75 replies to this topic

[WingerHB]

I read in the Manawatu Standard that Andre Taylor is in talks with HB.

[Nepia]

WingerHB said:

I read in the Manawatu Standard that Andre Taylor is in talks with HB.

He'd be a bloody good addition to cover Zac's absences and to cover Dagg at the back.

Any rumours on a halfback?

[Stockcar86]

Hopefully Chris Eaton takes his S14 snub personally, and decides to go ply his trade overseas. I thought Aaron Smith from Manawatu looked like he had a pretty good pass on him and generally made good decisions, so he might be an option if Manawatu get demoted.

Thinking of players jumping ship if the competition gets reduced, Kahn Fotualii might be a good recruitment option too.

HB might need to start looking for some more locking talent too - if Naoupu plies his trade overseas he might not come back, Michael Johnson may retire, and Evans may be required at a higher level.

From watching him at the U20's Trent Boswell-Wakefield looked like a good locking option. Even though he was playing at #8 he had the height to play lock, and he is unlikely to displace Waldrom at 8 in the near future. Has anyone seen him play for the B's, and if so, how did he go?

[Nepia]

I'd be over the moon with either of Smith or Fotuali'i. Smith impressed me this year and Fotuali'i has impressed me in previous years.
I'm assuming that Naoupu would be first of the rank if a lock/loose forward gets injured during the S14 next year so he might hang around.

Hopefully Boswell-Wakefield hits the gym with Isaac Ross this summer - he definitely needs to bulk up.

[WingerHB]

George Naoupu has signed a short term contract with Irish club Connacht but will be back next season, while Ash Dixon has transferred to Auckland.

[Stockcar86]

Interesting to see that Ash Dixon is in the Blues wider training squad - that indicates good for him getting into the Auckland team next year

[Higgins]

Is it a genuine transfer situation or one of these transfers with a loan back clause?

[Nepia]

Everyday I come to this thread hoping to see news of a halfback transferring to the Bay.

Everyday I am disappointed.

Why god, why?????

And how in the hell did Eaton get in the Canes training squad!

[Gibbit]

Tasman are a bit pissed off that Hawke's Bay were talking to a couple of their players over the ast month or so.
No idea who though...but don't be surprised to see some transfers in considering the massive amount of our salary cap that Nauopo used up. His pay packet was ridiculous when you consider how much use they got out of hi.
With the money left they can pick up 1 star player.. or two quality ANZC starters of S14 level.

Fotuali'i seems to make the most sense for a player to snap up. The Crusaders are quite happy with the Waldrom/Guildford deals and are very happy to have players based in HB for the ANZC.
Ben Franks, Johnathan Poff and Joe Wheeler would be the forwards to chase for us if I was GM of the Magpies.
Our scrum held it's own with most packs when Sona and CLint started. But as soon as we bought a reserve prop on we looked weak. Ben Franks in the prop rotation would add miles to Clint's clock and he might take the starting jersey off Sona, then switch to tighhead when Clint comes off at 50 minutes.

We need a replacement for MJ..and I like the look of Poff to fill that role of the rugged guy to fit with Waldrom and Lowe.

Ross Kennedy is looking elsewhere, so Joe Wheeler would be a guy I'd wave some dosh at.

Quentin McDonald is a superb player, but Hika needs to be playing all 80 minutes, rather than those token 'sub offs' that he was doing for Dixon. This pretty much makes McDonald surplus to what we need.

[Chiefy]

Gibbit said:

Tasman are a bit pissed off that Hawke's Bay were talking to a couple of their players over the ast month or so.
No idea who though...but don't be surprised to see some transfers in considering the massive amount of our salary cap that Nauopo used up. His pay packet was ridiculous when you consider how much use they got out of hi.
With the money left they can pick up 1 star player.. or two quality ANZC starters of S14 level.

