Magpies 2023
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@Stargazer said in Magpies 2023:
The biggest mystery naming to me is Paula Balekana. He's a Fijian winger who plays for NE Free Jacks (same team as Hintz and Kereru-Symes).
He has quite a bit of experience.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paula_BalekanaReading that career and his signing is even weirder, a journeyman 30 year old. Surely there are some young wings at home who could do the same job as him?
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@Stargazer Here are highlights from his time with Zebre -
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The biggest disappointment from this squad naming is that the squad doesn't have a Sullivan in it. The second biggest disappointment is that Smith, Tiatia, Grigg and Higgins are still there. The first three are all Syms' signings and he isn't even there anymore.
The huge positives of this squad is that it's an extremely young squad. Even if we end up near the bottom of the table this season, we're building great potential for the future. Hopefully, Brock James can coach and we'll see another surge to the higher end of the table like we saw under Ozich.
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No Toala???I thought the 2nd five from tech might have got in.
@kiwimatrix said in Magpies 2023:
No Toala???I thought the 2nd five from Tech
mightshould have got in.Fixed.
Mystified about the Toala non selection. Can only assume that the Manu must be holding pre World Cup camps that their players must attend but then that does not explain the selection of Neria Fomai. The midfied selections look entirely unthreatening but with just three named to cover two positions there must be space for one more to be named so maybe the absence of Toala is simply an oversite by the social media personnel who have probably got out of practise in reporting important things like team namings on their various outlets. Clearly the promoting of a new name for a mascot must be taking up too much of their time.
The most mystifying is the complete disregarding of Liam Udy-Johns who has been comfortably ahead of all those he has come up against in the Club games I have watched. It almost defies logic that he should not be included. -
The biggest disappointment from this squad naming is that the squad doesn't have a Sullivan in it. The second biggest disappointment is that Smith, Tiatia, Grigg and Higgins are still there. The first three are all Syms' signings and he isn't even there anymore.
The huge positives of this squad is that it's an extremely young squad. Even if we end up near the bottom of the table this season, we're building great potential for the future. Hopefully, Brock James can coach and we'll see another surge to the higher end of the table like we saw under Ozich.
@Stargazer said in Magpies 2023:
The biggest disappointment from this squad naming is that the squad doesn't have a Sullivan in it. The second biggest disappointment is that Smith, Tiatia, Grigg and Higgins are still there. The first three are all Syms' signings and he isn't even there anymore.
The huge positives of this squad is that it's an extremely young squad. Even if we end up near the bottom of the table this season, we're building great potential for the future. Hopefully, Brock James can coach and we'll see another surge to the higher end of the table like we saw under Ozich.
If he was the backs attack coach last year well then I'm afraid our hopes and expectations for this season had better be lowered a notch or two as there was little in the way of exciting and inventive play by numbers 9 to 15 last season.
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It's almost as if the whole club season was a waste of time
They appear to have completely disregarded the club form and there's not even any fringe players named like they usually do. -
Is it just me or does the whole thing seem very half hearted this year.Just a team dumped out on a random Tuesday morning with little to no explanation of anything. Almost like they don't have high hopes for this season.
@kiwimatrix It's not just you. In previous years, they often used the Hawke's Bay Today to write an article, which then - somewhat modified - appeared on the HBRU website. That may still happen, but later than usual. I don't understand why they can't just write a media release with some comments from the coach and some of the new players like other provinces do. It's not that hard.
The timing is also weird. They can't be leaving for their camp in Taupō yet, as the remaining preseason games are more than two weeks away.
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Exactly, I mean for all we know, 7 or 8 of the bay boys playing in the states may have recommended the Fijian winger ,but it would be nice to hear these things from the coach.
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@Stargazer Here are highlights from his time with Zebre -
@Daffy-Jaffy said in Magpies 2023:
@Stargazer Here are highlights from his time with Zebre -
After watching this all I can say is that he must have improved immeasurably since those days as there was barely a broken tackle much less an actual linebreak shown.
