2021 Hawke's Bay Representative Rugby
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Hawke's Bay Academy squad to play Wellington Academy tomorrow:
1 Jayden Walker
2 Dom Devine
3 Troy McIvor
4 Tiaki Fabish (C)
5 Jacob Ward
6 Emil Crichton
7 Tupou Ma’afu Afungia
8 Cooper Flanders
9 Ezekiel Stewart
10 Harry Godfrey
11 Joeli Suka
12 Jordan Thompson Dunn
13 Jayden Stok
14 Kere Penitito
15 Jonty StewartReserves
16 Jackman Byrne
17 Sean Ormond
18 Hugh Taylor
19 Lexus Greening
20 Boris Van Bruchen
21 Brad Campbell
22 Bethel Lutele-MalasiaSome very promising players in that squad. Can't say I know all of them, esp the halves. Of the reserves, I only know the winger (22) and I've heard of - but not seen - Greening.
Divine played for Regional XV, last week, and looked promising.
I had heard that there were attempts to poach Jayden Stok (Wellington and Waikato); it looks like he has decided to stay. If this is indeed the case, I'm really glad, because he's a real talent.
No. 20, did we get a Dutch players as well?
Oh, and how many Penitito's are there. Here's another one!I wish I had time to drive up to Palmy ...
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Not sure where else to post this. From the HBRU FB page:
Hawke's Bay referees Dan Waenga, Tipene Cottrell and Nick Hogan have been named in the 2021 New Zealand Rugby National Referee Squad.
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Doing my best Ken Laban impersonation, I've looked up the players of our Academy team and which school they went to:
Napier Boys':
Jayden Walker, Tiaki Fabish, Jacob Ward, Ezekiel Stewart, Jayden Stok, Jackman Byrne, Bethel Lutele-MalasiaHastings Boys':
Emil Crichton, Cooper Flanders, Joeli Rauca Suka, Jordan Thompson-Dunn, Lexus GreeningSt John's College, Hastings:
Kere Penitito, Brad CampbellWairoa College:
Sean Ormond (also Gisborne Boys'), Hugh TaylorFeilding HS:
Jonty StewartSacred Heart College:
Dom Devine (moved to Auckland from Napier at the age of 6, attended Lincoln Uni & played 2 years for Canterbury U19)Shirley Boys':
Boris Van Bruchem (is indeed of Dutch descent; born in Chch)Southland Boys':
Troy McIvorWhanganui Collegiate:
Harry Godfrey (was good for NZ Secondary Schools', last year; glad we picked him up after losing Lattrell Smiler-Ah Kiong)Westlake Boys':
Tupou Ma’afu Afungia (Tonga born) -
Result: Hawke's Bay Academy 29 - 12 Wellington Academy (HT: 19 - 12)
Our points differential is better than Manawatu's, so this should mean that we've won this mini-competition.
It wouldn't surprise me at all if Wellington - despite being convincingly beaten by both other provinces - still manages to get the largest number of players in the Hurricanes U20 squad. Because that's how the Hurricanes roll ...
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Not necessarily as a lot of them would be aware of the Wellington favour when it comes to Hurricanes selection so have probably already got commitment understanding with other Super Rugby outfits by now. At least Kings and St Kents can't get their hands on any of this lot!
I am sitting here wearing my Magpies Polo shirt in support of the guys so needless to say I'm thrilled at this result. I'm assuming the 12 points conceded all came from long range against the run of play penalties? -
@higgins It will be interesting to see what Cooper Flanders is going to do when he leaves school. He's one of the few players in the Academy squad, who is still at school (I think Bethel Lutele-Malasia is, too). I really hope the HBRU will be able to lock him in for the next few years, so others can't poach him. With his brother and MMT certain starters for the next few years at 6 and 8 (unless one or both them manages to get picked up by the ABs), he might want to consider a switch to openside, or at least increase his utility value? I expect big things from this lad, but it really has to be for the Magpies.
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@stargazer Can he play 7? All our loosies seem to be 8s these days so if could successfully convert to openside it would help.
On another note, I can't believe that in the two Canes squads this week there's only 5 Magpies. 5 Magpies from 46 players. That's such B/S that even @Canes4life wouldn't be able to put up one of his usual heroic defences of the organisation.
@Number-10 Does the lack of Magpies/Hawkes Bay representation in the Canes ever get discussed at the AGMs and other meetings you attend?
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@nepia I have no idea whether Cooper can play 7; I was just wondering whether it would be a good idea for him to develop into a 7, or at least a backrow utility who can play 7 (like Evans).
I suspect there are already a few provinces lining up to poach him and he might be tempted, if he thinks he won't get a starting spot in the Magpies squad because Devan and MMT are already claiming that 8 and 6 jersey.
