Auckland 2018
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@kiwimurph said in Auckland 2018:
depends whether they include Akira to train with the ABs like they have in the past. There's been no word on that yet. With Read back there's less need to have Akira there like there was in June.
There are 7 loosies. They should let him play NPC
They've basically said they weren't happy with the coaching he was getting at Tana's Blues and were trying to correct things in tiny 3 week windows.
Now they have an opportunity to let him play a full competition with Graham Henry as one of his coaches -
With the AB squad announcement, and the trial game against Wellington, it looks like some areas are being cleared up (front row, halfback, centre).
Jarred Adams
Lief Schwencke/Another Signing (TBC)
Marco Fepulea’i/Marcel Renata
Patrick Tuipulotu
Michael Fatialofa
Dalton Papali'i *(may be injured)
Blake Gibson
Akira IoaneLeon Fukofuka
Harry PlummerMidfield and Back Three still up in the air. Expect Tumua Manu at centre.
Lief Schwencke/Penisoni Fineanganofo/Mike Sosene/Another Signing (TBC)
Ezekiel Lindenmuth
Taniela Koroi/Marcel Renata
Jamie Lane/Jack Whetton/Evan Olmstead
Sione Havili/Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa/Adrian Choat/Hoskins Sotutu/Onosa’i Auva’a
Jonathan Ruru
D'Angelo Leuila/George Taina -
Prattley?
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@muddyriver I guess he's on Super Rugby leave, and apparently is still in the Auckland system. Whilst he's good for depth, I'd like to think we can do better for the match day XXIII.
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@muddyriver BTW, do you rate Lindenmuth? I'd also be interested to hear what the Crusaders though of him.
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@kiwimurph said in Auckland 2018:
There's a few outside backs you can throw in the mix - Rayasi, Ravouvou, Nanai, I guess Trainor.
plus Clarke and Aso
Sione Havili and Lyndon Dunshea in the forwards (am I forgetting about an injury?)
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@kiwimurph Yeah, midfield and outside backs for the squad will probably include:
TJ Fiane
Tanielu Tele'a
Vince Aso* (may be injured)
Tumua Manu
Salesi Rayasi
Caleb Clarke
Melani Nanai
Joe Ravouvou
Jordan Trainor* (may be injured)Also competing for spots:
Otumaka Mausia
AJ Lam
Nikolai Foliaki
Loketi Manu
Hawaii Ahokovi
Jacob Umaga
Akuila Rokolisoa -
@duluth said in Auckland 2018:
@kiwimurph said in Auckland 2018:
There's a few outside backs you can throw in the mix - Rayasi, Ravouvou, Nanai, I guess Trainor.
plus Clarke and Aso
Sione Havili and Lyndon Dunshea in the forwards (am I forgetting about an injury?)
Not sure about Aso. I think I saw a post in instagram (stories) last week with him back in hospital for another surgery. That's if I'm not confusing him with Matt Proctor or another injured Hurricane. It's a pity those insta stories disappear after a while. Can't check it now.
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@stargazer Aso's last surgery post on Instagram was on 29 May.
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BTW, this was the last injury update from the Blues (12 July):
Otere Black (knee – season), George Moala (chest – season), Matt Johnson (surgery – season), Jimmy Tupou (knee – season), Josh Goodhue (concussion), Patrick Tuipulotu (shoulder – season), Glenn Preston (groin, season), Scott Scrafton (knee – season), Sonny Bill Williams (shoulder), Dalton Papalii (hamstring), Terrence Hepetema (back strain), Mike Tamoaieta (knee), Leni Apisai (hamstring), Jordan Trainor (hand), Lyndon Dunshea (shoulder), Matiaha Martin (shoulder), James Parsons (neck).
