Auckland 2018

[Daffy Jaffy]

Fulltime - auckland 16 - 14 over BOP.

[Duluth]

Narrow Auckland win in the preseason match with BOP 16-14

Plummer with the first try. BOP twitter didn't say who scored Aucklands second. Trask and Garland were the BOP try scorers

[Tim]

Was that a full strength BOP team?

[Duluth]

@tim Looks close to it. Loads of subs according to twitter so not sure if that means much

[Tim]

Anyone seen a match report etc?

Can't access social media at the moment.

[Stargazer]

@tim No match report, yet.

[Steven Harris]

@stargazer this where we need someone on the ground..anything on the Bop thread:..?

[Stargazer]

@steven-harris No, nothing more than the livescores on twitter, including that Dan Kirkpatrick kicked the winning penalty.

[Tim]

BOP lead 7 - 5 at half-time.

[Tim]

Ferner @Snollygoster was at the game:

https://www.forum.thesilverfern.com/post/251316

[trooa]

Bay Times report https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503343&objectid=12104984

[Tim]

Big Auckland squad announced - 40 including All Blacks. Patrick Tuipulotu is the captain. Includes Michael Fatialofa. Mike Casey is the Scrum Coach.

2018 Auckland Mitre 10 Cup squad:

Sam Prattley (Pakuranga)

Jarred Adams (Suburbs)

Ezekiel Lindenmuth (Suburbs)

Marco Fepulea’i (Ponsonby)

Marcel Renata (University)

Taniela Koroi (Marist)

Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Grammar TEC)

Mike Sosene (Mount Wellington)

Robbie Abel (College Rifles)

Leif Schwencke (Suburbs)

Michael Fatialofa (Ponsonby)

Jamie Lane (Ponsonby)

Jack Whetton (Grammar TEC)

Patrick Tuipulotu (Ponsonby)

Faatiga Lemalu (Papatoetoe)

Dalton Papalii (Pakuranga)

Lyndon Dunshea (University)

Blake Gibson (Ponsonby)

Adrian Choat (Waitemata)

Akira Ioane (Ponsonby)

Taleni Seu (Grammar TEC)

Hoskins Sotutu (Marist)

Evan Olmstead (Suburbs)

Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa (Ponsonby)

Jonathan Ruru (University)

Leon Fukofuka (Marist)

Desma Liaina (Eden)

Harry Plummer (Grammar TEC)

Daniel Kirkpatrick (University)

Jacob Umaga (Eden)

TJ Faiane (Pakuranga)

Tanielu Tele’a (Marist)

Tumua Manu (College Rifles)

Melani Nanai (Manukau Rovers)

Joe Ravouvou (College Rifles)

Salesi Rayasi (Marist)

Caleb Clarke (Suburbs)

Rieko Ioane (Ponsonby)

AJ Lam (Grammar TEC)

Jordan Trainor (Ponsonby)

Auckland look to the past as they prepare for the future

The 2018 Auckland Mitre 10 and Farah Palmer Cup squads were today named at the home of rugby in New Zealand, Eden Park. ...

[Tim]

Just three specialist midfielders, though AJ Lam plays there, and Plummer and Kirkpatrick cover 12.

[Tim]

Some background on Mike Casey:

Murray Kinsella  /  Oct 21, 2016

Front Row Factory playing its part in New Zealand's scrum culture

Mike Casey was an important part of Pat Lam’s coaching teams in Auckland.

[KiwiMurph]

Nice squad. Good to see a solid contingent of the successful U19 Auckland squad from last year in there and looks like some strong club performers getting a shot.

Good to see Seu in the mix - positive sign for his fitness.

New scrum coach - good.

Big game first up v Counties - theyve beaten Auckland the last couple of years.

[Bovidae]

No Slade?

[Duluth]

What's the point of signing Evan Olmstead? Lots of local talent in his position.

Not sure about the selection of Umaga either. He is currently contracted to Wasps and is just getting game time before the start of the UK season

Good to see Seu named. I assumed he was injured. His versatility gives Auckland a lot more options in the 23.

[Tim]

@bovidae That was surprising. I guess Olmstead, Riedlinger-Kapa, and Dunshea were selected ahead of him.

With such a big squad, I wonder how many players are carrying injuries into the season? Seu and Dunshea?

[KiwiMurph]

With so many options at 6 I wonder if they are going to rotate Gibson and Papali'i at 7. With their injury history it probably wont be an issue for long....

[Stargazer]

@duluth About Seu: hopefully he has recovered. Being named, unfortunately, doesn't guarantee that he's not injured though. I've seen several squads with injured players. I've also seen squad announcements saying that injured players weren't available for the selection. Not sure what the reason is for naming some injured players. Maybe because they're under contract? Or there's hope they can play later in the season?