BOP 2022
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@Snollygoster According to google, Anaru Rangi is from Upper Hutt. It may be true, because he has played club rugby for Upper Hutt Rams (team photo from 2010).
I don't know exactly when he moved to Perth, but he played for Perth Spirit first, then the Western Force (2016-2017). When the Force were cut from SR, he was one of the players to be picked up by the Rebels. The last two years, he has played in Japan for the Shining Arcs Tokyo-Bay Urayasu, but he has re-signed with the Rebels for 2023 and 2024.
Edit: his place of birth may actually be Whakatane, but I'm not sure about that. His iwi is Ngāi Tūhoe.
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@Snollygoster Is the new hooker the player with long hair wearing the headgear?
Jericho Yorke is a winger/outside back who played at RBHS. He was a good player at that level and for Chiefs age-group teams.
Speaking of young wingers, I heard the CM physio say that the CM no.14 that played against BOP is only 18.
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Yeah it's Anaru Rangi, girlfriend is from Opotiki so suits him well to play here before heading back to Melbourne. Tight 5 looks very solid, flankers look weak. Maybe they'll play Ah Kuoi at 6? Abundance of depth at 10 with very little in centres, surely one of the 3 moves to 12 or 15. Thought Reon Paul was outstanding in the club final yesterday at 12 but broke his hand early unfortunately. Axel is the Whaka captain & Seamus standout 12 at TGA Sports. Delany giving club players a shot which is what clubs generally ask for, will see if they're up to the standard.
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@trooa I tend to agree with pretty much all you say but I shouldn't pass judgement till I know who exactly who is selected.
The starting loose forwards however hopefully won't be too bad....Kapelli is a beast, Norris is pretty solid and hopefully an inform Karpik is great but depth will be an issue.
The backs are stacked with speed at least and, judging by yesterday's game, Delany has made it clear how he wants the game played. The Taranaki game (BOP racked up 50 points) was impressive with the backs running it from everywhere but to be fair Taranaki didn't look flash. The team playing against Counties didn't have it their own way however.
Like has been said here before, don't read too much into pre season games.
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I guess there is still time, but no surprise that BoP rugby said they would announce full squad today, but nothing online as yet lol?
I can only hope that means they are hoping for some last minute poach lol
Anyone seen the squad yet?
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@bayimports said in BOP 2022:
I guess there is still time, but no surprise that BoP rugby said they would announce full squad today, but nothing online as yet lol?
I can only hope that means they are hoping for some last minute poach lol
Anyone seen the squad yet?
union confirmed pushed to 4pm tomorrow
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2022 Bay of Plenty Steamers squad
Aidan Ross (Te Puke Sports)
Anaru Rangi (Taneatua)
Benet Kumeroa (Rangiuru)
Emoni Narawa (Tauranga Sports)
Gillies Kaka (Whakarewarewa)
Haereiti Hetet (Mount Maunganui)
Inga Finau (Arataki) – Vice Captain
Jacob Norris (Tauranga Sports)
Jamie Dobie (Mount Maunganui)
Jeff Thwaites (Te Puna)
Joey Walton (Greerton Marist)
Josh Bartlett (Tauranga Sports)
Justin Sangster (Te Puna)
Kaleb Trask (Tauranga Sports)
Kitiona Vai (Mount Maunganui)
Kohan Herbert (Mount Maunganui)
Kurt Eklund (Mount Maunganui) - Captain
Lalomilo Lalomilo (Greerton Marist)
Leroy Carter (Tauranga Sports)
Lucas Cashmore (Tauranga Sports)
Luke Donaldson (Te Puna)
Manaaki Selby-Rickit (Mount Maunganui)
Melani Nanai (Mount Maunganui)
Naitoa Ah Kuoi (Whakarewarewa)
Nic Souchon (Tauranga Sports)
Nigel Ah Wong (Te Puke Sports)
Nikora Broughton (Rangiuru)
Pasilio Tosi (Greerton Marist)
Penitoa Finau (Greerton Marist)
Roderick Solo (Mount Maunganui)
Sam Cane (Reporoa)
Taylor Haugh (Mount Maunganui)
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Whakarewarewa)
Tevita Mafileo (Tauranga Sports)
Veveni Lasaqa (Greerton Marist)
Wharenui Hawera (Judea)
Zane Kapeli (Waikite)
2022 Bay of Plenty Steamers Management Group
Head Coach: Mike Delany
Forwards Coach: Richard Watt
Scrum Coach: Pingi Tala'apitaga
Attack Coach: Damian Karauna
Skills Coach: James Porter
Manager: Wayne Brill Assistant Manager: Lisa Appert
Strength & Conditioning Trainer: Thomas Stebbing
Assistant Strength & Conditioning Trainer: Scott Joblin
Physio: Simon Robins
Assistant Physio: Brandon Olsen
Doctor: Dr Sophie Thomas
Video Analyst: Brad Morgan -
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Cant wait for the npc to start
Alot of good sides -
Kitiona Vai has potential. Good pickup for BOP.
One of the advantages of the NZ 7's program being based in the region
I see Gillies Kaka has returned from Japan and gone to the dark side as well. No doubt also linked to NZ 7s; not necessarily because he'll be playing for the AB7s again, but because his partner is in the BF7s.
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Best 23 something like this (not including 7s players)
1 Hetet
2 Eklund
3 Mafileo
4 Sangster
5 Selby-Rickit
6 Ah Kuoi
7 Norris
8 Finau
9 Dobie
10 Cashmore
11 Nanai
12 Finau
13 Walton
14 Narawa
15 Trask
16 Rangi
17 Kumeroa
18 Thwaites
19 Kapeli
20 Broughton
21 TTT
22 Hawera
23 Ah WongTough team to pick. Kapeli being named at lock makes picking the locks/flankers even harder than it already was. Backs are a lottery and likely decided by form in pre-season. Narawa could play 13 or 15 but wanting Cashmore to get regular gametime meant Trask to 15.
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