Magpies coaches Craig Philpott and Danny Lee have named the Magpies 2016 squad. With promotion to the Mitre 10 Cup premiership it’s a big season ahead for a strong looking squad. Many players have featured in well performing Super Rugby sides and will look to return to Hawkes Bay to build on the success from last season. Mix this with players who have been outstanding in Hawkes Bay club rugby and highly promising talent being retained from secondary school the future looks bright for the Magpies for years to come.

Squad facts

The 2016 squad has a good mix of youth and experience with an average age being 25 years old. It features one centurion, three players who have played 50+ games as well as others who will look to surpass the 50 game milestone this season, on top of this twelve players have gained their blazers. There are plenty of players who have reached higher or representative honours being All Blacks (4) Maori All Blacks (4) Super Rugby Experience (20) NZ Under 20’s (9) and other Internationals “non All Blacks”(2). Another exciting fact is that there are nine players who will look to play their first game for the Magpies, 7 of these debutants have come from schools or clubs in Hawkes Bay.

The 2016 Mitre 10 Cup squad is

Front Row

Ash DIXON

Brendon EDMONDS (injured)

Tolu FAHAMOKIOA

Mason KEAN

Jason LONG

Ben MAY

Ricky RICCITELLI

Jorian TANGAERE

Locks

Mark ABBOTT

Michael ALLARDICE (injured)

Geoff CRIDGE

Ross FILIPO*

Brodie RETALLICK

Sanaila WAQA (injured)

Loose Forwards

Trent BOSWELL-WAKEFIELD

Gareth EVANS (injured)

Ben HAMELINK*

Tony LAMBORN

Marino MIKAELE TU'U*

Hugh RENTON*

Fa'alemiga SELESELE*

Inside Backs

Chris EATON

Tiaan FALCON*

Brad WEBER*

Ihaia WEST

Ellery WILSON

Midfield Backs

Robbie FRUEAN

Matt GARLAND*

Jonah LOWE

Lewis MARSHALL

Billy ROPIHA

Outside Backs

Shannan CHASE

Israel DAGG

Mason EMERSON

Sam MCNICOL*

Ryan TONGIA