Fotuali'i seems to make the most sense for a player to snap up. The Crusaders are quite happy with the Waldrom/Guildford deals and are very happy to have players based in HB for the ANZC.
Ben Franks, Johnathan Poff and Joe Wheeler would be the forwards to chase for us if I was GM of the Magpies.
Our scrum held it's own with most packs when Sona and CLint started. But as soon as we bought a reserve prop on we looked weak. Ben Franks in the prop rotation would add miles to Clint's clock and he might take the starting jersey off Sona, then switch to tighhead when Clint comes off at 50 minutes.

We need a replacement for MJ..and I like the look of Poff to fill that role of the rugged guy to fit with Waldrom and Lowe.

Ross Kennedy is looking elsewhere, so Joe Wheeler would be a guy I'd wave some dosh at.

Quentin McDonald is a superb player, but Hika needs to be playing all 80 minutes, rather than those token 'sub offs' that he was doing for Dixon. This pretty much makes McDonald surplus to what we need.

Quentin McDonald has signed for Canterbury according to an article I read on stuff yesterday. The Hawkes Bay B team hooker Tyler Ashworth, was the reserve hooker for Northland in 2008. Not a world beater but handy.

[Nepia]

Quote

Fotuali'i seems to make the most sense for a player to snap up. The Crusaders are quite happy with the Waldrom/Guildford deals and are very happy to have players based in HB for the ANZC.

Fotuali'i please! God! Please! I'll attend church every Sunday ...., well, at least one Sunday in the next year that isn't on Christmas or for tangi, if you can send Fotuali'i to the Bay.

Has Naoupu actually gone? I thought he was just gone for the off season. I think he's worth the pingas, and was extremely unlucky not to get a S14 berth.

[WingerHB]

Naoupu and Kennedy are expected back next season. I read Andre Taylor has signed with Taranaki after being guaranteed the fullback position - something HB wasn't willing to do.

[Baron Silas Greenback]

Kurt Baker has left the Turbos for the Naki as well.

[taniwharugby]

WingerHB said:

Naoupu and Kennedy are expected back next season. I read Andre Taylor has signed with Taranaki after being guaranteed the fullback position - something HB wasn't willing to do.

listening to Andre Taylor this morning, I dont think he has been promised it, he said he would probably end up fighting it out with the also naki bound Kurt Baker who was the starting 15 for Manawatu...

[Stockcar86]

BoP have signed Dan Waenga. Hopefully he can get near a starting spot there, after being loaned by HB to North Otago. I'm still suprised that he didn't get picked for the Heartland XV after a decent season for them.

[WingerHB]

Surely the Bay have been recruiting - I wonder when they plan to make some announcements?

[WingerHB]

According to The Press today, Crusaders halfback Kahn Fotuali'i has shifted to HB.

Also I have heard from a reliable source that Daniel Kirkpatrick has signed for HB to replace Matt Berquist who is leaving to play overseas after the super 14.

Further, Wellington B captain and hooker Eugene Smith is going to try his luck in the Bay.

[Nepia]

I hope Berquist isn't going - he will be a huge loss. Kirkpatrick returning home, I'm surprised Mathewson didn't do the same.

I'm looking forward to Fotuali'i - I really rate him and wonder why the Crusaders don't play him more often over Ellis.

[Stockcar86]

Fotuali'i <3 <3

So swapping one NBHS first five for another one - hope Kirkpatrick will play for Old Boys too. Now time to hope that Brett plays like Donald for the Blues so Kirkpatrick gets a chance for some S14 experience before the NPC.

[Stockcar86]

I guess transfers don't take effect until the start of the NPC as both Dan Waenga and Kurt Baker were still playing for their original provinces at the national 7's over the weekend. Waenga must have gone close to getting in the squad for the Wellington 7's, but I guess he is in the playmaker role and they already have Cana and Forbes for those.

Does anyone know if the Weber playing for HB is son of Neil? He looked about 60kg wringing wet.

[Chiefy]

Nepia said:

Fotuali'i please! God! Please! I'll attend church every Sunday ...., well, at least one Sunday in the next year that isn't on Christmas or for tangi, if you can send Fotuali'i to the Bay.

