Auckland 2018
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@tim said in Auckland 2018:
Anyone know much about Mike Sosene?
Assuming it's the same player, I remember him as Mikey Sosene-Feagai. Not sure where he was born, I think in Samoa. He attended Sacred Heart College (I don't know for how many years), but he played club rugby for Taradale in Napier for some time. He was in the Hawke's Bay Saracens (Development) squad in 2014 and 2015, and played - I think - one game for the Magpies in 2015 off the bench. That was the game against Canterbury when both Ash Dixon and Ricky Riccitelli were unavailable/injured. He was our fourth hooker. He must have left for the USA after the 2015 season, and played there in 2016 and 2017 for San Diego in the failed PRO Rugby competition. He's 25 years old and is USA capped and qualified based on parentage (I think), not residency.
After a google search, I found a 2017 profile of his at the Mt Wellington RFU website. He was their premiers vice-captain last year.
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@nepia said in Auckland 2018:
@duluth said in Auckland 2018:
@tim said in Auckland 2018:
Jacob Umaga
Contracted to Wasps and in Auckland for game time at club level. Hopefully we don't pick someone who isn't a SR option
Is he any good? Could be worth poaching?
This is Mike Umagas son isn't it? From memory he is England born. Has certainly been in the development program and has already represented England at age group levels including JRWC.
Is a good player with very good potential. I don't think he harbours any desires to be an AB over his own country and has commented previously that he doesn't want to be judged on the family name. He will make far more money following the path he is on and let's face it, if he is good enough for NZ to poach he will be easily good enough to command big money in the NH and for England. -
@crucial said in Auckland 2018:
@nepia said in Auckland 2018:
@duluth said in Auckland 2018:
@tim said in Auckland 2018:
Jacob Umaga
Contracted to Wasps and in Auckland for game time at club level. Hopefully we don't pick someone who isn't a SR option
Is he any good? Could be worth poaching?
This is Mike Umagas son isn't it? From memory he is England born. Has certainly been in the development program and has already represented England at age group levels including JRWC.
Is a good player with very good potential. I don't think he harbours any desires to be an AB over his own country and has commented previously that he doesn't want to be judged on the family name. He will make far more money following the path he is on and let's face it, if he is good enough for NZ to poach he will be easily good enough to command big money in the NH and for England.He was pretty bad in last year's JWC u20 final.
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@tim The Blues/SR players in the last few years have been awful/disinterested and have really held the team back. Would love to see more youngsters given a crack this season.
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@african-monkey Have heard that from someone, and from some podcasts too. Glad to see things are changing.
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A big year for Fukofuka. The Blues spot is wide open.
I really rated him when he first played in Pivac's Auckland side. Since then he's been injured or behind a terrible pack in 2016.
Then he didn't impress with limited game time at the CrusadersHopefully he gets a good run of games this year
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@kiwimurph He reminds me of Charles Piutau running down the wing.
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@african-monkey good call. Similar styles.
Some good looking scrums and some nice backline moves and passing skills from Auckland.
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Match report:
Auckland XV defeats Wellington XV in NPC warm-up match
An Auckland XV boasting a high profile coaching staff of Sir Graham Henry, Filo Tiatia and Alama Ieremia have beaten a Wellington XV 50-33 at Evans Bay Park this afternoon. In a National Provincial Championship warm-up fixture, Auckland never trailed in an affair which featured a chance for 50...
