Auckland Rugby 2021

[Steven Harris]

@tim pacific island boy was very tidy ,But not sure ,Manu Paea came on for Auckland in the 2nd half , was very tidy .

[Tim]

@steven-harris Wonder if it was Taufa Funaki? Another who hasn't been playing Auckland club rugby this year.

[Nogusta]

@tim not Funaki. He's still with Auckland and still working his way back from a serious head injury incurred over the summer.

[Steven Harris]

@tim Sam Wye from Ponies started in the first half , Manu Paea in the 2nd

[Daffy Jaffy]

Ponies players that were involved in the preseason game on Wednesday -

Left to right - Tito Tuipulotu, Sam Wye, Presley Tufuga, Jordan Trainor, William Talataina-Mu, Terrell Pieta, and Cephus Salaivao.

Listed as unavailable due to injury - Hamdahn Tuipulotu, Tino Ulugia, and Jamie Lane.

Tino Ulugia is an interesting prospect. Schooled at De La Salle but since has been playing in Samoa for the Warriors club and Samoa A. He is listed as 2.10m on the club facebook page..

[Tim]

@daffy-jaffy Damn, that's 6'11''!

[Tim]

@african-monkey I hope so. I think in another thread someone said that he would start on the wing.

Auckland backline without him might be:

9. Ruru
10. Plummer
11. Rayasi
12. Evans
13. Faiane
14. Lam
15. Sullivan

Would be nice to see Meihana Grindlay get some time at 13 too.

[African Monkey]

@tim Is Faiane hanging around for the NPC?

[Tim]

@african-monkey I would imagine so, as Japanese season starts after NPC?

[Stargazer]

@tim They have a very long preseason though. It will depend on his contract.

Edited to add:
For example, Tiaan Falcon was supposed to fly back to Japan in September. It's only because he re-negotiated his contract that he's now able to play NPC and return to Japan later.

[Duluth]

@tim

I wonder if Heem is back with Auckland too? He could play 13

[Tim]

@duluth Yeah, that's a good call.

[Tim]

Thinking about an Auckland 23 for this season. Centre will be a challenge having lost Tele'a and Manu. Maybe Faiane to move out one? Gibson gone too?

Young locks and loose forwards to pick? Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa back from injury?

1 Lay
2 Vikena
3 Ta'avao
4 Scrafton
5 Dalziel
6 Sione Tuipulotu
7 Choat
8 Ekuasi

9 Ruru
10 Plummer
11 Rayasi
12 Evans
13 Faiane
14 Heem
15 Sullivan

16 Apisai
17 Adams
18 Renata
19 Whetton/Josh Beehre
20 Jones
21 Paea/Funaki
22 Lam
23 RTS

[Tim]

FYI, here's the Blues U20 squad:

Hooker: Soane Vikena (Blues), Ray Sua (Auckland), Hanz Leota (Auckland)

Prop: Leandro Vakatini (Auckland), Josh Fusitua (Auckland), Esile Fono (Northland), Sione Ahio (Auckland), Ryan Mead (North Harbour)

Lock: James Brown (Auckland), Allan Craig (Northland), Josh Beehre (Auckland)

Loose forward: Wallace Sititi (Auckland), Chlayton Frans (North Harbour), Cam Church (Auckland, Captain), Will Bason (Auckland), Jordan Hutchings (Auckland)

No 8: Vaiolini Ekuasi (Auckland)

Halfback: Manu Paea (Auckland), Dayton Iobu (Auckland)

First five: Christian Stenhouse (Auckland), Jock McKenzie (Auckland)

Midfield: Meihana Grindlay (Auckland), Corey Evans (Auckland), Sage Shaw-Tait (Auckland)

Wing: Joel Cobb (Auckland), Ryan Nankivell (Auckland)

Fullback: Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Blues), Sofai Maka (Auckland).

[Tim]

New Zealand Rugby announced Sione Ahio, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Corey Evans, Joshua Fusitua, Meihana Grindlay, Manu Paea and Soane Vikena in the 2021 New Zealand Under 20s Squad.

[Tim]

[Nogusta]

@african-monkey no he won't be playing NPC.
Grindlay will be suiting up for the Naki I heard.

[KiwiMurph]

I'll be happy if Auckland avoid relegation.

[Dice]

Looks like Akira has stuck with Auckland?

[Tim]