NPC - news, injuries etc
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Some added info on the Steelers squad.
We really need decent locks. Have been weak there forever. Will be watching the new ones closely.
Good depth in the front and back rows.Hope the plan isn't for Leger to be the first pick 10 but it probably is. Would prefer to see a Taumateine/Roigard 9/10 combo.
A Teleāa/ Tikoirotuma midfield could be interesting but we have lost some back three speed. At least ENS will be available post olympics although a lack of wing options (unless Tikoirotuma still has some speed and we can have a Leger/Tele'a midfield)My dream team (with changes for non-availability in brackets)
- Kepu (Lindenmuth)
- Togiatama
- Laulala (Tuiloma)
- Tatafu
- Rarasea
- Slade
- Papalii (Motunga)
- Sotutu (Taulauni)
- Taumateine (likely Roigard)
- Roigard (likely Leger)
- Tikoirotuma
- Leger
- Tele'a
- Malimali
- Nanai-Seturo
The addition of home-grown international props Sekope Kepu and Sila Puafisi will be a huge boost to the Counties Manukau PIC Steelersā chances in the upcoming Bunnings Warehouse National Provincial Championship.
All Blacks Nepo Laulala, Dalton Papaliāi and Hoskins Sotutu have all been named in the All Blacks Rugby Championship squad and will see limited game time but there is added depth in the PIC Steelers squad this season.
Wallabies centurion Kepu grew up in the region and played for Wesley College and the PIC Steelers briefly before heading over the Ta$man where he established himself as one of the best props in the world.
He returns to his South Auckland home on a two-year deal and is set to make a big impact.
Tongan international Puafisi is also a Counties Manukau junior before embarking on a professional career that took him to Ta$man, France and the United Kingdom.
Also returning in the front row is Samoan international Kalolo Tuiloma, who demonstrated terrific club form for Bombay and will boost prop stocks that include Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Mark Royal and Suetena Asomua.
Veteran hooker Joe Royal is back in Counties Manukau after a superb club season with Patumahoe. He joins Zuriel Togiatama, who impressed in the starting role last season, and Karaka youngster Penisoni Fineanganofo.
Ray Tatafu (Southland) makes the move north this season to join a locking brigade that includes talented youngster Alex McRobbie, grandson of Steelers centurion Ean McRobbie, veterans Matiaha Martin and Viliame Rarasea as well as the hard-hitting Steven Leavasa, fresh off being nominated as the biggest hitter in club rugby in the region.
International loose forwards Sam Slade (Samoa), Alamanda Motuga (Samoa) and Viliami Taulauni (Tonga) all return after impressive campaigns last season. They are joined by Tongan veteran Nili Latu as well as hard-working Bombay open side Adam Brash.
Super Rugby halfbacks Jonathan Taumateine and Cameron Roigard will combine with the experienced Liam Daniela in the number nine jumper.
Counties Manukau youngster Jared Page returns to the region after a couple of years with North Harbour. He joins Patumahoeās Riley Hohepa and 2020 skipper Orbyn Leger as options at first-five for coach Tai Lavea.
Midfield options include Amanaki Savieti, Blues centre Tanielu Teleāa, former Chief and Fijian international Asaeli Tikoirotuma as well as Leger.
The exciting Peniasi Malimali will be one to watch on the wing after a sensational club season while All Blacks Sevens star Etene Nanai-Seturo will link up with the squad upon returning from the Tokyo Olympics. Also included amongst the backs named are veteran Luteru Laulala and Pukekoheās sharp-shooter Jarrod Halliday.
PIC Steelers head coach Tai Lavea said the squad had a good mix of experience which was balanced by the inclusion of some exciting younger players who had been rewarded on the back of superb performances at club level.
āFollowing last season, we identified the need for some more older heads in our squad and we are rapt with the quality of experience we have been able to bring in,ā Lavea said.
āAt the same time, itās also been fantastic to reward guys for the form they showed during the club season with the likes of Liam Daniela, Riley Hohepa, Adam Brash, Peniasi Malimali and Steven Leavasa all impressing during the McNamara Cup this year.
āWeāve got a very motivated group and we canāt wait to represent this proud rugby province when the NPC kicks off next week.ā
Counties Manukau PIC Steelers 2021 squad
Hookers: Joe Royal (Patumahoe), Zuriel Togiatama (Ardmore Marist), Penisoni Fineanganofo (Karaka).
Props: Ezekiel Lindenmuth (Ardmore Marist), Kalolo Tuiloma (Bombay), Mark Royal (Ardmore Marist), Nepo Laulala (Ardmore Marist), Sekope Kepu (Karaka), Sila Puafisi (Karaka), Suetena Asomua (Waiuku).
Locks: Alex McRobbie (Bombay), Matiaha Martin (Bombay), Ray Tatafu (Papakura), Viliame Rarasea (Ardmore Marist).
