Auckland Rugby 2019

[Dice]

@Tim Hopefully he's not with us, because his lineout throwing was so bad for Counties last year. If he is with us, let's hope he's a lot better.

[Dice]

Lock is a position we need to keep an eye on this year.

We've lost Fatialofa, Seu, probably Olmstead, and maybe Lemalu too. And John Akau'ola-Laula probably would've made the team this year if he stuck around, but I think he's staying with Ta$man.

[Tim]

@Dice said in Auckland Rugby 2019:

And John Akau'ola-Laula probably would've made the team this year if he stuck around, but I think he's staying with Ta$man.

Bugger!

Jacob Pierce better have a big NPC!

[Tim]

@Dice So front line will be Scrafton and Whetton. Backups may include Jamie Lane, Lyndon Dunshea, Cameron Suafoa, and maybe Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa. Sam Slade and Sam Ulufonua other possibilities.

Would feel a lot more comfortable with Olmstead and Lemalu in there. You'd think that we'd get Tuipulotu for a few games, even if he goes to the World Cup?

[Tim]

BTW, Suafoa has been playing for the Blues dev team, and @Nogusta had this write-up on him:

Cameron Suafoa also brought in to cover lock/loose forward. Has been training with the Blues the past couple of weeks. Big strong ball running forward, decent lineout option. Member of the winning Akl U19s team in 2017. Was in strong contention for the NZ20s last year but a dislocated shoulder in preseason scuppered that. Counties Manukau were very keen on him this year for Mitre 10 but hes opted to stay in Auckland on a lesser deal.

[Dice]

@Tim Really liked what Reidlinger-Kapa did at 6 last year, but wish he was a little bit taller though, so he could be a proper lock option. He might be able to pass as a bench lock at NPC level.

Suafoa might be the best lock option off the bench for us this year.

I'm a little hopeful that Lemalu could come back, because I think he was only on a one year deal with Yorkshire Carnegie.

[Rapido]

@Dice Yorkshire Carnegie are about to revert to amateur status anyway, I think.

Edit: to semi-pro part time status.

[Nogusta]

@Tim said in Auckland Rugby 2019:

@Dice
Sam Slade and Sam Ulufonua other possibilities.

Sam Slade has signed with Counties I'm pretty sure

[Dice]

Any news on when Sione Havili is due back?

[Duluth]

Club teams for the weekend:

Premier Team Sheets - Round 4

We re back from the Easter break and straight back into club rugby. The Premier sides in the men s competition are all...

pdf link

I see the old Northland midfielder Derek Carpenter is playing for Ponsonby. Surprisingly he's starting on the wing

[Tim]

Grammar TEC seem to be doing better this year, and Lisati Milo Harris and Matt Storm are back from injuries. Anyone know how well those two are playing?

BTW, Jono Hickey is listed as their trainer.

[Tim]

Has last year's Auckland B captain, Max East, moved to another province?

[shack]

Who is likely to be the hookers this year? Mike Sosene? Kurt Eklund? Any young guns running around club rugby?

[Tim]

@shack Looks like Eklund has moved to Waihi, and isn't playing club rugby in Auckland any more.

[Tim]

@shack Frank Malu went on the dev tour to Australia earlier this year.

[Daffy Jaffy]

@shack Victor Tu'ungafasi (younger brother of Ofa) is an option. Leif Schwenke and Penisoni Fineanganofo both played preseason with Auckland last season but neither have appeared in club rugby yet this year so I don't know whats going on with them.

[Tim]

@Daffy-Jaffy Think Schwenke played at least one club game, but got injured.

[Tim]

[Tim]

Anyone seen much of Hawaii Ahokovi?

[Daffy Jaffy]

I saw him play fullback for Blues dev. vs Canes dev. He was very good. He made good decisions especially on defence, sometimes repairing others errors. He also put himself about in attack running a lot of support lines and was probably the blues most threatening back (along with Gjatema who was also very good). Ahokovi also scored a very good try beating several tackles on a burst supporting the forwards. Only one game though. We may see more of him for Auckland with Aso gone.