Magpies 2017

[Higgins]

Here is an interesting statement attributed to Mike Bishop about the decision to axe Peter Russell in 2011
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/5817989/Sacked-Hawkes-Bay-coach-lets-record-do-talking

Hawke's Bay chief executive Mike Bishop said the decision was based purely on a desire to freshen up the Magpies. Russell's assistant Tom Coventry is off to the Chiefs as an assistant so the union reached for the broom.
"It's been five years and it is time to move on," Bishop said.
"Peter is a great guy and a good coach but time was moving on, it was time to re-look."

2012 to 2017 = six seasons. Five seasons was long enough back in 2011 but six seasons is not in 2017 for some reason. Interesting..............

Just to jog the memory here is the NPC squad named for 2012
Hawkes Bay: Mitch Alcock, Jody Allen, Adrian Barone, Peter Borlase, Trent Boswell-Wakefield, Adam Bradey, Richard Buckman, Kieran Coll, Michael Coman, Israel Dagg, Ash Dixon, Chris Eaton, Brendon Edmonds, Hika Elliot, Tivaini Fomai, Zac Guildford, Andrew Horrell, Gillies Kaka, Marvin Karawana, Ross Kennedy, Karl Lowe, Nick McLennan, Tino Nemani, Isaac Paewai, Tom Parsons, Maselino Paulino, Tua Saseve, Johan Schoonbee, Ben Tameifuna, Star Timu, Dan Waenga and Ihaia West
Five other players – Jesse-Lee MacDonald, Matt Gordon, Bronson Neera, Michael Ruru and Peniasi Tokakece – have been included in the Magpies wider training squad.
http://www.securesites.co.nz/rugbyNews2011/archivearticle/?article=6011

[Stargazer]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=11928039

[Stargazer]

Magpies injury list (updated 7 October 2017)

Poor Geoff Cridge must be one of the unluckiest players in NZ Super Rugby. He'll miss another Hurricanes season if the HBT got this right (I hope not)! Bloody hell.

[Stargazer]

For how long have Harbour signed Tom Coventry? I wouldn't mind him coming back to the Bay. What do you think @Stockcar86 @Nepia @Number-10 @Magpie_in_aus @Higgins ?

[Magpie_in_aus]

@stargazer spent time around him when he was with the magpies and sat in a couple of sessions. Very smart man would love him back.

[Stockcar86]

@stargazer I'd be happy with him as head coach.

[Number 10]

@stargazer well, there is a bit of gossip I heard a couple of months ago.

The gossip is that HB missed out on signing Tom Coventry last year by three days.

June 2016 - announced that Tom Coventry is leaving London Irish

Sept 2016 - Blues announce the signing of North Harbour coach Steve Jackson as assistant coach, meaning North Harbour need a new coach for 2017

November 11, 2016 - North Harbour announce they have signed Tom Coventry

In 2015 Philpott and Lee signed contract extensions taking them through to end of 2017. Of course there are performance reviews at the end of each season which is why contracts can be terminated early.

If the gossip is true that HB missed out on signing Coventry by three days in November, then it could fit that Philpotts' and Lee's end of 2016 season reviews were probably happening then and HB attempted to sign Coventry, but just missed out.

Of course, the gossip might also be bullshit.

[Magpie_in_aus]

Does that mean we will get Hika back after hes been in France ?

[Stargazer]

We may not have an All Black at the moment, we still have Bay players playing international tests.

Tony Lamborn is in the starting line-up of the USA squad to play Germany - despite being suspended in NZ (I guess he'll serve it in club rugby in 2018, just like Manawatu's Newton Tudreu).
Dan Snee has been named at 12 for Spain and will take on Canada this weekend.

[Higgins]

Not quite correct there Stargazer as Brodie Retallick is on compassionate leave so that really means he is still a current All Black although one not available for selection. A bit like non playing Captains in the Davis and Ryder Cups!

[Stargazer]

@higgins Sorry, will word my post better next time. I obviously meant "We may not have a Magpie playing for the ABs at the moment .."

[Higgins]

I was being a bit nit picky and semantic there! BBRR would have been a certainty for selection had the tragedy not occurred whereas Israel Dagg would have had a fight on his hands to be selected had his injury not ruled him out.