Pouri Rakete-Stones (with ball) will turn out for the Hurricanes in the 2022 season. Photo / NZME
Pouri Rakete-Stones (with ball) will turn out for the Hurricanes in the 2022 season. Photo / NZME
Super Rugby Pacific teams have rewarded 20 Hawke's Bay Magpies with full-time contracts for next year after an outstanding 2021 NPC campaign for the province.
As expected, newcomers Moana Pasifika recruited the most Hawke's Bay players, signing eight of the men who retained the Ranfurly Shield throughout the season.
TheAuckland-based team scooped up Danny Toala, Lolagi Visinia (both Hurricanes), Joe 'Apikotoa (Chiefs) and Ereatara Enari (Crusaders) from New Zealand sides, while giving four more Magpies their first proper look at Super Rugby.
Utility back Neria Foma'i and loose forward Solomone Funaki could both debut for Moana Pasifika after spending time in wider training groups last year.
Winger Anzelo Tuitavuki will also join them at Mt Smart Stadium, while Magpies player of the season Lincoln McClutchie has the chance to battle for the first-five position and learn from former Wallaby Christian Leali'ifano.
In addition to Toala and Visinia's departures, loose forward Gareth Evans has also left the Hurricanes to join his brother Bryn at the Highlanders.
Moana Pasifika recruited the most Hawke's Bay players, including Lolagi Visinia. Photo / NZME
That leaves just three Hawke's Bay players under contract in Wellington for 2022: loose forward Devan Flanders, loosehead prop Pouri Rakete-Stones and lock Isaia Walker-Leawere, who is still working his way back from a long-term injury.
Winger Jonah Lowe moved from the Hurricanes to the Chiefs before last season in search of more minutes.
He is joined in Hamilton by Hawke's Bay's two current All Blacks, halfback Brad Weber and lock Brodie Retallick who is back in Super Rugby after his time at Kobelco Steelers in Japan.
Gareth Evans' move south means the Highlanders have the second-largest contingent of Magpies, even after the departure of Ash Dixon to NEC Green Rockets.
Halfback Folau Fakatava and loose forward Marino Mikaele-Tu'u will both be looking to recapture their Super Rugby form in Dunedin after injury-hampered seasons for the Highlanders in 2021.
Across the ditch, the Melbourne Rebels have retained Hawke's Bay centre Stacey Ili and with international travel continuing to hinder the All Blacks Sevens programme, utility back Ollie Sapsford is shifting to 15s full time by signing for the Brumbies.
Hawke's Bay probably should have more Super Rugby representatives, with starting locking duo Geoff Cridge and Tom Parsons once again overlooked.
The pair continue to set the standard for their position at NPC level, so their absence sticks out given the paucity of quality locks in New Zealand.
However, short-term contracts and injury replacement deals could see the number of Magpies in Super Rugby Pacific continue to grow.
Funaki, Foma'i, 'Apikotoa, Caleb Makene and Brendon O'Connor all had such stints with teams in 2021, with 'Apikotoa eventually earning a debut before securing a regular place in the Chiefs' matchday 23.
