Auckland 2018
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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 -
Prattley?
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@muddyriver I guess he's on Super Rugby leave, and apparently is still in the Auckland system. Whilst he's good for depth, I'd like to think we can do better for the match day XXIII.
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@muddyriver BTW, do you rate Lindenmuth? I'd also be interested to hear what the Crusaders though of him.
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@kiwimurph said in Auckland 2018:
There's a few outside backs you can throw in the mix - Rayasi, Ravouvou, Nanai, I guess Trainor.
plus Clarke and Aso
Sione Havili and Lyndon Dunshea in the forwards (am I forgetting about an injury?)
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@kiwimurph Yeah, midfield and outside backs for the squad will probably include:
TJ Fiane
Tanielu Tele'a
Vince Aso* (may be injured)
Tumua Manu
Salesi Rayasi
Caleb Clarke
Melani Nanai
Joe Ravouvou
Jordan Trainor* (may be injured)Also competing for spots:
Otumaka Mausia
AJ Lam
Nikolai Foliaki
Loketi Manu
Hawaii Ahokovi
Jacob Umaga
Akuila Rokolisoa
