Auckland Rugby 2023

[mikey07]

I was just watching Grassroots rugby that Number 8 for Manakau Rovers is like a building he’s huge.

[Tim]

Kitiona Vai playing for Manukau tomorrow

[Steven Harris]

@mikey07 Nela Matakaiongo , hes huge 6’4 120kgs hes got himself fitter than he was last year , the 2nd five Faletoi Peni for Rovers is bloody good player also kicks goals , i would be surprised if either of them get picked up by Auckland

[mikey07]

@Steven-Harris I watched him barrel over for a try should definitely get selected but I don’t know the politics with Auckland Rugby enough to comment.

[Duluth]

Auckland rugby posted a short video from the game last night

Also some photos on facebook

Auckland Rugby

Contenders 45 v Tanis 19 Couple snaps from a bitterly cold night in Wellsford 🥶 #AKLvNLD

[Tim]

Who is the big lock in the photos? Might have been wearing an Auckland University shirt in one shot.

[Tim]

Backline could be good this year:

Funaki
McKenzie
Rayasi
Plummer
Heem
Lam
Sullivan

Any ideas about the forwards?

[taniwharugby]

@Duluth ha Contenders vs Northland...

Was our HP side which includes contracted players along with a good number of 18/19 year old, which is all the more shame someone wasn't there to report on the game.

[Tim]

@Tim said in Auckland Rugby 2023:

Any ideas about the forwards?

Hodgman
Vikena
Ta'avao
Beehre
Kalapu?
Ekuasi
Choat
Peita

Tuipulotu would be huge for that pack.

[Duluth]

@Tim

Hopefully no Vest or Pugh

[Tim]

Cam Church back on the bench for University today, has he been injured?

[Tim]

Four rounds to go. Can anyone stop Manukau Rovers?

[Steven Harris]

@Tim hard to see , thats pretty much the top 4 we see , the only team that might be a show is G-Tech although Heremaia Murray wont feature anytime soon , he broke his collarbone during his time at the Highlanders during a training session which apparently was way over the top ,sources have told me players have picked serious injuries during these training sessions during the season
Disappointing to hear this
Also Lasati Milo Harris who will have to return to Northland before the cut off time ..
In all honesty , hard to see Manukau geeting beaten but i would not discount Ponsonby , you never know whow they may get back from Super and MLR

[taniwharugby]

@Steven-Harris said in Auckland Rugby 2023:

Lasati Milo Harris

pretty sure he was playing Fullback for Moerewa/Kawakawa on the weekend

[Tim]

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will finish his two-year union career playing provincial rugby for Auckland. Any suggestions he will be granted an early release to return to the NRL this season are wide of the mark.

[george33]

Yes I was told the same

[Tim]

Kurt Eklund is playing for University tomorrow. Moving back to Auckland for the NPC?

[Tim]

@Tim Confirmed staying with BOP.

[Tim]

Top 14 starts in September, so I assume that any France bound players won't be available. IIRC, that includes Hodgman.

[Tim]

Potentially Auckland will have Ioane and Tuipulotu, though I'd much prefer both to be in the ABs.

Questions:

Will Angus Ta'avao be available after his injuries?

Will Tanielu Tele'a have recovered from his?

Is Felix Kalapu sticking with Harbour, or even staying in Perth during the NPC?

Is Vaiolini Ekuasi coming back for the NPC, or is he staying in Melbourne?

Will Hamdahn Tuipulotu be around? How about Blake Gibson?

Any young players ready for a break through year? Maybe Terrell Peita?