Waikato 2020
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Thought it's about time to make a Waikato thread though they aren't as many Waikato supporters on here as other provinces.
Just rolling the speculation of signings.
Roe is playing club rugby in Hamilton so assuming he's gonna be in the squad.
Patrick Osbourne as reported by @OleOleOle -
I was thinking about a potential squad today. There are a few players from last season's squad who have left or retired, some haven't been seen in club rugby (based on the team lists), while who knows about the injury status of other players.
Out from 2019 - Toby Smith, Taleni Seu, Antonio Shalfoon, Jack Stratton, Carlos Price, Raniera Takarangi, Sevu Reece, Tyler Campbell.
Injury status unknown - Laghlan McWhannell, James Tucker, Solomon Alaimalo.
Retired from rep rugby - Dwayne Sweeney?
Unknown - Sekope Lopeti-Moli, Sam Cooper, Manawa Veitayaki, Api Naikatini, Jahrome Brown.I haven't seen any club rugby so there will be players I have overlooked.
Props
Ayden Johnstone
Ollie Norris
Rob Cobb
Josh Iosefa-Scott
Plus 2 others (George Dyer as TH, the 3rd LH prop could be Vincent Green but he is in his first year out of school so too early)
Sefo Kautai has returned from Japan but is a TH. Stanley Paese is another young TH prop.Hookers
Samisoni Taukei'aho
Anton Milnes
A.N. Other (Haereiti Hetet)Locks (This will depend on the availability of Tucker and McWhannell).
Hamilton Burr
Tim Bond
James Thompson
Adam Thomson
Samipeni FinauTwo converted 6s in this group. Shneil Singh could be in the mix but there is a real lack of experience.
Loose forwards
Luke Jacobson
Mitch Jacobson
Liam Messam
Simon Parker
Murray Iti
Hugo Nankivell
Jeriah MuaI'd like to see Quade Tapsell given an opportunity.
Halfbacks (All 3 from last year have departed)
Xavier Roe
Quintony Ngatai
Cortez-Lee Ratima1st 5s
Fletcher Smith
Rivez Reihana
Coby MilnMidfield
Anton Lienert-Brown
Quinn Tupaea
Bailyn Sullivan
Louis Rogers
Jordan BunceOutside Backs
Patrick Osborne
Solomon Alaimalo
Declan O'Donnell
Brandon Mudzekenyedzi
Newton Tudreu
Valance Te Whare/Gideon Wrampling
Damian McKenzie
Matty Landsdown -
@Bovidae All 3 halfbacks? I'm sure Price still lives in Hamilton. Strange. There's a bunch of names in there that I've never heard.
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@Yeetyaah Someone said that Price is back in BOP. He isn't playing Waikato club rugby.
After checking Dr. Google, other players selected for Waikato in the CCC earlier in the year were:
Tom Martin (based in Wellington)
Kieran Westlake (no.8)
Mateo Taiseni (hooker)
Vainikolo Halafihi (loose forward)
Liam Coombes-Fabling (wing/fullback)
Tepaea Cook-Savage (1st 5/fullback)
Paula Mahe (outside back) -
@Yeetyaah said in Waikato 2020:
There's a bunch of names in there that I've never heard.
I am basing this on who was in the 2019 squad and have added a few players from previous NZ U20s and Waikato U19s.
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@Bovidae Adam Thomson has signed for Waikato, another loosie option. (Still wish he stayed with Otago)
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@NateHill74 That's right. Forgot about him....for good reason.
Thomson will be used as a lock so our props better get used to no pushing.
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@Bovidae Tudreu is with the Turbo. Gideon Wrampling could be worth a look...
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Tudreu was amongst the top try-scorers so must have only played the early part of the club season with Marist.
I've seen a little bit of Wrampling for the NZ Schools and St Paul's last year. He is a midfielder but is playing on the wing for HOB. He has size and speed.
Anyone else in with a chance?
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@Bovidae yes, he left a couple of weeks ago...its a shame because he is a real threat with ball in hand. Te Whare is good. Not sure of many other signings at this point.....halfback is still a concern!
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@Bovidae where did Tyler Campbell go?
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@Yeetyaah I don't know, but he wasn't in the Waikato team that played in the CCC and I haven't seen his name listed in club rugby. I'm assuming he has left the province.
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@Bovidae what's CCC?
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Chiefs Country Centurion Cup.
The Centurion Cup will see Chiefs Country Provincial Unions Bay of Plenty, Counties Manukau, Taranaki and Waikato play a quadrangular competition in Hamilton, as curtain raisers to the Gallagher Chiefs home matches at FMG Stadium Waikato.Waikato beat BOP in the final before the Chiefs vs Brumbies game.
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@Yeetyaah said in Waikato 2020:
@Bovidae where did Tyler Campbell go?
He was in the China Lions squad for Rapid Rugby. So maybe he's moved to BOP?
He's from the Gold Coast, isn't he? So another possibility is that he's gone back to Aussie?
Or injured again. -
@Stargazer I did wonder if Campbell had returned to Aust. We'll see if he turns up in the BOP squad.
Here is the Waikato team that played BOP. I included some players based on their selection in this team. Exclude Stevenson as some Chiefs players were released to play for each of the 4 provinces.
