Auckland Rugby 2022
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This guy posts highlights from University games:
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Round 9 Goodyear Tyres Auckland Premier mens club Rugby
Happy Matariki ki te whanau o Tāmaki Makaurau Whutupōro
Just the 2 games played on the Friday Matariki long weekend and boy were they important games with all 4 teams either trying to either secure their place in the top 4 or basically trying to force their way into the top 4
The visitors Pakuranga would outscore the hosts Grammar Tech in the 2nd half in this closely contested fixture played at Orakei Domain , despite the efforts of the visitors in the 2nd 40 it would be the home side Grammar Tech who would bank an important 4 points to hold on to that important 4th place on the table.
I will update this report with more detail tomorrowI headed off to College Rifles Park for what would be an intense contest between the visitors University who were looking to bounce back after what was a shock loss to Papatoetoe last week and the home side College Rifles who were desperately looking for a win to crack into the top 4
This game would go right down to the wire with College Rifles electing to kick to the corner after a penalty was called and go for the win as opposed to kicking for the poles and walking away with what would have been a draw and 2 points
Unfortunately for the home team their lineout which had been solid throughout the game faltered at the last hurdle which handed Varsity a victory that looked far more comfortable when they lead 25 -17 with several minutes leftRifles started the best of the 2 teams ,big number 8 Ben Sau finding the defence a little thin on the blindside in the first 10 minutes
However it would be standout Varsity prop Lui Morel showing some outrageous power from close range who would touch down twice in the space 5 minutes who would turn the momentum the students way , Elkington adding a conversion and penalty to extend the lead to 15-7 in favour of the visitorsWhilst Rifles did not start the season well ,they however showed why they have improved to the point where they are just sitting outside the top 4, on the back of some good kicking in the last 5 minutes , home lock Don LoLo would cross over from close range and first five Ross McKay would knock over a penalty from distance to give Rifles an unlikely 17-15 halftime lead .
It took almost 20 minutes in the 2nd half before Varsity first five Tyrone Elkington knock over a penalty to regain the lead before replacement winger Brody Lam would deliver what would prove to be these decisive blow picking off a stray Rifles pass and scampering 70 metres to touch down under the posts .
Despite a late try from the home side which set up a grandstand finish it would be the visitors University who would pick up 4 valuable points that keeps on top of the table.For the Varsity ,some big games from all the tight five ,all willing ball carriers and probably just holding the edge at scrum time
Lui Morel with a game to remember, starting halfback Isileli Fetalaiga was everywhere and very vocal whilst fullback Samuel Aitken hardly put a foot wrong with a classy showingFor the home side ,none tried harder than number 8 Ben Sau who always carried hard into contact ,locks Don LoLo and Ezrah Kapeteni also featured both at line out and around the paddock
Cody Mitchell at halfback looks a player of promise with an exceptionally quick pass and I also thought Dylan Moon was rock solid at fullbackFinal score College Rifles 22 University 25
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Just a footnote on this report I could not post this on a public forum
Cody Mitchell the College Rifles halfback must have the quickest bullet like pass I have not seen in a very long time .
Heading to Christchurch to survey his options ..🤔 -
@Tim said in Auckland Rugby 2022:
'I still get goosebumps': Eden Rugby Club's improbable 100-year run
Gallaher Shield holders Eden Rugby Club are holding their centennial celebrations this weekend. It is a rare feat for...
Great article.
Knew the Centenary was this year, thought fleetingly about heading over, but never seriously.
Awesome that Tom O'Hanlon is still going!
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This post is deleted!
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Auckland Rugby appoint Head of High Performance
Auckland Rugby are pleased to announce Murray Williams as the Head of High Performance. Auckland Rugby continuously...
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Following @Duluth's post on a possible Taranaki team, this would be a possible first choice Auckland 23:
1 Hodgman
2 Vikena
3 Ta'avao
4 Scrafton/Sione Tuipulotu
5 Tuipulotu
6 Ioane
7 Choat
8 Sotutu
9 Funaki
10 Plummer
11 Clarke
12 RTS
13 Ioane
14 Lam
15 Sullivan16 Apisai
17 Lay
18 Renata/Lay
19 Lane/Scrafton
20 Gibson/Ekuasi
21 Paea
22 McKenzie
23 Evans/HeemIf a 10 team NPC replaced Super Rugby, we'd have a better coach, and probably get Ofa Tu'ungufasi back. Assume we'd also get Eklund, and one or two Blues locks. Target a halfback to recruit. Beauden Barrett might prefer to stay in Auckland. If were had Counties Manukau as part of the team, then Papalii and Laulala would come in.
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This guy is playing preseason for Auckland this Friday -
Also Connor Vest from the Reds -
NPC PRE SEASON: AUCKLAND v HAWKES BAY
🕑Friday, 1:00pm
🏟️ St Peters School, Cambridge
🎟 FREE ENTRY
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@Daffy-Jaffy Hashimoto has been playing for Waitemata, odd selection..
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