Auckland Rugby 2021
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Its amazing how quickly Auckland's front row depth changed from the strong, young and talented group of last season. Suddenly this year Adams and Paea move away to Manawatu and Harbour, I guess looking for more game time, then Ta'avao is in the AB's, James Lay is injured, Marco Fepulea’i stays in the U.S. , and we are left having to sign relative journeymen like Albert Anae and Jordan Lay to fill out a squad. Already they had to have a colt in Ahio on the bench first round. Thinking bigger picture, I think the most important signatures that Auckland and the Blues need to secure going forward are the two young props Ahio and Fusitua. They have been dominant at colts and NZ U20's together. Any or all of the Blues All Black front row contingent could head north chasing the Yen/Euro after 2023 world cup year.
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New recruit Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is a good chance to play for Auckland next weekend and may have been included in the squad to play Ta$man in Nelson on Saturday but for a knee injury which is hampering his kicking practice.
Big learning curve: RTS' rugby debut for Auckland delayed
Auckland coach says the former Warriors captain's learning curve is still significant.
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@daffy-jaffy Even in the Bs, Eden can only get one player in.
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@daffy-jaffy is that Niko's first game back from injury?
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@antipodean he played v Northland in pre-season 2 weeks ago.
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@daffy-jaffy wrote this for the Northland website
Auckland B prove to strong.
A tough assignment for Northland B who travelled to Orakei Domain in Auckland on Saturday to take on very big and talented Auckland B team featuring several members of the current Auckland Bunnings NPC squad , a sprinkling of Blues under 20s players and just for good measure a couple of well traveled and experienced front rowers in the form of hooker Robbie Abel and prop Albert Anae who both have plenty of Australian Super Rugby Experience.
Unfortunately for the visitors with all that talent and experience at their disposal, it was the hosts that powered to 51-17 victory after leading 22-5 at the break racking up 9 x tries in total to the visitors 3 tries
After an early Auckland try from a lineout drive , Northland returned the favour with lineout drive of their own with busy loose forward Popoai Finau touching down for the first of 2 tries .
Northland did have an opportunity to hit back with an intercept inside the 22, but some brilliant cover defence by Auckland thwarted the attack and the hosts would punish a defensive error a few minutes later for their 2nd try .
Whilst Northland defended well 10 minutes it would be Auckland that would lay on a 3rd try after a slick backline move.
There were some warning signs for the Taniwha at scrum time and so it proved on the half hour mark after a powerful Auckland scrum saw a simple try to the number 8 which was converted .The visitors were hopeful that with a decent breeze behind them in the 2nd half that they would play more of the game in the hosts half , but with the home team dominating at scrum time and taking advantage of a lop sided penalty count, the hosts would lay on 3 tries with in 10 minutes to effectively kill the match off .
Inoke Tavutu scored after a powerful burst from close range and Popoai added his 2nd try after some good work by the forwards .
Auckland however had the last say touching down in the last 10 minutes for 2 more tries.Northland Skipper Jarod Byrne was a standout performer turning up all over the paddock as was Popoai Finau who did not take a backwards step , Jonah Mau’u ,Tevita Faukafa and Ben Tou who had dropped down for the top the team asserted themselves well throughout all proving a hand full with ball in hand Tou especially.
In the backs , none tried harder than Kalani Going proving a hand full against much bigger opponents, Going and his midfield partner Liam Colley were solid in the midfield and looking to be forming a good partnership.
It was not until the last 20 minutes that we got to see the lightning feet of Western Sharks fullback Aseri (Ace) Vaituinaruku who can make something out of nothing , known for his attack Vaituinaruku showed he’s no mean defender keeping his opposites in check throughout.All in all not the result the Bs were looking for , but chatting with head coach Peter Hugo his charges lacked nothing in terms of physicality matching their opposites at breakdown and showing plenty of heart defending for long periods .
Hugo also lamented a couple of unforced errors made by the visitors which lead to try’s but also on the other end of the scale leaving at least 3 or 4 scoring opportunities on the paddock
However their will some extra scrum practice put in I would imagine before their next hit outFinal Score
Auckland B 51 Northland B 17 (Popoai Finau 2 tries,Inoke Tavutu 1 x try ,Josh Davis con) -
@daffy-jaffy keep an eye on Joshua Fusitua younger brother of NZ Warrior David Fusitua , only 20 years old ,is in brilliant shape for a loose head prop , gave his opposite Justin Davies who has played for Northland a torrid afternoon ..Hamdhahn Tuipulotu on the tighthead was also very good and some serious size , chip off the Patrick’s block .
Niko Jones was superb , accurate and physical at breakdown , both locks impressed me with their physicality
Alfred Nonu who is big lad at 2nd five also took a bit of stopping and Fijian winger Mocevakasa was always dangers , good shift from Jack Gray off the bench but the player that impressed me no end was Kitiona Vai..holy crap this kid is a star in the making ..cross between Ardie Savea and Micheal Hooper ..I think he’s been in the NZ sevens environment.. -
@steven-harris Thanks for the report Steven. I mentioned in a previous post somewhere that Auckland and the Blues need to prioritize signing both NZu20 props Fusitua and Ahio, as any or all of our international Props could head offshore post next world cup. If we don't secure the colts we will likely end up playing against them in Christchurch! Did Vai come on at openside? Maybe he is an option to replace Gibson at the Blues (or Hunt if his head doesn't clear) Finally any thoughts on how Sam Wye went considering they selected him in the squad ahead of Manu Paea?
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@daffy-jaffy I would pick Vai at the drop of hat , he’s the most dynamic loose forward I have seen in a very long time , needs to be kept in the Blues region
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@steven-harris could have been useful off the bench instead of conservatively going for WRK last week
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@kiwimurph damn right , he was a beast in the preseason game against Northland , charged around like a rampaging bull
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@dice said in Auckland Rugby 2021:
Those photos do Terry Wright justice-he looked a lot skinnier and frailer on the field! From memory though he wasn't often injured?
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@nostrildamus said in Auckland Rugby 2021:
From memory though he wasn't often injured?
That's why the Auckland team called him the "Indian Rubber Man".
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