Magpies 2021
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@stargazer said in Magpies 2021:
Another youngster signed! Josh Gimblett, fresh out of the academy. I wonder who's spot he's taking? Iakopo Mapu's or Will Tremain's? Or are we signing more players this year? Or is he an injury replacement? So many questions ...
For who doesn't know: he was in the Napier Boys' 1st XV squad that made the National Top Four Final in 2018.
Im not sure about this one,possibly cover for Funaki.I think he probably benefits from being a local,if a player of this standard was signed from elsewhere people would be up in arms.You would think Tremain would be in the squad given they have included him the last 2 years.
@kiwimatrix Not sure what you mean with a player "of this standard". It sounds a bit negative, but not sure that's how you mean that. If you mean that he's a young (about 20/21 years old) without any experience at NPC level, I agree with you. He's unproven and he'll probably get no or little game time this year, other than for the HB Saracens, unless there are multiple injuries. I also don't expect him to become Devan Flanders - like good, but he has talent and was good at 1st XV level. I haven't seen him in club rugby (he plays in the Wellington comp), but I liked what I saw in that Shield game v North Otago. Still lots of development to do and, yes, I'd rather see them invest in him as a local talent than in a similarly young and inexperienced player from another province.
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@kiwimatrix Not sure what you mean with a player "of this standard". It sounds a bit negative, but not sure that's how you mean that. If you mean that he's a young (about 20/21 years old) without any experience at NPC level, I agree with you. He's unproven and he'll probably get no or little game time this year, other than for the HB Saracens, unless there are multiple injuries. I also don't expect him to become Devan Flanders - like good, but he has talent and was good at 1st XV level. I haven't seen him in club rugby (he plays in the Wellington comp), but I liked what I saw in that Shield game v North Otago. Still lots of development to do and, yes, I'd rather see them invest in him as a local talent than in a similarly young and inexperienced player from another province.
@stargazer Is he really any better than Mapu or Tremain though who at least play club rugby in the bay.I believe last year he wasn't even starting at club level in Wellington. You're probably right he won't play much,whatever happened to Patrick Teddy??
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@nepia I can't remember seeing McNicol's name on any club team list since the start of club rugby, so it's more an assumption because he doesn't seem to have played club rugby in the Bay (or anywhere else). So, officially gone, no.
@stargazer said in Magpies 2021:
@nepia I can't remember seeing McNicol's name on any club team list since the start of club rugby, so it's more an assumption because he doesn't seem to have played club rugby in the Bay (or anywhere else). So, officially gone, no.
No, he hasn't played at all this year.
Unfortunately still affected by lingering concussion effects and leg injury.
Poor bugger just can't catch a break.
Hopefully the year off will get him right for 2022.
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Also signed for 2021: Anzelo Tuitavuki. I'm a bit disappointed. Couldn't they find anyone better? Last year, he was on an injury replacment contract for Sam McNicol. Is he on a short-term contract again and for whom? Surely not a full contract?
I hope they give more (complete) info when the team is officially named, whenever that will be.
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Elijah Martin is in the 2021 squad, too.
Not sure what to think of this signing. I kind of hoped that it would be Tiaki Fabish getting that spot, but maybe he's still too young and green? Martin is 27.
@stargazer 100% Agree
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The HBRU have posted photos of training (clearly not all of the same day) on their FB page:
https://www.facebook.com/hbmagpies/posts/6065664943474196I see a big guy (must be a frontrower) that I don't recognise in this photo:
https://www.facebook.com/hbmagpies/photos/pcb.6065664943474196/6065661860141171Also can't see who is standing to the left of Joel Hintz in this photo (it isn't Gareth Evans, is it?):
https://www.facebook.com/hbmagpies/photos/pcb.6065664943474196/6065660863474604Not sure, but Jason Long (who was injured for the club final) seems to be there, but not training?
Tiaki Fabish clearly visible on the photos.
Almost all are on the photos, but I don't see: Ash Dixon, Bryn Evans, Gareth Evans, Brendon O'Connor, Anzelo Tuitavuki, IWL (injured), Funaki (injured & still with Tonga squad), and obviously Brad Weber & Folau Fakatava.
Also don't see Sapsford. Not signed?
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The HBRU have posted photos of training (clearly not all of the same day) on their FB page:
https://www.facebook.com/hbmagpies/posts/6065664943474196I see a big guy (must be a frontrower) that I don't recognise in this photo:
https://www.facebook.com/hbmagpies/photos/pcb.6065664943474196/6065661860141171Also can't see who is standing to the left of Joel Hintz in this photo (it isn't Gareth Evans, is it?):
https://www.facebook.com/hbmagpies/photos/pcb.6065664943474196/6065660863474604Not sure, but Jason Long (who was injured for the club final) seems to be there, but not training?
Tiaki Fabish clearly visible on the photos.