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Rob Cobb
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Anton Milnes
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George Dyer
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Hamilton Burr
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Samipeni Finau
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Tom Martin (Captain)
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Hugo Nankivell
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Kieran Westlake
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Xavier Roe
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Rivez Reihana
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Bailyn Sullivan
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Louis Rogers
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Brandon Maudzekenyedzi
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Shaun Stevenson
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Liam Coombes-Fabling
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Mateo Taiseni
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Ollie Norris
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Manawa Veitayaki
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Adam Thomson
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Vainikolo Halafihi
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Jeriah Mua
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Simon Parker
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Tepaea Cook Savage
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Paula Mahe
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Cortez Ratima
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Coby Miln
Other players used in the Counties game were:
Josh Balme (lock)
Haereiti Hetet (prop) - has been playing hooker for Oto -
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@Stargazer. Has moved to Queensland. he's playing club rugby in Brisbane this year
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Looking at his latest instagram story, Fletcher Smith will play for Waikato.
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The big question will be if Smith has a SR contract beyond this year?
He seems to be on the outer at the Canes so maybe the Chiefs are interested with 2 positions to fill at 1st 5.
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@Bovidae hasn't played the house down at the Canes but I'd be okay with him at the Chiefs tbh.
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24-year-old Jacobson set for sixth season with Waikato following Japanese stint
Waikato Mooloo Mitch Jacobson bleeds red, yellow and red blood and has been a part of their Mitre 10 Cup squad since 2015.
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It's easy to forget that Mitch is still young. I hope he gets a regular shot in SR.
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Another player who could make the Waikato squad is Beaudein Waaka as he doesn't appear to be part of the Taranaki squad this season.
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Can he cover halfback??
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@ARHS Waaka has been playing at fullback for Melville. I think he's more of an outside back in XVs.
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@Bovidae Yep, for Taranaki he used to play either fullback or first five-eighth.
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@Stargazer I do remember him playing on the wing too.
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Asked the Waikato rugby page on Facebook when the squad is named, they responded with September 1st.
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@Bovidae I saw him playing for Poverty Bay I think it was jeez he’s packed the beef on
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Waikato Signs Patrick Osborne and Adam Thomson for the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup
Waikato Rugby is pleased to announce the signing of international duo of Patrick Osborne and Adam Thomson for the...
Waikato Rugby is pleased to announce the signing of international duo of Patrick Osborne and Adam Thomson for the upcoming Mitre 10 Cup season.Not news but this was written at the bottom of the article.
Waikato will announce the entire 2020 Mitre 10 Cup squad after the launch next Tuesday morning.So maybe not today?
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@Bovidae Weird, they said it'd be today when they replied to my comment on Facebook.
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Jahrome Brown could be in the Waikato squad again, after missing the entire season last year after breaking his leg in a preseason game.
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@Bovidae is he not contracted to the Brumbies anymore?
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@Yeetyaah I don't know, but Brown hasn't played for the Brumbies in SR AU has he? Someone connected with the Melville club told me he is back.
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Season ending injuries to players Solomon Alaimalo, Sam Cooper, Laghlan McWhannell and James Tucker, means they will play no part in this year’s campaign.
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By position:
Props
Ollie Norris (10) Hautapu - LH
Rob Cobb (5) Hamilton Old Boys - LH/TH
George Dyer ( ) Fraser Tech - TH
Josh Iosefa-Scott (30) Melville - TH
Ayden Johnstone (23) Hautapu - LH
Sosefo Kautai (31) Hamilton Marist - THHookers
Samisoni Taukei’aho (33) Fraser Tech
Sekope Lopeti-Moli (13) Hautapu
Steven Misa (11) Hamilton MaristLocks
Hamilton Burr (7) Hautapu - also 6
Samipeni Finau (5) Hamilton Old Boys - also 6
James Thompson (2) Hautapu
Adam Thomson ( ) Morrrinsville Sports - also 6Loose forwards
Luke Jacobson (11) Hautapu - 6/8 (captain)
Mitch Jacobson (46) Hautapu - 6/7
Liam Messam (85) Raglan - 6/8
Simon Parker (6) Hautapu - 6/8Halfbacks
Xavier Roe ( ) Hamilton Old Boys
Cortez Ratima ( ) OtorohangaInside backs
Fletcher Smith (22) University
Rivez Reihana (9) Melville
Liam Coombes-Fabling ( ) Fraser Tech - also fullback
Matty Lansdown (27) Fraser Tech - also fullbackMidfield
Anton Lienert-Brown (19) University
Quinn Tupaea (21) Hamilton Old Boys
Louis Rogers (6) University
Bailyn Sullivan (26) Hamilton Marist - also wingOutside backs
Damian McKenzie (24) University
Patrick Osborne ( ) Fraser Tech
Valynce Te Whare (3) Fraser Tech
Gideon Wrampling ( ) Hamilton Old Boys -
Only 2 halfbacks? Dunno about this squad, bunch of young fellas with a few oldies. Good development but hard to see them winning a whole lot.
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@Yeetyaah Yep, only 2 halfbacks and no other no.7 like Nankivell or Mua to backup M Jacobson.
31 players seems to be a smaller squad than most other provinces.
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@Bovidae no specialist locks...halfback depth is non existant and ALB and DMac will only play a game or two. I can see this team struggling this year.
