Auckland vs Waikato

[Tim]

@Duluth How long does a forearm fracture usually take to heal? Apparently it happened in June.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/94569155/chiefs-set-to-rest-all-blacks-trio-on-super-rugby-resumption-against-brumbies

There was this in the team announcement:

In the pack, the likes of Akira Ioane, Blake Gibson and Taleni Seu, all seasoned Super Rugby performers now, should see extensive game time, while Blues reps Scott Scrafton and Patrick Tuipulotu should lead the way in the second-row. Michael Fatialofa is still rehabbing a knee injury from the Hurricanes’ campaign, so is unlikely to feature.

Talent aplenty in extended Mitre 10 Cup squad

Auckland coach Nick White has named a talented extended group from which the core of the Mitre 10 squad will be formed. ...

[KiwiMurph]

Sucks about Scrafton.

Good to see a lot of young blood in there. Milo-Harris was terrible in week 1 so hopefully an improvement. Really looking forward to the Faiane's teaming up at 10-12.

Hopefully Havilli gets a run - I know he'll be with the U19s but I wonder if he is a replacement for the Aussie that is out for the season.

[taniwharugby]

@Tim it says Fekitoa has been rested, so you have to assume dropped?

[KiwiMurph]

with Auckland having another game on Sunday v Harbour i'd say Bowden and Caleb Clarke etc are also rested.

[Tim]

@taniwharugby Hard to tell, as there was no mention of Clarke. The Auckland Rugby site's news items aren't exactly known for proving complete details either.

[taniwharugby]

@KiwiMurph @Tim ah ok, yeah the 3 games in 10 day thing, yeah that will probably be more likely

While I do like the crossvers, I still think we could ditch one, then this will remove the need for the 3 games in 10 days, especially as the Wed/Thurs night fixtures with 1930 k/o suck!

[Stargazer]

 Blake Gibson reverts to openside flanker, but may not be able to strip as he is battling the flu. 

Don't players get vaccinated in Auckland?

[Tim]

Hmm, the TAB might want to adjust these odds:

1 Auckland 1.39
2 Waikato 2.95
3 Draw 26.00

[Bovidae]

Waikato have 3 games in 10 days too so it will be interesting to see how many changes are made from the team that played C-M.

@taniwharugby If NZR are wanting to continue with these midweek games there needs to be some common sense on who plays who during that period, i.e., play local derbies to minimise travel.

[African Monkey]

@Tim Yes can't see us doing much with that side. Still, good to see some youngsters thrown in there.

[Tim]

@Stargazer The flu circulating in Auckland this season isn't covered by the vaccination.

[taniwharugby]

@Tim interestingly I had heard that the flu strain about this year is not one normally in the nz flu jab and it appears it was a slightly different strain likely bought over by Lions fans.

[Stargazer]

@Tim Ah, now you mention it, I remember seeing something on Stuff about a mutated virus strain, but didn't have time to read it. Nasty!

[Stargazer]

Waikato

1 Ayden Johnstone (Hautapu)
2 Samisoni Taukei’aho (Fraser Tech)
3 Sefo Kautai (Hamilton Marist)
4 James Tucker (Hamilton Marist)
5 Leva Fifita (Hamilton Old Boys)
6 Jordan Manihera (Hamilton Old Boys)
7 Jahrome Brown (Melville)
8 Adam Burn – Captain (Hamilton Old Boys)
9 Pele Cowley (Hamilton Old Boys)
10 Matty Lansdown (Fraser Tech)
11 Tyler Campbell (University)
12 Tevita Taufui (Melville)
13 Bailyn Sullivan (Hamilton Marist)
14 Iliesa Ratuva Tavuyara (Hamilton Old Boys)
15 Zac Guildford (Hamilton Old Boys)

Reserves
16 Sekope Lopeti (Hautapu)
17 Latu Talakai (Fraser Tech)
18 Duke Nginingini (Hamilton Old Boys)
19 Laghlan McWhannell (Hautapu)
20 Luke Jacobson (Hautapu)
21 Raniera Takarangi (Hamilton Old Boys)
22 Sam Christie (Fraser Tech)
23 Sevu Reece (Hamilton Old Boys)

The official website of the Waikato Rugby Union - your source for all things rugby in the Waikato

Your source for all things Waikato Rugby: Bunnings NPC & FPC, women's rugby, club competition, community rugby,

[Bovidae]

Heaps of changes to that team. It's only Auckland.

[booboo]

This post is deleted!

[KiwiMurph]

Oh great, TJ commentating again.

[KiwiMurph]

Blake Gibson is out so Slade shifts to 6 & Kaiafa to 7.

[KiwiMurph]

Lol Aso drops the kickoff under zero pressure.

[KiwiMurph]

Waikato 5 nil.

Ive seen some bad Auckland teams but this Nick White vintage last year and this year are very hard to watch.