Tasman vs Auckland (Premiership semi-final)

[Tim]

Auckland team to play Ta$man:

Alex Hodgman (Suburbs, 10 caps)
Leni Apisai (Loaned, 10)
Marcel Renata (University, 42)
Jamie Lane (Ponsonby, 15)
Scott Scrafton (Grammar TEC, 28)
Dalton Papalii (Pakuranga, 17)
Adrian Choat (Waitemata, 11)
Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa (Ponsonby, 11)
Jonathan Ruru (University, 21)
Harry Plummer (Grammar TEC, 22)
Salesi Rayasi (Marist, 21)
TJ Faiane – C (Pakuranga, 38)
Tumua Manu (College Rifles, 22)
Caleb Clarke (Suburbs, 19)
Jordan Trainor (Ponsonby, 23)
Robbie Abel (College Rifles, 17)
Jarred Adams (Suburbs, 16)
Marco Fepulea’i (Ponsonby, 17)
Lyndon Dunshea (University, 4)
Akira Ioane (Ponsonby, 46)
Danny Tusitala (Ponsonby, 10)
Daniel Kirkpatrick (University, 10)
AJ Lam (Grammar TEC, 4)

Unavailable due to injury: Cameron Suafoa (shoulder), Blake Gibson (knee), Peter-Chanel Tagaloa (head), Marcelle Barnard (ankle), Jack Whetton (ankle), Tanielu Tele’a (head)

Auckland to swim with the Mako once more

Auckland will take on the undefeated Mako in Blenheim on Saturday afternoon (KO 2.05pm) Victory this weekend will...

[KiwiMurph]

No mention of Sotutu. I assume he is still out with injury.

Papalii should help keep the game competitive but cannot see this team tipping up the Ta$man juggernaut.

[Chris B.]

[Nogusta]

@KiwiMurph Sotutus been available the last couple of games. Just hasn't been picked.

[KiwiMurph]

@Nogusta Interesting. He also didn't get picked much for the Blues this year. Can't help but think his preparation needs work.

[Nepia]

@Nogusta said in Ta$man vs Auckland (Premiership semi-final):

@KiwiMurph Sotutus been available the last couple of games. Just hasn't been picked.

WTF!!!

[Stargazer]

@Chris-B That looks like the strongest possible team. What position does Paea normally play? Or is he just better than Tima Fainga'anuku and on the bench for that reason?

[Stargazer]

@Tim Akira doesn't get to start anymore? That doesn't bode well for SR.

[KiwiMurph]

@Stargazer said in Ta$man vs Auckland (Premiership semi-final):

@Tim Akira doesn't get to start anymore? That doesn't bode well for SR.

He needs an off-season to both take a break from rugby and to get his fitness back to where it needs to be. Whether he does that is another matter.

[Dice]

@KiwiMurph TBH, we've been pretty poor with selections this year.

I bet they think because we've won a couple in a row, it means we don't need to change anything.

[Chris B.]

@Stargazer said in Ta$man vs Auckland (Premiership semi-final):

@Chris-B That looks like the strongest possible team. What position does Paea normally play? Or is he just better than Tima Fainga'anuku and on the bench for that reason?

Yeah - I think that's the best we have.

I think Paea is there for balance (and because Big Levi is the least likely to play 80 minutes). Paea has primarily played centre for us, but can also play wing if necessary.

[Nogusta]

@Nepia yea same....he was arguably Aucks' form player up until he got injured

[Chris B.]

Ta$man $1.11; Auckland $5.85 - Jesus - it's like no-one's heard of red cards!

Insurance bet in place - check!

Beer in cupboard - check!

Let's go Ta$man - don't fuck this up!!!

[Steven Harris]

Good start from Reidlinger Kapa, 2 good turnovers

[Chris B.]

Untidy start from the Mako - and Blackadder gone - probably broken wrist.

Big loss.

[Chris B.]

Fuck - now Taufua is knocked out! Two loose forwards already out of the game.

Blackadder - dislocated shoulder and gone for the season. Taufua will be as well.

[Higgins]

And now Jordan Tafua after he went to sleep after headbutting an blue players hip.
Ta$man 00 - 03 Auckland after twenty minutes

[nzzp]

@Higgins said in Ta$man vs Auckland (Premiership semi-final):

And now Jordan Tafua after he went to sleep after headbutting an blue players hip.
Ta$man 00 - 03 Auckland after twenty minutes

A win for us to lead for a quarter before we get flogged

[Steven Harris]

@Higgins this game just got really interesting..especially with those 2 unfortunate injuries for the home side..if the Blue and Whites can stay in the fight , this could get really interesting

[Chris B.]

@Steven-Harris Nothing going right for Ta$man so far!