Plenty of depth in Magpies Mitre 10 Cup rugby squad
If the Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team don't win the Mitre 10 Cup Championship it will be a surprise.
That's been the regular chat among Hawke's Bay rugby fans in the countdown to today's squad announcement and it's easy to see why. This season's 37-strong Magpies squad contains three current or former All Blacks in halfback Brad Weber, lock Bryn Evans and loosie Gareth Evans.
Prop Sona Taumalolo has represented Tonga while utility back Stacey Ili and loosie Iakopo Mapu have represented Samoa. Another three, outside backs Kurt Baker, Ollie Sapsford and Lolagi Visinia, are either current or former All Black Sevens squad members.
Five of the squad, captain and hooker Ash Dixon, outside back Jonah Lowe, lock Isaia Walker-Leawere and props Pouri Rakete-Stones and Namatahi Waa, have played for the Maori All Blacks.
One doesn't have t be a genius to work out this season's squad has the ideal mix of experience and youth with seven players eagerly awaiting their first class debuts for the side.
Magpies head coach Mark Ozich is delighted that after all the hard work his troops are finally gathered and ready to go.
"The group has prepared well and the boys coming back from Super Rugby had added some valuable experience and excitement,” Ozich said.
"After all their hard work in the off season all are working hard creating competition for starting spots and itching to take the field.”.
Many Magpies have been provided opportunities at Super Rugby level and performed exceptionally which will no doubt bring a new sense of confidence and expectation to the Hawke’s Bay side. Dixon and Marino Mikaele-Tu’u have been standouts for the Highlanders and Dixon’s inspirational leadership will have his men motivated to perform in each and every match.
The Hurricanes pairing of Gareth Evans and Devan Flanders add to formidable looking loose forward stocks and fans will be excited to see Chiefs halfback Weber and outside back Sam McNicol take the field for their home province.
The Mitre 10 Cup competition starts a month later than usual due to the effects of Covid – 19 with the Magpies first game away to Southland on Sunday before returning home to take on Counties Manukau at McLean Park the following Sunday.
HBRU CEO Jay Campbell is thrilled with the side and cannot wait for the season to kick off .
"This squad looks as strong as we have named in the last three years, with real depth across most positions with a nucleus of last year's squad intermingled with some new star signings and with some fresh new faces who have earnt their place through outstanding club performances," Campbell said.
"This year has and continues to bring unique challenges and uncertainty for everyone but this team understand that every time they take the field, they are representing this province and will be looking to put in performances their community will be proud of," Campbell added.
Hawke’s Bay has an exciting line up of home matches at McLean Park with derby games against Manawatu and Wellington and the also a visit from the spirited Northland Taniwha. Many will be looking forward to Counties Manukau and Canterbury turning up with All Blacks players available which will provide a great challenge for the Magpies on their home soil.
There are numerous family links within the team or to past Magpies. Gareth and Bryn Evans are brothers.
Hooker Kianu Kereru-Symes is a brother of former Magpies prop Tom Symes. Halfback Connor McLeod is a son of former Magpies first five-eighth Ross McLeod and nephew of former Magpie Ian McLeod.
Winger Jonah Lowe is a brother of former Magpies loosie Karl Lowe. Outside back Neria Fomai is a brother of former versatile Magpies forward Tivaini Fomai.
Visinia is a brother of versatile back Sebastian Visinia who is also among those poised to debut for the side.
Lock Tom Parsons is a son of former Magpies loosie Rod Parsons and brother of former Magpies lock Ben Parsons. Flanker Will Tremain is a grandson of Magpies legend Kel Tremain and nephew of former Magpies loosie Simon Tremain.
Weber is the sole third generation Magpie in the squad. His grandfather Graham Weber was a former Magpies halfback and assistant coach while father Neil is a former Magpies halfback and manager.
The full Magpies 2020 Mitre 10 Cup squad is:
Joe Apikotoa, Kurt Baker, Geoff Cridge, Jacob Devery, Ash Dixon (captain), Mason Emerson, Bryn Evans, Gareth Evans, Folau Fakatava, Devan Flanders, Neria Fomai, Solomone Funaki, Joel Hintz, Stracey Ili, Josh Kaifa, Kianu Kereru-Symes, Jason Long, Jonah Lowe, Caleb Makene, Iakopo Mapu, Elijah Martin, Lincoln McClutchie, Connor McLeod, Sam McNicol, Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, Brendon O'Connor, Tom Parsons, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Ollie Sapsford, Sona Taumalolo, Danny Toala, Will Tremain, Anzelo Tuitavuki, Lolagi Visinia, Sebastian Visinia, Namatahi Waa, Isaia Walker-Leawere. Brad Weber.
