Auckland Rugby 2019
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Lock is a position we need to keep an eye on this year.
We've lost Fatialofa, Seu, probably Olmstead, and maybe Lemalu too. And John Akau'ola-Laula probably would've made the team this year if he stuck around, but I think he's staying with Ta$man.
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@Dice said in Auckland Rugby 2019:
And John Akau'ola-Laula probably would've made the team this year if he stuck around, but I think he's staying with Ta$man.
Bugger!
Jacob Pierce better have a big NPC!
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@Dice So front line will be Scrafton and Whetton. Backups may include Jamie Lane, Lyndon Dunshea, Cameron Suafoa, and maybe Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa. Sam Slade and Sam Ulufonua other possibilities.
Would feel a lot more comfortable with Olmstead and Lemalu in there. You'd think that we'd get Tuipulotu for a few games, even if he goes to the World Cup?
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BTW, Suafoa has been playing for the Blues dev team, and @Nogusta had this write-up on him:
Cameron Suafoa also brought in to cover lock/loose forward. Has been training with the Blues the past couple of weeks. Big strong ball running forward, decent lineout option. Member of the winning Akl U19s team in 2017. Was in strong contention for the NZ20s last year but a dislocated shoulder in preseason scuppered that. Counties Manukau were very keen on him this year for Mitre 10 but hes opted to stay in Auckland on a lesser deal.
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@Tim Really liked what Reidlinger-Kapa did at 6 last year, but wish he was a little bit taller though, so he could be a proper lock option. He might be able to pass as a bench lock at NPC level.
Suafoa might be the best lock option off the bench for us this year.
I'm a little hopeful that Lemalu could come back, because I think he was only on a one year deal with Yorkshire Carnegie.
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@Tim said in Auckland Rugby 2019:
@Dice
Sam Slade and Sam Ulufonua other possibilities.Sam Slade has signed with Counties I'm pretty sure
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Any news on when Sione Havili is due back?
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Grammar TEC seem to be doing better this year, and Lisati Milo Harris and Matt Storm are back from injuries. Anyone know how well those two are playing?
BTW, Jono Hickey is listed as their trainer.
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Has last year's Auckland B captain, Max East, moved to another province?
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Who is likely to be the hookers this year? Mike Sosene? Kurt Eklund? Any young guns running around club rugby?
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@shack Victor Tu'ungafasi (younger brother of Ofa) is an option. Leif Schwenke and Penisoni Fineanganofo both played preseason with Auckland last season but neither have appeared in club rugby yet this year so I don't know whats going on with them.
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@Daffy-Jaffy Think Schwenke played at least one club game, but got injured.
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Anyone seen much of Hawaii Ahokovi?
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I saw him play fullback for Blues dev. vs Canes dev. He was very good. He made good decisions especially on defence, sometimes repairing others errors. He also put himself about in attack running a lot of support lines and was probably the blues most threatening back (along with Gjatema who was also very good). Ahokovi also scored a very good try beating several tackles on a burst supporting the forwards. Only one game though. We may see more of him for Auckland with Aso gone.
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@Daffy-Jaffy Has Aso left?
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@shack Sorry my vince Aso comment was a bit misleading. It was about his season ending injury, although that may only be for the super rugby season? So I guess he could be back for Auckland. The Canes broke him last season as well didn't they?
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@Daffy-Jaffy it could be a blessing in disguise if he is out, it would give players like Telea and Clarke a opportunity for more game time. Tbh i would rather players that don’t play for the Blues like Aso, Manu and Rayasi to leave Auckland so they don’t block the development of young players that want to play for the Blues. I was happy when i heard the news that Seu was going to Waikato. The Blues need to repair their relationship with Auckland to strengthen the pathway for young players because currently they are going from schoolboy/club rugby straight to Super rugby and that leap is too far.
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SIGNING(S) ALERT ⚠️ . . . ✅ @jarred_adams ✅ @jamiehlane_ ✅ @pattytuips ✅ @blaketgibson . . . All re-signed with @aucklandrugby 🏉 Great to have you on-board for the future and the @mitre10.cup
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@Tim Really like that we have Adams locked in. He's got some potential.
