Auckland Mitre 10 Cup squad announced
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="597827" data-time="1468822879">
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<p>Didnt even notice his name there, had heard Fosita was sniffing about up this way again recently...he has played 10, 14 and 15 for us, dont think he played mid-field. Probably a much better player from his time for Tonga but he was more a reliable player than anything else and not really quick enough for the wing or FB either.</p>
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<p>Yeah I'm only going off the fact that he's played at 12 for most of the year for Papatoetoe in the Auckland comp.</p> -
<p>he seems pretty versatile, and while not quick enough for an outside back, he was pretty solid when he last played for us, but as above, expect he has improved hugely with Tonga.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="597819" data-time="1468820720"><p>
Magpies, what's Tyrone Elkington-MacDonald like at 10?</p></blockquote>
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Played a couple of years of club rugby down here (think he may have played senior rugby aged 17) cool head and a great boot.<br><br>
Very good touch player too apparently so has the skills. -
<p>Pasqualle Dunn has had an interesting career. Looks like he was in the Auckland Colts last year, and prior to that played league at outside centre for Doncaster, and the year before was in Leicester Tigers' development squad. Looks like he plays 12 and 13 for College Rifles.</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.thisisamericanrugby.com/2013/12/interview-with-us-eligible-leicester.html'>http://www.thisisamericanrugby.com/2013/12/interview-with-us-eligible-leicester.html</a></p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/local-sport/doncaster-rlfc-dons-sign-pasqualle-dunn-and-danny-cowling-1-6880607'>http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/local-sport/doncaster-rlfc-dons-sign-pasqualle-dunn-and-danny-cowling-1-6880607</a></p> -
<p>Any 10 trying to make it at Auckland is wasting their time unfortunately with Simon Hickey there and to make it worse, the guy is still bloody captain. Surely Bordeaux can ban him from playing down here.</p>
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<p>Good team overall. With Gibson and Luatua(if not in the ABs) back, plus a number of forwards coming back with Super Rugby experience, I think our pack should be a fair bit better than last year's. However, the backline depth doesn't look that great.</p>
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<p>Surprised to see no Will Talataina-Mu. The U21 and B teams should be named soon, so if he's not in there, then he's likely gone elsewhere.</p>
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<p>Good to see Josh Kaifa in the team. He's a very aggressive player and covers all the backrow positions.</p> -
<p>Very strong squad,defintely worth a trip to the TAB.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="597828" data-time="1468823276">
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<p>I'll take a guess at the starting line-up:</p>
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<p>Prattley</p>
<p>Pleasants-Tate</p>
<p>Renata/I. Tu’ungafasi (quite tough if both Faumuina and O. Tu’ungafasi are out with the ABs)</p>
<p>Scrafton</p>
<p>Fatialofa</p>
<p>Edwards</p>
<p>Gibson</p>
<p>A. Ioane</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Fukofuka</p>
<p>S. Hickey</p>
<p>Visinia</p>
<p>Aso</p>
<p>R. Iaone</p>
<p>?</p>
<p>Nanai</p>
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<p>I'm not up to date with Auckland rugby hailing from Wellington but wouldn't you have Taleni Seu and Steven Luatua in that line up, especially considering Luatua is no dead cert for the All Blacks.</p>
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<p>You could have:</p>
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<p>4. Taleni Seu</p>
<p>5. Michael Fatialofa</p>
<p>6. Steven Luatua </p>
<p>7. Blake Gibson</p>
<p>8. Akira Ioane</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="597820" data-time="1468821180">
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<p>Also, what's up with Dalton Papalii missing the squad? He was the Blues Development Team player of the year.</p>
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<p>Papalii was named in the U19s a couple of weeks ago. With Auckland prioritizing the U19s now, I'm not surprised he's not named in the team. He might be considered once the National U19s tournament is done.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="597821" data-time="1468821233">
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<p>Only two halfbacks. Will Simon Hickey cover until Lisati Milo-Harris returns from injury?</p>
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<p>I don't think Milo-Harris has played any rugby this year. Not quite sure when he comes back, but hopefully he does come back, because he has talent.</p> -
<p>If Luatua is with the ABs, the I would assume that Seu will be at 6 with Moli off the bench. We're a bit light at tighthead prop (if Ofa makes the ABs). Thankfully Jono Owen has gone and hopefully we see some improvement from McHugh and Isi Tu'ungafasi.</p>
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Not one Eden player :(<br><br><blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="597816" data-time="1468820257"><p>
Fekitoa wasn't in the squad last year, right?</p></blockquote>
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In the ABs?<br><br><br>
On that subject if the ABs were allowed to play would be a decent XXIII... -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="booboo" data-cid="597926" data-time="1468841913">
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<p>Not one Eden player :(</p>
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<p>That would be the day lol.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="597819" data-time="1468820720">
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<p>Magpies, what's Tyrone Elkington-MacDonald like at 10?</p>
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<p>He was the backup in the Magpies squad to Ihaia last year, so has some experience at this level. Simon Hickey sort of player</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="597880" data-time="1468834378">
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<p>If Luatua is with the ABs, the I would assume that Seu will be at 6 with Moli off the bench. We're a bit light at tighthead prop (if Ofa makes the ABs). Thankfully Jono Owen has gone and hopefully we see some improvement from McHugh and Isi Tu'ungafasi.</p>
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<div>Would be happy with either Seu or Edwards at 6. I think Seu might have the inside running considering his Super form. Nick White seemed really impressed with Seu when asked about how the Auckland Super players were going this year. Edwards won't let us down if given the jersey though, he was one of the best 6s in the comp last year.</div> -
<p>Nick Whites comments on the squad</p>
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<p>I was googling a few of the newer players and I found this on Liam Steel</p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://www.triumphanddisaster.com/blogs/news/30833473-rugby-moisturiser'>https://www.triumphanddisaster.com/blogs/news/30833473-rugby-moisturiser</a></p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mimic" data-cid="598000" data-time="1468886201">
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<p>Canterbury will be winning it again i reckon..</p>
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<p>On the plus side for Matt Todd, he'll get a chance at his umpteenth NPC title.</p>
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<p>I wonder who has the most ever? Todd and/or Crotty would have to be up there.</p>
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<p>Presumably some Aucks from the late-80s/early 90s.</p>
