replacement contract, so doesn't need replacing.
As Enari will be on a full contract, I wonder what kind of contract McLeod is on. Injury replacement for Folau, or a full contract? If full, than who's spot is that? Emerson's? Whatever it is, about two, three backs still to be named. I assume the midfield spot will go to Higgins, who looked good against North Otago. But as we already have Ili, Toala, presumably Sapsford, and Fomai for the midfield, I'm a bit disappointed that this spot may not go to a local player who has gone through our age grades. Wait and see whether someone else still gets a shot at that spot in the second Heartland RS game. Squads have to be named on 27 July, IIRC.
He should go well provided he doesn’t lose his head.
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@stargazer said in Magpies 2021:
Next signing is Connor McLeod.
We're almost there with the backs. Assuming Falcon has taken Baker's spot and Sapsford will be re-signed, too, we still need a replacement for Emerson and McNichol. Not sure what kind of contract Tuitavuki was on (injury replacement or not). If it wasn't an injury replacement contract, than that spot may be up for grabs, too. Bas Visinia was definitely on an injury replacement contract, so doesn't need replacing.
As Enari will be on a full contract, I wonder what kind of contract McLeod is on. Injury replacement for Folau, or a full contract? If full, than who's spot is that? Emerson's? Whatever it is, about two, three backs still to be named. I assume the midfield spot will go to Higgins, who looked good against North Otago. But as we already have Ili, Toala, presumably Sapsford, and Fomai for the midfield, I'm a bit disappointed that this spot may not go to a local player who has gone through our age grades. Wait and see whether someone else still gets a shot at that spot in the second Heartland RS game. Squads have to be named on 27 July, IIRC.
He should go well provided he doesn’t lose his head.
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Next signing for 2021: Joel Hintz.
I wonder who they're going to replace Taumalolo with? Paula Latu maybe?
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@stargazer Is that the one that debuted for the 'Ikale Tahi the other night or was that one the brother that plays on the wing?
@higgins Penikolo Latu played for 'Ikale Tahi on the wing. Not sure whether he's related to Paula Latu. The player who debuted for them was Solomone Funaki.
Paula Latu played for Regional XV earlier this year against the Hurricanes Hunters and was surprisingly good! From following the media about club rugby, I understand he's been going well all season for MAC and has scored quite a few tries. He's quite fast (they refer to him as a prop-loosie, so that might explain things).
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@higgins Penikolo Latu played for 'Ikale Tahi on the wing. Not sure whether he's related to Paula Latu. The player who debuted for them was Solomone Funaki.
Paula Latu played for Regional XV earlier this year against the Hurricanes Hunters and was surprisingly good! From following the media about club rugby, I understand he's been going well all season for MAC and has scored quite a few tries. He's quite fast (they refer to him as a prop-loosie, so that might explain things).
@stargazer Sounds like a similar description of Alex Fidow/Taniela Topou. He could be a big asset if his scrum propping is better than the former.
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Solomone Funaki is out of the Tonga squad due to injury. I hope it's not too bad. We have a few injuries already and I have no idea how bad they are: him, Falcon, IWL, Kereru-Symes, obviously Makene, and there was another one, I think? (not counting Fakatava).
I guess we'll find out when they name the team for the Shield game against NPEC.
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Solomone Funaki is out of the Tonga squad due to injury. I hope it's not too bad. We have a few injuries already and I have no idea how bad they are: him, Falcon, IWL, Kereru-Symes, obviously Makene, and there was another one, I think? (not counting Fakatava).
I guess we'll find out when they name the team for the Shield game against NPEC.
@stargazer he broke his hand against the all blacks
