Waikato 2020

[Bovidae]

The big question will be if Smith has a SR contract beyond this year?

He seems to be on the outer at the Canes so maybe the Chiefs are interested with 2 positions to fill at 1st 5.

[Yeetyaah]

@Bovidae hasn't played the house down at the Canes but I'd be okay with him at the Chiefs tbh.

[Yeetyaah]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/24-year-old-jacobson-set-for-sixth-season-with-waikato-following-japanese-stint/

[Bovidae]

It's easy to forget that Mitch is still young. I hope he gets a regular shot in SR.

[Bovidae]

Another player who could make the Waikato squad is Beaudein Waaka as he doesn't appear to be part of the Taranaki squad this season.

[ARHS]

@Bovidae

Can he cover halfback??

[Bovidae]

@ARHS Waaka has been playing at fullback for Melville. I think he's more of an outside back in XVs.

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae Yep, for Taranaki he used to play either fullback or first five-eighth.

[Bovidae]

@Stargazer I do remember him playing on the wing too.

[Yeetyaah]

Asked the Waikato rugby page on Facebook when the squad is named, they responded with September 1st.

[mikey07]

@Bovidae I saw him playing for Poverty Bay I think it was jeez he’s packed the beef on

[Bovidae]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/300091757/solomon-alaimalo-set-to-miss-mitre-10-cup-after-shoulder-surgery-waikato-sign-patrick-osborne

[Bovidae]

http://www.mooloo.co.nz/newsarticle/94785

Waikato Rugby is pleased to announce the signing of international duo of Patrick Osborne and Adam Thomson for the upcoming Mitre 10 Cup season.

Not news but this was written at the bottom of the article.

Waikato will announce the entire 2020 Mitre 10 Cup squad after the launch next Tuesday morning.

So maybe not today?

[Yeetyaah]

@Bovidae Weird, they said it'd be today when they replied to my comment on Facebook.

[Bovidae]

Jahrome Brown could be in the Waikato squad again, after missing the entire season last year after breaking his leg in a preseason game.

[Yeetyaah]

@Bovidae is he not contracted to the Brumbies anymore?

[Bovidae]

@Yeetyaah I don't know, but Brown hasn't played for the Brumbies in SR AU has he? Someone connected with the Melville club told me he is back.

[Bovidae]

Season ending injuries to players Solomon Alaimalo, Sam Cooper, Laghlan McWhannell and James Tucker, means they will play no part in this year’s campaign.

[Bovidae]

By position:

Props
Ollie Norris (10) Hautapu - LH
Rob Cobb (5) Hamilton Old Boys - LH/TH
George Dyer ( ) Fraser Tech - TH
Josh Iosefa-Scott (30) Melville - TH
Ayden Johnstone (23) Hautapu - LH
Sosefo Kautai (31) Hamilton Marist - TH

Hookers
Samisoni Taukei’aho (33) Fraser Tech
Sekope Lopeti-Moli (13) Hautapu
Steven Misa (11) Hamilton Marist

Locks
Hamilton Burr (7) Hautapu - also 6
Samipeni Finau (5) Hamilton Old Boys - also 6
James Thompson (2) Hautapu
Adam Thomson ( ) Morrrinsville Sports - also 6

Loose forwards
Luke Jacobson (11) Hautapu - 6/8 (captain)
Mitch Jacobson (46) Hautapu - 6/7
Liam Messam (85) Raglan - 6/8
Simon Parker (6) Hautapu - 6/8

Halfbacks
Xavier Roe ( ) Hamilton Old Boys
Cortez Ratima ( ) Otorohanga

Inside backs
Fletcher Smith (22) University
Rivez Reihana (9) Melville
Liam Coombes-Fabling ( ) Fraser Tech - also fullback
Matty Lansdown (27) Fraser Tech - also fullback

Midfield
Anton Lienert-Brown (19) University
Quinn Tupaea (21) Hamilton Old Boys
Louis Rogers (6) University
Bailyn Sullivan (26) Hamilton Marist - also wing

Outside backs
Damian McKenzie (24) University
Patrick Osborne ( ) Fraser Tech
Valynce Te Whare (3) Fraser Tech
Gideon Wrampling ( ) Hamilton Old Boys

[Yeetyaah]

Only 2 halfbacks? Dunno about this squad, bunch of young fellas with a few oldies. Good development but hard to see them winning a whole lot.