Canterbury v Auckland
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Auckland head to Christchurch for a date with old rivals Canterbury in a game with two different goals for each team. Auckland have secured themselves a home Semi-Final but will look to state their claim at the top of the table in the last round-robin game of the Mitre 10 Cup season. Canterbury will be fighting for their life in the Premiership Division with them and Wellington on the bottom of the Premiership table in relegation position. Head Coach, Alama Ieremia welcomes back some experience to the team for Sunday’s fixture with Scott Scrafton, Blake Gibson and Tumua Manu all being named in the traveling 23 for the game in Christchurch. Ponsonby Loose Forward, Presley Tufuga will move to Number 8 for his third cap in the Blue and White Hoops. Ponsonby Hooker, Joe Royal will be in line for his first appearance for Auckland when he looks to come off the bench on Sunday. Angus Ta’avao and Blake Gibson will Co-Captain the team against Canterbury. Auckland and Canterbury last met in Week 5 of the 2019 Mitre 10 Cup where Canterbury emerged victorious 32-22 at Eden Park. Historically, the rivalry between Auckland and Canterbury is one of the richest in NPC history with 30 Premiership wins shared between the Unions. Although the 2020 fixture has different stakes for each team, Head Coach, Ieremia is not taking anything for granted. “Although Canterbury have not had some results go their way this season, they are still 14-time Champions for a reason and their result against Ta$man last week was a big statement.” Ieremia recognizes the importance of the last round-robin game of the season. “It’s an important game for us in terms of momentum and that is why we need to be up for Sunday.” -
Cantabs are unchanged
1 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 2 Brodie McAlister, 3 Oli Jager, 4 Luke Romano, 5 Sam Darry, 6 Billy Harmon, 7 Tom Christie, 8 Reed Prinsep (c), 9 Mitchell Drummond,, 10 Brett Cameron, 11 Ngane Punivai, 12 Rameka Poihipi, 13 Dallas McLeod, 14 Chay Fihaki, 15 Josh McKay
Reserves: 16 Shilo Klein, 17 Finlay Brewis, 18 Tamaiti Williams, 19 Liam Allen, 20 Tom Sanders, 21 Ereatara Enari, 22 Isaiah Punivai, 23 Andrew Knewstubb
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@Donsteppa I think it's best if we lose so we can send one of the more dangerous sides like North Harbour or BOP down and keep someone weak like Canterbury in the division for next season
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@African-Monkey said in Canterbury v Auckland:
@Donsteppa I think it's best if we lose so we can send one of the more dangerous sides like North Harbour or BOP down and keep someone weak like Canterbury in the division for next season
Remember 2017!! 😊
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@Donsteppa I certainly do
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@African-Monkey said in Canterbury v Auckland:
@Donsteppa I think it's best if we lose so we can send one of the more dangerous sides like North Harbour or BOP down and keep someone weak like Canterbury in the division for next season
Probably a good call that 😀
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@Donsteppa I'm going to the game. Beautiful hot day, so it should be a free flowing high scoring game I hope, with the good guys winning of course
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@Donsteppa Spoke too soon
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@African-Monkey said in Canterbury v Auckland:
@Donsteppa Spoke too soon
The many joys of supporting the Bay 😊
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After hearing the Cantab assistance coach just now I am really confident about this game. Canterbury have been following their processes all week so the outcome will take care of itself. Thank god for that.
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