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It's almost as if the whole club season was a waste of time
They appear to have completely disregarded the club form and there's not even any fringe players named like they usually do.@kiwimatrix said in Magpies 2023:
It's almost as if the whole club season was a waste of time
They appear to have completely disregarded the club form and there's not even any fringe players named like they usually do.Excuse me but are you including Sam Smith, Isi Tu'ungafasi, Nick Grigg and Reilly Higgins as established players rather than fringe players? Incidentally @stargazer where has Nick Grigg been playing? My spies have told me Jordan Thompson-Dunn has been going good when Hastings have been running him in his preferred 2nd five spot so both him and my Mr. Popoali'i can count themselves hard done by after missing out to those named in midfield.
On the brighter side they must have persuaded Tom Parsons to come back from retirement given the inexperience of most of the locks at first class level. No sign of Tiaki Fabish so guess he will probably bugger off somewhere else and you could not blame Liam Udy-Johns doing likewise.
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I actually don't mind this Squad. Sure outside backs do look light, but there may be reasons for that. It would be good to hear from Brock, but I firmly believe Toala will be there come NPC time
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@Billsy111 Toala has been named in the Samoa squad. Unless he doesn't make the RWC squad, he won't be there.
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@kiwimatrix said in Magpies 2023:
It's almost as if the whole club season was a waste of time
They appear to have completely disregarded the club form and there's not even any fringe players named like they usually do.Excuse me but are you including Sam Smith, Isi Tu'ungafasi, Nick Grigg and Reilly Higgins as established players rather than fringe players? Incidentally @stargazer where has Nick Grigg been playing? My spies have told me Jordan Thompson-Dunn has been going good when Hastings have been running him in his preferred 2nd five spot so both him and my Mr. Popoali'i can count themselves hard done by after missing out to those named in midfield.
On the brighter side they must have persuaded Tom Parsons to come back from retirement given the inexperience of most of the locks at first class level. No sign of Tiaki Fabish so guess he will probably bugger off somewhere else and you could not blame Liam Udy-Johns doing likewise.
@Higgins said in Magpies 2023:
Excuse me but are you including Sam Smith, Isi Tu'ungafasi, Nick Grigg and Reilly Higgins as established players rather than fringe players?
I think @kiwimatrix means the development players that were named in the squad in 2021 and 2022. Either they forgot to mention them, or they're not naming them this year.
IIRC, the programme of the HB Development team will consist of more games this year (unless my memory is totally off), so that may be a possible reason.
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@Stargazer By that, do you mean he won't be there for HB? All other possible internationals look to have been named so the absence of Toala's name can only mean he has signed for someone else, presumably an overseas outfit.
@Higgins said in Magpies 2023:
@Stargazer By that, do you mean he won't be there for HB? All other possible internationals look to have been named so the absence of Toala's name can only mean he has signed for someone else, presumably an overseas outfit.
Nope. I'm sorry for my laziness, but I already posted another possible explanation:
@Stargazer said in Magpies 2023:
This is a very small squad. They've left a lot of players out who are in the Samoa and Tonga squads, but not all of them. I assume the players that have not been named were off-contract, while the players who were named were still signed for 2023.
Edited to add that the squad may be small on purpose: maybe they are keeping those spots open for players that have not been named because of being selected for Tonga/Samoa for the pre-RWC internationals, but may still miss out on the RWC. For example, the squad is very light in the midfield. Toala and Ili have not been named in the squad, because they are in the Samoa squad for the pre-RWC matches. If they're not included in Samoa's RWC squad, maybe they'll still get to play for the Magpies because there's still room in the squad.
If not, they may use Development players if needed. -
HBT article:
Godfrey made his Magpies debut last year
That's incorrect. He made his NPC debut last year, but already played for the Magpies in a non-competition game v Northland in 2021.
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The writer of the article looks like they have done little more than reguritating a press release from the HBRFU. There is no indication that any questions have been asked like why certain players from last season have missed selection as one example (specifically Danny Toala), nor any explanation why halfbacks McLeod and Enari have been overlooked for a newcomer from Auckland. I'm happy for @Nepia that the writer did not pose the question about the availability of Kurt Baker.
