Wellington v BOP

[Duluth]

Mills Albert Wellington Lions name side for Sky Stadium Opener

The Mills Albert Wellington Lions are ready to take on Bay of Plenty this weekend, as the side prepares to run out at Sky Stadium for the first time in 2024.

Xavier Numia – Oriental-Rongotai
Penieli Poasa – Oriental-Rongotai
PJ Sheck - Tawa
Akira Ieremia - Tawa
Caleb Delany – Old Boys University
Brad Shields – VC- Petone
Peter Lakai - Petone
Jeremiah Avei-Collins – Northern United
Nui Muriwai - Waikato
Jackson Garden-Bachop – Northern United
Pepesana Patafilo - Tawa
Peter Umaga-Jensen – C - Wainuiomata
Riley Higgins - Petone
Julian Savea – Oriental-Rongotai
Tjay Clarke - Petone

Leni Apisai – Paremata-Plimmerton
Yota Kamimori – Stokes Valley
Siale Lauaki – Tawa
Dom Ropeti – Oriental-Rongotai
Matolu Petaia - Tawa
Kyle Preston – Old Boys University
Callum Harkin – Old Boys University
Stanley Solomon - Petone

[Duluth]

1 Aidan Ross, 2 Kurt Eklund (c), 3 Benet Kumeroa, 4 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 5 Justin Sangster, 6 Jacob Norris, 7 Joe Johnston, 8 Nikora Broughton, 9 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 10 Lucas Cashmore, 11 Fehi Fineanganofo, 12 Willis Halaholo, 13 Emoni Narawa, 14 Leroy Carter, 15 Cole Forbes

Reserves: 16 Taine Kolose, 17 Josh Bartlett, 18 Filipe Vakasiuola,19 Aisake Vakasiuola, 20 Semisi Paea, 21 Taine Craig-Ranga, 22 Reon Paul, 23 Cody Vai

[canefan]

Wellington will probably play amazing now the Shield isn't on the line... 🙄

[Canes4life]

@canefan said in Wellington v BOP:

Wellington will probably play amazing now the Shield isn't on the line... 🙄

How does JGB keep his spot? Bloody joke.

[foobaNZ]

It's crazy ain't it?

[foobaNZ]

I can understand if Harkin had played poorly, but he's been excellent in his outings. A few jitters initially which is understandable in your debut season but from there he's been great. Really hard to understand.

The Lions & the Canes seem to have this same problem where they'll continue to pick complete journeyman players for year on year, even if a young guy is banging the door down. Same situation with Prinsep and Blackwell.

[mikey07]

@Canes4life Bit of an Old Boys Club I feel.

[Canes4life]

@mikey07 said in Wellington v BOP:

@Canes4life Bit of an Old Boys Club I feel.

The exact thing that has hamstrung us for so many years.

[Canes4life]

Strong start by BOP with three attacking raids so far. Still 0-0 after Higgins makes a crucial turnover.

[Canes4life]

Higgins goes through and scores the first.

Parson’s calling him a superstar in the making.

You’d love that @Bones

[Canes4life]

Apparently a bug going through the Lions so Delany has gone off.

[Canes4life]

Score update: Welly 7 - BOP 8

[canefan]

Nice mauling try there. Probably for the best with JGB at first receiver... A lot of forward runners catching the ball flat footed before trying to push forward. Just like the ABs...

[Canes4life]

Wellington in through Apisai and take the lead again.

Shields apparently into lock. Ropeti comes on at blindside.

[Canes4life]

Jeez that’s a shocking call from the ref there. Avei-Collins hard done by.

[Canes4life]

Kurt Eklund having a superb game. A few important turnovers so far.

[canefan]

If BOP stop dropping the ball they might be able to beat Wellington, assuming they don't raise their game. Lions need to get their hands on some attacking ball

[canefan]

Gritty first half by Wellington, aided by some pretty abject handling from BOP

[Canes4life]

A few players have gone off. Hopefully Preston and Harkin come on soon.

HT Welly 12 - BOP 8

[canefan]

@Canes4life said in Wellington v BOP:

A few players have gone off. Hopefully Preston and Harkin come on soon.

HT Welly 12 - BOP 8

Sickness in the squad during the week apparently