Wellington Lions 2023
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@Duluth yeah an interesting one aye. Maybe it's because most of those club props are still very green i.e. Lauaki and Chrichton so they have opted for some experience.
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The number of average Aussie SR players playing in the NPC seems to be increasing (it'll be interesting to keep count as the squads are named). I'm starting to wonder if it's something NZR is encouraging rather than individual unions making decisions
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@Duluth yeah interesting, I know there aren't too many stand-out props in Wellington rugby atm so maybe they saw an opportunity to bring in some experience. In saying that, I'd rather us have gone for a prop from within New Zealand than an average Super prop from Aus.
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@Duluth Cameron Orr actually looks pretty handy, but I'd still prefer a NZ prop. He's definitely an upgrade from that Canadian prop we signed a few years back.
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@Stargazer Clubrugby.co.nz said the squad would be named at the end of this week. I I I thought the team for the pre season game against Taranaki would have been announced today, but nothing.
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Looks like the squad isn't being announced until Tuesday now. As mentioned on Clubrugby.co.nz - Looking out for the Wellington Lions NPC squad to be announced on Tuesday. Cutting it a bit fine as their first match is this coming Saturday evening in Palmerston North against Manawatu, for the Coronation Cup.
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@Canes4life I wonder why it's taking so long?
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@Stargazer really not sure. Maybe finalising one last player, could be Proctor? If not surely they should have announced it by now.
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Wellington Lions squad for 2023.
Wellington Lions Name 2023 Squad to Defend Bunnings NPC Title
Wellington Lions Head Coach Tamati Ellison has named his 40-man squad tasked with defending the Bunnings NPC title, kicking off this weekend.
One question I have is where the hell is Anthony Pettett? After performing well in the Wellington XV for their two Ranfurly Shield defences, he's nowhere to be seen.
We look to have way too many loose forwards and not enough locks. Dominic Bird, Hugo Plummer and Caleb Delany (who will play mostly at 6) look to be the only locks selected. This is a concern considering we've lost Taine Plumtree and James Blackwell from last year.
Other than that, it looks to be a pretty decent side, a good mix of youth and experience. Despite leaving Manawatu and being in and around the Canes, Logan Henry has also missed out.
The squad is:
Ha’amea Ahio - Johnsonville
Asafo Aumua - Avalon
Dominic Bird – Upper Hutt Rams
Sam Clarke – Paremata-Plimmerton
Tjay Clarke - Petone
Dane Coles - Pōneke
Bradley Crichton – Northern United
Caleb Delany – Old Boys University
Chicago Doyle - Marist St Pats
Joe Faleafaga - Paremata-Plimmerton
Losi Filipo - Petone
Connor Garden-Bachop – Northern United
Sione Halalilo – Oriental-Rongotai
Kemara Hauiti-Parapara - Tawa
Riley Higgins - Petone
Sam Howling - Pōneke
Akira Ieremia - Tawa
Du’Plessis Kirifi – Northern United
Peter Lakai - Petone
Siale Lauaki - Tawa
Ruben Love - Wainuiomata
Aidan Morgan – Marist St Pats
Xavier Numia – Oriental-Rongotai
James O’Reilly – Hutt Old Boys Marist
Cameron Orr - Western Suburbs
Pepesana Patafilo - Tawa
TJ Perenara- Northern United
Hugo Plummer – Tawa
Kyle Preston - Old Boys University
Billy Proctor – Marist St Pats
Dominic Ropeti - Oriental-Rongotai
Isi Saumaki - Tawa
Ardie Savea – Oriental-Rongotai
Julian Savea – Oriental-Rongotai
PJ Sheck - Tawa
Brad Shields – Petone
Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe – Northern United
Peter Umaga-Jensen – Wainuiomata
Ethan Webster-Nonu – Paremata-Plimmerton
Keelan Whitman – Marist St Pats -
From that squad, and Coles/Ardie/injuries aside our best 23 is probably the following:
- Xavier Numia
- Asafo Aumua
- PJ Sheck
- Caleb Delany
- Dominic Bird
- Brad Shields
- Du Plessis Kirifi (c)
- Peter Lakai
- TJ Perenara
- Aiden Morgan
- Pepesani Patafilo
- Peter Umaga-Jensen
- Billy Proctor
- Julian Savea
- Ruben Love
- James O'Reilly
- Cameron Orr
- Siale Lauaki
- Hugo Plummer
- Keelan Whitman
- Kemara Hauiti-Parapara
- Riley Higgins
- Connor Garden-Bachop
Our second XV would probably look like this:
- Ha’amea Ahio
- Joyner Gaulalofa
- Bradley Chrichton
- Akira Ieremia
- Anthony Pettett
- Dominic Ropeti
- Sione Halalilo
- Keelan Whitman
- Kyle Preston
- Sam Clarke
- Joe Faleafaga
- Losi Filipo
- Ethan Webster-Nonu
- Isi Saumaki
- Tjay Clarke
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Isn't TJ out for the NPC not back until SR ?.
I know he has been included in the squad list but he would be contracted so named .
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no Logan Henry what the heck! otherwise a good team. agree with Canes4life Pettett has been great for Jville! and is a mountain of a man
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Similar take by clubrugby.co.nz, why wasn’t Pettett and Logan Henry selected? Henry is far better than Howling.
Shock and Orr as Lions 40-man NPC squad named
For the first time since 1982, the Wellington Lions will head into the new season as defending National Provincial Championship winners and Ranfurly Shield winners. Today a 40-strong squad has been…
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@cgrant something makes me think he picked up a serious injury as he hasn’t been selected in the Wellington B squad either.
Either that, or he’s chosen to play for another province.
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@Canes4life said in Wellington Lions 2023:
@cgrant something makes me think he picked up a serious injury as he hasn’t been selected in the Wellington B squad either.
Either that, or he’s chosen to play for another province.
Or they wanted to officially name TJ for some reason. TJ is injured and pulls out soon, Henry comes in?
