Hawkes Bay v Wellington
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<p>Link to a story that brings back nostalgic memories</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.clubrugby.co.nz/wellington/story.php?id=2087'>http://www.clubrugby.co.nz/wellington/story.php?id=2087</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>We never forget!!!</p> -
<p>Sam McNicol is currently unavailable - recovering from concussion.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>So at the moment, we have unavailable for selection:</p>
<p>Shannan Chase</p>
<p>Sam McNicol</p>
<p>Gareth Evans</p>
<p>Michael Allardice</p>
<p>Sanaila Waqa</p>
<p>Brendon Edmonds</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Should be an interesting selection to play Wellington, particularly in the back three.</p> -
<p>That will probably be Lewis Marshall in the 15 jersey then. I wonder whether all Canes' players are already available for this game? I can imagine Abbott and Lamborn starting, but May & Riccitelli only on the bench? (Renton & Cridge are bench options at best anyway)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>My back three would then be Emerson, Tongia, Marshall, with Garland on the bench (but only because they've said that Fruean will only play later in the season).</p> -
<p>Surely Cridge and Renton must be in the starting lineup. They have been full time professional players for the last two season at the very least so they should be made to get out there and earn their salaries assuming, and thats the big imponderable as virtually no one has seen them play at anything other than club level, they are good enough to warrant selection.</p>
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<div>Wellington Lions squad to play the Magpies:</div>
<div> </div>
<div>1. Vince Sakaria</div>
<div>2. Leni Apisai</div>
<div>3. Chris Baumann</div>
<div>4. Isaia Walker-Leawere</div>
<div>5. Sam Lousi</div>
<div>6. Galu Taufale</div>
<div>7. Greg Foe (c)</div>
<div>8. Hoani Matenga</div>
<div>9. Tomasi Palu</div>
<div>10. Jackson Garden-Bachop</div>
<div>11. Wes Goosen</div>
<div>12. Shaun Treeby</div>
<div>13. Matt Proctor</div>
<div>14. Joe Hill</div>
<div>15. Jason Woodward</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Reserves:</div>
<div>16. Asafo Aumua</div>
<div>17. Alex Fidow</div>
<div>18. Joe Apikotoa</div>
<div>19. Kane Leaupepe</div>
<div>20. Isaac O'Connor</div>
<div>21. Sheridan Rangihuna</div>
<div>22. Pakai Turia</div>
<div>23. Peter Umaga-Jensen</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Brad Shields and Reggie Goodes still recovering from injury and Vaea Fifita being rested.</div>
<div> </div>
<div><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.wellingtonlions.co.nz/news/new-look-lions-named-to-play-hawkes-bay/'>http://www.wellingtonlions.co.nz/news/new-look-lions-named-to-play-hawkes-bay/</a></div>
<div> </div>
<div><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/83321318/greg-foe-to-captain-wellington-against-hawkes-bay-as-brad-shields-recovers-from-injury'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/83321318/greg-foe-to-captain-wellington-against-hawkes-bay-as-brad-shields-recovers-from-injury</a></div> -
<div>Magpies to take on Wellington:</div>
<div> </div>
<div>1. Ricky Riccitelli</div>
<div>2. Ash Dixon (c)</div>
<div>3. Tolu Fahamokioa</div>
<div>4. Geoff Cridge</div>
<div>5. Mark Abbott</div>
<div>6. Hugh Renton</div>
<div>7. Tony Lamborn</div>
<div>8. Fa'alemiga Selesele</div>
<div>9. Ellery Wilson</div>
<div>10. Ihaia West</div>
<div>11. Mason Emerson</div>
<div>12. Billy Ropiha</div>
<div>13. Jonah Lowe</div>
<div>14. Ryan Tongia</div>
<div>15. Lewis Marshall</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Reserves:</div>
<div>16. Jorian Tangaere</div>
<div>17. Jason Long</div>
<div>18. Ben May</div>
<div>19. Josh Eden Whaitiri</div>
<div>20. Marino Mikaele Tu'u</div>
<div>21. Brad Weber</div>
<div>22. Tiaan Falcon</div>
<div>23. Matt Garland</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Our lack of depth at lock is showing. First game, and already having to play an average Saracens player. Filipo already injured? Wonder whether TBW can't play lock; he's tall enough ... now missing from the 23 completely.</div>
<div> </div>
<div>Good to see so many of our Super Rugby boys back, in the starting XV or on the bench.</div> -
<p>The <em>HB Today </em>says Filipo and Boswell-Wakefield are also out injured.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The lineup is nowhere near what our first choice full strength lineup would be.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The starting fifteen only has two debutants - Renton, Selesele, although Cridge has had only one game, having missed all last year due to injury.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The subs bench has six debutants - although May and Weber have Super Rugby experience.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Might as well introduce the debutants en masse in the first game, if required later on they will have some knowledge and be better prepared, at least mentally.</p> -
<p>Excuse my ignorance, but has Ricciteli played much at prop?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Finally time for Renton and Cridge to front up and prove the hype</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Number 10" data-cid="606521" data-time="1471550528">
<div><br><p> </p>
<p>Might as well introduce the debutants en masse in the first game, if required later on they will have some knowledge and be better prepared, at least mentally.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Excuse me, I live in Wellington and will have to face serious risnicks coming my way should Wellington fluke a win (I have really let them have it these last few years when they have not managed to lower HB colours!) thus a full strength side should be fielded. This Ellery Wilson must by a really good player if Brad Weber can only make the reserves. Interesting to note Ben May can only make the bench, pretty much the same in most other teams he has fronted for these last few years. Bizzare how he is overlooked for a guy that was on a Super contract as a hooker when he himself was a Super contracted prop. Has Mr. Philpott only just discovered what I have long bemoaned about Ben May's ability? Interesting to note he has not been re-signed by the team he played for last season (Wellington).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Not sure what to say about the backline other than to hold out hope that all the hype players like Mason Emerson and Jpnah Low have been getting is for real. Billy Ropiha looked good defensively when I watched him last season, so I will be watching to see if his attacking abilities are any good. The fullback has got me a bit worried but am prepared to give hime the benefit of the doubt until I can run my critical eye over him a few more times. The backs are going to have to be on the top of their games to combat what looks to be a reasonably competent visiting back line. Still they do have Jackson Garden-Bachop at first five and he has not done a lot in that position to indicate he is more than an average club player. I have seen him play good in the midfield where he cut my club team up in a few games but still has to convince me at first five. Hopefully this will prove to be a spot we can exploit.</p> -
