Hawke's Bay rugby 2018
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I just read on the website of Oyonnax that they haven't been able to retain Hika Elliott (after his first year of a 2-year contract). Partially because they were relegated to Pro D2, which has budgetary consequences, and partially because of the mandatory recruitment of at least 15 players that have come through French academies (was: 12) this upcoming season.
I haven't read anything about Hika retiring. I know he's back in the Bay, playing for Tamatea. Has anyone heard anything about his plans?
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Very disappointing to us, but you can't blame the guy if this is true. Would have loved to have him at fullback this season; he'd be a great mentor to all our young backs and, especially, a great help to young Tiaan. Just wondering whether we'll ever see him back in black and white? He'll probably go overseas if he doesn't make the RWC squad next year.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=12088558
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@stargazer said in Hawke's Bay rugby 2018:
Very disappointing to us, but you can't blame the guy if this is true. Would have loved to have him at fullback this season; he'd be a great mentor to all our young backs and, especially, a great help to young Tiaan. Just wondering whether we'll ever see him back in black and white? He'll probably go overseas if he doesn't make the RWC squad next year.
Well, with this and the Crusaders he really is dead to me!
Nah, a couple of months of easier rugby might see him have a proper tilt at the 2019 RWC.
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@stargazer Last I heard he was a Southland player, not a HB one.
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Tony Lamborn has moved to Southland, a bit of a surprise that one.
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@kiwimatrix Yeah, I noticed that too when I posted the Southland squad in the general Mitre 10 Cup thread. Not sure what to think of it. I guess it depends on who will be named in the Magpies squad in his place. It obviously hasn't been his choice to leave the Bay; I'd have thought he'd be in the squad, especially because Renton has also left the province.
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Last year's Magpies loosies:
Gareth Evans - signed
Matt Gardner - playing club rugby
Tony Lamborn - has moved to Southland
Marino Mikaele-Tu'u - I assume he's signed, but couldn't find a source for that
Hugh Renton - has moved to Canterbury
Fa'alemiga Selesele - off-contract? (playing club rugby for MAC)Last year's Saracens loosies who played one or more games for the Magpies:
Lucas Goodin
Ben Hamelink
Ricky HayesLoosies in this year's trial squad:
Hannon Brighouse (NOBM)
Solomone Funaki (MAC)
Ben Hamelink (HRS)
Ricky Hayes (NOBM)
Chris Johnston (NOBM)
Josh Kaifa (Clive, still injured?)
Lui Luamanu (Taradale)
Jake Nelson-Murray (NOBM)
Fa'aleminga Selesele (MAC)
Tyler Symon-Burke (NOBM) - not initially named, but played in one of the preseason games
Will Tremain (NOBM)
Nathan Tweedy (Taradale) - not initially named, but played in one of the preseason games
Sam Ulufonua (Havelock N)Assuming they'll again sign 6 loosies, and that currently (as far as I know) we only have Evans, Mikaele-Tu'u and Flanders (assumption), who of the lists above are likely to be signed? Ulufonua has a development contract and may be a strong candidate, and possibly Tremain. Haven't seen any club rugby and the footage of the preseason games was of insufficient quality to form an opinion.
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@stargazer TBH, and I know you're a big fan of Lamborn, he's moved past being a pure openside and is a mix of 6 and 7 - now our former idiot coach seemed happy to play him as such, but I'm not fussed about him leaving as I've never thought he was as good as you do.
In saying that obviously I would have liked him to remain for depth reasons (so too Renton).
Of your list and add ons, I think Flanders will get game time this year.
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@nepia I wouldn't call myself a big fan of Lamborn; I liked his work rate, (to a degree) his aggression and - to me - he was really the best of the rest (but clearly behind players like Evans, Mikaele-Tu'u, and now I'd also say Flanders, who's an immense prospect for a SR contract IMO. I also rate TBW ahead of him. Thought Lamborn re-gressed a bit last year, but it's hard to say with whole team underperforming.)
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@stargazer said in Hawke's Bay rugby 2018:
@nepia I wouldn't call myself a big fan of Lamborn; I liked his work rate, (to a degree) his aggression and - to me - he was really the best of the rest (but clearly behind players like Evans, Mikaele-Tu'u, and now I'd also say Flanders, who's an immense prospect for a SR contract IMO. I also rate TBW ahead of him. Thought Lamborn re-gressed a bit last year, but it's hard to say with whole team underperforming.)
I stand corrected - actually looks like we agree
- is there another HB poster on here who is a big fan that I've confused you with.Yeah, I liked him when he was a pure 7 but the hybrid 6 change didn't work for me (especially when TBW was getting splinters).
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This article explains why Tony Lamborn will be playing for Southland this season. Clearly not because he wasn't wanted.
Lamborn, was offered a Magpies contract earlier this year but turned it down because he had options in Europe to consider. "When mum got quite sick with her breast cancer I decided to stay in New Zealand for another year to be closer to her," Lamborn said referring to his mother Sari. "By then it was too late for Hawke's Bay and I had to look for other options."Magpies head coach Mark Ozich described missing out on Lamborn's services as "one of those unfortunate situations." "By the time Tony decided to come back to us there was no space on our roster. We had no money for an extra loosie. If we contracted Tony we would have had to go with one less front rower or one less lock." "Everything is amicable and he could return to the Magpies in the future. That's the nature of the beast when it comes to professional rugby," Ozich added.Obviously, it's very well possible that he'll still go to Europe instead of coming back in 2020. By then, we may also have better players in the squad. Who knows, Will Tremain (if he can stay injury free) may develop into a great 7 for us (or someone else).
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=12093396
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