Moana Pasifika 2024

Canes4life

@mikey07 I don't think it's a case of them being smart enough, it's more having room for him. The damage was already done by Holland who signed Morgan on a multi year deal. If we take one less midfielder then there is room for McClutchie. Can't see that happening though.

Kiwiwomble

@Canes4life now thats interesting! arent the Saders light at 10?

Bovidae

There is quite a turnover of players compared to the 2023 squad.

African Monkey

Looks like Tom Savage is the Gloucester player. @MiketheSnow @Dodge or any other northern hemisphere rugby followers, could you tell us more about this guy? I don't know anything about him, despite the many years experience under his belt.

Auckman

@African-Monkey - YouTube says he did a big hit 7yrs ago

Stargazer

Comment from MP on their instagram:

Correction - Iakopo Mapu

Couldn't crack the HB squad, but was great in club rugby. Would be something if he's in the MP squad. He plays mostly at no. 8.

Tim

Did they lose tight five players to overseas contracts, or did they have a clean out?

Bovidae

MP needed to improve their scrum so I would assume the big changes at prop were to do just that. We'll see.

Stargazer

@Tim At the end of the 2023 season, there were reports that a large group of players didn't want to re-sign. So I assume many of these players hoped to get picked up by other franchises, or to sign overseas (if that didn't happen).

Obviously, the new coach may also have wanted to replace a few players.

sparky

They’ve lost most of their best players. I think it’s going to be a difficult season for them.

taniwharugby

I guess for MP being more of a mix of PI players, probably lacks a bit of identity, while the Drua are at least on the surface, a Fijian team.

Nepia

Why the fuck are MP signing an old englishman?

I don't think they should be allowed to waste their 20% on journeyman from overseas.

Stargazer

@Nepia Yeah, I don't get it either. He'll get a huge culture shock at MP.

African Monkey

@Nepia Yup not a fan of it either.

Bovidae

They are moving their base to North Harbour Stadium. Home venue(s) are still to be announced.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/133273738/same-challenges-but-new-approach-from-tana-umaga-at-moana-pasifika

Dan54

@Nepia said in Moana Pasifika 2024:

Why the fuck are MP signing an old englishman?

I don't think they should be allowed to waste their 20% on journeyman from overseas.

I wondered that, but guess they haven't got a line of players wanting to come in??

mikedogz

https://moanapasifika.co.nz/moana-pasifika-expand-reach-with-new-match-schedule/?fbclid=IwAR0BvoDGalyCCt1gk7RKWC6kzbv5DefNJ_eqIJNe3hmCuCXofivjS2ocYN0

Stargazer

@mikedogz I hope that remaining home game will be played in Tonga or Samoa, but if it won't, I hope it will be in Napier. Not holding my breath.

frugby

@Stargazer said in Moana Pasifika 2024:

@mikedogz I hope that remaining home game will be played in Tonga or Samoa, but if it won't, I hope it will be in Napier. Not holding my breath.

It is an international venue.

mikedogz

The Silver Fern

Moana Pasifika 2024