NPC - news, injuries etc
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That Wellington squad, with the Umaga-Jensen twins playing at 12 and 13, makes me wonder whether playing against identical twins who play next to each other is a complicating factor for opponents? Or doesn't it matter whether they look exactly the same?
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@taniwharugby Its good two see Robinson back playing. He was excellent preseason last year with the blues before getting that bad injury and I don't think he has played since. Will also be interested to see what a decent forward coach like Whitcombe can get out of Isi Tu'ungafasi who looked a bit soft and lazy with Auckland but showed a bit more intent in one of the last games last season.
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Steamers team vs Auckland Today.
Head Coach Clayton McMillan has been forced to make two last minute changes due to sickness and injury in the locks with late call ups Aaron Carrol and Lars Morrice respectively securing a starting position and spot on the bench. Other notable starters is Te Puna’s Jeff Thwaites returning to the fold and Kaleb Trask moving into the starting first five eight position.An experienced bench will see the return of fullback Chase Tiatia following his super rugby duties, the introduction of prop Ross Geldenhyus, hooker Valentine Meachen and All Blacks Sevens representative Trael Joass on the wing.
Bay of Plenty Steamers:
- James Lay
- Liam Polwart
- Jeff Thwaites
- Aaron Carrol
- Tyler Ardron
- Hugh Blake
- Mitch Karpik
- Hoani Matenga
- Luke Campbell
- Kaleb Trask
- Matt Garland
- Terrence Hepetema
- Liam Steel
- Fa’asiu Fuatai
- Bailey Simonsson
Reserves:
16. Valentine Meachen
17. Solomona Sakalia
18. Ross Geldenhyus
19. Lars Morrice
20. Ajay Mua
21. Richard Judd
22. Trael Joass
23. Chase Tiatia
24. Tevita Mafileo -
Turbos preseason XV v Hawke’s Bay (Fri 10 August, Napier, k/o 1pm)
15 Junior Laloifi, 14 Jono Ihaka, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 James Tofa, 11 Te Rangatira Waitokia, 10 Hamish Northcott, 9 Kayne Hammington, 8 Brice Henderson, 7 Antonio Kiri Kiri (c), 6 Liam Mitchell, 5 Nick Crosswell, 4 Liam Hallam-Eames, 3 Sione Asi, 2 Tim Cadwallader, 1 Faalelei Sione. Reserves: 16 Sam Stewart, 17 Fraser Armstrong, 18 Sean Paranihi, 19 Brad Tucker, 20 Sam Wasley, 21 Griffin Culver, 22 Cody Hemi, 23 Shai Wiperi
https://www.turbosrugby.co.nz/news/thompson-named-for-turbos-preseason-match
I've posted the Magpies team in the Magpies forum.
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Good to see a few names hopefully back to full fitness
10 TJ Va’a. Last time I saw him play (2016) he lasted until he did his first sidestep. He wasn't touched but fell to the ground in pain. I wondered if he would ever recover so hopefully he is fully fit again. But he seems a bit on the small side. And fragile.
The Highlanders Umaga-Jensen (Thomas) looks the better player but both seem injury prone. And hopefully Isaia Walker-Leawere is fully fit and lasts the full season as he was class before his operation last year
Carlos Price is still young but he might be one to watch. He looked promising in the few minutes he got last year
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@williethewaiter What's the deal with Xavier Roe being named in the Taranaki squad?
I hope Waikato haven't lost him for good. Kylem O’Donnell for Roe means that Taranaki gets the better of that deal.
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Manawatu 2018 squad
Forwards:
Sam Stewart
Tim Cadwallader
Michael Alaalatoa,
Fraser Armstrong,
Sione Asi,
Sean Paranihi
Faalelei Sione
Brad Tucker
Liam Hallam Eames
Liam Mitchell
Jackson Hemopo
Nick Crosswell
Brayden Iose
Antonio Kirikiri (captain)
Bríce HendersonBacks:
Jamie Booth
Kayne Hammington,
Otere Black
Sam Malcolm
Jade Té Rure
Ngani Laumape,
Lifeimi Mafi,
Hamish Northcott,
Rob Thompson
Michael Tagicakibau,
James Tofa,
Te Rangatira Waitokia,
Nehe Milner Skudder
Junior LailofiQuite a strong looking back line if Laumape and NMS take the field, plus Thompson.
The long awaited return of Otere Black from injury will be in round 3
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