Magpies - 2018 Mitre 10 Cup

[Higgins]

That scoreline has got to be a bit worrisome considering Horowhenua did the Bush by about forty in a curtainraiser to one of the Hurricanes games a couple of weeks ago.

[footy01]

It was raining pretty heavy so that could have affect to the score line

[Stargazer]

More than 52 minutes long video of the preseason game between Hawke's Bay Saracens and Wairarapa Bush:

.

Highlights only:

[Stargazer]

Next preseason game:

July 4 – Manawatu Evergreens v Hawke’s Bay Saracens, Sport and Rugby Institute, Palmerston North, kick-off 6pm

[Number 10]

Was advised today there is an expectation Geoff Cridge ought to be available for Magpies in September.

[Stargazer]

@number-10 That would be awesome! He's been extremely unlucky with injuries, but I think he could become a very good lock. I hope a good season for us will give him an opportunity to get another SR contract. I'm afraid the Canes will dump him like they've done with Renton though.

[Number 10]

Magpies prop Pouri Rakete-Stones is included in the Hurricanes team to play the Chiefs in a friendly at Hawera tomorrow.

15 Chase Tiatia
14 Julian Savea
13 Wes Goosen
12 Peter Umaga-Jensen
11 Jonah Lowe
10 Jackson Garden-Bachop
9 Finlay Christie
8 Gareth Evans
7 Sam Henwood
6 Reed Prinsep (c)
5 Sam Lousi
4 James Blackwell
3 Marcel Renata
2 James O'Reilly
1 Fraser Armstrong

Reserves

16 Nathan Vella
17 Chris Eves
18 Pouri Rakete-Stones
19 Michael Fatialofa
20 Isaia Walker-Leawere
21 Murray Douglas
22 Du'Plessis Kirifi
23 Jamie Booth
24 Ihaia West
25 Ben Lam

[Stargazer]

@number-10 Yeah, I noticed that. He seems to be replacing Ben May (assuming Renata replaces JTA). I wonder whether Ben is injured? It looks like PR-S is now no. 4 in the TH pecking order at the Canes. Has May re-signed yet? If my notes are correct, his Canes' contract expires after this SR season (his Magpies contract, too, after this season). He's 35 years old. It would be awesome if PR-S could score a Canes contract if he has a good M10 Cup season. Btw, Eves is 30 and Toby Smith 29. The Canes propping stocks could use some rejuvenation.

[Stargazer]

Tomorrow, the Hawke's Bay Saracens will play their third preseason game. Opponents this time are the Manawatu Evergreens, for whom it's the first preseason game. Venue: Sports & Rugby Institute, Palmerston North. K/o 6.00pm.

Anyone going?

This is the Saracens line-up:

1 Jason Long (vc)(HRS)
2 Jacob Devery (HRS)
3 Joe Apikotoa (Taradale)
4 Tom Parsons (c) (CHB)
5 Lui Luamanu (Taradale)
6 Hannon Brighouse (NOBM)
7 Chris Johnston (NOBM)
8 Solomone Funaki (MAC)
9 Folau Fakatava (HRS)
10 Lincoln McClutchie (Tamatea)
11 Sebastian Visinia (Tech)
12 Sasa Tofilau (Clive)
13 Shae Tucker (NOBM)
14 Mitch Drew (NOBM)
15 JJ Taulagi (Clive)

Reserves
16 Ben Power (Havelock N), 17 Pouri Rakete-Stones (Pirates), 18 Mark Braidwood (Tech), 19 Sam Ulufonua (Havelock N), 20 Ricky Hayes (NOBM), 21 Tyler Symon-Burke (NOBM), 22 Will Tremain (NOBM), 23 Ellery Wilson (NOBM), 24 Tianua Poto (Clive), 25 Pasqualle Dunn (CHB), 26 Lewis Marshall (CHB), 27 Danny Toala (HRS)

I've posted the Manawatu line-up in the Mitre 10 Cup thread.

[Number 10]

Ten of those 27 have arrived in the province this year - including returnees Tom Parsons and Lewis Marshall.

