Ravouvou signed from 7s/Auckland, will provide some x factor to our backline. Joe Johnston & Abe Papalii in the flankers.

Thought Groundwater ran good straight lines but Dargaville passing skill was well below par and kept stuffing up their flow of attack with passes behind the man. Too many times the attack was moving sideways and nobody was straightening making it easy for Northland to just drift. Northland's physicality and line speed on defence was pretty impressive, couldn't fault either teams effort just a shitload of inaccuracy. Fair play to Witcombe making the call after 30mins his TH wasn't cutting it and bringing Rinakama on, no scrum pressure after that.

Bay Times report

Simmonson could barely start for the BOP 19's last year let alone been ready for M10 Cup. Trained 7's all year, only played about 3 club games so coaches probably still view him as not at the required level yet. Can't see him getting ahead of that back 3 unless they get injured. Garland has been in exceptional form, no injuries this year and will be one to watch. Fuatai has come up from Otago, brought in to replace Monty, similar builds and players. Te Aute at halfback now, in and out of squad when needed as they as they only have 2 in squad. Same with Nicholas in back 3 I'm presuming, not sure whether that's because both chose to go back to their whanau club for 125th year and play Division 1 this year.

Should be hearing his intentions for next year soon now that their school season has been completed.

Squad named Tuesday hence they played under Wasps banner today. Team looked good today, B Team against Wellington was competitive, thought Collier played particularly well. Half against Counties & likely top team next week was Ross Harris Thwaites Wardlaw Carroll Blake Karpik Papalii Judd Hollinshead Fuatai Garland Webber Narawa Tiatia. 34-0 win, defence brilliant. Three tries through defensive pressure forcing silly passes on their own goal line for intercepts. Tiatia was exceptional, talk huge could always hear him barking & menacing on attack. Papalii definitely what we needed with his big abrasive style. Everybody played well in second half except Webber, dropped a few balls & looked rusty.

@tim said in Mitre 10 Cup - news, injuries etc:

It's time for Southland to drop to Heartland Rugby

Anyone from Whanganui on here know whether the union is actively challenging NZRU for a promotion relegation game?

On the lock position- Keep an eye out for Kane Leaupepe in the Steamers. Had an impressive first start last week, tall body but has a bit of beef as well which Plumtree is clearly after. Was in Wellington squad in 2016 before moving up to BOP.

No problem, I'll be tipping for the season hopefully better than last night's start.

Hoeata has been terrible all season, all for bringing back experienced players to M10 teams but the amount of stupid penalties he has given away this year hasnt helped Taranaki at all.

@KiwiPie Ross Harris Thwaites Wardlaw Carroll Blake Karpik Papalii Judd Hollinshead Fuatai Garland Webber Narawa Tiatia started last week when they beat Counties 34-0. Be surprised if they change anything. Ainley didn't play last week so not sure where he is in the pecking order.

@mofitzy_ said in Mitre 10 Cup - news, injuries etc:

Cheers. I guess Ainley is too long in the tooth these days. Papali'i is an ex-leaguie? Seems to be a big unit too. Any good?

Didn't play last week so not sure where he stands in the pecking order, probably brought in to provide some experience to a group of inexperienced locks. Wardlaw/Caroll played last year and will get the first opportunity I reckon, Van De Hoven new & White unknown, looks to be out of the Harlequins/NZRU partnership.
Papali'i huuuuuge, big ball carrier which brings a better balance to Steamers loose trio they didn't have last year. Fitness is a work in progress, I'd say he plays 60 then Mua comes on for him.

@mofitzy_ Ross Harris Thwaites Wardlaw Carroll Blake Karpik Papalii Judd Hollinshead Fuatai Garland Webber Narawa Tiatia the starting 15 from last pre-season game & likely for this week based on 34-0 win.

Team looks a lot stronger and more balanced than last year. Must have signed Vella/Eklund thinking Harris was going to be with the AB's, tough slog for the other 3 as they'll try give Harris as much time as possible.
Interested to see how Archie White goes, presuming that is part of the NZ Rugby/Harlequins relationship.

Squad named Tuesday hence they played under Wasps banner today. Team looked good today, B Team against Wellington was competitive, thought Collier played particularly well. Half against Counties & likely top team next week was Ross Harris Thwaites Wardlaw Carroll Blake Karpik Papalii Judd Hollinshead Fuatai Garland Webber Narawa Tiatia. 34-0 win, defence brilliant. Three tries through defensive pressure forcing silly passes on their own goal line for intercepts. Tiatia was exceptional, talk huge could always hear him barking & menacing on attack. Papalii definitely what we needed with his big abrasive style. Everybody played well in second half except Webber, dropped a few balls & looked rusty.

@Bovidae Wrong way around, Mchugh the prop. Hollinshead not a winger either probably switched with Garland.

FT Auckland dominated territory 2H, played with the wind much better than HB 1st half. McNicol made a nice break in 2H & 13 looked elusive on wing but definitely need some go forward in the midfield. Rayasi outstanding for Auckland.

Rayasi cant be tackled again on the sideline offloads, draw & pass & Tusitala scores.

@Higgins No change at HT.

26-14 Auckland overlap wide, Rayasi fended off the fullback easily. Rayasi another try, wayward pass off kick return, Rayasi regathers stays inside despite a couple of tacklers to score again in the corner.