Magpies 2017
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@Number-10 I'm not unhappy about that. He adds some much needed strength & weight to our otherwise light forward pack. Maybe not the best prop in the country, but those are very hard to find anyway. Our club props have been pretty average the last few years, so May is definitely a big step up and a good one to keep! Still keeping my fingers crossed for Edmonds, but I've not heard anything to give us much hope of a return to the field ...
From the Hawke's Bay Today:
"He really enjoyed his time with us last year and is keen to help our young frontrowers Mason Kean, Tim Farrell and Pouri Rakete-Stones push for Magpies contracts," Philpott said.I wonder how May can push these young frontrowers for Magpies contracts when he's with the Canes now, and will only turn up in the Bay when the ink on all contracts should be well and truly dry? Either he means a contract next year, or this is just badly worded and meaning to say that they are already - or nearly - signed and that he'll help them push for a spot in the 23?
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Had another look at the Japan Top League website. If Google translate does its job well, then Andrew Horrell didn't play a single game last season. He has also left Coca-Cola Red Sparks after one year of his 2-year contract.
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Just read on the Napier Tech FB page that today is Trent BW's last game for them. Please, don't tell me he's also leaving (or retiring)?
@Stargazer said in Magpies 2017:
Just read on the Napier Tech FB page that today is Trent BW's last game for them. Please, don't tell me he's also leaving (or retiring)?
damn. I've always rated him, unlike the HB coach. It would be nice if he could leave on a winning note, but I also want my team (NOB
M) to stuff them, so conflicted... -
@Stargazer said in Magpies 2017:
Just read on the Napier Tech FB page that today is Trent BW's last game for them. Please, don't tell me he's also leaving (or retiring)?
damn. I've always rated him, unlike the HB coach. It would be nice if he could leave on a winning note, but I also want my team (NOB
M) to stuff them, so conflicted...@Stockcar86 I think I'll go to the U19s tournament this year to watch our Bay U19s play, which - hopefully - will be stacked with Hastings boys and actually has a chance of performing well. I need something to keep my spirits up, because I expect- unless we get some good signings - the Magpies season is going to be a nightmare for fans. Wooden spoon kind of nightmare.
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32-5 to the good guys in green, sorry TBW
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@Stargazer If it wasn't for Ioane we might be wondering how many tries Lowe would be scoring for the Crusaders.
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@Nepia Not so sure he'd been in the Crusaders squad if Ioane wasn't there. Caleb Makene more likely.
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@Stargazer Hahahaha, I like how you deliberately miss the point.
As for TBW, well that sucks. But the guy should have moved away from the Bay at the end of Philpott's first season at the Magpies. He was never going to get a fair go under him.
@Nepia Yes, I read in an interview that there had been some SR interest, but that it never lead to any offers. With another coach, more game time, and more victories, who knows he might have been playing SR. Opportunity missed. Could have been a good loosie/lock for any NZ side. Not brilliant, but solid.
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Yeah TBW and his other half cruising to asia for OE. Spoke to him in 2011 when I was home he had 3 SR clubs looking at him but no one took him up. Was surprised an aussie team like the force or rebels didn't pick him up would have been a good addition or a Japan club (similar to a Karne Hesketh who was overlooked for SR but dominated over there and made ever post a winner).
I think us northland and southland might be battling for the wooden spoon. Worst case for someone like me who has made ever person from other provinces aware when we have beaten them over the years. -
In response to a comment on a photo he posted on instagram, Brad Weber said that his recovery is going well and he "should be right by Mitre 10 Cup".
Lacking any good news on player recruitment for the Magpies, I'm clinging on to every little bit of good news I can find.
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That is good news on Brad Weber.
Geoff Cridge is hopeful of being available for the Mitre 10 Cup as well.
Have been advised that Billy Ropiha has gone overseas, having secured a contract in France apparently.
Although not a first choice last year, it reduces our depth.
Based on last year's first choice players we seem to currently have:
- ??
- Ash Dixon
- Ben May (or 1?)
