Counties Rugby 2016
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<p><strong>Steelers vs Taranaki Pre-Season Match Report</strong></p>
<p><strong>30 July 2016</strong></p>
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<p>The Counties Manukau Steelers had a good battle against Taranaki in their first Mitre 10 Cup pre-season match in Otorohanga this afternoon.</p>
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<p>In average conditions, the Steelers fell just short 14-10 to Taranaki at Island Reserve.</p>
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<p>Taranaki got themselves on the board early, breaking through the Steelers defence to score under the posts, before scoring a 60 metre intercept try shortly after to go 14-0 up.</p>
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<p>Sherwin Stowers scored the Steelers' first try and they went into the half time break 14-5 down.</p>
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<p>20 minutes into the second half Stowers scored his second. It was a really well worked team try, with Stowers hooking onto a good ball from halfback Jonathan Taumateine to make it the full time score 14-10.</p>
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<p>Steelers coach Darryl Suasua cleared his bench, allowing everyone to get a run. He was particularly proud of their scrum.</p>
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<p>"We had a really solid scrum and that was all the boys. Everyone got on and the scrum didn't weaken as new players came on and for a lot of the boys it was their first run with Counties. We were really happy with the hit out."</p>
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<p>Suasua said Stowers' experience was invaluable and he kept talking to the boys throughout the game until he came off at the 60 minute mark.</p>
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<p>Taranaki have been playing under the new rules throughout their club season, so the big thing today was for the Steelers to adjust to the new laws. Suasua said it was tough to start out with and they had 8 penalties against them before they got their first penalty. But once they adapted they got some dominance.</p>
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<p>Well done to those players who played for Counties for the first time and thank you to Taranaki for the match. Our Super Rugby players will start returning to the squad throughout the next few weeks.</p>
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<p>The Steelers next pre-season fixture is against Samoa A on Friday 5th August at 6:30pm at ECOLight Stadium. Tickets are pre-season prices; Adults $10, Students $7 & Kids 13 & Under are FREE. Tickets are available at www.iticket.co.nz or the CMRFU Office at ECOLight Stadium.</p> -
<p>If anyone was wondering what happened to Adam Cathcart, he had to retire from rugby because he was told he had the hips of a 80 year old. He has had both hips reconstructed and spent six months on crutches. He took up coaching and coached Onewhero to sixth place in the Counties club premier grade.</p>
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<p>Team to play Samoa A:</p>
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<p>1. Sean Bagshaw</p>
<p>2. Suliasi Taufalele</p>
<p>3. Sione Faletau</p>
<p>4. Viliame Rarasea</p>
<p>5. Cameron Skelton</p>
<p>6. Viliami Taulani</p>
<p>7. Fotu Lokotui</p>
<p>8. Sootala Fa’aso’o</p>
<p>9. Jonathan Taumateine</p>
<p>10. Piers Francis</p>
<p>11. Sione Fifita</p>
<p>12. Orbyn Leger</p>
<p>13. Cardiff Vaega (c)</p>
<p>14. Sherwin Stowers</p>
<p>15. Luteru Laulala</p>
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<p>16. Gafatasi Su’a</p>
<p>17. Jarred Adams</p>
<p>18. Kalolo Tuiloma</p>
<p>19. Matiaha Martin</p>
<p>20. Alamanda Motuga</p>
<p>21. Richard Judd</p>
<p>22. Nathan de Thierry</p>
<p>23. Joe Reynolds</p>
<p>24. Kalione Hala</p>
<p>25. Joe Ikenasio</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mikedogz" data-cid="601674" data-time="1469879966">
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<p>If anyone was wondering what happened to Adam Cathcart, he had to retire from rugby because he was told he had the hips of a 80 year old. He has had both hips reconstructed and spent six months on crutches. He took up coaching and coached Onewhero to sixth place in the Counties club premier grade.</p>
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</blockquote>
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<p>That's a real bummer. He hit some awesome form a couple of seasons ago and would have been a good addition to the Chiefs.</p>
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<p>What's with the dumb decision to not use the new trial laws in club rugby this year? Other Unions did and it seems they really get an advantage on not giving away penalties. We have made it hard for ourselves. </p> -