Has Naoupu actually gone? I thought he was just gone for the off season. I think he's worth the pingas, and was extremely unlucky not to get a S14 berth.

Hows that going for you Nepia? Any progress? Haha

Those two young fella's for HB at the 7s Gillies Kaka and Star Timu looked bloody handy. Where do they fit in the pecking order? If they kick on, could be like a couple of new signings...

On the first-five situation, if I was a HB fan I would be keeping my fingers crossed that Berquist stays because he is 10 times better than Kirkpatrick. A very under rated player.

[Nepia]

Chiefy said:

Hows that going for you Nepia? Any progress? Haha

Those two young fella's for HB at the 7s Gillies Kaka and Star Timu looked bloody handy. Where do they fit in the pecking order? If they kick on, could be like a couple of new signings...

On the first-five situation, if I was a HB fan I would be keeping my fingers crossed that Berquist stays because he is 10 times better than Kirkpatrick. A very under rated player.

Damn you Chiefy - but I'll try and go to church at the marae when there's a hangi afterwards.
Kaka and Timu are considered promising young players in 15s. Timu was a NZ schools player last year (opps, the year before now). I think we poached Kaka from the Poo.

I'm hoping like hell Berquist stays, but if he goes I'm hoping even more that Kirkpatrick will fulfil his promise - and quickly.

[skaapa]

Stockcar86 said:

I guess transfers don't take effect until the start of the NPC as both Dan Waenga and Kurt Baker were still playing for their original provinces at the national 7's over the weekend. Waenga must have gone close to getting in the squad for the Wellington 7's, but I guess he is in the playmaker role and they already have Cana and Forbes for those.

Does anyone know if the Weber playing for HB is son of Neil? He looked about 60kg wringing wet.

Yep, Weber is son of Neil. I think he captained Napier Boys 1stXV last year. Only a little fella but very promising. Turned down a league trial in Aussie last year to stick with rugby.

[skaapa]

Word is that Joe Wheeler, lock/loosie from Tasman has signed with HB

[Higgins]

Stockcar86 said:

I guess transfers don't take effect until the start of the NPC as both Dan Waenga and Kurt Baker were still playing for their original provinces at the national 7's over the weekend. Waenga must have gone close to getting in the squad for the Wellington 7's, but I guess he is in the playmaker role and they already have Cana and Forbes for those.

Does anyone know if the Weber playing for HB is son of Neil? He looked about 60kg wringing wet.

That did not stop Ruki Tipuna turning out for BoP though.

[Stockcar86]

Joe Wheeler would be nice as a taller option to play alongside Bryn Evans at lock. Boy the Makos are really losing many of their top players. I wonder whether Ben Franks would like to head north to the Bay too...

[Stockcar86]

Not figured out how to do quotes yet, but Chiefy said: "On the first-five situation, if I was a HB fan I would be keeping my fingers crossed that Berquist stays because he is 10 times better than Kirkpatrick. A very under rated player."


We still have Andrew Horrell as an option, though I would rather see him at 12 as we need a quality player there. Maybe Treeby would like to transfer up from Wellington so Horrell can move in one spot?

[Gibbit]

Fuck YES!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pelenise is coming back (Brilliant, now we have a genuine 3 prop rotation!)

Fotuali'i is confirmed

Dan Kirkpatrick coming back home to Napier was also confirmed today!

Bryn and MJ resigning!

Awesome, so it;s the 2009 Magpies with better quality at halfback, 2 super 14 players to play at 10...and some tight 5 depth.

Nice work HBRU

[Higgins]

On the down side we have lost backup hooker Ash Dixon to Auckland so that will mean either Hika plays the full 80, which would not be such a bad thing, or we need to convert that fair haired reserve prop from last season (name escapes me right now) into a hooker. Maybe, just maybe, there might be a real promising hooker runing around on the Bay Club scene that Mr Coventry has his eyes on?

[Gibbit]

(Kirkpatrick+Pelenise+Fotuali'i) > Ash Dixon