Auckland Rugby 2023

[Tim]

Possible XXIII for the playoffs:

1 Fusitua
2 Vikena
3 Ta'avao
4 Beehre
5 Tuipulotu
6 Ekuasi
7 Choat
8 Ioane

9 Funaki
10 Plummer
11 Rayasi
12 RTS
13 Heem
14 Lam
15 Sullivan

16 Apisai
17 Lay
18 Renata
19 Annandale
20 Peita
21 Wye
22 Evans
23 Tele'a

[Tim]

There's also the question of new squad members from club rugby. Maybe some from Manukau Rovers.

[Daffy Jaffy]

Its Jordan Lay, not James that is in the Samoa squad. I've not heard anything official about the makeup of the coaching group. I wonder if Bates and Hickey are still invilved. I hope they keep Census Johntson as scrum coach. He turned it into a weapon last season.

[KiwiMurph]

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Auckland Rugby 2023:

I hope they keep Census Johntson as scrum coach. He turned it into a weapon last season

Just need a no. 8 that can take advantage (i.e. not Pugh)

[george33]

@Tim I did here in an interview Angus will b available for Auckland that was probably 2 months ago

[Kiwidom]

@Tim Joel cobb had been playing club rugby in Sydney this year

[Duluth]

@Tim said in Auckland Rugby 2023:

Hamdahn Tuipulotu - still in Auckland?

Looks like he’s been playing club rugby in Perth

[Tim]

@Duluth Interesting. He and Aleks Dabek played club rugby in Sydney last year. Tuitupou returned for the NPC.

[Tim]

@Kiwidom Cheers!

[Tim]

Joel Cobb is back playing for Ponsonby this weekend.

[Tim]

Ta$man and MP player Mahonri Ngakuru playing lock for University this week.

[Steven Harris]

@Tim a few weeks ago i thought it was Manukau Rovers title to lose , but all the top 4 teams are suddenly being bolstered returning players

[Steven Harris]

List of players who will be pushing for Auckland selection outside the contracted players , all on development contracts

Interesting to see Edward Annandale on this list ,wonder if this confirms his Blues selection
Great to see some Manukau representation Faletoi Peni especially also hooker Oneone Faafou who is a beast
Although all the Manukau guys have not signed

[george33]

King Maxwell

[Steven Harris]

@george33 kids got game , he’s a mix of Rico Gear, Bruce Reihana and Charlie Ngatai all rolled up into one ..makes rugby look easy

[george33]

Yes looks real class maybe still a year away? And Payton Spencer ?

[KiwiMurph]

@Steven-Harris the word that comes to mind with Gear, Reihana and Ngatai's games is smooth.

[Bovidae]

I talked up King Maxwell last year after seeing him play for the Māori U18 team. Like Gear and Ngatai he went to Gisborne BHS.

[KiwiMurph]

Good to see Byron Smith involved. Hopefully he's sticking around - sounds like he's fairly talented

[Tim]

@Steven-Harris With Sam Wye gone (HB), a couple of those halfbacks might make the main squad. Unless Auckland have another player returning US competition or elsewhere.