Almost all are on the photos, but I don't see: Ash Dixon, Bryn Evans, Gareth Evans, Brendon O'Connor, Anzelo Tuitavuki, IWL (injured), Funaki (injured & still with Tonga squad), and obviously Brad Weber & Folau Fakatava.
Also don't see Sapsford. Not signed?
@stargazer said in Magpies 2021:
The HBRU have posted photos of training (clearly not all of the same day) on their FB page:
https://www.facebook.com/hbmagpies/posts/6065664943474196I see a big guy (must be a frontrower) that I don't recognise in this photo:
https://www.facebook.com/hbmagpies/photos/pcb.6065664943474196/6065661860141171Also can't see who is standing to the left of Joel Hintz in this photo (it isn't Gareth Evans, is it?):
https://www.facebook.com/hbmagpies/photos/pcb.6065664943474196/6065660863474604Not sure, but Jason Long (who was injured for the club final) seems to be there, but not training?
Tiaki Fabish clearly visible on the photos.
Almost all are on the photos, but I don't see: Ash Dixon, Bryn Evans, Gareth Evans, Brendon O'Connor, Anzelo Tuitavuki, IWL (injured), Funaki (injured & still with Tonga squad), and obviously Brad Weber & Folau Fakatava.
Also don't see Sapsford. Not signed?
The big prop is Dennis Tapusoa who played against NP East Coast.
Bryn Evans and Ash Dixon were at the aftermatch.
Brendon O'Connor I saw in New World supermarket last Friday!
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@stargazer said in Magpies 2021:
The HBRU have posted photos of training (clearly not all of the same day) on their FB page:
https://www.facebook.com/hbmagpies/posts/6065664943474196I see a big guy (must be a frontrower) that I don't recognise in this photo:
https://www.facebook.com/hbmagpies/photos/pcb.6065664943474196/6065661860141171Also can't see who is standing to the left of Joel Hintz in this photo (it isn't Gareth Evans, is it?):
https://www.facebook.com/hbmagpies/photos/pcb.6065664943474196/6065660863474604Not sure, but Jason Long (who was injured for the club final) seems to be there, but not training?
Tiaki Fabish clearly visible on the photos.
Almost all are on the photos, but I don't see: Ash Dixon, Bryn Evans, Gareth Evans, Brendon O'Connor, Anzelo Tuitavuki, IWL (injured), Funaki (injured & still with Tonga squad), and obviously Brad Weber & Folau Fakatava.
Also don't see Sapsford. Not signed?
The big prop is Dennis Tapusoa who played against NP East Coast.
Bryn Evans and Ash Dixon were at the aftermatch.
Brendon O'Connor I saw in New World supermarket last Friday!
@number-10 Haha, yeah, I had figured out that it was Tapusoa, considering he played against NPEC in the RS challenge.
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This article has Caleb Makene listed.
It says Lolani Faleiva is a LH prop. -
A few surprises.
Frank Lochore is in the squad and so is Harry Godfrey.
No Caleb Makene, so his injury must be worse than thought.
Maybe that's why they listed Tiaan Falcon as an outside back.
Never heard of Lolani Faleiva.@stargazer said in Magpies 2021:
Lolani Faleiva
Not much I can find either but out of NBHS https://www.hudl.com/profile/10245851/Lolani-Faleiva/about
and played for the combined Napier Old Boys-Marist outfit for a couple of years and been at Taradale for the last two. Scored a try in the Madison Trophy semi against the Doolies as it turned out!Has been at Bessets in The Netherlands as well (in 2019 at least) where he played as a prop weighing in at 120kg and standing at 1.97m tall in his socks (almost as tall as Ardie Savea) when aged 20 https://www.bassets.nl/heren/bassets-1/ There looks to be a few others there with Kiwi looking names amongst the playing roster and coaching staff as well.
I think these are some highlights of his time at The Bassets
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It turns out they had just forgotten Makene. :man_facepalming_medium_skin_tone:
They posted a new image with him as an inside back (first five, obviously).
@stargazer Whilst there is really no standout there that is a specialist fullback there looks to be massive competition to take the second five and centre jerseys. Robinson Bartlett played on the wing against the Coast on Saturday. IS that his usual spot or is he more suited to one of the mid field spots? We seem to have plenty of power amongst the wingers (or outside backs as the graphic describes them) named but there maybe questions about whether the can streak away for a 90metre try against some of the fastest blokes in other teams.
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Just had a bad though about the 15 jersey. Surely they can't be keeping it open for K. Baker to take up once he completes his 14 day MIQ upon returning from the Olympics???????
@higgins Makene played fullback during his first Magpies season; Visinia has played a lot at fullback; and Falcon can play at fullback as well. I was more looking at our wings: Lowe, Visinia, Tuitavuki, but Fomai and Robinson-Bartlett can play there as well.
I assume they have Zach Donaldson on standbye (in the development squad), in case Enari or McLeod goes down. Only two halfbacks available. That stupid "inside back" listing is masking that we only have two available halfbacks in the squad.
Edited to add that U20 rookie Godfrey can play fullback as well.
