Auckland v North Harbour

[Duluth]

Auckland open their 2022 account in The Battle of the Bridge at Eden Park

Auckland begin their 2022 NPC campaign on a historic day for rugby in Auckland at Eden Park. The Blue and White Hoops...

[nzzp]

@Duluth just stopped in and got my season pass. Looking forward to it, taking my boy.

Go Auckland!

[Tim]

Will be interesting to see how the young props go.

[Duluth]

Not a fan of Pugh getting a start, there's enough talent in the loosies. Vest is more understandable as we're struggling a bit at lock this year without Scrafton.
But I wasn't a fan of Olmstead getting time a few years ago and that worked out ok

I'd prefer Vikena starting ahead of Apisai and finding room for McKenzie on the bench etc. There is a game on Wednesday so hopefully the young guys will see plenty of time in the next week

[KiwiMurph]

Very on brand for Ieremia to bench Ekuasi in favour of Aussie Pugh....

[African Monkey]

A serious lack of ball carrying forwards in that starting lineup.

[Kirwan]

Good to see Trainor back, enjoy watching him play.

[nzzp]

We better bloody not lose. My NH supporting mate at work will give me verbals for a year if we drop this one.

Anyone know the odds?

[dogmeat]

@nzzp Harbour have no show

[Tim]

North Harbour trying to take Auckland by surprise, by simply not naming a team.

[TheMojoman]

@KiwiMurph said in Auckland v North Harbour:

Very on brand for Ieremia to bench Ekuasi in favour of Aussie Pugh....

Haven’t heard or seen of Ekuasi for a while, must be doing ok to make Auckland squad What’s he 20 or 21?

[KiwiMurph]

@TheMojoman said in Auckland v North Harbour:

@KiwiMurph said in Auckland v North Harbour:

Very on brand for Ieremia to bench Ekuasi in favour of Aussie Pugh....

Haven’t heard or seen of Ekuasi for a while, must be doing ok to make Auckland starting XV. What’s he 20 or 21?

He turns 21 in October.

He started at 8 last year vs Canterbury and was excellent. He should be starting 8 tomorrow (but isn't).

[TheMojoman]

@KiwiMurph said in Auckland v North Harbour:

@TheMojoman said in Auckland v North Harbour:

@KiwiMurph said in Auckland v North Harbour:

Very on brand for Ieremia to bench Ekuasi in favour of Aussie Pugh....

Haven’t heard or seen of Ekuasi for a while, must be doing ok to make Auckland starting XV. What’s he 20 or 21?

He turns 21 in October.

He started at 8 last year vs Canterbury and was excellent. He should be starting 8 tomorrow (but isn't).

Yep, develop the Western Force & Australia A player, great call Ieremia.

[Duluth]

[Dice]

Harbour have been a bit tough for us in recent times.

On paper it looks like it'll be a close game.

[Duluth]

@Dice said in Auckland v North Harbour:

Harbour have been a bit tough for us in recent times.

Since 2017 they've won 2, drawn 1 and lost 1

The last match in 2020 came down to a missed Hickey drop goal.

Akira and Jacob Pierce were huge for their teams. Pierce looked like a future AB in that NPC season and then barely played again before going to Japan.. such a waste

[African Monkey]

@Duluth Simon Hickey missed a few important drop kicks that season........

[nzzp]

Zarn just took a fingertips high ball, ridiculously out of position. He just looks silk

[nzzp]

3-0 to the forces of light and goodness from the southern side of the harbour bridge.

[KiwiMurph]

Vest you moron