Auckland Rugby 2019

[Duluth]

@Tim

He was fine. It was hard to tell much in this game, it was too easy for 30mins then the game was a bit flat

I thought he was impressive a couple of weeks earlier in shitty conditions. Good passing game and a genuine 2nd 5

[Duluth]

Confirmation Abel is back with Auckland

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Duluth That's an important signing because they are likely to loose Mike Sosene-Feagai to the USA world cup squad and the rest of the hookers around are very green. Not sure were Kurt Ekland is at? Taniwharugby said he had heard that Abel's Auckland gig was dependant on also getting a super rugby deal, so maybe that happened also.

[taniwharugby]

@Daffy-Jaffy Northland were negotiating but was the BLues that were stalling/holding things up and supposedly pushing him toward Auckland.

[Higgins]

@taniwharugby Oh dear, I though the days of provincial unions hogging players with the promise of Super contracts (or visa versa) were supposed to be over.

[taniwharugby]

@Higgins TBF that was only rumour, so who knows...by all accounts, Abel had been toing and froing initially with Auckland, Northland, Blues, overseas club, Northland, Blues, Auckland for quite a number of months now....

[Duluth]

@taniwharugby

Also the Blues hate Auckland rugby.
If that rumour was correct, it wouldn't be about helping Auckland, it would be because they want Olsen to get game time too

[Stargazer]

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Auckland Rugby 2019:

@Duluth That's an important signing because they are likely to loose Mike Sosene-Feagai to the USA world cup squad and the rest of the hookers around are very green. Not sure were Kurt Ekland is at? Taniwharugby said he had heard that Abel's Auckland gig was dependant on also getting a super rugby deal, so maybe that happened also.

Playing club rugby in Bay of Plenty for Mount Maunganui.

Going through the BOP team lists, it was interesting to see a lock named Alex Ainley playing for Rangiuru. I wonder whether that's the former Highlanders and Ta$man lock?

[Duluth]

Premier Team Sheets - Semi-Finals

It s finals time and with that comes plenty of pressure, nerves and expecation for those taking the field for your...

[Dice]

Rayasi at fullback for Marist.

It's good that Rayasi is getting minutes there with Trainor still out. He might need to play some FB if Trainor is not recovered by the time of the NPC or if Melani decides to play for Samoa at the RWC.

[Higgins]

How are things like this allowed? He seems to alternate clubs between the combined Hutt Old Boys Marist and Auckland Marist on an almost weekly basis.

[KiwiMurph]

@Higgins what's the problem?

[Higgins]

@KiwiMurph It gives the impression that you can go out and recruit players on a game by game basis. Just imagine if Waisake Naholo and Liam Squire were suddenly named in the starting lineup for Auckland Marist this weekend.

[mikedogz]

I would imagine at club level he was registered in Wellington and once his super rugby commitments were over he gets a transfer to his Auckland club.

[taniwharugby]

@Higgins my understanding is you are able to be registered to 2 clubs in different provinces, although 1 will be the 'main' club and they need to release him. For finals isnt there usually a rule about having had to play 3 times for a team?

We been trying to get one of our boys back from an Auckland school to play for us this weekend and next cos they not playing, but they wont release him (understandably given he is on a scholarship) even though he is able to be registered with us too

[Nogusta]

@Higgins did he actually play a game(s) for HOBM this year?

[Nogusta]

@Dice good option for Auckland having Rayasi at the back. You could then play Tele'a and Clarke on the wings and Faiane / Manu in the midfield

[Tim]

@Nogusta Is Jordan Trainor likely to be out for long with his injury?

[Stargazer]

@Nogusta said in Auckland Rugby 2019:

@Higgins did he actually play a game(s) for HOBM this year?

Rayasi has played at least 4 games for HOBM, scoring at least 4 tries for them, too.

[booboo]

So, have just registered that the mighty Eden is in the semi-finals of the Gallaher Shield.

Let me repeat that:
Eden is in the semi-finals of the Gallaher Shield.

Absolutely awesome.

When I played (early 90s) we couldn't even make the Portola Trophy Round.

One year we were one point away (31-30 v Mt Wellington) from spooning.

Just heard it on Radio Sport. And agree with fhe sentiment that it would have to be the biggest match in Eden's history.

Best of luck to the team and the Club.