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A nerd's view on the squad's changes:
2022 2023 2022 PROPS 2023 PROPS Joe 'Apikotoa Joe 'Apikotoa likely unavailable (Tonga) Mark Braidwood still playing club rugby; was probably Waa's injury replacement in 2022 Lolani Faleiva possibly injured; hasn't played recently for Toronto Arrows Tim Farrell 2017 NZ U20; returns after a few years' absence; has 6 caps, 5 from 2017, 1 from 2019 (all off the bench); probably a bigger talent than Faleiva Joel Hintz Joel Hintz Jason Long retired Isi Tu'ungafasi 2015 NZ U20; then AKL, NOR, TAS/Crusaders 2019-2021; 2023 Moana Pasifika Pouri Rakete-Stones Pouri Rakete-Stones Namatahi Waa retired Isaac Salmon Ta$man (38)/Toronto Arrows (26) 2022 HOOKERS 2023 HOOKERS Jacob Devery Jacob Devery Kianu Kereru-Symes Kianu Kereru-Symes Tyrone Thompson Tyrone Thompson Gene Syminton was Devery's injury replacement in 2022 2022 LOCKS 2023 LOCKS Bryn Evans retired Tom Allen from Academy; 2022 NZ schools; 2023 NZ U20; first year out of school Frank Lochore 2021-2022 5 caps (all off the bench) Frank Lochore Tom Parsons Tom Parsons Brodie Retallick played a few games, but mostly ABs Brodie Retallick will be with ABs Sione Tuipulotu lock/loosie; only played one game for us in 2022 Hunter Morrison from Academy; 2021 NZ Barbarians Schools; 2022 NZ U19; 2023 NZ U20; second year out of school Isaia Walker-Leawere Isaia Walker-Leawere 2022 LOOSIES 2023 LOOSIES Gareth Evans was injured in 2022; now retired Tiaki Fabish should have gotten more chances than his 2 non-NPC caps Cooper Flanders Top 4 champ 2019; 2021 NZ Schools; 2022 NZ U19; 2023 NZ U20. From Academy; second year out of school. Devan Flanders Devan Flanders Solomone Funaki unavailable in 2023 (Tonga) Josh Gimblett Josh Gimblett Josh Kaifa Josh Kaifa Marino Mikaele-Tu'u Marino Mikaele-Tu'u Sam Smith Sam Smith Really shouldn't be in the squad, but was maybe signed on a 2-year contract? Liam Udy-Johns deserved this spot. Will Tremain is overseas (not for rugby) in 2023 Patrick Tuifua arrived in NZ from New Caledonia in 2020 on Lindisfarne scholarship; 2023 HB Academy 2022 HALFBACKS 2023 HALFBACKS Ere Enari unavailable in 2023 (Samoa) Sam Wye Fijian; ex-Auckland; one cap for Moana Pasifika Folau Fakatava was injured/with ABs Folau Fakatava Connor McLeod Why Sam Wye and not Connor McLeod? Gone to another province? Brad Weber was with ABs Brad Weber still a small chance to make the ABs 2022 1ST FIVES 2023 1ST FIVES Caleb Makene Caleb Makene Lincoln McClutchie Lincoln McClutchie 2022 MIDFIELDERS 2023 MIDFIELDERS Nick Grigg left early in 2022 for stint with Carcassonne Nick Grigg Kienan Higgins Kienan Higgins Stacey Ili unavailable in 2023 (Samoa) Ollie Sapsford Ollie Sapsford Danny Toala unavailable in 2023 (Samoa) 2023 OUTSIDE BACKS 2023 OUTSIDE BACKS Neria Foma'i Neria Foma'i likely to be unavailable (Samoa) Harry Godfrey Harry Godfrey Jonah Lowe Jonah Lowe Dennon Robinson-Bartlett hardly got any game time Paula Balekana Fijian winger; 2018-2020 Zebre; 2021 Houston Sabercats; 2022-2023 NE Free Jacks; attended Kelston Boys' Chase Tiatia Chase Tiatia Anzelo Tuitavuki Anzelo Tuitavuki Lolagi Visinia -
A nerd's view on the squad's changes:
