NPC - news, injuries etc
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I like it.
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An update on Zac Guildford. I'm looking forward to seeing him play for Waikato. He started off at centre for his club but has been playing at fullback more recently.
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@Bovidae He played a full season for the Magpies at fullback (in 2013, I think?). He'll do well there. He has significantly increased his versatility value as well, with now being able to play wing, fullback and centre. I hope he goes well at Waikato (despite wishing he was still playing in black & white).
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Haven't seen the official announcement, but according to this article on stuff, Rodney So'oialo is the new Wellington Lions forwards coach. Earlier this year, head coach Earl Va'a was replaced by Chris Gibbes. Another new assistant coach appointed earlier this year is Andre Bell, who has returned to NZ from Connacht.
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Official announcement: So'oialo joins Lions coaching staff
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Good luck to him. I always thought the experience of having his dad die in the stands watching him play would be something very difficult to cope with. Alcoholism, like any drug dependency, is ruinous.
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@Tim Depends on whether he has an out-clause, in case he's going overseas. If he's not going overseas, he will have to play Mitre 10 Cup. I don't see why he wouldn't if he's not in the AB squad. In previous years, even players like Coltman, Sopoaga, TKB etc who were in the squad but didn't get much game time, played several games for their province. Whether Auckland will get a motivated player is another question though.
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@Tim said in Mitre 10 Cup - news, injuries etc:
I wonder if Fekitoa will actually play for Auckland this year?
Is Aso still with Auckland?
If the All Black selections stay the same we'll have a lot of SR midfielders: TJ Faiane, Moala, R Ioane, Fekitoa and Aso
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@Duluth said in Mitre 10 Cup - news, injuries etc:
@Tim said in Mitre 10 Cup - news, injuries etc:
I wonder if Fekitoa will actually play for Auckland this year?
Is Aso still with Auckland?
If the All Black selections stay the same we'll have a lot of SR midfielders: TJ Faiane, Moala, R Ioane, Fekitoa and Aso
Auckland's wings aren't great. I'd have Rieko, Moala and Aso playing on the wing. Factor in the short turnarounds so giving guys a break then all 5 should see plenty of gametime (and it depends on how much Rieko is available if he makes TRC ABs squad).
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@Tim said in Mitre 10 Cup - news, injuries etc:
- Aso
- Faiane
- Moala
- Nanai/Trainor
- Nanai/Trainor
Looks pretty good to me.
There's plenty of good options from 4-8 and 11-15
A back five of the scrum (assuming current AB selections) could be:
Scrafton/Tuipulotu
Gibson/Ioane/SeuWe'll need more out of the young props this year. A fit GPT will help that too
Then there is the 9 & 10.. A question for anyone who has watched Grammar TEC this season - how have Milo-Harris and Plummer gone? Are they ready to be the 9 & 10 combo at NPC level?
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@Duluth Harry Plummer has been named in the wider squad for the Auckland U19 team, so I'd imagine that he won't be playing much Mitre 10 Cup.
Wiseguy Faiane, Caleb Clarke, and Rob Cobb were also named.
Auckland Under 19 wider squads named
More than 70 young players have been named in the Auckland Under 19 wider training squads in preparation for the 2017...
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Honestly with Nick White as coach avoiding relegation should again be the target for Auckland.
You really have to wonder how a union who hasn't had a decent halfback for yonks doesn't sign up one as good as Enari - a kid whose uncles are Eroni Clarke and Michael Jones.
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