Auckland v Counties Manukau

[Stargazer]

And then Plummer kicks possession away.

[KiwiMurph]

Ruru has been seriously shit already. Cripes.

[mimic]

For some strange reason, I have a feeling Dalton will be an all black before Akira

[Stargazer]

@mimic How tall is he? Or does he need an appointment with Ardie's hairdresser?

[mimic]

@Stargazer Dalton's 193cm tall and weighs 113kg

[Dice]

So TJ gave 3 points for Papalii, 2 for Kalolo Tuiloma and 1 for Salesi Rayasi.

I think Trainor and Gibson should've got in before Rayasi. Rayasi only had that one play.

[African Monkey]

Plenty of work to do but good to start off with a win against a bogey side (who isn't haha). Fukofuka was far better than Ruru who was awful, Papali'i, Gibson and Sotutu were very good as was Manu, Trainor and Rayasi. The scrum worries me as I would like to see Renata come back and I feel that a power lock is needed whether it's Tuipulotu or Lemalu if Tuipulotu isn't available. We're still a work in progress but good to see them showing a bit of ticker which was sadly lacking last year.

Oh, and please improve your goalkicking Harry Plummer haha.

[Tim]

Papali'i best player on the field. Fukofuka good too.

Renata, Tuipulotu, and Fatialofa will improve the pack. Olmstead to start at lock next week?

[KiwiMurph]

Good to beat Counties after losing them the previous two outings.

Backs looked promising.

Auckland look at least improved this year which is nice.

[Dice]

@tim Forgot about Fukofuka. He was very good. His kicking in particular was exceptional. It wasn't that easy for him at the ruck either, and he dealt with it well being a bigger halfback.

[Tim]

@dice He'd be a good signing for the Blues.

[Dice]

@tim Looked better than Ruru at least.

[Kirwan]

@stargazer said in Auckland v Counties Manukau:

@kiwimurph Has nothing to do with that. Counties line-outs and scrums are better than Auckland's. Auckland better score soon, because this score is stuffing up my tipping.

Scrum yes, but Counties screwed up about seven lineouts and dragged their hooker at 48mins, and he threw worse.

[ShadowTrooper]

@mimic said in Auckland v Counties Manukau:

For some strange reason, I have a feeling Dalton will be an all black before Akira

He is an anooying mutha.. for sure (Dalton that is not Akira) a guy you'd rather have playing with you than against you

[Kirwan]

Plummer looks composed out there but his goal kicking was poor tonight.

I think the scoreline flattered Counties somewhat, just little mistakes kept the score close.

[shark]

Don't know how Counties kept themslves in that, given how poor they were up front generally. Good game to watch though.

[Crucial]

@kirwan said in Auckland v Counties Manukau:

@stargazer said in Auckland v Counties Manukau:

@kiwimurph Has nothing to do with that. Counties line-outs and scrums are better than Auckland's. Auckland better score soon, because this score is stuffing up my tipping.

Scrum yes, but Counties screwed up about seven lineouts and dragged their hooker at 48mins, and he threw worse.

Yeah. Our line outs were the killer. Removed the option of playing for territory then players started throwing the ball around when they shouldn’t have and the errors mounted.

AhWong was the spoiler in the backline that ruined many opportunities of getting the ball to the wings. Was hopeless.

Could also see why Akira is not in black and won’t be until he learns to use his legs to drive in contact. He is all upper body.

Had to love seeing some real warts and all rugby though with proper fatties

[Dice]

@crucial said in Auckland v Counties Manukau:

@kirwan said in Auckland v Counties Manukau:

@stargazer said in Auckland v Counties Manukau:

@kiwimurph Has nothing to do with that. Counties line-outs and scrums are better than Auckland's. Auckland better score soon, because this score is stuffing up my tipping.

Scrum yes, but Counties screwed up about seven lineouts and dragged their hooker at 48mins, and he threw worse.

Yeah. Our line outs were the killer. Removed the option of playing for territory then players started throwing the ball around when they shouldn’t have and the errors mounted.

AhWong was the spoiler in the backline that ruined many opportunities of getting the ball to the wings. Was hopeless.

Could also see why Akira is not in black and won’t be until he learns to use his legs to drive in contact. He is all upper body.

Had to love seeing some real warts and all rugby though with proper fatties

I think the players inside him were a bigger reason why the ball wasn't getting to the wingers. Leger and Fosita were kicking the ball away throughout the game. Ball rarely got past 12.

[Dice]

@kirwan He needs to work on his kicking game in general. It's been a real weak point in his game this year. I think his goal kicking will come around, as he's usually a consistent goal kicker.

[Tim]

Alama's Auckland rebuild is underway

After Auckland finished with just three wins in 2017’s Mitre 10 Cup, it was clear that something had to change.