http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/3263378/Daniel-Kirkpatrick-signs-on-with-Magpies

The Magpies have lured promising young five-eighth Daniel Kirkpatrick back to Hawke's Bay for this year's national provincial championship campaign.

Kirkpatrick, who has been playing his rugby in Wellington the last couple of years, is one of three significant signings announced by the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union today.

Kirkpatrick and Lions team-mate Anthony Perenise, a tighthead prop, have been picked up from Wellington, and Tasman Makos halfback Kahn Fotuali'i has joined them in strengthening the Magpies squad which was a beaten semifinalists in last year's competition.

Kirkpatrick is playing his Super 14 rugby this year for the Blues, Perenise for the Hurricanes and Fotuali'i is in the Crusaders squad.

The union also confirmed 2009 All Black lock Bryn Evans and veteran loose forward Michael Johnson had recommitted for next year's campaign.

"These signings will add considerable strength and depth to our 2010 squad," said co-coach Tom Coventry.

Kirkpatrick, rated one of New Zealand's most promising young five-eighths, replaces long-time stalwart Matt Berquist who is heading to play his rugby overseas at the end of the Super 14.

"Dan is a Hawke's Bay lad who is returning to us after the Blues' Sport Super 14 campaign," added Coventry. "Anthony had an exceptional Air NZ Cup campaign last year and is one of the form props in the country. Having played for the Magpies in 2008, he's already very familiar to our fans and will add impressive depth to our front-row stocks.

"Kahn is a very talented halfback. He too had an excellent Air New Zealand Cup this season."

Coventry added that the signing of such a quality trio and the retention of two key players like Evans and Johnson indicated that Hawke's Bay had established a quality rugby environment.

"We are very determined to continue our push to be a strong competitive force on the rugby landscape."

Gutted, didn't know Berquist was leaving us! oh well hopefully Kirkpatrick can step up and fill the gap.

Pereneise shouldn't get a start with Sona and Clint in the front row still, but will be good to have him off the bench.

Fotuali'i won't make too much difference in the side, I'd say he was only marginally better than Chris Eaton.

Yeah I thought it was weird to get the likes of Perenise and Fotuali'i when there are already solid options there - at best they'll be keeping the incumbants honest. Although I do rate Fotuali'i highly and he could become a key Canes member next season to back up Weepu.

Why kirkpatrick is the headline here i don't know, fotuali'i is the key one in my mind, he is a game breaker, a player with some real x factor and an ability to find a gap. eaton was absolute dog shit this season so its awesome to have kahn on the team now. even perenise is a better player than kirkpatrick in my mind, a good scrummager, which will be vital against the like of canterbury and the more efficient scrums, where sona has been shown up in the past. i hope horrell is coming back next season so he can play first 5, anyone know what his status is?

He was never that good for Welly anyways. Means Fili will play.

Problem is, Fili's not signed yet...

Really??? Hopefully he signs otherwise it's a weepu at 10 season.

Well Weepu would ideally be in the ABs...

Testing the depth of the Wellington clubs...

Thing with the Canes is they've always missed 2 key ingredients - a top-drawer 1st 5, and the grit to take it all the way to the end. Everything else they've got in spades, especially the most envied history of backs in the entire super competition.

So gutted we're losing Waldrom, Berquist and Naoupu. Those are big boots to full, all 3 had strong seasons last year. Hopefully we can sign another decent loose forward, think we'll cope without Naoupo but Waldrom is a huge loss.

1. Sona Taumalolo 2. Hika Elliot 3. Clint Newland 4. Bryn Evans 5. Ross Kennedy 6. Michael Johnson 7. Karl Lowe 8. ??? 9. Kahn Fotuali'i 10. Daniel Kirkpatrick 11. Zac Guildford 12. Sam Giddens 13. Jason Shoemark (c) 14. Jason Kupa 15. Israel Dagg. Bench 16. Ash Dixon 17. Anthony Perenise 18. Matt Egan 19. Adam Bradey 20. Chris Eaton 21. Andrew Horrell 22. Richard Buckman

I reckon that is the 22 we can expect for this years Air New Zealand Cup. Hope we can sign up a number 8. Someone like Nasi Manu would do fine. Also wouldn't mind strengthening that midfield. SBW come to the Magpies!!