Auckland 2018

[Tim]

2018 Under 19 Development Squad

Leonardo Wright (East Tamaki)

Joseph Fale (Pakuranga)

Jackson Clarke (Ponsonby)

Champanat Solomono-Mua (Marist)

Sam Beere (Pakuranga)

Va'a Maelega (Papatoetoe)

David Stoltz (Ponsonby)

Kainaliu Teaupea (East Tamaki)

Jack Casey-Pickering (Eden)

Griffin Bayley (Marist)

Ezrah Kapeteni (Waitemata)

Tahquinn Hansen (Waitemata)

Arthur Valentine (Suburbs)

Ben Sterritt (College Rifles)

Tui Talau Moa (Grammar TEC)

Josh Wheeler (Grammar TEC)

Jared Mata-uiau (Grammar TEC)

Tyberg Mauafua (East Tamaki)

RJ Ioane (Ponsonby)

Warren Tupai Fiaui (East Tamaki)

Toa Tupuna (Manukau Rovers)

Sam Fihaki (Marist)

Michaile van Wyk (Pakuranga)

Adrian Lole (Eden)

Matt Wulff (Grammar TEC)

James Matautu (Papatoetoe)

Danny Silivelio (Suburbs)

Jordan Schewenke (Marist)

Josefa Kolinisau (Waitakere)

Pita Niubalavu (University)

Mike Filiga (Marist)

Quentin Hill (Pakuranga)

Simion Fauoo (Pakuranga)

Auckland Rugby Union

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[Tim]

Nikolai Foliaki wasn't named in any of those squads, despite playing in the preseason games, so I wonder if he's been loaned to another team?

[booboo]

@duluth said in Auckland 2018:

What's the point of signing Evan Olmstead? Lots of local talent in his position.

Not sure about the selection of Umaga either. He is currently contracted to Wasps and is just getting game time before the start of the UK season

Good to see Seu named. I assumed he was injured. His versatility gives Auckland a lot more options in the 23.

So I googled.

Canadian. Hmmm.

Like the idea we're helping a tier two nation but as you say plenty locks gi g around.

And frankly I'd rather see NZers given a chance to develop.

Mind you that Canuck who played for the Chiefs was alright.

[Daffy Jaffy]

@booboo Recently reading a Falcons fan forum, they were gutted he was leaving Newcastle, calling him 'outstanding' and a 'quality operator'. They seemed to think they let him go because of the club not being happy with his time away with Canada. Here is vid of him playing.

[Daffy Jaffy]

I just registered there is no Vince Aso on the list. I know he is injured but other injured players are named. Maybe he is off contract and moving on?

[Tim]

@daffy-jaffy Totally forgot about him. I think he signed for two more years with the Hurricanes and Auckland during the Super Rugby season.

[Tim]

Here it is, signed through 2020:

Vince Aso re-signs with Hurricanes

The New Zealand Herald have reported that young Hurricanes midfielder Vince Aso has re-signed with the Super Rugby franchise through 2020.

Must be injured.

[Daffy Jaffy]

@tim Maybe its just that he is defiantly ruled out of playing at all this season.

[Duluth]

Did a search for Olmstead and found this post

Perhaps he already has Blues contract? His ‘new housemates’ seem to be a lot of non local Blues players - Perofeta, Apisai, Hepetema, Collins

[Tim]

@duluth Love when the Silverfern Detective Agency is on the case.

Sounds possible that he's been signed.

[Steven Harris]

@duluth Talk about Sherlock Holmes on the case..that’s how you do it my dear Watson..nice work..!
Right out of my own play book..!,amazing what you can pick up on Twitter or FB accounts..!

[trooa]

Definitely signed for Blues next year, M10 contracts alone don’t pay enough to leave European contracts. Caution though, Ardron really struggled in M10 last year, may have needed the 6months before Super season to adjust to the fitness & speed levels required here.

[Dice]

Looking at our schedule, we really need to win the first 3 games, because the schedule gets a bit rough after that.

With Wellington getting promoted, it just makes it that much tougher to get into the top 4 this season.

[Tim]

Is Robb Cobb injured? He's not in any of the Auckland squads?

[Tim]

Matt Storm and Lemeki Namoa are another couple from the Blues U20 side that didn't make it. Think that Matt Storm is injured though.

[Nogusta]

@tim said in Auckland 2018:

Is Robb Cobb injured? He's not in any of the Auckland squads?

Yep. He came back early from the World 20s with an ankle injury. Back playing next season I believe.

[Nogusta]

@tim said in Auckland 2018:

Matt Storm and Lemeki Namoa are another couple from the Blues U20 side that didn't make it. Think that Matt Storm is injured though.

Lemeki is most probably with the U19s for the JH Memorial tourney. Haven't heard anything re Matt Storm. Gee hopefully he hasn't had recurring problems with his knee.

[Duluth]

The Auckland B team that is playing Northland B today:

1 Ezekiel Lindemuth (Suburbs)
2 Robbie Able (College Rifles)
3 Marcel Renata (University)
4 John Akau'ola-laula (Pakuranga)
5 Fa'atiga Lemalu (Papatoetoe)
6 Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa (Ponsonby)
7 Adrian Choat (Waitemata)
8 Taina Fox-Matamua (Ponsonby)
9 Desma Liaina (Eden)
10 Harry Miller - Captain (University)
11AJ Lam (Grammar TEC)
12 Hawaii Ahokovi (Pakuranga)
13 Nikolai Foliaki (Grammar TEC)
14 Joe Ravouvou (College Rifles)
15 Freedom Vaha'akolo (Ponsonby)

16 Penisoni Fineanganofo (Papatoetoe)
17 Franck Friconnet (Eden)
18 Ezra Meleisa (Pakuranga)
19 Max East (Pakuranga)
20 Pele Cowley (Suburbs)
21 D'Angelo Leuila (Papatoetoe)
22 TJ Vaega (Grammar TEC)

Interesting to see Renata is fit but not selected for the A's. Is he coming back from an injury?

No Caleb Clarke is he injured again?

I'm surprised that Leuila is so far down the rankings given Ieremia picked him to start Tests matches not that long ago.

[KiwiMurph]

Caleb Clarke is injured but close to returning apparently.

[Dice]

@duluth Honestly, I expect some head scratching selections with Alama. He scares me so much with the track record he has.

I'd feel a bit better about our chances against Counties if Renata and Ravouvou were at least in the 23. Both were two of our better players last season.