Loose forwards: Adam Brash (Bombay), Alamanda Motuga (Ardmore Marist), Dalton Papaliāi (Patumahoe), Hoskins Sotutu (Patumahoe), Nili Latu (Papakura), Sam Slade (Pukekohe), Viliami Taulani (Manurewa), Steven Leavasa (Manurewa).
Inside Backs: Cameron Roigard (Onewhero), Jonathan Taumateine (Waiuku), Liam Daniela (Patumahoe), Orbyn Leger (Karaka), Riley Hohepa (Patumahoe).
Midfield Backs: Amanaki Savieti (Karaka), Tanielu Teleāa (Manurewa), Asaeli Tikoirotuma (Manurewa).
Outside Backs: Peniasi Malimali (Karaka), Etene Nanai-Seturo (Karaka), Jarrod Halliday (Pukekohe), Luteru Laulala, Jared Page (Pukekohe).
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@bovidae always liked him when he was with Otago
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@kiwiwomble Still only 26.
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@bovidae really just needs a good run of games i think, he really looked like a natural (if not complete and obviously only to super level) successor to Ben smith in the season or two he had with the landers, but obviously wanted to be a 10 rather than 15
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@yeetyaah said in NPC - news, injuries etc:
@bovidae oh shit. Kinda forgot he existed. Good to have at least some experience.
Yeah, much better than I was expecting with Smith and D'Angelo Leuila. The third 1st 5 will probably be a young player (3-4 options available).
I am hoping Waikato does what most other provinces are doing in naming a group of development players.
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this is weird and disappointing
Faddes who as almost always played 15 or 13 on the wing...Vahaakolo who has only plays 14 for us at 13 and tomkinson who has only started looking good since moving to the wing back to 12
Pretty much full strength, and Koroi back
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The Wellington Lions squad:
Tomasi Alosio
Iona Apineru *
Fraser Armstrong *
Vince Aso
Asafo Aumua
Dominic Bird *
James Blackwell
Dane Coles
Connor Collins
Pekahou Cowan *
Caleb Delany
Alex Fidow
Connor Garden-Bachop
Jackson Garden-Bachop
Wes Goosen
Richard Judd *
Bruce Kauika-Petersen
DuāPlessis Kirifi
Ruben Love
Brandyn Laursen
Aidan Morgan
Xavier Numia
James OāReilly
Pepesana Patafilo
TJ Perenara
Taine Plumtree
Billy Proctor
Vincent Sakaria
Ardie Savea
Julian Savea
Sam Smith
Josh Southall *
Tyrone Thompson
Peter Umaga-Jensen
Keelan Whitman * -
@crucial said in NPC - news, injuries etc:
Some added info on the Steelers squad.
We really need decent locks. Have been weak there forever. Will be watching the new ones closely.
Good depth in the front and back rows.Hope the plan isn't for Leger to be the first pick 10 but it probably is. Would prefer to see a Taumateine/Roigard 9/10 combo.
A Teleāa/ Tikoirotuma midfield could be interesting but we have lost some back three speed. At least ENS will be available post olympics although a lack of wing options (unless Tikoirotuma still has some speed and we can have a Leger/Tele'a midfield)My dream team (with changes for non-availability in brackets)
- Kepu (Lindenmuth)
- Togiatama
- Laulala (Tuiloma)
- Tatafu
- Rarasea
- Slade
- Papalii (Motunga)
- Sotutu (Taulauni)
- Taumateine (likely Roigard)
- Roigard (likely Leger)
- Tikoirotuma
- Leger
- Tele'a
- Malimali
- Nanai-Seturo
Solid team.
I think they'll have Leger in at 10 too, with Telea and Tikoirotuma in the midfield. I'd imagine Page will get one of the wings.
Jason Robertson is a big loss for you guys, but at least they didn't select Kerr again.
I'd move Slade to lock for Rarasea to get Motuga in the starting line-up, then move Papali'i to 6. Motuga was probably your best player last year.
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No squire, wonder where heāll land
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@tim said in NPC - news, injuries etc:
@bobily2 Solofa Silipa has been on the fringes of the Auckland squad for a while.
He's 27 now, apparently. Tufui and Te Tamaki are 26. Overall the backs are quite old for an NPC team.
Especially in contrast to Counties bringing in players whose age has only just hit single digits
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@bobily2 said in NPC - news, injuries etc:
@tim said in NPC - news, injuries etc:
@bobily2 Solofa Silipa has been on the fringes of the Auckland squad for a while.
He's 27 now, apparently. Tufui and Te Tamaki are 26. Overall the backs are quite old for an NPC team.
Especially in contrast to Counties bringing in players whose age has only just hit single digitsAll born on 29 February?
