Auckland vs Counties

Duluth

Moala returns for Auckland

All Black midfielder George Moala returns from injury to play his first Mitre 10 Cup match of the season against...

Tom McHugh (Grammar TEC)
Greg Pleasants-Tate (Ponsonby)
Marcel Renata (University)
Michael Fatialofa (Ponsonby)
Scott Scrafton (Grammar TEC)
Taleni Seu (Grammar TEC)
Blake Gibson (Ponsonby)
Akira Ioane (Ponsonby)
Leon Fukofuka (Marist)
Simon Hickey (Grammar TEC)
Rieko Ioane (Ponsonby)
Vince Aso (Ponsonby)
George Moala (Grammar TEC)
Pryor Collier (Ponsonby)
Latiume Fosita (Papatoetoe)
Kurt Eklund (University)
Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Grammar TEC)
James Lay (Pakuranga)
Patrick Tuipulotu (Ponsonby)
Liaki Moli (Manukau Rovers)
Jono Hickey (Grammar TEC)
Liam Steel (University)
Tyrone Elkington-McDonald (university)

Injured: Sam Prattley, Steven Luatua, Melani Nanai and Lolagi Visinia

KiwiMurph

Excellent to see Moala back.

Interesting Rieko is on the left and Collier is on the right - they've both played the opposite side this year at times, Rieko at 14 for the Blues and Collier at 11 for Auckland.

Good to see Fosita get a shot. That is probably the best starting team they've put out this season.

African Monkey

Interesting to see Isi Tu'ungafasi dropped altogether. He may not be back for the rest of the comp after his poor showings. Also glad to see changes to our back 3 where hopefully we see more running from them now that Elkington MacDonald is benched.

Higgins

You could say the same about both Tu'ungafasi brothers. Auckland must be lacking in propping depth if they are both deemed of sufficient quality to be awarded contracts.

Duluth

@Higgins said in Auckland vs Counties:

You could say the same about both Tu'ungafasi brothers. Auckland must be lacking in propping depth if they are both deemed of sufficient quality to be awarded contracts.

2016 All Black Ofa is not good enough to have an NPC contract?

Dumbest post of the year?

akan004

@Higgins said in Auckland vs Counties:

You could say the same about both Tu'ungafasi brothers. Auckland must be lacking in propping depth if they are both deemed of sufficient quality to be awarded contracts.

What does that say about the All Blacks?

mimic

Ofa is great at everything, except for scrums..

Higgins

The last post says it all. He is picked as a prop and props are supposed to be able to do just that come scrum time. Ofa Tu'ungafasi has been shown to be short of the mark in that important aspect.

Duluth

The All Blacks select props who aren't good enough for an npc contract... yup dumbest post of the year

Tim

@Duluth said in Auckland vs Counties:

The All Blacks select props who aren't good enough for an npc contract... yup dumbest post of the year

LOL

mikedogz

Steelers team to face Auckland:

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  Sean Bagshaw
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  Gafatasi Su’a
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  Kalolo Tuiloma
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  Viliame Rarasea
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  Jimmy Tupou ©
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  Matt Vaai
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  Jordan Taufua
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  Sootala Fa’aso’o
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  Augustine Pulu ©
```
Piers Francis
Sherwin Stowers
Cardiff Vaega
Sam Vaka
Sione Fifita
Luteru Laulala
Sione Aenga’aelangi
Sean Paranihi
Sione Faletau
Matiaha Martin
Onosa’i Auva’a
Jonathan Taumateine
Joe Reynolds
Sione Molia

Stargazer

Just posted by Auckland Rugby on Twitter:

George Moala has been pulled from the match today, his injury is still niggly. Rieko Ioane will start at 13, Liam Steel debuts on the wing

African Monkey

Another debutant to start out wide for us this season. I'm assuming Ravouvou will now come on to the bench.

KiwiMurph

Typical Auckland looking rubbish. This coach...

African Monkey

We look disorganised and disinterested. Counties should be out of sight.....

Tim

Did Gibson go off due to injury?

African Monkey

yup shoulder. seriously what a rabble we are.

African Monkey

Would have gone for touch there.

KiwiMurph

Yep. Fatialofa looked seriously injured too.

African Monkey

Oh ffs I give up on this mob

The Silver Fern

Auckland vs Counties

Moala returns for Auckland