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Reaction from the boards
My congratulations to all the Hawkes Bay players selected for the super14 for next year. But am i deaf, blind or plain stupid. Jason Shoemark has missed out?
Surely one of the franchises must have been able to find a spot for the form centre of the Air New Zealand Cup. I cannot believe this man has not got a contract with any of these franchises, to my mind that is plainly ridiculous.
And why have the Hurricanes chosen William Ripia ahead of Matt Berquist? This player as good as he is was only the second string first five for Waikato when Stephen Donald was unavaliable, and Matt Berquist was one of the most improved players at first five during the Air New Zealand cup.
And lastly how did Taumalolo miss out? I may be controversial here but what the hell did Jacob Ellison do to warrant his selection. Wellingtons scrum against Auckland was backpedalling, and Hawke's Bays held firm. Not to mention i dont recall Ellison making any great charges with ball in hand, or burying a more fancied opponent at scrumtime do you?
Sometimes selections for certain sides has me buggered, no wonder so many players ply their trades off shore. Billsy
Welcome to the glass ceiling of New Zealand rugby. We (Bay of Plenty) went through it in 2004 after our stellar season where a number of worthy players still missed out on contracts. It only gets harder next season if you have a less successful season.
While Otago can be consistently average but always get 15 of their players into S14. Kiwipie not to mention the ones they entice down there with the promise of sun surf and women, oh, and a S14 contract! Then with a record 8 draft players, still class those enticed there under other measures not as draft players... 
I do think Shoemark has to be the most unluckiest, what more does he have to do? He scored a hatful of tries, set his outsides up for a heap more, was resolute on defence, marshalled the HB defence superbly, still only what 26? TaniwhaRugby I think everything that needs to be said has been. On a bright note, I suspect Shoemark and Berquist having been selected in the Hurricanes extended squad will be called up by franchises due to injuries. Delighted for Newland and Johnson, good reward for loyalty to the Bay and out and out hard graft over many years. WingerHB |
