Counties Manukau v Canterbury

[Stargazer]

Counties Manukau

1Sean Bagshaw, 2. Gafatasi Su’a, 3. Coree Te Whata-Colley, 4. Daymon Leasuasu, 5. Matiaha Martin ©, 6. Sikeli Nabou, 7. Fotu Lokotui, 8. Daniel Hyatt or Matt Vaai; 9. Liam Daniela, 10. Luteru Laulala, 11. Tevita Nabura, 12. Cardiff Vaega, 13. Nigel Ah Wong, 14. Toni Pulu, 15. Etene Nanai-Seturo.

Reserves:
16 Joseph Royal, 17. Howard Sililoto, 18. Nepo Laulala, 19. Viliame Rarasea, 20. Matthew Vaai or Viliami Taulani, 21. Te Aihe Toma 22. Orbyn Leger, 23. Sione Molia.

The Steelers need two points at least from their final round match to ensure they remain in the Mitre-10 Cup Premiership for next year, and look for strong hometown support at Navigation Homes Stadium.

Prop Sean Bagshaw, the 31-year-old from the Onewhero club, will earn his 50th cap when he starts in Saturday’s clash after nine straight games for the Steelers this season.

Meanwhile fellow prop Nepo Laulala, the 13-test All Black, will earn his first cap for the Steelers off the bench in his long-anticipated return from injury. The former Wesley College player has been beset with injury after joining Steelers following 31 appearances for the Crusaders.

His long-awaited debut might still have a twist, in that his wife is already due to give birth to their first child.

Coach Darryl Suasua has made several changes to his starting line-up with Gafatasi Su’a getting his first start at hooker while Matt Vaai has been bracketed with Dan Hyatt at No8 and Sikeli Nabou will start at loose forward.

Team captain Sam Henwood has been unable to recover from his concussion to be available, despite training with the team this week.

In the backs Liam Daniela get a further start at halfback while Cardiff Vaega and Nigel Ah Wong form the midfield, and Toni Pulu plays his 51st and final game for the Steelers before moving to the Brumbies for next year’s Super Rugby competition.

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[ACT Crusader]

10. Phil Burleigh (VC)

Wow. Only Counties I guess.

@Stargazer back to your Maori article bro, urgent to discuss that 2017 squad.

[mikedogz]

If Nepo gets to play , he will be the fourth brother to play for Counties after Casey, Ray and Luteru.

[mikedogz]

Baby hasn't come yet so Nepo is on the bench. Game 50 for Sean Bagshaw. Last game for Pulu and Nabou.

7 nil to Canterbury after 15 min.

[mikedogz]

Counties making dumb lineout calls, getting picked off.

[mikedogz]

7 all, Try to Ah Wong off a maul. A couple of backs added to the line out 5m out then maul off that.

[mikedogz]

Sione Molia on for Nanai-Seturo blood bin and scores. Counties ahead 14 to 7

[mikedogz]

14 to 12 half time, Counties lead.

[Stargazer]

45th minute and Joe Moody has come on!

[Squirrel]

What's with the deliverance music after that penalty try? A threat to Canterbury?

[Stargazer]

Nepo Laulala comes on as well!

[mikedogz]

Big Nepo doing the job

[Duluth]

@mikedogz said in Counties Manukau v Canterbury:

Big Nepo doing the job

...and Moody isn’t

[Crucial]

@mikedogz said in Counties Manukau v Canterbury:

Big Nepo doing the job

Eating Moody up big time

[Crucial]

Tried one time too many and the cheating inbreds ran sideways

[Crucial]

Live the way TJ got all frothy about Moody returning then Nepo walks straight back into the ABs

[Crucial]

If the three returning front rowers this week it has been Nepo that has looked the goods

[Crucial]

This is the level of performance from CM that I hoped for all season

[Crucial]

Nepo wins another penalty against Moody

[ACT Crusader]

Well done Canterbury B.