Auckland v Manawatu

[KiwiMurph]

Really keen to see how Funaki goes. A big opportunity for him.

[Duluth]

Interesting to see Sullivan is mainly seen as fullback cover at this stage of his career. Probably the best way to get him used to this level.

Who is covering 13? TJ, with Plummer covering 12?

Is Tele'a over his injury yet?

[Tim]

@Duluth AJ Lam often plays 13 in club rugby.

[Tim]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/300117190/mitre-10-cup-patrick-tuipulotu-hopes-run-off-bench-for-auckland-will-prove-valuable

[Daffy Jaffy]

First five-eighth Stewart Cruden and loose forward Tyler Laubscher have been named at No 10 and blindside flanker respectively for the match having both come off the bench in each of the first two matches of the season.

Laubscher’s injection into the starting side sees Liam Mitchell slide back into the second row joining Teofilo Paulo with Micaiah Torrance-Read moving to the bench.

With Aaron Smith called back into All Blacks’ camp, Jamie Booth returns to his usual spot at halfback and Newton Tudreu coming into to his place on the right wing.

In the midfield, Nigel Ah Wong starts at centre for his first match in green and white with James Tofa celebrating his blazer game at second five-eighth.

Young halfback Bryn Wilson will make his debut from the bench. The former Palmerston North Boys’ High School star, who is also a handy cricketer, had an impressive season for Varsity in club rugby.

Wilson is the grandson of former Springbok fullback Lionel Wilson, the man who the South Africans deployed at fullback to counter the monster kicking game of All Black legend Don ‘The Boot’ Clarke.

Up front, livewire hooker Siua Maile will start in the place of Sam Stewart after a pair of energetic displays off the bench.

With Cruden starting, Ben Wyness moves to the bench alongside Te Rangatira Waitokia.

The hope of Tom Hughes making his return from his achillies injuries were dashed when he was hurt at training meaning a second opportunity for Sam Liebezeit off the bench.

Manawatū Turbos

1 Tietie Tuimauga
2 Siua Maile
3 Michael Alaalatoa
4 Liam Mitchell
5 Teofilo Paulo
6 Tyler Laubscher
7 Shamus Langton-Hurley
8 Brayden Iose
9 Jamie Booth
10 Stewart Cruden
11 Adam Boult
12 James Tofa (Blazer game)
13 Nigel Ah Wong (Debut)
14 Newton Tudreu
15 Nehe Milner-Skudder

16 Sam Stewart
17 Chris Eves
18 Kyle Stewart
19 Sam Liebezeit
20 Micaiah Torrence-Read
21 Bryn Wilson (Debut)
22 Ben Wyness
23 Te Rangatira Waitokia

[Dice]

Fortunately, it looks like most of the rain has gone just in time for the game. It is a bit windy though.

[Tim]

Scrappy.

[Tim]

No arms. Hard to see point of contact.

[Steven Harris]

@Tim man that was seriously dumb from Paulo..hard enough trying to beat Auckland with 15 on 15..

[Steven Harris]

Being here at the park live , Funaki’s service is very rapid..

[nzzp]

I just heard a ref call penalty advantage over.

I am shocked people, shocked. Unbelivable.

[Steven Harris]

@nzzp should happen more often , especially if the play is not affected and the team who has the ball gets over the advantage line

[Tim]

Bit harsh that yellow.

[Tim]

These whistle fests are shite entertainment.

[Tim]

Hard to tell if dropped

[Steven Harris]

@Tim imagine being here ..lol..Turbos score a try with only 13 on the paddock ..I am missing something here..?

[Tim]

@Steven-Harris AJ Lam was in the midfield rather than on the wing.

[nzzp]

me oh my I enjoyed that maul, yes I did.

Also, Hickey got smashed

[Tim]

@nzzp said in Auckland v Manawatu:

Also, Hickey got smashed

He did his best!

[nzzp]

@Tim full marks for bravery, not so much for execution