Auckland v Tasman
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This is the Auckland team listed in the M10 Cup section on allblacks.com.
1 James Lay 2. Leni Apisai 3. Marcel Renata 4. Scott Scrafton 5. Jack Whetton 6. Adrian Choat 7. Blake Gibson 8. Waimana Reidlinger-Kapa 9. Jonathan Ruru 10. Harry Plummer 11. Salesi Rayasi 12. TJ Faiane © 13. Tumua Manu 14. AJ Lam 15. Zarn Sullivan
Reserves: Michelangelo Sosene-Feagai, Jarred Adams, Marco Fepulea’i, Hamish Dalzell, Niko Jones, Danny Tusitala, Simon Hickey, Tanielu Tele’aA big game for Sullivan to make his starting debut.
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From the Auckland website:
Auckland will face top of the table, Ta$man, at Eden Park on Saturday. Head Coach, Alama Ieremia has made three changes to the team that came back from 18 points down to stun Taranaki in Inglewood on Saturday afternoon. Varsity Halfback, Jonathan Ruru comes back into the starting lineup after injecting his energy off the bench in the Round 5 fixture against Taranaki. 2020 debutant, Zarn Sullivan will get his first start of the season at Fullback in place of Jordan Trainor who is unavailable due to a Hamstring Strain in the last round. Marist Hooker, Mike Sosene-Feagai returns to the bench for Soane Vikena who made his debut in the 16 Jersey last Saturday. This Saturday’s game will be the first time Aucklanders will be allowed into Eden Park to watch their team play in the domestic competition. Ieremia and his Auckland side are relishing the opportunity to play at home in front of their fans. “It’s an Exciting weekend in Auckland with both us and the Auckland Storm being given the opportunity to play in front of our family and community. We are really looking forward to putting on a good performance against a championship Ta$man team.” Auckland Rugby is focused on building a stronger whanau through sport and are also offering free entry for all NZ Warriors members to attend the top of the table clash at Eden Park this weekend. Ieremia is stoked to be part of supporting our cross-town mates. “We really feel for the Warriors fans this year. Their team did them and our whole nation proud across the ditch this year in really trying circumstances. It will be great to have them all in their supporters kit bringing a flavour of the Warriors to support us clash at Eden Park.” -
“The Herald understands young utility back Will Jordan was supposed to be released, along with wing Sevu Reece and prop Tyrel Lomax, to join Ta$man for their Mitre 10 Cup match against Auckland at Eden Park on Saturday.”
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@ACT-Crusader So last week it was Nepo falling on his sword in a vain effort to thwart Ta$man and this week it's George Bridge!
It's a desperate measure, George!
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@Chris-B He's not wrong. We've been poor this year, despite winning 4 out of 5.
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@African-Monkey Yeah - but, you guys had been rubbish coming into last year's semi- as well!
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1 Isileli Tuungafasi, 2 Andrew Makalio, 3 Tyrell Lomax, 4 Alex Ainley, 5 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta ,6 Jacob Norris 7 Sione Talitu Havili, 8 Hugh Renton, 9 Finlay Christie, 10 Mitchell Hunt, 11 Leicester Faingaanuku, 12 Alex Nankivell, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 14 Mark Telea, 15 David Havili
Reserves: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Ryan Coxon, 18 Samuel Matenga, 19 Isaac Ross, 20 Braden Stewart, 21 Louie Chapman, 22 Fetuli Paea, 23 Sevu Reece
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@KiwiMurph Not sure I'd pick Kieron as my weakest link - but, it's interesting that they've seemingly preferred him to Fetuli Paea. Last year Fetuli was awesome coming off the bench, but he doesn't seem to have reproduced that form so far as a starter.
I guess we'll see how KF has come back from his stint overseas.
Forward pack looks significantly better with Lomax back at tighthead.
Interesting that they're only giving Sevu a run from the bench - continuity or instructions from above?
