Magpies 2017

WingerHB

Ryan Tonga has signed with Southland with his first game likely to be against HB.

Stargazer

Hmmm, I'm convinced Tongia would have stayed in the Bay if the HBRU would have wanted him to, because his wife and her family are from the Bay, so IMO this can mean only one thing: the HBRU didn't want to re-sign him. They'd better have a good replacement for him, because I'm not too sure we'll see much of McNicol (again).

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/94934594/ryan-tongia-joins-southland-stags-for-national-provincial-rugby-championship

Stargazer

Confirmation that Tolu Fahamokioa indeed won't return to the Bay. He has been named in the Wellington Lions wider training group.

Noteworthy: also named in that squad is Dan Kirkpatrick.

http://www.wellingtonlions.co.nz/news/wellington-lions-name-wider-training-squad/

Stargazer

As posted in the Mitre 10 Cup thread:

Israel Dagg (end of 2019) and Tiaan Falcon (end of 2020) have re-signed with the Magpies.

http://www.sporty.co.nz/magpies/newsarticle/50516

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=11896065

WingerHB

Gareth Evans has joined the Hurricanes.

Stargazer

4 New signings:

Cardiff Vaega - centre - ex-Counties-Manukau and Southland
TJ Vaega - wing-fullback - former New Zealand Secondary Schools player who has represented the Blues and Auckland at under-20 level
Nick Palmer - lock (new Waratahs signing)
Pasqualle Dunn - midfielder - ex-Auckland

Consider me not impressed.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=11898667

Nick Palmers' bio on Norths Rugby website: http://northsrugby.com.au/player/nick-palmer/

Stockcar86

meh

Stargazer

Seeing Ellery Wilson limping with crutches after the Maddison Trophy Final, makes me fear we'll see quite a bit of Eaton at the beginning of the Mitre 10 Cup season.

I hope Jonah Lowe's injury isn't that bad.

Stargazer

From HBRU Facebook:

Exciting young talent commits to Hawke’s Bay Rugby.

Outstanding young prospects, Folau Fakatava, Devon Flanders, Lincoln McClutchie and Danny Toala have committed their future to Hawke’s Bay Rugby for 2018 and 2019.

Each player hails from the highly successful Hastings Boys High School First XV that finished runner up in the 2016 Top Four Schools competition and are currently unbeaten after a stellar 2017 season to date.

“Folau, a Halfback, Devon, a Loose Forward, Lincoln, a First Five and Outside Back, Danny have formed the spine of the Hastings First XV over that period. Lincoln was a New Zealand Secondary Schools representative in 2016 and he along with Folau, Devon and Danny will be strong contenders for higher honours in 2017, we are delighted that they’ve committed to Hawke’s Bay Rugby.” HBRU Academy Manager, Joe Payton said today.

“It means a lot to me to be signed on to the Magpies for 2018 and 2019, I grew up idolising the Magpies and now I get to be one.” Devon Flanders said today.

“I’m really excited to sign with the Magpies.” Folau Fakatava said today.

“This is the start of my dream, a new beginning. “ Lincoln McClutchie said today.

“It’s a great experience for me to be a part of the Magpies for the next two years, it's an unreal feeling and pretty exciting to play with some experienced players that I didn't think I would be playing with.” Danny Toala said today.

I assume this is also an article in the HBT today, but not online yet.

Great signings. I assume these 4 young lads of 17-18 years old being signed for next year and the year after means they'll play for the HB U19s in 2017?

By the way, the players below were the young players signed on Academy contracts in January; I wonder what happens to the rest of them?

I'd like really like them to keep Farrell as well, but considering he's already studying in Wellington, we might lose him? Devery played in the preseason game last Saturday. Kereru-Symes is a huge talent, I hear.

Hastings Boys High School
Lincoln McClutchie (1st five 8th)
Danny Toala (fullback)
Folau Fakatava (halfback)
Jacob Devery (hooker)
Kianu Kereru-Symes (prop)

Napier Boys High School
Al Momoisea (winger)
Mitch Drew (center)

Victoria Uni
Will Tremain (openside flanker)
Tim Farrell (LH prop)

Higgins

The launch of the 2017 Mitte10 Cup and the various squads were unveiled a couple of hour ago. Sadly the composition of the HB team has so far proved impossible to be sighted on any of the various sources you search to uncover information like this. Over to you Stargazer to ferret out this information for us, hopefully prior to the first match against Southland next Saturday.

Stargazer

@Higgins Yep, if the Canes weren't so good in keeping their fans informed, I would have thought it's a Hurricanes region thing to be late publishing their squad lists. Only teams that haven't been announced yet are the Magpies, Lions & Turbos. (Ignoring Southland here).

Anyway, Mrs SG might be able to make it to the preseason game in Palmy on Friday. If we don't know the squad by then, I'll instruct her to squeeze the list out of the smallest HBRU staff member or Magpie she can get her hands on. Weber, West & Emerson will have to watch their back!

