Magpies 2022
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@Higgins Falcon has played a lot at fullback for us, in the past. He's a 10, but can easily slot in at the back. Exactly the same story for Makene. I'd love to have Gillies back for a final season; he's been good for us in the past and he may like another year in black and white before he retires. But I'm afraid it's going to be the not-to-be-named addition to your Tech squad who'll get that spot.
Unfortunately, I can't see Bailyn return, this year, and fullback is more spot for his little brother, who's also not likely to come back home this year. I hope Thompson will be very happy with his return by the end of the season, and will be a positive influence on his mate Zarn and the bro and that they will come back, next year.
I honestly don't have that many questions about this year's squad. If 38 of 40 have re-signed, Thompson is one of the newbies (makes it 39), then that leaves room for one more new signing and maybe one or two injury replacements. That's probably it, unless Bryn Evans or Martin decides to step down.
If Brendon O'Connor is the other player not returning (as rumoured), there will be plenty of cover in Solomone Funaki (the likely starter), Gareth Evans, Josh Kaifa and Will Tremain. No need now for a new openside flanker, I think. I think the next rookie loosie to be signed will be Cooper Flanders (possibly next season) or Tiaki Fabish as a lock/loosie.
@Stargazer Are we talking Chase Tiatia?
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The 22nd player signing for 2022 is Harry Godfrey. Hoping he'll get more opportunities this year. Only 19 years old, but he looks a real prospect.
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@Stargazer Is it Kurt Baker or Chase Tiatia the Bay have signed. Speaking to BOP people it appears Chase may be signing with Hawkes Bay.
@Billsy111 said in Magpies 2022:
@Stargazer Is it Kurt Baker or Chase Tiatia the Bay have signed. Speaking to BOP people it appears Chase may be signing with Hawkes Bay.
Neither of those are really appealing, but if I have a choice I hope it's Tiatia, he can win games at NPC level.
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@Billsy111 said in Magpies 2022:
@Stargazer Is it Kurt Baker or Chase Tiatia the Bay have signed. Speaking to BOP people it appears Chase may be signing with Hawkes Bay.
Neither of those are really appealing, but if I have a choice I hope it's Tiatia, he can win games at NPC level.
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My prospects of a call up are looking slimmer each time @Stargazer posts on this thread as the available spots reduce daily. So much so that I have forked out for a season ticket in time to ensure I won't have to queue to get ahead of the 334 people expected in the walkup crowd buying tickets at the gate tomorrow for the first Ranfurly Shield defence of the season.
Will be taking my boots, jockstrap and mouthguard just in case though! -
Now confirmed: Chase Tiatia has signed with the Magpies.
I'm not happy about this, because I'm not convinced we couldn't have filled that spot with a good local instead of a journeyman from somewhere else, but I reserve the right to change my mind if he actually helps us win games (or not lose them), esp against of Plenty.
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Now confirmed: Chase Tiatia has signed with the Magpies.
I'm not happy about this, because I'm not convinced we couldn't have filled that spot with a good local instead of a journeyman from somewhere else, but I reserve the right to change my mind if he actually helps us win games (or not lose them), esp against of Plenty.
@Stargazer Looks like @Billsy111 was on the ball with his prediction
@Billsy111 said in Magpies 2022:
@Stargazer Is it Kurt Baker or Chase Tiatia the Bay have signed. Speaking to BOP people it appears Chase may be signing with Hawkes Bay.
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@Stargazer Looks like @Billsy111 was on the ball with his prediction
@Billsy111 said in Magpies 2022:
@Stargazer Is it Kurt Baker or Chase Tiatia the Bay have signed. Speaking to BOP people it appears Chase may be signing with Hawkes Bay.
@Higgins It was @Cpt-Kumera who posted the rumour in the BOP 2022 thread.
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@Higgins It was @Cpt-Kumera who posted the rumour in the BOP 2022 thread.
@Stargazer Bugger off, better to give Billsy111 who is one of our guys the credit rather than one of theirs!
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@Stargazer Bugger off, better to give Billsy111 who is one of our guys the credit rather than one of theirs!
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This signing is funny on a few levels given when you take into account who he has been playing for in recent years and especially the hate he was given during Chiefs games.
I thought Hawkes Bay only promoted their own and did not resort to this sort of purchase?
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This signing is funny on a few levels given when you take into account who he has been playing for in recent years and especially the hate he was given during Chiefs games.
I thought Hawkes Bay only promoted their own and did not resort to this sort of purchase?
@bayimports Apparently (according to the media release), our new head coach knows Tiatia from when he was still at St Pats Silverstream. So there already was a link.
Rest assured that he'll get a fair amount of scrutiny. Not all of us are happy that he has been signed, but we'll support him when he's wearing the black & white hoops, because he's wearing the black & white hoops.
