Magpies 2023

[Stargazer]

Okay, to finish the mascot news, the name of the new Magpies mascot is Swoop. :man_facepalming_medium_skin_tone:

[Stargazer]

Here's the HBRU media release.

https://www.sporty.co.nz/magpies/newsarticle/130396

You will notice some familiar faces missing from previous Magpies squads with several players expected to be selected for Samoa or Tonga in the Rugby World Cup and its likely more players will be added to the squad over the next couple of weeks. Players signed to the Magpies such as Brodie Rettalick, Brad Weber, Folau Fakatava, Joe Apikotoa, and Anzelo Tuitavuki have all recently been selected for the All Blacks and Tonga respectively so could still be named in world cup squads, if not then will be running out in a Magpies jersey on the 5th August against North Harbour at McLean Park.

[Stargazer]

A bit of info in this article about Paula Balekana.

https://djcoilrugby.com/2022/09/24/new-england-free-jacks-paula-balekana-2023/

[Stargazer]

Updated Magpies squad.
Tiaki Fabish, Connor McLeod and Lolagi Visinia have been added.

[Stargazer]

Particularly the addidtion of Connor McLeod is interesting. Normally we only have 4 halfbacks if one of them is either injured or in the ABs. Could this mean that Weber or Fakatava is expected to make the ABs, or will Weber leave for France early?

[Tim]

@Stargazer Top 14 starts on August 18 this year (pauses during RWC).

[Stargazer]

@Tim Yeah, I know, and he's supposed to stay for NPC if he's not in the RWC squad, but it has happened more than once that a player left for their overseas' club before the NPC finals.

[Higgins]

I wonder when the selectors will realise they have insufficient numbers (and class) of midfield backs?

[Stargazer]

@Higgins Yeah, was thinking the same thing, but I guess they may use Tiatia at 12 and Lowe at 13, if needed.

[Stargazer]

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/rugby-magpies-battle-of-the-bays-poised-for-major-cyclone-fundraiser/VOJKB62JFVBPLF2PA6ESZR37LE

[Stargazer]

Bronco morning ...

https://www.facebook.com/reel/817253249775353

[Stargazer]

Folau Fakatava, Joe 'Apikotoa and Ollie Sapsford are all back training with the Magpies.

[Nepia]

@Stargazer Ah Sapsford is an Aussie, he has a bogan leg tattoo.

In all seriousness, yay to having them back training.

[Higgins]

@Number-10 said in Magpies 2023:

Magpies pre-season games:

Sunday 23 July v Auckland, Taupo

Friday 28 July v Waikato, Taupo

Anyone heard anything about this?

[Stargazer]

@Higgins I haven't seen anything, unfortunately. Zero fan engagement.

[Higgins]

@Stargazer Maybe we won by default!

[Tim]

@Higgins Auckland has had plenty of stuff on Instagram about the NPC team - training photos etc - but nothing about this game, so maybe it was a mistake or cancelled?

[kiwimatrix]

A friend of mine on Facebook who lives in Taupo now,attended a game there yesterday but the photos are very unclear.One team looks like Auckland but the other team wore sky blue jerseys.

[Stargazer]

@kiwimatrix The Magpies seem to have blue training jerseys. I wouldn't call it sky blue, but it's still blue.

[kiwimatrix]

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