I'd like to see them all starting for the Magpies, one day (if they're not in the ABs), but that's only possible if one of them moves to 7.
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@nepia lol there are plenty of Wellington players scattered around other franchises that didn’t pick up Canes contracts and probably deserved them aswell. You don’t see me harping on about it, it’s just the way it is.
Yes the Hurricanes have made some selection cock ups over the past few years (Blackwell / Prinsep), but there have certainly been players who have decided to represent other franchises by choice. Case and point - Folau Fakatava.
Anyway this discussion is like flogging a dead horse and you don’t even support the Canes.
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@canes4life said in 2021 Hawke's Bay Representative Rugby:
@nepia lol there are plenty of Wellington players scattered around other franchises that didn’t pick up Canes contracts and probably deserved them aswell. You don’t see me harping on about it, it’s just the way it is.
Yes the Hurricanes have made some selection cock ups over the past few years (Blackwell / Prinsep), but there have certainly been players who have decided to represent other franchises by choice. Case and point - Folau Fakatava.
Anyway this discussion is like flogging a dead horse and you don’t even support the Canes.
Of course you don't harp on about it, the Canes and the development team are filled with Wellington players. Why would you harp on about the Canes constantly picking Wellington players?
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@nepia said in 2021 Hawke's Bay Representative Rugby:
@stargazer Can he play 7? All our loosies seem to be 8s these days so if could successfully convert to openside it would help.
On another note, I can't believe that in the two Canes squads this week there's only 5 Magpies. 5 Magpies from 46 players. That's such B/S that even @Canes4life wouldn't be able to put up one of his usual heroic defences of the organisation.
@Number-10 Does the lack of Magpies/Hawkes Bay representation in the Canes ever get discussed at the AGMs and other meetings you attend?
No mention at the recent AGM. I can recall it coming up once during Richard Hunt's Chairmanship (2002-2010). The answer was that even though it was frustrating Hawke's Bay still had to live and work with Wellington and the Hurricanes.
Although in those days Wellington and the Hurricanes were one entity, they are, in theory, separate organisations now, certainly at executive level.
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@number-10 It's frustrating and quite frankly pisses me off. The Hurricanes contracting system is worped. Blackwell ahead of Parsons and Cridge. Garden- Bachop ahead of McClutchie. JGB has no ability to make a line break, or back up out wide when the midfield do. McClutchie does. The Canes in my opinion need to overhaul there Contracting system, and start picking players who's form dictates them worthy. Untill they do, and open there wallet to players especially locks, and inside backs they will continue to flounder.
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@canes4life said in 2021 Hawke's Bay Representative Rugby:
@nepia lol there are plenty of Wellington players scattered around other franchises that didn’t pick up Canes contracts and probably deserved them as well. You don’t see me harping on about it, it’s just the way it is.
Yes the Hurricanes have made some selection cock ups over the past few years (Blackwell / Prinsep), but there have certainly been players who have decided to represent other franchises by choice. Case and point - Folau Fakatava.
Anyway this discussion is like flogging a dead horse and you don’t even support the Canes.
Are you referring to the likes of TBN, Kayne Hammington, Chace Tiatia and Jason Woodward? About the only one you might have any qualms about would be Naitoa Ah Kuoi over Blackwell but remember Ah Kuoi hardly ever started for the L:ions in the NPC.
In the case of Folau did it ever cross your thoughts as to why Folau might opt to be second string at the Highlanders (well third in reality as he was also behind Kayne Hammington) rather than be second or third string at the Hurricanes where he would probably be given no chance of ever starting or making the match day 23? Look at Jonah Lowe, Danny Toala, etc etc. He at least was on a full time contract down there rather than what would have probably been a WTG (or whatever it is called these days) one in Wellington.
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Write-up of yesterday's academy game by "clubrugby" (a Wellington-based account). There's an instagram post at the bottom of the article with a video of Tiaki Fabish' try. He's become a lot bigger since I last saw him play (about two years ago). I wonder how far off he is of NPC level? This is his third year out of school (same Napier BHS 1st XV as the Thompson twins).
https://clubrugby.nz/wp/2021/03/06/hawkes-bay-beat-wellington-in-academy-clash/
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@number-10 said in 2021 Hawke's Bay Representative Rugby:
@nepia said in 2021 Hawke's Bay Representative Rugby:
@stargazer Can he play 7? All our loosies seem to be 8s these days so if could successfully convert to openside it would help.
On another note, I can't believe that in the two Canes squads this week there's only 5 Magpies. 5 Magpies from 46 players. That's such B/S that even @Canes4life wouldn't be able to put up one of his usual heroic defences of the organisation.
@Number-10 Does the lack of Magpies/Hawkes Bay representation in the Canes ever get discussed at the AGMs and other meetings you attend?
