NPC - news, injuries etc

[African Monkey]

I see somewhere that Ray Nu'u is at Southland this year. Looks decent from what I saw of him.

[Tim]

Is Matty Johnson any good? I didn't notice him last year, but he was one of the Rugby Alminac's players of the year.

[SammyC]

@african-monkey said in Mitre 10 Cup - news, injuries etc:

I see somewhere that Ray Nu'u is at Southland this year. Looks decent from what I saw of him.

Have loved watching him play this year, so much talent.

[taniwharugby]

@sammyc likely to be Macleod dragging players with him, still pissed we let him go.

[African Monkey]

@tim Yeah stood out in a poor Southland team but injuries have always been a problem since his school days. Probably would have been given a bit of gametime at the Blues if he didn't get injured.

[shark]

@sammyc said in Mitre 10 Cup - news, injuries etc:

One Sydenham player, just the usual bias.

@chchfanatic is there a squad list somewhere for Canterbury metro?

None from Marist Albion!

[shark]

We look a little light at lock with just three named and no one who fits a utility role either. I'd hoped Will Tucker might make it.

Props for Africa. Only two hookers names who'll actually be available? A really strong loose forward unit named in Harmon, Christie, Douglas, Sanders (is he fit?) and Prinsep.

Exciting backs albeit thin at 10.

[chchfanatic]

@shark that’s cause Marist are terrible. Name 1 player that deserves to be there. Get a decent RDO and maybe you might attract better players.

[Daffy Jaffy]

The Taniwha will be playing as the NZ Vikings in their second preseason game in recognition of all the great work done by the Vikings to promote rugby for our future Taniwha.

Kick off at Papatoetoe Rugby Club in Auckland is at 2.00pm Thursday 9th August.

Starting XV:
1.R Wright
2.M Moulds
3.R Rinakama
4.T Robinson
5.J Goodhue
6.J Matiu
7.K Pryor
8.M Matich
9.S Nock
10.J Debreczeni
11.R Ranger
12.B Hohaia
13.T Tua
14.J Hyland
15.M Wright

Reserves:
•J Olsen
•I Tu’ungafasi
•J Straker
•M Douglas
•S McNamara
•K Jacobson
•J Kitto
•M Thoroughgood
•L Clark
•N Cooper
•S Gregory

Injured:
•PJ Atkins
•M Sykes
•R Roberts-Te Nana
•T Mayanavanua
•R Verney
•J Macilai

[shark]

@chchfanatic said in Mitre 10 Cup - news, injuries etc:

@shark that’s cause Marist are terrible. Name 1 player that deserves to be there. Get a decent RDO and maybe you might attract better players.

Whoa, settle petal. I know they're crap. The club is in a world of trouble. I'm just making the point that a traditional powerhouse doesn't have anyone in the squad: as opposed to saying they should.

[African Monkey]

@chchfanatic Yeah my mate who left there to go to Sydenham said that the coaching there was a mess hence the mass exodus from there last season.

[taniwharugby]

@daffy-jaffy that is looking fairly close to our top side, seems many of the injuries listed last week were niggles or nothing at all...?

[Kiwidom]

@chchfanatic Where is Inga Finau this year?

[chchfanatic]

@kiwidom haven’t seen or heard about him all year. He never played for chch this year. Injured maybe

[Stargazer]

2018 Taranaki Bulls Mitre10 Cup Squad:

Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Scott Barrett, Lachlan Boshier, Mitchell Brown, Mitchell Croswell, Logan Crowley, Tom Florence, Chris Gawler, Mitchell Graham, Toa Halafihi, Fin Hoeata, Jarrad Hoeata, Jack Jordan, Brendan Leonard, Avon Lewis, Donald Maka, Manasa Mataele, Ciarhan Matoe, Marty McKenzie, Scott Mellow, Kiniviliame Naholo, Waisake Naholo, Brayton Northcott-Hill, Reuben O’Neill, Jesse Parete, Stephen Perofeta, Jayson Potroz, Leighton Price, Jared Proffit, Ricky Riccitelli, Xavier Roe, Bradley Slater, Asaeli Sorovaki, Pita Sowakula, Kyle Stewart, Angus Ta’avao, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Seta Tamanivalu, Kane Thompson, Latu Vaeno, Tupou Vaai, Beaudein Waaka, Sean Wainui, Daniel Waite, Tehorangi Walden, Adrian Wyrill.

Returning for Taranaki is lock Jarrad Hoeata, Chiefs and former Bay of Plenty loose forward Jesse Parete and wing Latu Vaeno who was on loan to Otago last year.

Injured Super Rugby players Mitchell Graham (ankle), Mitchell Brown (knee), Finn Hoeata (shoulder), Marty McKenzie (hip) and Sean Wainui (shoulder) have been listed in the squad but are all unavailable for the season.