2022 2023 2022 PROPS 2023 PROPS Joe 'Apikotoa Joe 'Apikotoa likely unavailable (Tonga) Mark Braidwood still playing club rugby; was probably Waa's injury replacement in 2022 Lolani Faleiva possibly injured; hasn't played recently for Toronto Arrows Tim Farrell 2017 NZ U20; returns after a few years' absence; has 6 caps, 5 from 2017, 1 from 2019 (all off the bench); probably a bigger talent than Faleiva Joel Hintz Joel Hintz Jason Long retired Isi Tu'ungafasi 2015 NZ U20; then AKL, NOR, TAS/Crusaders 2019-2021; 2023 Moana Pasifika Pouri Rakete-Stones Pouri Rakete-Stones Namatahi Waa retired Isaac Salmon Ta$man (38)/Toronto Arrows (26) 2022 HOOKERS 2023 HOOKERS Jacob Devery Jacob Devery Kianu Kereru-Symes Kianu Kereru-Symes Tyrone Thompson Tyrone Thompson Gene Syminton was Devery's injury replacement in 2022 2022 LOCKS 2023 LOCKS Bryn Evans retired Tom Allen from Academy; 2022 NZ schools; 2023 NZ U20; first year out of school Frank Lochore 2021-2022 5 caps (all off the bench) Frank Lochore Tom Parsons Tom Parsons Brodie Retallick played a few games, but mostly ABs Brodie Retallick will be with ABs Sione Tuipulotu lock/loosie; only played one game for us in 2022 Hunter Morrison from Academy; 2021 NZ Barbarians Schools; 2022 NZ U19; 2023 NZ U20; second year out of school Isaia Walker-Leawere Isaia Walker-Leawere 2022 LOOSIES 2023 LOOSIES Gareth Evans was injured in 2022; now retired Tiaki Fabish should have gotten more chances than his 2 non-NPC caps Cooper Flanders Top 4 champ 2019; 2021 NZ Schools; 2022 NZ U19; 2023 NZ U20. From Academy; second year out of school. Devan Flanders Devan Flanders Solomone Funaki unavailable in 2023 (Tonga) Josh Gimblett Josh Gimblett Josh Kaifa Josh Kaifa Marino Mikaele-Tu'u Marino Mikaele-Tu'u Sam Smith Sam Smith Really shouldn't be in the squad, but was maybe signed on a 2-year contract? Liam Udy-Johns deserved this spot. Will Tremain is overseas (not for rugby) in 2023 Patrick Tuifua arrived in NZ from New Caledonia in 2020 on Lindisfarne scholarship; 2023 HB Academy 2022 HALFBACKS 2023 HALFBACKS Ere Enari unavailable in 2023 (Samoa) Sam Wye Fijian; ex-Auckland; one cap for Moana Pasifika Folau Fakatava was injured/with ABs Folau Fakatava Connor McLeod Why Sam Wye and not Connor McLeod? Gone to another province? Brad Weber was with ABs Brad Weber still a small chance to make the ABs 2022 1ST FIVES 2023 1ST FIVES Caleb Makene Caleb Makene Lincoln McClutchie Lincoln McClutchie 2022 MIDFIELDERS 2023 MIDFIELDERS Nick Grigg left early in 2022 for stint with Carcassonne Nick Grigg Kienan Higgins Kienan Higgins Stacey Ili unavailable in 2023 (Samoa) Ollie Sapsford Ollie Sapsford Danny Toala unavailable in 2023 (Samoa) 2023 OUTSIDE BACKS 2023 OUTSIDE BACKS Neria Foma'i Neria Foma'i likely to be unavailable (Samoa) Harry Godfrey Harry Godfrey Jonah Lowe Jonah Lowe Dennon Robinson-Bartlett hardly got any game time Paula Balekana Fijian winger; 2018-2020 Zebre; 2021 Houston Sabercats; 2022-2023 NE Free Jacks; attended Kelston Boys' Chase Tiatia Chase Tiatia Anzelo Tuitavuki Anzelo Tuitavuki Lolagi Visinia @Stargazer Olly Sapsford is in the Australian A Team that plays the 'Ikale Tahi up in Nuku 'alofa on July 14. That's quite an achievement going from the Magpies bench to that level in such short time.