- Michael Allardice (missed last year but is now available for Chiefs)
- Geoff Cridge (if fit)
6 Hugh Renton
7 Tony Lamborn
8 Gareth Evans (missed last year but playing well for Highlanders)
9 Brad Weber (if fit)
10 Ihaia West
11 Mason Emerson
12 Tiaan Falcon
13 Jonah Lowe (or 14?)
14 ? (if not Lowe)
15 ?
Factor in: Sam McNicol at 14 or 15 (has been playing for Chiefs but suffered concussion again v Crusaders last Friday); Brendon Edmonds (will he ever play again?); Shannan Chase at 15 (has been playing well for Havelock North). Will Richard Buckman return (or go back to Japan)?
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That is good news on Brad Weber.
Geoff Cridge is hopeful of being available for the Mitre 10 Cup as well.
Have been advised that Billy Ropiha has gone overseas, having secured a contract in France apparently.
Although not a first choice last year, it reduces our depth.
Based on last year's first choice players we seem to currently have:
- ??
- Ash Dixon
- Ben May (or 1?)
- Michael Allardice (missed last year but is now available for Chiefs)
- Geoff Cridge (if fit)
6 Hugh Renton
7 Tony Lamborn
8 Gareth Evans (missed last year but playing well for Highlanders)
9 Brad Weber (if fit)
10 Ihaia West
11 Mason Emerson
12 Tiaan Falcon
13 Jonah Lowe (or 14?)
14 ? (if not Lowe)
15 ?
Factor in: Sam McNicol at 14 or 15 (has been playing for Chiefs but suffered concussion again v Crusaders last Friday); Brendon Edmonds (will he ever play again?); Shannan Chase at 15 (has been playing well for Havelock North). Will Richard Buckman return (or go back to Japan)?
@Number-10 Shit, Ropiha too? He still scored a try for Taradale on the weekend. Is West still under contract? I hope we can hold on to Falcon if West stays because he's a ten and I assume that's where he wants to play, too. I wouldn't mind them trying West at fullback and Falcon at ten, by the way (with McNicol and Lowe at 13 &14). I think Falcon is the better ten and I don't like having two midgets next to each other.
A mate of mine from Dunedin was saying he expected Buckman to sign with Otago, but he was probably just winding me up. I believe Kaka is back in Japan. Also wondering whether Horrell has retired or is still available (if not still injured), now that he's back from Japan. Also wondering where Tongia is; as far as I know, he also has no contract anywhere, unless he's ended up in the French 3rd division.
I think we still have Selesele, too? So we have a loosie for the bench. I heard Mason Kean has been playing well in club rugby?
We can probably add Mikaele-Tu'u and, I assume, Rakete-Stones (who can play both prop and hooker)? I have no doubt that Tangaere will return, unless another province steals him.
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Found it on Twitter. Billy Ropiha has signed with PRO D2 club Dax for one year.
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Great news (from Magpies FB page):
Ozich to join the Magpies
Hastings Boys High School First XV mentor, Mark Ozich has been appointed as the new Magpies Mitre 10 Cup Back Coach for the 2017 and 2018 Mitre 10 Cup seasons.
“Mark has enjoyed outstanding success with Hastings Boys High over the last two seasons and has them in strong contention to be the number one First XV in New Zealand for 2017 having been runner up in 2016 under his tutelage. HBRU CEO, Mike Bishop said today.
He arrived in Hawke’s Bay in 2016 with a strong coaching reputation earned as part of the Southland Stags coaching environment and having been a very successful coach prior to that with the Kelston Boys High First XV and with the New Zealand Secondary Schools team in 2014 and 2015, he also coached the Hawke’s Bay Development XV in 2016.We had a strong list of applicants and Mark was the stand out, his record of excellence with the teams he has coached speaks for itself and we believe he is more than ready to take the step to coaching at Mitre 10 Cup level, Bishop further stated.
“I’m hugely excited by the opportunity to work with the Magpies”, Mark Ozich stated today. It has been a goal of mine for several years to coach rugby at a professional level and I’m really looking forward to working alongside Craig and management group and a Magpies squad that is full of experience and talent. I firmly believe that the Magpies can have strong success over the next few seasons and I’m looking forward to being part of it”. Ozich further stated.
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I guess he is not near being able to play again yet, but great to see Doogie still part of the Highlanders outfit