<p><strong>Counties Manukau Steelers team named to play Game of Three Halves</strong></p>
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<p>Steelers coaches Darryl Suasua, Grant Henson and Semo Sititi have named their team to take on Northland and the All Blacks in tomorrow’s Game of Three Halves at ECOLight Stadium in Pukekohe, kick off 5:30pm.</p>
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<p>Suasua said it will be a great opportunity for the community to see the All Blacks in action in Pukekohe.</p>
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<p>“It’s an exciting occasion for us to take on the best team in the world, and also continue to work on the new rules that will be utilised in the Mitre 10 Cup.â€</p>
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<p>The Steelers will play the old rules against the All Blacks and the new rules against Northland.</p>
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<p>The format of the Game of Three Halves will consist of three 40 minute games and will start with Steelers vs Northland at 5:30pm then Northland vs All Blacks and then finishing off with Steelers vs All Blacks. Gates open tomorrow at 4:30pm.</p>
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<p>Season Memberships for the 2016 Mitre 10 Cup are still available for purchase at www.iticket.co.nz or at the CMRFU Office at ECOLight Stadium between 8.30am and 5pm Monday to Friday. Remember a Season Membership includes the Game of Three Halves, as well as the Steelers five Mitre 10 Cup home games. Season Memberships cost as little as $50 for Kids in the Grandstand and $100 for Adults.</p>
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<p>The Steelers first game of the Mitre 10 Cup is against North Harbour at QBE Stadium in Albany at 7:35pm on Thursday 18 August.</p>
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<p>Steelers team for Game of Three Halves:</p>
<p>1. Sean Bagshaw</p>
<p>2. Gafatasi Su’a</p>
<p>3. Sione Faletau</p>
<p>4. Viliame Rarasea</p>
<p>5. Jimmy Tupou ©</p>
<p>6. Viliami Taulani</p>
<p>7. Fotu Lokotui</p>
<p>8. Sootala Fa’aso’o</p>
<p>9. Richard Judd</p>
<p>10. Piers Francis</p>
<p>11. Sherwin Stowers</p>
<p>12. Cardiff Vaega</p>
<p>13. Joseph Ikenasio</p>
<p>14. Kalione Hala</p>
<p>15. Joe Reynolds</p>
<p>16. Suliasi Taufalele</p>
<p>17. Jarred Adams</p>
<p>18. Kalolo Tuiloma</p>
<p>19. Alamanda Motuga</p>
<p>20. Cameron Skelton</p>
<p>21. Matiaha Martin</p>
<p>22. Jonathan Taumateine</p>
<p>23. Orbyn Leger</p>
<p>Lolohea Loco</p>
<p>Nathan de Thierry</p>
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<p>I just saw Cameron Skelton on TV just now. He looks fitter that the last photo I saw of him. His younger brother who is now 16 is 7 foot plus.</p> -
<p>Steelers team to face North Harbour:</p>
<p>1. Sean Bagshaw</p>
<p>2. Gafatasi Su’a</p>
<p>3. Kalolo Tuiloma *</p>
<p>4. Viliame Rarasea</p>
<p>5. Jimmy Tupou ©</p>
<p>6. Jordan Taufua</p>
<p>7. Fotu Lokotui *</p>
<p>8. Sootala Fa’aso’o *</p>
<p>9. Richard Judd</p>
<p>10. Piers Francis</p>
<p>11. Sherwin Stowers</p>
<p>12. Cardiff Vaega</p>
<p>13. Joseph Ikenasio *</p>
<p>14. Sam Vaka</p>
<p>15. Joe Reynolds *</p>
<p>16. Suliasi Taufalele</p>
<p>17. Jarred Adams</p>
<p>18. Sione Faletau *</p>
<p>19. Matiaha Martin *</p>
<p>20. Viliami Taulani *</p>
<p>21. Jonathan Taumateine *</p>
<p>22. Kalione Hala *</p>
<p>23. Luteru Laulala </p>
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<p> Steelers debut</p> -
@mikedogz said in Counties Rugby 2016:
Steelers team to face North Harbour:
1. Sean Bagshaw
2. Gafatasi Su’a
3. Kalolo Tuiloma *
4. Viliame Rarasea
5. Jimmy Tupou ©
6. Jordan Taufua
7. Fotu Lokotui *
8. Sootala Fa’aso’o *
9. Richard Judd
10. Piers Francis
11. Sherwin Stowers
12. Cardiff Vaega
13. Joseph Ikenasio *
14. Sam Vaka
15. Joe Reynolds *
16. Suliasi Taufalele
17. Jarred Adams
18. Sione Faletau *
19. Matiaha Martin *
20. Viliami Taulani *
21. Jonathan Taumateine *
22. Kalione Hala *
23. Luteru Laulala *- Steelers debut
We need Quinn to tell us which schools these guys came from..
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Ken Laban is equally, if not more knowledgable about players schools as well so I'm sure he'll look after that department (not that I'm against it).
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@African-Monkey said in Counties Rugby 2016:
Ken Laban is equally, if not more knowledgable about players schools as well so I'm sure he'll look after that department (not that I'm against it).
I'm not against it either.. I'm actually interested lol..
Usually teams show which clubs they come from, but I'm keen to know about the schools