The Bulls play their final pre-season match against Waikato in Otorohanga on Friday afternoon before having a camp in Taupo.

Taranaki Rugby

The official website of Taranaki Rugby and the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls. Inspiring Taranaki. Enriching Lives.

[African Monkey]

@chchfanatic Focusing on studying from what I heard.

[Crucial]

@stargazer said in Mitre 10 Cup - news, injuries etc:

Brendan Leonard

Blast from the past.

With all of those injuries and ABs in that squad, I might re-assess their chances.
Still a strong scrum and enough quality in the backs to handle most NPC sides but scratching on any depth.

Have scratched out those not available and bolded those at high class at this level

Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Scott Barrett, Lachlan Boshier, Mitchell Brown, Mitchell Croswell, Logan Crowley, Tom Florence, Chris Gawler, Mitchell Graham, Toa Halafihi, Fin Hoeata, Jarrad Hoeata, Jack Jordan, Brendan Leonard, Avon Lewis, Donald Maka, Manasa Mataele, Ciarhan Matoe, Marty McKenzie, Scott Mellow, Kiniviliame Naholo, Waisake Naholo, Brayton Northcott-Hill, Reuben O’Neill, Jesse Parete, Stephen Perofeta, Jayson Potroz, Leighton Price, Jared Proffit, Ricky Riccitelli, Xavier Roe, Bradley Slater, Asaeli Sorovaki, Pita Sowakula, Kyle Stewart, Angus Ta’avao, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Seta Tamanivalu, Kane Thompson, Latu Vaeno, Tupou Vaai, Beaudein Waaka, Sean Wainui, Daniel Waite, Tehorangi Walden, Adrian Wyrill.

[Stargazer]

@crucial I'd also bold Jarrad Hoeata and Manasa Mataele.

[Crucial]

@stargazer said in Mitre 10 Cup - news, injuries etc:

@crucial I'd also bold Jarrad Hoeata and Manasa Mataele.

Fair call, have edited.
There were a few borderline ones where I was trying to differentiate between good players at this level and those playing an obvious class below their ceiling.

Perhaps unfair to single out the Naki in this regard but with the injuries/ABs I was trying to get a picture of their strength once those players are removed.

Maybe we should work through some other contenders as comparison?

[Crucial]

Here's CM with Injured/ABs crossed out and those playing well below their ceiling highlighted

Nigel Ah Wong, Manurewa, Midfield , 10 caps
Suetena Asomua, Waiuku, Prop, 0 caps*
Sean Bagshaw, Onewhero, Prop, 41 caps
Liam Daniela, Bombay, Halfback, 4 caps
Sione Fifita, Pukekohe, wing, 18 caps
Latiume Fosita, Ardmore Marist, First Five-Eighth, 0 caps*
Sam Furniss, Patumahoe, Midfield, 5 caps
Kalione Hala, Karaka , Utility ,2
Sam Henwood,Pukekohe,Loose forward , 22 caps
Dan Hyatt,Waiuku, Loose forward, 16 caps
Nepo Laulala, Ardmore Marist, Prop, 0
Luteru Laulala, Ardmore Marist, First Five-eighth, 11 caps
Daymon Leasuasu, Ardmore Marist, Lock, 0 caps*
Orbyn Leger, Karaka, Midfield, 10 caps
Fotu Lokotui, Ardmore Marist, Loose Forward, 7 caps
Matiaha Martin, Bombay, Lock, 18 caps
Sione Molia Karaka Wing 9 caps
Tevita Nabura Waiuku Wing 8 caps
Sikeli Nabou Ardmore Marist Loose Forward 45 caps
Etene Nanai-Seturo Bombay Fullback 0 caps*
Siaosi Nginingini Ardmore Marist Halfback 0 caps*
Toni Pulu Bombay Wing 44 caps
Viliame Rarasea Ardmore Marist Lock 33 caps
Kieran Read Crusaders Loose forward 0 caps
Joe Royal Patumahoe Hooker 10 caps
Howard Sililoto Manurewa Prop 0 caps*
Gafatasi Su'a Manurewa Hooker 30
Viliami Taulani Manurewa Loose forward 7 caps
Te Aihe Toma Manurewa Halfback 0 caps
Kalolo Tuiloma Bombay Prop 20 caps
Jonathan Taumateine Ardmore Marist Halfback 10 caps
Coree Te Whata-Colley Bombay Prop 10
Matt Vaai Manurewa Loose forward 16 caps
Cardiff Vaega Karaka Midfield 21
Sonny Bill Williams Puni Midfield 2 caps

You could argue a couple of other Super players there but they aren't established or proven at that level.