Auckland 2018
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@tim The Blues/SR players in the last few years have been awful/disinterested and have really held the team back. Would love to see more youngsters given a crack this season.
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@african-monkey Have heard that from someone, and from some podcasts too. Glad to see things are changing.
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A big year for Fukofuka. The Blues spot is wide open.
I really rated him when he first played in Pivac's Auckland side. Since then he's been injured or behind a terrible pack in 2016.
Then he didn't impress with limited game time at the CrusadersHopefully he gets a good run of games this year
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@kiwimurph He reminds me of Charles Piutau running down the wing.
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@african-monkey good call. Similar styles.
Some good looking scrums and some nice backline moves and passing skills from Auckland.
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Match report:
Auckland XV defeats Wellington XV in NPC warm-up match
An Auckland XV boasting a high profile coaching staff of Sir Graham Henry, Filo Tiatia and Alama Ieremia have beaten a Wellington XV 50-33 at Evans Bay Park this afternoon. In a National Provincial Championship warm-up fixture, Auckland never trailed in an affair which featured a chance for 50...
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@kiwimurph They've only picked 3 specialist locks so will Tuipulotu be on standby for a lot of the season?
I also expect Akira to be away for a lot of the season to go and sit in the stands for most of the ABs tests.
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@african-monkey said in Auckland 2018:
@kiwimurph They've only picked 3 specialist locks so will Tuipulotu be on standby for a lot of the season?
I also expect Akira to be away for a lot of the season to go and sit in the stands for most of the ABs tests.
Fair point on Tuipulotu but it depends whether they include Akira to train with the ABs like they have in the past. There's been no word on that yet. With Read back there's less need to have Akira there like there was in June.
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@kiwimurph said in Auckland 2018:
depends whether they include Akira to train with the ABs like they have in the past. There's been no word on that yet. With Read back there's less need to have Akira there like there was in June.
There are 7 loosies. They should let him play NPC
They've basically said they weren't happy with the coaching he was getting at Tana's Blues and were trying to correct things in tiny 3 week windows.
Now they have an opportunity to let him play a full competition with Graham Henry as one of his coaches -
With the AB squad announcement, and the trial game against Wellington, it looks like some areas are being cleared up (front row, halfback, centre).
Jarred Adams
Lief Schwencke/Another Signing (TBC)
Marco Fepulea’i/Marcel Renata
Patrick Tuipulotu
Michael Fatialofa
Dalton Papali'i *(may be injured)
Blake Gibson
Akira IoaneLeon Fukofuka
Harry PlummerMidfield and Back Three still up in the air. Expect Tumua Manu at centre.
Lief Schwencke/Penisoni Fineanganofo/Mike Sosene/Another Signing (TBC)
Ezekiel Lindenmuth
Taniela Koroi/Marcel Renata
Jamie Lane/Jack Whetton/Evan Olmstead
Sione Havili/Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa/Adrian Choat/Hoskins Sotutu/Onosa’i Auva’a
Jonathan Ruru
D'Angelo Leuila/George Taina
