NPC - news, injuries etc
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Preseason game: Counties Manukau (Cavaliers) v Ta$man (Buccaneers)
Today (Wed 28 June), kick-off: 2:00pm
Manurewa Rugby Club - 25 Dr Pickering Ave, ManurewaTa$man squad:
1 Tom Hill, 2 Samiuela Moli, 3 Drew Petelo, 4 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 5 Shannon Frizell, 6 Ethan Blackadder (c), 7 Tone Ng Shiu, 8 Vern Fredericks, 9 Ben Finau, 10 Tim O'Malley, 11 Fletcher Matthews, 12 Alex Nankivell, 13 Rupena Parkinson, 14 Johnny Ika, 15 Andrew Knewstubb
Reserves: Pelefoti Siaki, Eden Beech, Jack Best, Dan Hytongue, Willis Scott, Jack Grooby, James Hawkey, Tomas Aoake, Glen Bellam.
Not considered due to injury: Brendan Asomua-Goodman, Isaac Salmon, Paripari Parkinson, Mike Curry, Ofa Folau, Braden Stewart, Isaiah Miller, Nick Foxley, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Sam Chamberlain, Trael Joass and Viliami Lolohea.
I haven't seen a Counties line-up.
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Full time:
Counties Manukau Cavaliers 26 (Tries: Matt Vaai, Gafa Su'a, Feta Luamanu, Sepu Taufa; Con: Luteru Laulala (2), Jared Page)
Ta$man Buccaneers 49 (Tries: Pelefoti Siaki, Tomas Aoaki, Tom Hill, Tone Ng Shiu, Rupena Parkinson, Johnny Ika, Fletcher Matthews; Con: Tom O'Malley (6), James Hawkey)
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Ponsonby 10/12 Will Talataina-Mu (Blues dev) might be another candidate for Auckland 1st 5 this year.
Ponsonby comeback sinks University
It would be great to see some video coverage from that game.
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There's more going on here than anyone is letting on...
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@Stargazer said in Mitre 10 Cup - news, injuries etc:
Are there more foreign imports into the Mitre 10 Cup this year, or does it just look that way because they get more publicity? I can't say I find it a good development. Surely there must be good NZ locks that Otago could have signed?
Hemopo was great v Lions , plus the young guy who made his debut as replacement v Lions was also good (Dickson).
Are they Otago signed? As well as Highlanders?
But in general I disagree with your point about foreigners. 14 teams, 2 starters plus a sub = 42 locks required each round by the 14 NPC teams.
Add in the confusion of NH bound exodusers usually leaving at end of SR rather than end of NPC, there's plenty of holes to fill.
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@Rapido Generally speaking, I agree with you that there may not be enough players in NZ for each position in every Mitre 10 Cup team and that that could be an excuse for signing a limited number of overseas' players. However, considering that the Otago squad is based in one of the (bigger) main centres, I assumed they would have enough local players to chose from. Quite possibly that assumption is wrong, because players don't stay in their own province anymore like they used to (although the main centres are also likely to attract more players from smaller provinces due to the presence of tertiary education institutions and better employment opportunities).
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Mako$ have signed Faingaanuku Jr. for next year, when he finishes school. Pretty sure he featured for the NZ Schools side last year.
Interesting to see the Parramatta Eels making a play for him.
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Apparently James Lay and Liam Steel are leaving Auckland to sign for BOP.
