Magpies 2021
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If all players were available for selection, this could be our Super Rugby team:
1 Rakete-Stones
2 Dixon
3 'Apikotoa
4 Retallick
5 B Evans/Walker-Leawere
6 Mikaele-Tu'u
7 G Evans
8 Flanders
9 Fakatava/Weber
10 Makene
11 Lowe
12 Toala
13 Ili
14 Visinia
15 Falcon16 (Kereru-Symes)
17 Waa
18
19 Walker-Leawere/B Evans and Cridge
20 O'Connor
21 Weber/Fakatava
22 Enari: not at SR level, but he has played at first five
23 (Fomai)Funaki and Fomai had SR (injury replacement) contracts in 2021, but didn't get to play.
Kereru-Symes had an injury replacement contract in 2020, but also didn't get game time.
That only leaves the 18 jersey. -
Answering this here:
@nepia said in Taranaki v Hawkes Bay:
I must admit I don't know anything about Tuitavuki. Is he any good?
@nepia said in Taranaki v Hawkes Bay:
@higgins I assume, @Stargazer might know, he's a fill in until Makene/Fomai and Sapsford come back in?
Tuitavuki was on an injury replacement contract, last year (for Sam McNicol). He got game time - off the bench - in one game only, IIRC in one of the games we threw in the towel in advance (the Harbour game?). He's a 22 or 23 years old Liston College Old Boy, but has been in Hawke's Bay for a few years now.
He played for the Blues U18 in 2016 and the Auckland U19s team that won the Jock Hobbs U19 Tournament in 2017 (the same squad as - among others - Caleb Clarke, Hoskins Sotutu, Harry Plummer and MVP Sione Havili). Since his arrival in Hawke's Bay, he has mostly played XVs and sevens for Havelock North (as @Number-10 said, he moved to Clive this year) and has represented Hawke's Bay in sevens. Last year, he participated in the Ignite 7s, but didn't really stand out IIRC.
Interestingly, I found his name also in a match report from a Perth based amateur club called Nedlands from April 2017, so he must have done some travelling and playing after leaving school and before returning to Auckland. His name also appears in an article about "departing players" from Shelford RFC in the UK of May 2018, so he probably joined our Academy upon his return to NZ.
I don't know whether he's on a full or injury replacement contract, this year. Mason Emerson and Sam McNicol have left, but we have 3 newbies in Tuitavuki, Robinson-Bartlett and Higgins (I'm assuming Falcon has taken Baker's spot). That suggests that at least one of them doesn't have a full contract, but who? My guess is Robinson-Bartlett, but I may be wrong.
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From the HBT preview of Taranaki v Magpies:
He said big victories over Heartland Championship opposition in the Magpies' preseason Ranfurly Shield defences somewhat glossed over a few cracks in their game that they have tried to address.
"Playing Counties [Manukau Steelers in Taupō] last week exposed us a little bit around our physicality and our detail," Ozich said.
"There's been a fair bit of work gone in this week to try and get up to speed."Since midfielder/wing Neria Fomai only recently joined the group from Manu Samoa's tour of New Zealand, the coach rewarded Anzelo Tuitavuki and Kienan Higgins for their good form and training with places on the wing and bench respectively.
Otherwise it's a fairly predictable lineup with Caleb Makene, Solomone Funaki and Brendon O'Connor still to return from injury.Pay-walled:
Sellout crowd for Hawke's Bay Magpies versus Taranaki
It's a sellout crowd in Taranaki for the Magpies first game
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NZR's announcement has already been posted in the Exodus thread, so I post the Magpies announcement here.
From the Magpies' Facebook page:
Magpies captain and Hawke’s Bay Rugby centurion Ash Dixon has announced he is heading to Japan on a two-year deal to play in the new Japanese League which begins in January 2022.
Dixon (32) brought up his 100th game for the Magpies in last year’s memorable Ranfurly Shield victory over Otago and so far amassed 109 games for his beloved Magpies and as their most consistent player over a number of years, Dixon will depart for his new Japanese adventure at the end of the Magpies 2021 Bunnings NPC campaign.
Hawke’s Bay Rugby CEO Jay Campbell said. “Ash arrived in the Bay as a highly promising hooker out of Christchurch Boys High and when he leaves will have worn the black and white jersey over 100 times; captain for many, won the Ranfurly Shield three times, won trophies and just as importantly won the hearts and minds of fans throughout the country for the way he conducts himself on and off the field and being always giving 100% every time he represented Napier Tech, Magpies, Highlanders and the Māori All Blacks. Ash departs as one of the greats to represent our province.”