<p>I sympathathise with your predicament with the locals there, Higgins.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Were you offered an alternative to Wellington for your missionary work? </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stockcar86" data-cid="606538" data-time="1471555415">
<div>
<p>Excuse my ignorance, but has Ricciteli played much at prop?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Finally time for Renton and Cridge to front up and prove the hype</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>All I know is that he played at LH for the NZU20s in the 2015 the final. His U20 bio also says that he has played prop as well as hooker.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm also very interested to see how Renton and Cridge are going this season. Both still big unknowns to me, esp Renton.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="606553" data-time="1471559140">
<div>
<p>Excuse me, I live in Wellington and will have to face serious risnicks coming my way should Wellington fluke a win (I have really let them have it these last few years when they have not managed to lower HB colours!) thus a full strength side should be fielded. This Ellery Wilson must by a really good player if Brad Weber can only make the reserves. Interesting to note Ben May can only make the bench, pretty much the same in most other teams he has fronted for these last few years. Bizzare how he is overlooked for a guy that was on a Super contract as a hooker when he himself was a Super contracted prop. Has Mr. Philpott only just discovered what I have long bemoaned about Ben May's ability? Interesting to note he has not been re-signed by the team he played for last season (Wellington).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Not sure what to say about the backline other than to hold out hope that all the hype players like Mason Emerson and Jpnah Low have been getting is for real. Billy Ropiha looked good defensively when I watched him last season, so I will be watching to see if his attacking abilities are any good. The fullback has got me a bit worried but am prepared to give hime the benefit of the doubt until I can run my critical eye over him a few more times. The backs are going to have to be on the top of their games to combat what looks to be a reasonably competent visiting back line. Still they do have Jackson Garden-Bachop at first five and he has not done a lot in that position to indicate he is more than an average club player. I have seen him play good in the midfield where he cut my club team up in a few games but still has to convince me at first five. Hopefully this will prove to be a spot we can exploit.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>I understand from what I've read in the media that all Super Rugby players - apart from West (& Fruean) - only started training with the squad this week. It seems they've given the newbies among them (Weber, May) a bit more time to adapt than the guys who've played for or have been in the Magpies set-up before. I doubt Weber and May are on the bench because they aren't good enough to make the starting XV ... </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Playing Riccitelli at prop isn't an accident. We've lost Edmonds and they dropped both Aoake and Braidwood. Instead they've signed May and picked Kean, so that's two for three. I vaguely remember reading in the HBT that Riccitelli is meant to cover that 3rd spot. That would also explain why we have now one more hooker (Tangaere) in the squad than last year. My guess is they valued Tangaere at hooker more than Aoake and Braidwood at prop, and couldn't find/get a better prop elsewhere; Riccitelli's versatility enabled them to make that choice.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="606570" data-time="1471563298">
<div>
<p>We have a good backline but our forward pack is mostly unknown. I'm glad to see Turia getting a chance on the bench at least.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> He looked ok in a couple of games I saw him play (v HOBM and Tawa) but was reasonably subdued against my Axemen.</p> -
<p>I will be looking with eagle eyes later in the game should Wellington risk the much hyped Alex Fidow against Tolo Fahamokioa. It has been noted that Fahamokioa was a member of the Hurricanes squad the year before he signed for Hawkes Bay but strangely discared from that point on. Am I reading something sinister going on here or is Fidow demonstrably a better prop than Fahamokioa? Tomorrow might go some way toward settling that.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>As an aside we are still needing one more to fill up our roster for KPs NPC tipping team. There must be another MAgpies man out there that can answer call to fight the good fight on behalf of Hawkes Bay. You can still tip even after missing last nights game as you won't be giving many that much of a start as by far the majority tipped a Counties win. Here is where you need to go to meet the call of duty</p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.eglobal.co.nz/tsfnpc16/tsf.htm'>http://www.eglobal.co.nz/tsfnpc16/tsf.htm</a></p> -
<p>Sitting in Magpie shirt in front of tv with dinner, ready for game</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="https://scontent.fakl1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-0/s480x480/14100407_1310830728929368_2497137626124020136_n.jpg?oh=b01d9cbfc589c8c4b4a2c9f7e53b6211&oe=5842EDC0" alt="14100407_1310830728929368_24971376261240"></p> -
<p>Ellery Wilson has stolen Israel Dagg's dodgy mo</p>
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<p> :puke: :puke: To say tonight has not been pleasant would be a gross understatement. Still I had it coming given all I have thrown the other way so must take it like a man! Hell the next twelve months until we play them again will seem like an eternity.</p>
