NPC - news, injuries etc
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@williethewaiter ah so Tim Bond came down to you guys, gutted!
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2018 Waikato Mitre 10 Cup squad - background info and list on the Waikato rugby website: http://www.mooloo.co.nz/newsarticle/66287
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I could easily post this in the Magpies forum, Chiefs 2019 thread and general Super Rugby thread, but since the Mitre 10 Cup starts next week, I'll post this here.
I'm really feeling sorry for the lad; so much talent, so little luck.
Hawke's Bay coach Mark Ozich says Sam McNicol's prolonged absence from rugby due to concussion will at least extend to almost two years because New Zealand Rugby are cautiously "holding him back". The Chiefs utility back was not included in Hawke's Bay's 2018 squad announced on Wednesday after fronting for the Magpies at Tuesday's Mitre 10 Cup launch in Auckland. McNicol, who is contracted with the Chiefs through to 2019, hasn't played at all this year because of ongoing concussion issues and his last competitive outing was for Hawke's Bay last October.Ozich said the 22-year-old is "symptom free" and has been cleared to play, but revealed he would be held back from potentially returning to the fray until next year's Mitre 10 Cup. It means McNicol will miss the 2019 Super Rugby season after suffering multiple head knocks in the last three years. "Even though he's feeling good and he's been cleared from a medical point of view, New Zealand Rugby are holding him back to make sure he's given time to recover and [they] are not rushing him back," Ozich told Stuff on Thursday. "He's still young, and with his wellbeing and his future in mind, the consensus is to hold him back for another six months to make sure he comes back and has every opportunity to have longevity in the game, if he comes back." Ozich said McNicol was confident of playing again despite the concussion nightmare that has dogged his young career. "He's training with the guys, he's doing the skill and condition work, so he's a part of training, although he's not [involved] in contact areas, but he's keeping fresh and keeping his skills honed. "He's really hungry to play but he still understands that airing on the side of caution at this stage is probably [best]." -
The Wellington Lions squad will be named on Tuesday, 14 August.
The Wellington XV squad to meet Ta$man in Blenheim is:
15 Trent Renata (Oriental-Rongotai)
14 Tuitama Malo (Oriental-Rongotai)
13 Peter Umaga-Jensen (Wainuiomata)
12 Thomas Umaga-Jensen (Wainuiomata)
11 Losi Filipo (Petone)
10 TJ Va’a (Wainuiomata)
9 Kemara Hauiti-Parapara (Tawa)
8 Thomas Waldrom (Avalon)
7 Greg Foe (Poneke)
6 Galu Taufale (Poneke)
5 Isaia Walker-Leawere (Poneke)
4 James Blackwell (Petone)
3 Joel Hintz (Old Boys University)
2 James O’Reilly (Hutt Old Boys Marist)
1 Tolu Fahamokioa (Tawa)Reserves
16 Pasi Uluilakepa (Petone)
17 Sitiveni Paonga (Tawa)
18 Tietie Tuimauga (Johnsonville)
19 Naitoa Ah Kuoi (Marist St Pats)
20 Mateaki Kafatolu (Petone)
21 Du’Plessis Kirifi (Northern United)
22 Teariki Ben-Nicholas (Old Boys University)
23 Carlos Price (Petone)
24 Dale Sabbagh (Old Boys University)
25 Isaia Petelo (Marist St Pats)
26 Ollie Sapsford (Wellington)https://www.wrfu.co.nz/news/post/wellington-xv-named-to-face-tasman/
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That Wellington squad, with the Umaga-Jensen twins playing at 12 and 13, makes me wonder whether playing against identical twins who play next to each other is a complicating factor for opponents? Or doesn't it matter whether they look exactly the same?
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@taniwharugby Its good two see Robinson back playing. He was excellent preseason last year with the blues before getting that bad injury and I don't think he has played since. Will also be interested to see what a decent forward coach like Whitcombe can get out of Isi Tu'ungafasi who looked a bit soft and lazy with Auckland but showed a bit more intent in one of the last games last season.
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Steamers team vs Auckland Today.
Head Coach Clayton McMillan has been forced to make two last minute changes due to sickness and injury in the locks with late call ups Aaron Carrol and Lars Morrice respectively securing a starting position and spot on the bench. Other notable starters is Te Puna’s Jeff Thwaites returning to the fold and Kaleb Trask moving into the starting first five eight position.An experienced bench will see the return of fullback Chase Tiatia following his super rugby duties, the introduction of prop Ross Geldenhyus, hooker Valentine Meachen and All Blacks Sevens representative Trael Joass on the wing.
Bay of Plenty Steamers:
- James Lay
- Liam Polwart
- Jeff Thwaites
- Aaron Carrol
- Tyler Ardron
- Hugh Blake
- Mitch Karpik
- Hoani Matenga
- Luke Campbell
- Kaleb Trask
- Matt Garland
- Terrence Hepetema
- Liam Steel
- Fa’asiu Fuatai
- Bailey Simonsson
Reserves:
16. Valentine Meachen
17. Solomona Sakalia
18. Ross Geldenhyus
19. Lars Morrice
20. Ajay Mua
21. Richard Judd
22. Trael Joass
23. Chase Tiatia
24. Tevita Mafileo -
Turbos preseason XV v Hawke’s Bay (Fri 10 August, Napier, k/o 1pm)
15 Junior Laloifi, 14 Jono Ihaka, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 James Tofa, 11 Te Rangatira Waitokia, 10 Hamish Northcott, 9 Kayne Hammington, 8 Brice Henderson, 7 Antonio Kiri Kiri (c), 6 Liam Mitchell, 5 Nick Crosswell, 4 Liam Hallam-Eames, 3 Sione Asi, 2 Tim Cadwallader, 1 Faalelei Sione. Reserves: 16 Sam Stewart, 17 Fraser Armstrong, 18 Sean Paranihi, 19 Brad Tucker, 20 Sam Wasley, 21 Griffin Culver, 22 Cody Hemi, 23 Shai Wiperi
https://www.turbosrugby.co.nz/news/thompson-named-for-turbos-preseason-match
I've posted the Magpies team in the Magpies forum.
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Good to see a few names hopefully back to full fitness
10 TJ Va’a. Last time I saw him play (2016) he lasted until he did his first sidestep. He wasn't touched but fell to the ground in pain. I wondered if he would ever recover so hopefully he is fully fit again. But he seems a bit on the small side. And fragile.
The Highlanders Umaga-Jensen (Thomas) looks the better player but both seem injury prone. And hopefully Isaia Walker-Leawere is fully fit and lasts the full season as he was class before his operation last year
Carlos Price is still young but he might be one to watch. He looked promising in the few minutes he got last year