Number 10

Michael Allardice
Jarvy Aoake
Mark Braidwood
Richard Buckman
Geoff Cridge
Israel Dagg
Ash Dixon
Pasqualle Dunn - midfield
Mason Emerson
Gareth Evans
Tiaan Falcon
Timothy Farrell - prop
Matthew Gardner - loose forward
Hayden Hann - midfield
Mason Kean
Tony Lamborn
Jason Long
Jonah Lowe
Ben May
Sam McNicol - outside back
Marino Mikaele Tu’u
Nick Palmer - lock
Pouri Rakete-Stones - prop
Hugh Renton
Brodie Retallick
Fa’alemiga Selesele
Cardiff Vaega - midfield
Brad Weber
Ihaia West
Ellery Wilson

New caps in bold

Local new caps

Tim Farrell - NZ U20/Tech OB
Matthew Gardner - Napier OB Marist
Hayden Hann - Pirates
Pouri Rakete-Stones - NZ U20/Pirates

Higgins

No Chris Eaton but, on the other hand, two under 20s props does leave me a little nervous. Also who will be the starting specialist openside flanker? TJ Vaega did not last long, what's behind his omission?

Stargazer

@Number-10 Cheers for that! Now, where was this published? Thought I'd looked at every possible site haha. Or not officially published yet?

No real surprises, with the 4 latest signings already published 4 days ago.
Compared to previous years, we see the return of Mark Braidwood & Richard Buckman; and the omission of Shannan Chase, Chris Eaton & Ben Hamelink. Unfortunately, no Karl Lowe. Biggest surprise to me: no Jorian Tangaere.
Last year, 21 forwards, this year 18. Last year 15 backs, this year 12. Are they all healthy now? McNicol, too?
I guess Eaton or whoever is the first choice halfback for the Saracens will be on the bench the first few rounds. Weber said in that Mitre 10 Cup video (which I posted in the main Mitre 10 Cup thread) that he'd probably play again in round 3 or 4.

Props: Aoake, Braidwood, Farrell, Kean, Long, May, Rakete-Stones
Hookers: Dixon, no second specialist hooker??????
Lock: Allardice, Cridge, Palmer, Retallick (won't play)
Loosies: Evans, Gardner, Lamborn, Mikaele-Tu'u (no 8 ), Renton, Selesele (no 8 )

Halfbacks: Weber, Wilson
First-fives: Falcon, West
Midfield: Dunn, Hann, Vaega
Outside backs: Dagg (won't play), Emerson, McNicol
Utility: Buckman, Lowe

Who of the props will become the reserve hooker with Tangaere not there? Looking at that list, my guess is Rakete-Stones.

Stargazer

@Higgins said in Magpies 2017:

No Chris Eaton but, on the other hand, two under 20s props does leave me a little nervous. Also who will be the starting specialist openside flanker? TJ Vaega did not last long, what's behind his omission?

Agree with what you say about the props. Add to that Mason Kean, who's also still a rookie at this level.
My guess for specialist openside would be Renton.
I expect TJ Vaega to be named in the Saracens. Not sure how old he is, but he was in the Blues U20s this year, so still very young.

Higgins

Some of the players virtually have their own keys to the local ACC office they are injured so often and for so long meaning a good number of the others look like they will be putting in some long shifts without much rest if the injuries carry on.

Forgive me but who amongst this lot is a specialist fullback? I know The Barracuda is pretty versatile but his skills and abilities would be better utilized elsewhere. I am worried about there being a kicking option out of defense from the back should Israel Dagg not be available.

Looks like the first couple of games will have to be a look see to get a gauge on how well will go considering the misgivings I have at the moment.

Stargazer

@Higgins The list also looks incomplete. Only 30 players. Unless I'm no longer able to count, most squads have 18 forwards and 14 backs (total of 32 players). So it looks like there should be two more backs?

About the fullback: I guess McNicol will play fullback, and Falcon and Buckman are covering? Falcon mentioned in an interview recently something about playing fullback. Unless one of those "missing" backs is a fullback. TJ Vaega can - according to google - also play fullback.

Number 10

Squad is taken from today's released Mitre 10 Cup Media guide

http://files.allblacks.com/NZRU_Media_Releases/2017/ALL_2017_M10C_SQUADS.pdf

The list is fully contracted players - other players can, of course, be brought in on match contracts, and as the guide says can be altered.

There will have to be at least one addition - Ellery Wilson is out for the rest of the season which means either of Chris Eaton or Zac Donaldson will take his place. In fact both might be there until Brad Weber returns.

I believe Mason Kean can play hooker. Although am surprised Jorian Tangaere is not apparently there.

Stockcar86

I am imagining this, or is McNicoll out for the whole provincial season with his head knock again?

Stockcar86

Disappointed to see Selesele in ahead of Penitito. Hopefully Mikaele Tu’u is the #1 choice at #8

The Silver Fern

Magpies 2017