No mention at the recent AGM. I can recall it coming up once during Richard Hunt's Chairmanship (2002-2010). The answer was that even though it was frustrating Hawke's Bay still had to live and work with Wellington and the Hurricanes.
Although in those days Wellington and the Hurricanes were one entity, they are, in theory, separate organisations now, certainly at executive level.
Can you ask the secretary to add it to the next agenda and I can join on Zoom for a 10 to 60 minute rant.
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@stargazer said in 2021 Hawke's Bay Representative Rugby:
Result: Hawke's Bay Academy 29 - 12 Wellington Academy (HT: 19 - 12)
Our points differential is better than Manawatu's, so this should mean that we've won this mini-competition.
It wouldn't surprise me at all if Wellington - despite being convincingly beaten by both other provinces - still manages to get the largest number of players in the Hurricanes U20 squad. Because that's how the Hurricanes roll ...
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Meanwhile, Hawke's Bay prop Namatahi Waa is spending the week with the Highlanders as injury cover following Lienert-Brown's injury.
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Meanwhile, Hawke's Bay prop Namatahi Waa is spending the week with the Highlanders as injury cover following Lienert-Brown's injury.
Waa arrives on the recommendation of Magpies coach Mark Ozich, who is also helping the Highlanders with their under-20s program.
The first effect of Ozich's link with the Highlanders. Another missed chance for the Canes; he could have coached the Canes U20s or even better, become part of the Hurricanes SR coaching set-up.I expect more Magpies to play for the Highlanders in the near future. They'll get game time, too.
If it wasn't so geographically and logistically challenging, Hawke's Bay joining the Highlanders catchment could have been next.
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So, in the end, only 5 Hawke's Bay Academy players have been named in the Hurricanes U20s:
Prop Jayden Walker
Lock/loosie Frank Lochore
First five-eighth Harry Godfrey
Midfielder Jordan Thompson-Dunn
Fullback Jonty StewartOnly Tiaki Fabish is mentioned as "Not considered due to injury", so I assume that means that prop Troy McIvor, lock Jacob Ward, loosie Emil Crichton and winger Joeli Suka weren't picked.
All in all very disappointing. Our academy team drew with Manawatu, but smashed Wellington. Manwatu also beat Wellington convincingly. Wellington were clearly weaker than both other provinces. Manawatu have 11 players in the squad and Wellington 10. Darren Larson is the head coach again, so I probably shouldnt' be surprised.
According to the HBRU Facebook page, Troy McIvor has been named in the Barbarians U20 team. No mention of the others.
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@stargazer FFS that makes sense.
Why do my fellow Magpies fans remain loyal to this Wellington team?
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@nepia said in 2021 Hawke's Bay Representative Rugby:
@stargazer FFS that makes sense.
Why do my fellow Magpies fans remain loyal to this Wellington team?
well nepia, I was intending to reside in HB , but ended up in the naki on returning from Aus. But regardless I will always be a Canes' man, because my first rule in sport is loyalty is required , once I support a team I never stop!
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@dan54 said in 2021 Hawke's Bay Representative Rugby:
@nepia said in 2021 Hawke's Bay Representative Rugby:
@stargazer FFS that makes sense.
Why do my fellow Magpies fans remain loyal to this Wellington team?
well nepia, I was intending to reside in HB , but ended up in the naki on returning from Aus. But regardless I will always be a Canes' man, because my first rule in sport is loyalty is required , once I support a team I never stop!
Loyalty should work both ways ....
I’d have to support Manly in the state house rugby if I followed your method.
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@nepia said in 2021 Hawke's Bay Representative Rugby:
@dan54 said in 2021 Hawke's Bay Representative Rugby:
@nepia said in 2021 Hawke's Bay Representative Rugby:
@stargazer FFS that makes sense.
Why do my fellow Magpies fans remain loyal to this Wellington team?
well nepia, I was intending to reside in HB , but ended up in the naki on returning from Aus. But regardless I will always be a Canes' man, because my first rule in sport is loyalty is required , once I support a team I never stop!
Loyalty should work both ways ....
I’d have to support Manly in the state house rugby if I followed your method.
Mate I still support any club etc I have been involved in. Maybe it wrong but that's how my rugby life is lived. I won't rubbish teams I follow etc, I may have reservations but would never stop supporting the AB, Canes, 'the Mighty Nua', Levin Athletic, Logan Rugby (in Brisbane )etc etc doesn't matter what unless they tell me not to! Hell when my son left college way back when, a lot of his mates he played 1st 15, and cricket with asked him if he was going to Old Boys to play, his answer ? What a dumb quetion Athletic is my father's club, so it is mine! See I may of bought him up wrong, but he learnt important lessons in rugby!!
As he says, Whanau first and foremost and rugby club is forever is what I taught him!
