NPC 2023
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@frugby it really depends on who Ta$man have available. If they have the likes of Havili, Blackadder etc for that match then yeah it will be a dog fight mid-week. But if they don't then I just don't see them having the firepower.
I think Wellington will play a weaker team against Southland and then save their best for Ta$man before sending a B team to Canterbury. I have Wellington beating both Ta$man and Otago. The only team I have Wellington losing to is Canterbury (twice).
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@Canes4life Dane Coles in the Auckland departure lounge....
"Hey where's Tyrel?"
"And where's Will? And Frizz? And Ethan? And Finlay? And Leicester?
Fozzie....you caaaarnt!!!!"
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Wellington XV confirmed to take on Taranaki:
Wellington XV:
Cameron Orr – Western Suburbs
Joyner Gaualofa – Tawa
PJ Sheck – Tawa
Caleb Delany – Old Boys University
Hugo Plummer – Tawa
Brad Shields – Petone
Sione Halalilo – Oriental-Rongotai
Keelan Whitman – Marist St Pats
Kemara Hauiti-Parapara – Tawa
Aidan Morgan – Marist St Pats
Pepesana Patafilo – Tawa
Peter Umaga-Jensen – Wainuiomata ©
Losi Filipo – Petone
Ethan Webster-Nonu – Paremata-Plimmerton
Ruben Love – Wainuiomata
Josh Southall – Petone
Senio Sanele – Upper Hutt Rams
Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe – Northern United
Akira Ieremia – Tawa
Filo Paulo – Hutt Old Boys Marist
Dominic Ropeti – Oriental-Rongotai
Sam Howling – Pōneke
Kyle Preston – Old Boys University
Isi Saumaki – Tawa
Tjay Clarke – Petone
Chicago Doyle – Marist St Pats
Sam Clarke – Paremata-PlimmertonNotable players not selected / unavailable:
- Du Plessis Kirifi
- Anthony Pettett
- Asafo Aumua
- Xavier Numia
- Siale Lauaki
- Dominic Bird
- Billy Proctor
- Logan Henry
- Riley Hiiggins (Injured)
- TJ Perenara (injured)
- Connor Garden-Bachop (injured)
- James O'Reilly (Injured)
- Julian Savea (Injured)
- Ardie Savea (All Blacks)
- Dane Coles (All Blacks)
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My hopes.
Otago makes the semi finals. Our promising young players have good seasons.
Wellington loses the Ranfurly Shield and misses the semi finals.
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@SouthernMann no chance mate.
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You will be 1 from four after the first four rounds, and the shield will be in Nelson.
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@SouthernMann no chance mate.
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A lot to like about Josh Whaanga. I reckon he will be playing a lot of NPC.
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@Snollygoster-0 said in NPC 2023:
Does anyone have details of the location and starting time for the BOP v Manawatu game this weekend ?
Already been played:
Friday 28 July 2023 - 12.30pm - Owen Delany Park, Taupō
Manawattū v Bay of PlentyI haven't seen the result.
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@Stargazer From BOP Facebook page -
Good result at the Steamers pre season today with a 33-7 win against Manawatu. -
Auckland 22 - 5 Northland at half time.
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Full time - Auckland 39 - 19 Northland.
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Taranaki bt Wellington 49 - 22. Not surprising considering all the players not available for Wellington.
Interesting that I saw the Proctor brothers at a cafe in Petone a couple hours ago. I wonder if Matt’s available for the NPC.
I guess we’ll find out when the squad is made official.
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@Daffy-Jaffy Good performance from Auckland, took every opportunity that came their way
Looked to have a really good attack pattern which saw them get on the outside of the Taniwha , often exploiting the visitors lack of pace
Really liked the look of Zarn Sullivan at first five , his left boot often carved off massive metres and not to afraid to take the line on when required
Based on what I saw of the halfbacks , Kalani Thomas starting , I would start with Funaki looked much more assured
Northland put a ton of heat on Thomas and at times his service to Sullivan was average
The Forward battle was a bit more even with both teams cancelling each other out ,
Ekuasi started at 8 and was always a handful on the carry , all the starting front row were very good
On RTS at fullback , there was some good and not so good doesn’t have a kicking game in fact looks awkward kickingGreat to see Faletoi Peni get a run , did most things right and showed some awesome stepping ability and on one occasion running directly over Scott Gregory look alike Ross Gladish who was a late call up from club rugby
Had a chat to him at games end , he did say the pace was way higher than club level .He will be staying with squad a few more weeks as Tanielu Tele’a has an injury
Tangitu and Rayasi looked sharp on the wings , but I have got to say I was really impressed with Corey Evans when he came on in the 2nd half , slotted into fullback and looked like he had played their all his life.
It definitely looked like one team that had already played one warm up game and another playing their first
Just a shame Northland had few bodies unavailable especially in the backline , I will update their injuries on the Northland Forum