Was the unsung hero of the NPC final last year. He looks like he's built to only play 20 minutes, but he had to play 95 minutes in the final. He just got better the longer the game went on and was very prominent late in the 2nd half and the extra time period.
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@Dice said in Auckland Rugby 2019:
@Tim Really like that we have Adams locked in. He's got some potential.
Was the unsung hero of the NPC final last year. He looks like he's built to only play 20 minutes, but he had to play 95 minutes in the final. He just got better the longer the game went on and was very prominent late in the 2nd half and the extra time period.
Agree re Adams. He was a good pickup from Counties or in fact rugby limbo!
I think Tai Lavea mightve had a bit to do with that. He was very highly touted as a schoolboy. Went slightly down the wrong track for a couple of years but looks to have got himself in a good space now. -
@Nogusta said in Auckland Rugby 2019:
@Dice said in Auckland Rugby 2019:
@Tim Really like that we have Adams locked in. He's got some potential.
Was the unsung hero of the NPC final last year. He looks like he's built to only play 20 minutes, but he had to play 95 minutes in the final. He just got better the longer the game went on and was very prominent late in the 2nd half and the extra time period.
Agree re Adams. He was a good pickup from Counties or in fact rugby limbo!
I think Tai Lavea mightve had a bit to do with that. He was very highly touted as a schoolboy. Went slightly down the wrong track for a couple of years but looks to have got himself in a good space now.Alama could've had a hand in getting Adams here too, from his time with Samoa. Adams played a couple of years for the Samoa U20s and I think Alama was a technical advisor for the team while he was coaching Manu Samoa.
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@Dice said in Auckland Rugby 2019:
@Nogusta said in Auckland Rugby 2019:
@Dice said in Auckland Rugby 2019:
@Tim Really like that we have Adams locked in. He's got some potential.
Was the unsung hero of the NPC final last year. He looks like he's built to only play 20 minutes, but he had to play 95 minutes in the final. He just got better the longer the game went on and was very prominent late in the 2nd half and the extra time period.
Agree re Adams. He was a good pickup from Counties or in fact rugby limbo!
I think Tai Lavea mightve had a bit to do with that. He was very highly touted as a schoolboy. Went slightly down the wrong track for a couple of years but looks to have got himself in a good space now.Alama could've had a hand in getting Adams here too, from his time with Samoa. Adams played a couple of years for the Samoa U20s and I think Alama was a technical advisor for the team while he was coaching Manu Samoa.
Yea youre right there. Also in that same Samoa U20s side was Salesi Rayasi.
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@Nogusta said in Auckland Rugby 2019:
Yea youre right there. Also in that same Samoa U20s side was Salesi Rayasi
Is he still playing for Auckland this year?
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@Duluth said in Auckland Rugby 2019:
@Nogusta said in Auckland Rugby 2019:
Yea youre right there. Also in that same Samoa U20s side was Salesi Rayasi
Is he still playing for Auckland this year?
I forgot who said it, but I just remember someone saying he was back this year.
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@Dice said in Auckland Rugby 2019:
@Nogusta That was the first time I ever saw Rayasi play and he was playing at fullback for them. I think Adams was captain of that squad.
I saw Rayasi play for St Pats Silversteam in the 2014 Wellington schools final against Scots (or was it 2015...?)
He gave away a schewwwwpid penalty in the last minute which cost them the game! Real coach killer.
He has rebounded well! -
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@Tim Good to see. Hopefully he's still with Auckland.
I see that Levi Aumua is playing off the bench for Eden.
Salesi Rayasi is also playing at fullback for Marist.
Dillon Halaholo is playing hooker for Suburbs. He might be a hooker option for Auckland this year.
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Hoskins Sotutu at 8 for Marist too.
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@Dice I would be diappointed if they picked Halohalo for Auckland after his disturbing conviction -
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/97492391/dylan-halaholo-sentenced-to-home-detention-for-masturbating-in-public -
Ewww. Dude's got some issues.
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@Daffy-Jaffy Geez. I don't even want to read that article - the preview text is enough.
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@Daffy-Jaffy Yikes!
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