The Bay v Wellington
-
Lions Named to Take on Bay of Plenty
In search of their 20th consecutive win, the Wellington Lions hit the road one last time in the 2023 regular season, taking on Bay of Plenty at Rotorua International Stadium on Sunday.
1 Cameron Orr (Western Suburbs)
2 James O’Reilly (Hutt Old Boys’ Marist)
3 Siale Lauaki (Tawa)
4 Dominic Bird (Upper Hutt Rams)
5Hugo Plummer (Tawa)Filo Paulo
6 Brad Shields (Petone)
7 Sione Halalilo (Oriental-Rongotai)
8 Peter Lakai (Petone)
9 Kemara Hauiti-Parapara*(Tawa)
10 Aidan Morgan (Marist St Pats)
11 Pepesana Patafilo (Tawa)
12 Peter Umaga-Jensen © (Wainuiomata)
13 Billy Proctor (Marist St Pats)
14 Losi Filipo (Petone)
15 Chicago Doyle (Marist St Pats)16 Penieli Poasa (Oriental-Rongotai)
17 Ha’amea Ahio (Johnsonville)
18 Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe (Northern United)
19 Hugo Plummer (Tawa)
20 Dominic Ropeti (Oriental-Rongotai)
21 Sam Howling (Pōneke)
22 Sam Clarke (Paremata-Plimmerton)
23 Riley Higgins (Petone)*50th game
Unavailable for selection: Xavier Numia, TJ Perenara, Julian Savea, Josh Southall, Bradley Crichton, Caleb Delany, Asafo Aumua, Connor Garden-Bachop, Tjay Clarke, Akira Ieremia
-
How many times are we gna use KHP . Does not deliver 🤦🏽♂️
-
Aidan 22 Morgan
-
Even though this isn’t the strongest Wellington team, they’ve got a great culture knowing that anyone who steps into the jersey will do the job, allowing us to rest and rotate.
Wouldn’t mind Shields at 6 for the Canes next year. He’s been bloody impressive since coming back into this Lions side. One of the more dominant forwards in this comp. We also have Caleb Delany but he’s in a cast atm and not sure how serious that injury is.
-
@Canes4life said in The Bay v Wellington:
Even though this isn’t the strongest Wellington team, they’ve got a great culture knowing that anyone who steps into the jersey will do the job, allowing us to rest and rotate.
Wouldn’t mind Shields at 6 for the Canes next year. He’s been bloody impressive since coming back into this Lions side. One of the more dominant forwards in this comp. We also have Caleb Delany but he’s in a cast atm and not sure how serious that injury is.
I'm very jealous 🤣
-
That try should seal the win and the bonus point for Wellington.
-
@Canes4life said in The Bay v Wellington:
Even though this isn’t the strongest Wellington team, they’ve got a great culture knowing that anyone who steps into the jersey will do the job, allowing us to rest and rotate.
Wouldn’t mind Shields at 6 for the Canes next year. He’s been bloody impressive since coming back into this Lions side. One of the more dominant forwards in this comp. We also have Caleb Delany but he’s in a cast atm and not sure how serious that injury is.
Yep and also Devan Flanders, Howden ,Iose for 6 or 8. As well as young ones like Lakai, and if they sign him Ropeti looks ok, but probably needs a few yaers yet.
-
@Dan54 definitely not Iose at 6, Flanders and Iose are more suited to 8, but I agree with Howden, he’s been excellent aswell. I think there will be plenty of rotation through Super Rugby in the loosies which is a luxury.
-
@Canes4life My thoughts exactly mate, it's good thinking that next season we lose Ardie, but regardless the loosies are an area of strength for us!
-
@Canes4life said in The Bay v Wellington:
@Dan54 definitely not Iose at 6, Flanders and Iose are more suited to 8, but I agree with Howden, he’s been excellent aswell. I think there will be plenty of rotation through Super Rugby in the loosies which is a luxury.
Agree with this but Iose maybe is best suited to 7. Along with Lakai and Kirifi. Although Lakai seems to be seen mainly as an 8 except at the beginning of this year's SPR.
I think Shields will be the starting 6. But with lots of rotation. Even before he left, he was played too much from memory. So, his form varied from AB quality to a bit flat.
Flander looks to be best suited at 8. So, I hope he gets game time there to see how he goes
Delany. Does he fill the Blackwell type role at lock but starting. Or a backup to Shields. Or an impact replacement to cover lock and 6. It would give the Canes good replacement options with Lakai (my preference if Shields, Flanders and Kirifi starts) or Iosi with Delany as the replacements.
Lock will be another interesting selection next year. The starting front row seems straight forward but who knows about the remaining 5.
-
@Winger I wouldn't mind seeing this pack to start the year. Plenty of experience in that 8 now and there is a good mix of x-factor and grit.
- Numia / Mafileo
- Aumua
- Lomax
- Delany
- Bird / Sangster
- Shields
- Kirifi (new Captain)
- Flanders
Bench forwards:
16. not sure about Hooker. Southall and O'Reilly are my preferred signings.
17. Mafileo / Numia
18. Lauaki
19. Bird / Sangster
20. Lakai (covering 7/8)Players there or there abouts: Iose, Howden, Walker-Leawere, Rakete-Stones
