Auckland Rugby 2021
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@steven-harris said in Auckland Rugby 2021:
Word doing the rounds is Craig McGrath will take take over as the Auckland head coach ..very well liked by the players
In 2022? So McGrath will be head coach, Bates has the forwards and Bowden the backs?
But all those guys are employed by Auckland rugby this year.
Maybe McGrath the real coach this year? Is Alama just sitting out his contract and has the title of head coach but no power? Will he wear the seagull costume or the potato costume?
If his role is over they should move on as quickly as possible
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@steven-harris Like Duluth, I also wondered if you meant he will take over this season or post Alama's contract ?
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Grammar Tec v Ponsonby, one of the biggest fixtures on the Auckland club rugby calendar due to the clubs' success and shared history, takes place tomorrow with the added significance of the Sir Fred Allen Trophy being at stake.
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Is that the Westlake old-boy Jock McKenzie at 10 for Grammar TEC?
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@tim I got along to watch Grammar Tech play Ponsonby last Saturday really impressed with the standard , Ponsonby looked to have the game under control at 21-12 but Grammar Tech lifted in the last 20 minutes .
GT had a very young backline with Jock McKenzie at first five ,Corey Evans and 2nd Five and Heremaia Murray at centre , and Jack Gray (Scots College) and Caleb Tangitu on the wings The GT pack is massive , plenty of height and size .
Ponsonby however always seem to find a way to get across the line ,
Stephen Perofeta at first five , Wiseguy Faianne probably had the best game I have seen him play in a very long time , got both of Ponies tries ..Blake Gibson played his typically physical style of game , but to be honest , did not really stand out ..Presley Tufuga at lock for Ponies was very good , really physical player ..I was also impressed with Selestino Kalounivale , Fijian boy at centre ,not sure where he’s played before , tall and strapping , was very good in contact ..
For GT , all the backs had their moments, was impressed with Jock McKenzie.., could be one to watch moving forward ..also Corey Evans has all the skills , very smart kicking game as well ..has signed for 2 years with Auckland.., but I suspect a move back to the Taniwha might be on the cards in 2023..
Watched Liam Hallam Eames the GT lock and skipper with interest as I know Northland had expressed some interest …very tall player with some size , probably not his best game , looked quite ginger in the warm ups and then ran out with his ankle strapped , did not last the full game , suspect he was hindered by the injury . -
@steven-harris Thanks for the match report! Really interested to see how some of those guys come through in NPC this year.
Yeah, real shame about Gibson. Even in the opening SRA game last year he was absolutely hammering guys in the tackle. Of course he went off injured after 30 minutes of that game ...