Ben Power has just arrived in.

[Stargazer]

@number-10 Do you know, have those who have come in from other provinces (returnees excluded) all been invited to come here and try for a Magpies spot, or have some come uninvited, just to try their luck? I understand from the HBT that Power was the 5th-ranked hooker in Wellington. It looks like we're a prime destination for other provinces' rejects or 3rd stringers.

Is this correct?

Joe Apikotoa - Wellington
Tom Parsons - Manawatu returnee
Lui Luamanu - Wellington
Solomone Funaki - BoP
Visinia - Auckland
Tofilau - Auckland
Taulagi - Sunwolves
Ben Power - Wellington
Ulufonua - Auckland
Dunn - Auckland (arrived last year)
Marshall - Manawatu returnee

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=12081880

[Number 10]

@stargazer said in Magpies - 2018 Mitre 10 Cup:

@number-10 Do you know, have those who have come in from other provinces (returnees excluded) all been invited to come here and try for a Magpies spot, or have some come uninvited, just to try their luck? I understand from the HBT that Power was the 5th-ranked hooker in Wellington. It looks like we're a prime destination for other provinces' rejects or 3rd stringers.

Is this correct?

Joe Apikotoa - Wellington
Tom Parsons - Manawatu returnee
Lui Luamanu - Wellington
Solomone Funaki - BoP
Visinia - Auckland
Tofilau - Auckland
Taulagi - Sunwolves
Ben Power - Wellington
Ulufonua - Auckland
Marshall - Manawatu returnee

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=12081880

Yes, you've got them right.

The ones in bold played Mitre 10 Cup last year.

Taulagi is the only one with a Magpies contract. The others have been invited to come and try their luck. If they don't secure a Magpies contract this year they, no doubt, will be elsewhere in 2019. In retrospect, the Vaega brothers coming here last year was a waste of time - just one year here and then gone. So am not quite sure if the influx of hopefuls is a good thing or not.

Having watched a lot of club rugby I think the level of club rugby this year has probably been lifted, which is, of course, a good thing, coupled wth more players to choose from in certain positions.

But with our Super Rugby players to come back, I also think a few of last year's debutants should be persevered with, like Tim Farrell, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Jacob Devery.

And, I have said it before, I reckon halfback Folau Fakatava is worthy of a Magpies contract this year in his first year out of school.

[Higgins]

If Ben Power was really interested in playing his way into the Magpies he should have shown the commitment and desire to represent the Bay and come right at the start of the Club season rather than turning up at the last minute. Smacks of "Oh hell, I've got no show of making the Wellington Team after all, who will have me and where can I go to earn a bit of coin". We seem to be becoming the haven or last resort call for people that can't make it elsewhere, eg that guy that was on the fringe of BoP turning up here and what look like being railroaded into the Magpies when in reality he was just a squad member at BoP that got limited game time at best.

Having said that Ben Power is a reasonable player, but ITM Cup level - it remains to be seen.

[kiwimatrix]

@stargazer What about Josh Kaifa is he still around?

[Stargazer]

@kiwimatrix He got injured (ankle) during the preseason game against Ta$man a while ago. I don't think he has returned from that injury yet.

[Stargazer]

Keep your fingers crossed, say your prayers, or whatever works for you, that this isn't a good Magpies prospect who got injured. Please, no repeat of the last two seasons with all those injuries. Whoever the player is, I wish him all the best.

https://twitter.com/hbmagpies/status/1014413707281981445

[kiwimatrix]

@stargazer Somebody wrote on Instagram it was Will Tremain with the serious injury.

[Stargazer]

@kiwimatrix Damn. After all the injuries he's already had. Really unlucky. Hope it isn't a season-ending injury.

[Number 10]

According to this morning's match report in the Hawke's Bay Today the Saracens were down to 14 players due to numerous injuries when Tremain got injured.

Ten of the players will not play for their club this weekend due to their injuries in this match.

[Stockcar86]

Manawatu thugs