Auckland Rugby 2023
-
This post is deleted!
-
Manukau Rovers are the 2023 Gallagher Shield champions going back to back in what was an intense pulsating final played at Waitemata Park defeating a very game Auckland University Rugby team who it’s fair to say had Rovers measure for a good part of the contest.
But as well all know it’s an 80 minute contest and more importantly as we headed into the last quarter the influence of the bench may have proved the ultimate difference.University head coach Jason McLean would have have been pleased with the start his charges made disrupting the Rovers set piece at scrum time and line-out especially
It was from a resulting penalty after 16 minutes which saw University win a line-out deep in the 22 , a rampaging Nathan Harris finding his way to the line and first five Christian Stenhouse adding the extras to see Varsity up 7-0Rovers ability to get the ball wide was displayed to ruthless effect 5 minutes later when an excellent Faletoi Peni pass which got the ball to the outsides ,stretching the University defence before hard working lock Fano Funaki found himself in the right place to touch down to bring the score back to 7-5 to University
Despite both sides creating opportunities before the halftime break both sides will fail to capitalise on opportunities , Manukau turning down 2 kickable penalties only to lose the line-outs close to the line and University spilling passes close to the line when looking likely.
University started the 2nd half in the best possible way with tough No 8 Uini Fetalaiga forcing his way over close to the posts , the try coming on the back of a brilliant break through the midfield Solofa Silipa finding winger Xavi Taele who was cut down 5 metres out , Varsity keeping their heads with a series of drives before touching down
During the next 20 minutes both sides struggled to get anything going with brutal defence and superb breakdown work keeping the game played between the 22 metre marks.
Often their moments in a game which either closes a door or keeps it open came with around 12 minutes to go University with series of drives off a line-out maul , a miss directed pass knocked on 2 metres from the line which gave Rovers the opportunity to clear.How University would rue that opportunity given more so that the arrival of the Rovers bench was starting to impose themselves,Sione Tuipulotu especially using his size effectively post tackle and we all know Rovers operate on quick ball.
That opportunity would come with 10 minutes to go Rovers moving the ball wide after series of side to side attacks the pass once again from Faletoi Peni finding fullback Simon Peter Taleafo who would touch down in the corner, despite the missed conversion from Peni the presence of the dynamic 2nd five was staring to be felt.Peni would give Rovers the lead with 5 minutes to go , we have seen during the season a vast array of skills from the midfielder passing and kicking but it would be his sheer power from 15 metres out that would leave 3 would be tacklers in his wake to touch down close to the posts , Peni adding the extras and then 2 minutes later adding a penalty to push the score out to 20-14.
And just to cap off a off stunning last few minutes for the 2nd five coming up with a big shot which jarred the ball free , a relieving penalty which was gleefully kicked to touch sending Manukau Rovers into back to back Gallagher Shield history.
For Auckland University the front row of lay,Te Puni and Morel were superb especially in the first half ,Cam Church never to far away from the ball.
Uini Fetalaiga who is not big in stature must be pound for pound one of the toughest loose forwards running in the Auckland comp was again outstanding.
And in the backs Saker and Stenhouse for good part of the match kept University playing in the right parts of the groundChatting to skipper Savelio Ropati he was the first to admit it took Rovers a while to get getting putting much of that down to University’s ability to disrupt their set piece and flow
But one thing this Manukau does have is strike power , Sofai Maka always dangerous on his wing as was Xavier Tito Harris , for a good part Faletoi Peni was kept in check but when he did unleash it was with great effect , in the forwards Nela Matakaiongo was an absolute handful, locks Savelio and Funaki great around the paddock as was hooker Faafou
Benc replacements ,Sione Tuipulotu ,Ikenasio brothers Petelo and Lafaele along with halfback Dayton Iobu bought some much needed energy into the closing 20.Manukau Rovers 20
Fano Funaki ,Peter Simon Taleafo and Faletoi Peni Tries
Faletoi Peni ,1 con ,1 penAuckland University Rugby 14
Nathan Harris ,Uini Fetalaiga Tries
Christian Stenhouse 2 con -
@Steven-Harris Thanks for that Steven. Love your work. I was disappointed Auckland did not bother to live stream the game. They did in recent seasons. Are you aware of any Final players who made the NPC squad, especially any from Rovers?
