With a mix of some exciting young local talent interspersed with a large group of experienced Magpies, this is a very balanced and competitive squad.
The squad features the inclusion of 13 players who have experienced Super rugby including Hika Elliot, Ben Tameifuna, Andrew Horrell and Tino Nemani who were all part of the successful Chiefs squad that won the recent Investec Super rugby competition.
The Magpies play their final pre-season game against Manawatu at McLean park on Wednesday before they face Auckland in the ITM Cup opener on August 23rd.
The full squad, once again to be captained by Michael Coman is:
Mitch Alcock, Jody Allen, Adrian Barone, Peter Borlase, Trent Boswell-Wakefield, Adam Bradey, Richard Buckman, Kieran Coll, Michael Coman, Israel Dagg, Ash Dixon, Chris Eaton, Brendon Edmonds, Hika Elliot, Tivaini Fomai, Zac Guildford, Andrew Horrell, Gillies Kaka, Marvin Karawana, Ross Kennedy, Karl Lowe, Nick McLennan, Tino Nemani, Isaac Paewai, Tom Parsons, Maselino Paulino, Tua Saseve, Johan Schoonbee, Ben Tameifuna, Star Timu, Dan Waenga and Ihaia West.
The five players named in the Magpies wider training squad are:
Jesse-Lee MacDonald, Matt Gordon, Bronson Neera, Michael Ruru and Peniasi Tokakece.
