Hawke's Bay rugby 2018

[Stargazer]

Ryan Tongia is out for the season. Said on his instagram that he needs a knee op.

[Higgins]

@stargazer Last I heard he was a Southland player, not a HB one.

[Stargazer]

@higgins He's been back in the Bay since at least the beginning of the year. Opened a gym in Hastings, where he's based now. He was also in the Magpies WTG until he got injured.

[kiwimatrix]

Tony Lamborn has moved to Southland, a bit of a surprise that one.

[Stargazer]

@kiwimatrix Yeah, I noticed that too when I posted the Southland squad in the general Mitre 10 Cup thread. Not sure what to think of it. I guess it depends on who will be named in the Magpies squad in his place. It obviously hasn't been his choice to leave the Bay; I'd have thought he'd be in the squad, especially because Renton has also left the province.

[Stargazer]

Last year's Magpies loosies:
Gareth Evans - signed
Matt Gardner - playing club rugby
Tony Lamborn - has moved to Southland
Marino Mikaele-Tu'u - I assume he's signed, but couldn't find a source for that
Hugh Renton - has moved to Canterbury
Fa'alemiga Selesele - off-contract? (playing club rugby for MAC)

Last year's Saracens loosies who played one or more games for the Magpies:
Lucas Goodin
Ben Hamelink
Ricky Hayes

Loosies in this year's trial squad:
Hannon Brighouse (NOBM)
Solomone Funaki (MAC)
Ben Hamelink (HRS)
Ricky Hayes (NOBM)
Chris Johnston (NOBM)
Josh Kaifa (Clive, still injured?)
Lui Luamanu (Taradale)
Jake Nelson-Murray (NOBM)
Fa'aleminga Selesele (MAC)
Tyler Symon-Burke (NOBM) - not initially named, but played in one of the preseason games
Will Tremain (NOBM)
Nathan Tweedy (Taradale) - not initially named, but played in one of the preseason games
Sam Ulufonua (Havelock N)

Assuming they'll again sign 6 loosies, and that currently (as far as I know) we only have Evans, Mikaele-Tu'u and Flanders (assumption), who of the lists above are likely to be signed? Ulufonua has a development contract and may be a strong candidate, and possibly Tremain. Haven't seen any club rugby and the footage of the preseason games was of insufficient quality to form an opinion.

[footy01]

Assume Will Tremain is signed as the reason why he is back in Hawkes bay and not playing in Wellington as he was last year. I think Selesele signed a 3 year contract when he arrived so this would be his third year

[Nepia]

@stargazer TBH, and I know you're a big fan of Lamborn, he's moved past being a pure openside and is a mix of 6 and 7 - now our former idiot coach seemed happy to play him as such, but I'm not fussed about him leaving as I've never thought he was as good as you do.

In saying that obviously I would have liked him to remain for depth reasons (so too Renton).

Of your list and add ons, I think Flanders will get game time this year.

[Stargazer]

@nepia I wouldn't call myself a big fan of Lamborn; I liked his work rate, (to a degree) his aggression and - to me - he was really the best of the rest (but clearly behind players like Evans, Mikaele-Tu'u, and now I'd also say Flanders, who's an immense prospect for a SR contract IMO. I also rate TBW ahead of him. Thought Lamborn re-gressed a bit last year, but it's hard to say with whole team underperforming.)

[Nepia]

@stargazer said in Hawke's Bay rugby 2018:

@nepia I wouldn't call myself a big fan of Lamborn; I liked his work rate, (to a degree) his aggression and - to me - he was really the best of the rest (but clearly behind players like Evans, Mikaele-Tu'u, and now I'd also say Flanders, who's an immense prospect for a SR contract IMO. I also rate TBW ahead of him. Thought Lamborn re-gressed a bit last year, but it's hard to say with whole team underperforming.)

I stand corrected - actually looks like we agree - is there another HB poster on here who is a big fan that I've confused you with.

Yeah, I liked him when he was a pure 7 but the hybrid 6 change didn't work for me (especially when TBW was getting splinters).

[Stargazer]

@nepia A victim of the Philpott destruction machine.

[Stargazer]

This article explains why Tony Lamborn will be playing for Southland this season. Clearly not because he wasn't wanted.

Lamborn, was offered a Magpies contract earlier this year but turned it down because he had options in Europe to consider.

"When mum got quite sick with her breast cancer I decided to stay in New Zealand for another year to be closer to her," Lamborn said referring to his mother Sari.

"By then it was too late for Hawke's Bay and I had to look for other options."

Magpies head coach Mark Ozich described missing out on Lamborn's services as "one of those unfortunate situations."

"By the time Tony decided to come back to us there was no space on our roster. We had no money for an extra loosie. If we contracted Tony we would have had to go with one less front rower or one less lock."

"Everything is amicable and he could return to the Magpies in the future. That's the nature of the beast when it comes to professional rugby," Ozich added.

Obviously, it's very well possible that he'll still go to Europe instead of coming back in 2020. By then, we may also have better players in the squad. Who knows, Will Tremain (if he can stay injury free) may develop into a great 7 for us (or someone else).

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=12093396

[Stargazer]

What Ozich says in that article also indicates that they've signed loosies. Why can't they just publish the names?

[Stargazer]

Does anyone have an update on Geoff Cridge? I know he was expected to be out for the entire SR season, but available for M10 Cup, but I've not read/heard anything about where he's at. Don't think he's played any club rugby?

[Stargazer]

Grass! The end of the sandpit is nigh!

[Stockcar86]

Inverse speedway track

[Number 10]

@stargazer said in Hawke's Bay rugby 2018:

Does anyone have an update on Geoff Cridge? I know he was expected to be out for the entire SR season, but available for M10 Cup, but I've not read/heard anything about where he's at. Don't think he's played any club rugby?

Available for selection and probably playing for his Hurricanes spot seeing his current Hurricanes contract expires end of this Super Rugby season.

Hasn't played a game since the North Harbour game last September.

Tim Farrell is out for the season.

[Stargazer]

@number-10 Thanks, that really sucks for Farrell. He looked so promising last year and I hoped he'd be able to play for a SR contract this season.

Fatialofa is leaving the Canes; that will - hopefully - increase Cridge's chances to score a new contract. If he can stay in one piece.