NPC - news, injuries etc
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If they can shift the June Test window to July - as reports seem to indicate is getting to be a greater possibility - which will allow Super Rugby to finish end June instead of end July as now, you will be able to expand the Mitre 10 Cup to a full 13-round robin comp (as we had 2009-2010) by starting earlier and scrap the premiership and championship divisions.
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@Number-10 Hmm, I'd rather use the extra time to rest the Super Rugby players and then give them a proper preseason with their provincial team. I don't like how SR players only join the team preps for NPC in the week before the Mitre10 Cup kicks off. That's way too late.
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while I like the crossover games, if they only had 3 instead of 4, you wouldn't need that 3 games in 8 days every team gets.
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Leo Crowley is the Ta$man Mako$' new assistant rugby coach.
He will be joined by former All Blacks prop Greg Somerville as Ta$man's new set piece assistant coach and ex-Northland strength and conditioning coach James Holden. - 
							
							
							
							
Chris Eves returns to Harbour.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11825544
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Antonio Kiri Kiri has re-signed with the Turbos:
http://www.turbosrugby.co.nz/news/246-kiri-kiri-is-a-2017-turbo
Heiden Bedwell-Curtis has been confirmed as the Manawatu Turbos' captain for 2017
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Thinking about the Blues region teams this year. North Harbour should have a pretty solid XV:
- Mayhew/Eves
 - Parsons
 - Mafileo
 - Nansen (injury?)
 - Cowley-Tuioti
 - Vui
 - Jacobson/Taramai
 - Moala-Liava'a/Taramai
 - Hall
 - Gatland
 - Li
 - Ahki (is Little available at all?)
 - Vaega
 - Stevenson
 - Duffy
 
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Auckland's XV will be interesting, with a few good young prospects coming through. Any one know when Luatua is off?
- Hodgman (injured?)
 - GPT
 - O. Tu'ungafasi
 - Fatialofa (injured?) - two locks in the NZ U20, Nee Nee, Moli, Seu
 - Scrafton - Pat T should get some rotation time here too
 - Seu/Papali'i
 - Gibson
 - A. Ioane
 - Fukofuka/Milo-Harris
 - Wiseguy Faiane/D’Angelo Leuila/Fonoti/Fosita - anyone else available? (Harry Plummer won't be ready/available until next year.)
 - B. Lam/Caleb Clarke
 - T.J. Faiane
 - Aso - Moala and R. Ioane should get some game time in the midfield too.
 - Trainor/Caleb Clarke
 - Nanai
 
9 & 10 the big issues (as always). Frontrow depth also a concern.
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@Tim said in Mitre 10 Cup - news, injuries etc:
Auckland's XV will be interesting, with a few good young prospects coming through. Any one know when Luatua is off?
- Hodgman (injured?)
 - GPT
 - O. Tu'ungafasi
 - Fatialofa (injured?) - two locks in the NZ U20, Nee Nee, Moli, Seu
 - Scrafton - Pat T should get some rotation time here too
 - Seu/Papali'i
 - Gibson
 - A. Ioane
 - Fukofuka/Milo-Harris
 - Wiseguy Faiane/D’Angelo Leuila/Fonoti/Fosita - anyone else available? (Harry Plummer won't be ready/available until next year.)
 - B. Lam/Caleb Clarke
 - T.J. Faiane
 - Aso - Moala and R. Ioane should get some game time in the midfield too.
 - Trainor/Caleb Clarke
 - Nanai
 
9 & 10 the big issues (as always). Frontrow depth also a concern.
Ben Lam has signed for Wellington hasn't he? I'm assuming Hodgman is still with Canterbury as well. Hope to see Wiseguy Faiane at 10 as well
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@African-Monkey said in Mitre 10 Cup - news, injuries etc:
Ben Lam
I thought Hodgman had signed with Auckland too, but I may well be wrong. Can't recall anything about Lam signing with Wellington.
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@Tim said in Mitre 10 Cup - news, injuries etc:
Can't recall anything about Lam signing with Wellington.
He signed with Wellington at the same time as the Hurricanes
I wouldn't pick him, but I expect Tyrone Elkington-MacDonald will be in the squad.
 