-
-
@Daffy-Jaffy had a chat to Auckland CEO Jarrod Bear at the after match function , he’s was very coy when I quizzed him about the possibility of any of the Manukau Rovers players making the Auckland squad which he said will be named on Thursday, they have a preseason hit out against Northland next Saturday at University.
He did say it was tough especially when you’re playing the wages of so many super rugby contracted players which I understand.He did say he was a little annoyed with the 2 Australian players they bought in last year , Connor Vest came highly recommended from Brad Thorn and the boy Pugh who came over from the Western force was an athlete but undid much of his work with basic mistakes , we had a chuckle about the Northland game when I suggested he was Northlands player of the day
However he was expecting a much better showing in this years NPC , given he’s likely to have some All Blacks that might be on the outer of the RWC squad.
I suspect there might be a couple from club with still gaps to be filled.
-
@Steven-Harris Hah, that's quite funny regarding the 2 Aussies. They'd clog up most of the Auckland game threads on here due to how bad they were.
-
@Steven-Harris said in Auckland Rugby 2023:
He did say he was a little annoyed with the 2 Australian players they bought in last year , Connor Vest came highly recommended from Brad Thorn and the boy Pugh who came over from the Western force was an athlete but undid much of his work with basic mistakes
Did he have any comment about Kalani Thomas?
-
Here you are Auckland fans. Finally named your squad
-
Auckland Rugby names squad to compete in 2023 Bunnings Warehouse NPC
Auckland Rugby is proud to announce the squad to compete in the 2023 Bunnings Warehouse NPC . The lineup includes ...
Confirmation of the coaching staff too
McGrath head coach plus:
Former Auckland NPC half-back Jono Hickey has been appointed attacking coach, former Manu Samoa front-rower Census Johnston will lead the scrum and former All Black and Auckland number-eight Steven Bates will continue in his role as forwards coach.Good reward for Royal. What's he up to now, 115 games for Ponsonby?
It's very clear what position certain players are playing. Those decisions were made weeks ago.
I don't care if Thomas is a success he shouldn't be there. Just pick the next best halfback in club rugby.
A squad of 37 with ~25 SR players plus 3 u20s players there's not much room for club players. So signing an Aussie is just wrong IMOWas hoping for some other age group midfielders to make the squad but it looks like that area is well covered. Hopefully they are training with the side
-
@NateHill74 Interesting to note Manakau Rovers, back to back club champs and undefeated in 2023, do not have a single player in the squad.
-
@Higgins I'm not anywhere near Auckland so don't know if there's any policies or anything but that is odd. Happens else where too. Like in Dunedin, Taieri have dominated club rugby for 5 years but have maybe had 3 or 4 players make Otago through club form. Manukau? would any of them be in line for Counties by any chance like they actually get selected by CM if anything
-
-
@Higgins said in Auckland Rugby 2023:
Interesting to note Manakau Rovers, back to back club champs and undefeated in 2023, do not have a single player in the squad.
A dumb season structure and a lot of pro players from the province. So you wind up having very few picks from club rugby. Those that are picked are filling gaps around the pros
@NateHill74 said in Auckland Rugby 2023:
Like in Dunedin, Taieri have dominated club rugby for 5 years but have maybe had 3 or 4 players make Otago through club form. Manukau? would any of them be in line for Counties by any chance like they actually get selected by CM if anything
Otago would pick a much higher percentage of their squad from club rugby
As for Counties their squad was named last week. A Rovers player has moved to Southland apparently
-
@Bovidae said in Auckland Rugby 2023:
I wonder if Tangitau gets a run at fullback, his best position. I'm surprised that Spencer got selected so early.
I'm assuming Spencer is there to learn mostly
RTS, Tangitau and the 10's probably get games at 15 before him (McKenzie has been playing a bit at fullback recently)
-
@NateHill74 said in Auckland Rugby 2023:
would any of them be in line for Counties by any chance like they actually get selected by CM if anything
Despite the name, they are not eligible for Counties. The Manukau club is in Mangere, in the Auckland province.
-
@Duluth Joe is a real good bugger but I have got to say at 38 years of age you do wonder where the coaches are with this selection moving forward given you’ve got 2 experienced heads in Vikena and Apisai ..a young hooker would have been a great investment moving forward .
-
Maybe. I wonder what the length of Apisai's contract is? Was he droppable?
I see it more as them wanting one trust worthy hooker behind Vikena
