Magpies - 2019 Mitre 10 Cup
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Then name of Joe Apikatoa was mentioned in discussions last Saturday night in the HOBM clubbrooms on the Hutt Rec but don't think I got round to asking what he is doing this season. He certainly has not featured in the combined Hutt Old Boys-Marist club's premier team anyway.
In addition can anyone fill us in on the logic behind the selection of Josh Gimblett who has only appeared twice (and only on the bench at that) for the combined College Old Boys-University premier team. There must be something behind that as it would be hard to justify selecting a player unable to command a starting spot in a premier club team as a possible Mitre10 Cup player. -
@Higgins Gimblett is a development player and part of the HB academy. So he probably travels up and down from Wellington to the Bay and back. Not sure whether he is "unable to command a starting spot in a premier club team". Has anyone checked whether he also has a team in the Bay (like Tremain)?
Having seen Apikotoa's posts on instagram, he hasn't been anywhere near the Bay.
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There is mention a a HB (Saracens?) match against someone on Wednesday in the last paragraph of the article about p[ouri Rakete-Stones. Is this the one that is supposed to be against Ta$man somewhere down here in Wellington? If so hopefully there will be a bit of publicity about venue and kick off times as I have got my Magpies jersey out of the draw and ready to go in with tomorrows laundry in readiness.
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@Higgins We would be most receptive to an on-the-spot, eye-witness report on the encounter. Eye-patch is necessary as well as your Magpies jersey, the word Ta$man not requiring any mention at all in your report, particularly if Ta$man win.
We need informative, accurate, and perceptive analysis on the Hawke's Bay hopefuls. Harsh, even derisory, comments on player failure are permitted in the report so we can put a line through those players' names when discussing future selection.
But like all opinion and analysis on these boards, it counts for nothing as the world does not change because of it. In which case, don't bother going.
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According to the HBT, this is the line-up for tomorrow's game against Ta$man in Wellington. If the HBRU posts another line-up, I'll post that one, too:
1 Jason Long (c)
2 Jacob Devery
3 Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe
4 Elijah Martin
5 Geoff Cridge
6 Josh Kaifa
7 Iakopu Mapu
8 Hannon Brighouse
9 Humphrey Sheild
10 Lincoln McClutchie
11 Mason Emerson
12 Neria Fomai
13 Timo Vaiusu
14 Ollie Sapsford
15 Saia PaeseReserves
Forwards: Matt Morrison, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tim Farrell, Donovan Mataira, Eru Wano, Solomone Funaki.
Backs: Trent Hape, Kodie Drury-Hawkins, Lester Maulolo, Penikolo Latu, Michael Buckley..
It's quite telling that Cridge has been released by the Canes to play this game. I doubt they would do that if he was still in the frame for the Canes' trip to South Africa.
What many of us have been waiting to hear!
With four contracted locks who have spent plenty of time in Super Rugby environments, the Hurricanes trio of Isaia Walker-Leawere, who has signed a three-year deal with the Magpies, Geoff Cridge and Tom Parsons and Michael Allardice of the Chiefs ranked ahead of him Martin may struggle to secure a Mitre 10 Cup contract this season but Ozich said he could prove useful in the future.
Tomorrow's game will be played over the regulation two 40 minutes halves with the Magpies intending to use 26 players. "Last year we took 30 guys and tried to use two teams but it was too hard. With 26 we can make changes at halftime and give everyone plenty of game time. The younger guys who are on the bench will get a start against Wairarapa Bush on Queen's Birthday Monday," Magpies head coach Mark Ozich said. Eight of his starting XV players have yet to play first class rugby for the Magpies. They are Paese, Taradale winger Ollie Sapsford, the Hastings Rugby and Sports midfield combination of second five-eighth Neria Fomai and Timo Vaiusu, Taradale halfback Humphrey Sheild, Brighouse, Taradale flanker Iakopo Mapu and Napier Technical lock Elijah Martin.https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=12230679
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I like the idea of Paese at fullback - he has been playing centre for NOB
M, and was a little small for that really (same sort of build as Mason Emerson) -
@Stargazer said in Magpies - 2019 Mitre 10 Cup:
It's quite telling that Cridge has been released by the Canes to play this game. I doubt they would do that if he was still in the frame for the Canes' trip to South Africa.
They won't be leaving for that trip for another two weeks as they have the bye next week. I think this is more of an indication that he won't be playing against the Jaguares on Friday.
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@Canes4life Oh, okay, I had forgotten about the bye.
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@Stockcar86 said in Magpies - 2019 Mitre 10 Cup:
I like the idea of Paese at fullback - he has been playing centre for NOB
M, and was a little small for that really (same sort of build as Mason Emerson)He is out of St. Pats College so therefore he comes for the
MM -
@Stockcar86 How is Hannon Brighouse's form? I've only seen NOBM once this year (against Central) and he didn't stand out to me.
I watched Iakopu Mapu for Taradale against Hastings RS and I thought he did stand out at number eight.
For the game tomorrow Brighouse is at 8 and Mapu is at 7.
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Brighouse has stepped up his physical presence for NOB over the past few games. I've been suprised that NOB have been playing him at 8 and Gardner at 6, as they seem more natural the other way round. Brighouse is more a Luke Whitelock type player, than a Mikaele-Tu'u type.
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By the way, only thinking about that now, a notable absence in the team is Danny Toala.
He's not named in the NZ U20 squad, and his Canes' contract is officially from next season. So this can - probably - mean two things (if he's not injured): either the Canes have already included him in the squad (as injury cover) and he trains with them and has to be available for this weekend's game (just in case); or, he is training with the NZ U20s.
