Magpies 2023
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Of our NZU20 boys, only Hunter Morrison is getting a run. Tom Allen is still on suspension; Cooper Flanders and Godfrey rested? Of our All Blacks XV players, Rakete-Stones and Fakatava are playing, but not Thompson. I assume IWL didn't play for the ABsXV due to injury and that that is also the reason for not playing this game?
No first five cover on the bench, so that will be Makene shifting to 10 if McClutchie can't play 80, with Tiatia shifting to - or Manuel-Harman coming on - at fullback.
All in all, this is not our strongest squad possible, but reasonably close.
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@Stargazer What do we know about number 18 I. Salmon?
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@Stargazer What do we know about number 18 I. Salmon?
Isaac Salmon is a 26-year-old TH prop, who played for Ta$man from 2017 to 2022. Only 3 games last year, I assume due to injury.
He played for Toronto Arrows in the MLR during the off-season in 2022 and 2023 (a total of 26 caps). Salmon was named the Arrows forward of the year in his debut 2022 season with the team.
Born in Christchurch, but attended Nelson College, according to Wikipedia.
I expect Joe 'Apikotoa to be our first choice TH prop; I now notice he's not in today's line-up. Injured? Or back to the 'Ikale Tahi?
Salmon and Hintz will be fighting for the 18 jersey, if big Joe is available.
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@Stargazer What do we know about number 18 I. Salmon?
@Higgins said in Magpies 2023:
@Stargazer What do we know about number 18 I. Salmon?
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@Higgins said in Magpies 2023:
@Stargazer What do we know about number 18 I. Salmon?
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@Chris-B It's an interesting signing. We seem to get our imports (other than coach's pets) via Moana Pasifika these days. What's Salmon's heritage? Could he be in line for (or chasing) an MP contract?
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@Stargazer Don't know for sure, but his second name is Arapata, so I guess Maori.
He's a decent signing - been pretty solid for us without kicking on to super rugby (a squaddie for the Blues for a season).
@Chris-B said in Magpies 2023:
(a squaddie for the Blues for a season)
He was always injured.
Interestingly, he was with the Blues the year before MacDonald came up from Ta$man. His old NPC coach didn't give him another chance
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Ere Enari, Neria Fomai and Danny Toala have made the Manu Samoa squad for the RWC.
Stacey Ili hasn't.
As Fomai was named in the Magpies, and Ili wasn't, would there be a chance that Ili gets Fomai's spot in the Magpies? I'd love to have him back. I'd prefer him over both Tiatia and Sapsford in the starting line-up.
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IWL's injury looked bad, tonight. Broken arm or collarbone? Dislocated shoulder? He looked like he was in a lot of pain.
Unfortunately, he may have played his one and only game of the season. That probably means that Lochore will become the preferred starting lock with Tom Parsons, and will get a lot of minutes.
It will be interesting who they see as the number 3 lock now, who'll get the bench spot. Will it be Morrison or Fabish? Probably not Tom Allen. I suspect it will be Morrison.
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So with the Tongan RWC squad named, we're losing both Joe 'Apikotoa and Anzelo Tuitavuki. I assume wingers are more easily available than props. I wonder who will brought into the squad?
Looking at the props in the development squad, I'm not too sure any of them are ready or good enough for the step up. I'm slightly less worried about wingers.
I haven't spotted Stacey Ili in photos of training, yet. I really hope he'll be added to the squad.
