Auckland v Counties Manukau

[Dice]

Just realized Gibson is captain. The last time he was captain was in school when Tai Lavea was his coach.

[cgrant]

Both teams are seriously under strength. It will be interesting to see how all these newbies fare.

[KiwiMurph]

Of course its TJ on comms....

[KiwiMurph]

Auckland concede the ball, a penalty and a try. This feels familiar...

[KiwiMurph]

...and give another penalty....

[KiwiMurph]

Rayasi!

Beautiful try - great pass Akira, Manu hits the gap and a great chip kick and Rayasi has enough pace to score.

[KiwiMurph]

Auckland scrum in trouble already.

[KiwiMurph]

Now Auckland smashed in a lineout drive. Again....familiar...

[gt12]

My god, three Blues loosies just watching on.

[KiwiMurph]

Much better play from Auckland. Probing runs from a lot of players.

[Dice]

Backs look slick so far. Good balance in the backline.

[KiwiMurph]

@dice Agreed. Refreshing.

[KiwiMurph]

Manu is a gun. Looks at home in midfield.

[Dice]

@kiwimurph Even our kicking game has been good. Tai Lavea might be a masterstroke signing.

[KiwiMurph]

Solid defence. Auckland actually playing like they care this year.

[Tim]

Fukofuka looking good.

Think this season will come down to tight five performance, and the team's composure under pressure.

Looking forward to seeing more of Manu in the midfield.

[Tim]

Pretty light weight second row, which might weaken the scrum.

[Kirwan]

Lots of promising signs there. We look like we are close to scoring every time we go wide.

They have the scrum, but Akira is cleaning up the mess at the back well to negate some of that. Counties lineout is abysmal, glad to see us kicking up the field to attack it.

[African Monkey]

I'mpressed with Trainor so far after a dismal 2017. Tight 5 still a concern for me.

[Kirwan]

@african-monkey said in Auckland v Counties Manukau:

I'mpressed with Trainor so far after a dismal 2017. Tight 5 still a concern for me.

Yeah, looks elusive and super quick. Shouldn’t have passed deep in the 22 though!