Campbell added ‘It has been a privilege to be involved with someone who is the consummate professional. An absolute competitor who set huge standards for himself and his teammates which he was never willing to compromise and a real leader of men. While it’s a massive loss for the Magpies, I know Dicko will be absolutely driven to add another chapter to his legacy before he says sayonara’
Magpies head coach Mark Ozich added ‘ Ash leaving for Japan is an exciting time for him and his family and a new challenge for a real warrior of New Zealand Rugby. Whilst losing someone of Ash’s ability, stature and leadership is a huge loss, I can understand the timing is right for him. He will be a massive loss to the Magpies, Highlanders and New Zealand Rugby. We wish him well and I certainly appreciate all he has done for me personally and the Magpies over a long period of service.
Dixon said it was a difficult decision to leave.
“I’ve been incredibly grateful for the love and loyalty the Bay has shown me over the years and to play over 100 games for this prestigious province is something I will cherish forever’’
And added ‘’To all the staunch supporters who have supported myself and the magpies through thick and thin you are not forgotten…thankyou’’
Dixon will captain the Magpies when they defend the Ranfurly Shield against Otago on Saturday at Mclean Park on Saturday afternoon in their second NPC match.Hawkes Bay Magpies
Magpies captain and Hawke’s Bay Rugby centurion Ash Dixon has announced he is heading to Japan on a two-year deal to play in the new Japanese League which begins in January 2022. Dixon (32) brought...
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The HBRU have fortunately realised that this is what they have a website for. They've published the announcement of Ash Dixon's departure here:
https://www.sporty.co.nz/magpies/newsarticle/106849?newsfeedId=1229594
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@stargazer said in Magpies 2021:
Ha, Mrs SG just suggested signing up Kahn Fotuali'i as injurcy cover/replacement. He has been playing club rugby in Manawatu this year (since returning from France?).
Thoughts?
Brilliant!
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@delicatessen Actually I don't think that's a bad idea. The Halfbacks left around the Bay are IMO not up to that level. Kahn has a wealth of experience, and would help give the forward pack direction.
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Might be a bit late.
Kahn Fotuali'i was named in the Horowhenua Kapiti squad on July 10.
*Former Crusaders halfback and Samoa representative Kahn Fotuali'i has been named in the Horowhenua-Kāpiti training squad and could well wear a red, white and blue jersey this season.
Former Crusaders halfback named in HK squad
The 39-year-old halfback would be a valuable edition to the 2021 team.
He is one of six players from outside Horowhenua-Kāpiti vying for three available spots in the team to fill the import player quota, along with Izzy Foai, Keenan Gillson, Bryn Gordon and Benedict Grant from Manawatū, and James So'oialo from Wellington.
Fotuali'i, now aged 39, has played rugby all over the world, however, this season he played club rugby for Freyberg in the Manawatū competition - coincidentally the same club current Horowhenua-Kāpiti coach Chris Wilton played for in his heydey.
Wilton said having an experienced international player like Fotuali'i available would be invaluable, not only as a player, but also as a mentor for all players within the Horowhenua-Kāpiti team.
"He might be in the twilight of his career but he just wants to give back to the game. He is still very classy and would add so much to the team," he said.
Little more than a decade ago Fotuali'i was arguably one of the best halfbacks in world rugby. Just watch the highlights reels.
He must have came close to All Black selection after forcing incumbent All Black halfback Andy Ellis to the Crusaders bench for much of that 2010 Super Rugby championship.
Fotuali'i then represented Samoa, captaining the team after making his debut against Japan in 2010. He went on to play 35 times for Samoa.
In 2011 he joined top Welsh side Ospreys. In 2014, he signed with Northampton Saints and played there for three years, before playing three season at Bath. In the 2019-20 season he had signed with French team Montpellier.
Earlier in his career he played for both Hawke's Bay and Ta$man, but he has never played in a Heartland Championship.
Meanwhile, Wilton and HK assistant coach Aleni Feagaiga have named a large training squad to start preparing for the 2021 Bunnings Heartland Championship.
Training began earlier this week at Playford Park for the 36 players named.*
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Saw an ex magpie post this on FB and a lot of other ex magpies posting their lack of surprise. A reliable source tells me the mentioned person would struggle to get back into HB province as there wouldn't be a bridge he hasn't burnt.
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@magpie_in_aus I thought that kit was Guildfords tbh
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@stargazer said in Magpies 2021:
I honestly don't see the need to post this in the 2021 Magpies thread. It's not news, and it's not relevant.
It's interesting though isn't it.
God damn you're sensitive. -
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@yeetyaah yeah it is. A previous team mate of his posted a link to that trademe then a few of his other ex magpie teammates were saying they weren't surprised.
He's working with men's mental health type work (ala men's medicine/amend). There is a bit of annoyance with a few of those people who owes money etc about this as they haven't heard from him to either repay or at least reach out.
@Stargazer can you link me the magpies 2015 season thread I will repost in there.
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@magpie_in_aus said in Magpies 2021:
@Stargazer can you link me the magpies 2015 season thread I will repost in there.
It’s fine here
