Auckland Rugby 2020

Tim

@NateHill74 Interesting. Might also be there in the Highlanders wider squad?

Dice

@Tim said in Auckland Rugby 2020:

https://www.superrugby.co.nz/news/club-rugby-to-have-a-super-flavour-this-weekend/

Other Blues players set to feature for their club on Saturday are Aaron Carroll (Mt Maunganui), Ezekiel Lindenmuth (Ardmore Marist) and Jack Heighton (East Coast Bays). Tamati Tua, Luteru Tolai and Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa are also available but their clubs weren’t known at the time of publication.

Moved to Counties Manukau?

Looks like it.

Lavea going to Counties is probably the worst thing that could've happened to us. He could decimate our depth in a couple of seasons. If he went to any team outside of Counties/Harbour, he'd have a harder time to do that.

Tim

Dice

It seems Ponsonby are just well ahead of everyone else this season. Not too surprised with the team they have.

It'll be interesting to see how Eden go against them this week. If Eden can't give them a challenge, then I can't see who else can.
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Duluth

Auckland club rugby team sheets: pdf link

It looks like Trainor is the only SR player

Does anyone have an opinion on Thomas Strachan? Is he a chance of making the Auckland side? I see he's getting a run ahead of Jono Hickey

Nogusta

@Duluth ex SR player?

Duluth

@Nogusta

Yeah, I forgot he wasn't in this years squad

The Highlanders should give him a call

Nogusta

@Duluth yea they could do worse than have him in there!

Tim

Any news on Adrian Choat? I see that he is England qualified ...

Tim

James Lay packed down at tighthead prop for University on Saturday. Is his contract with Bristol up?

Tim

Max East is back for Pakuranga, might be a lock option for Auckland. Jamie Lane hasn't played for Ponsonby this year, and Dunshea is off to Counties.

Nathaniel Apa is still trying to make the Auckland squad it seems.

Duluth

@Tim said in Auckland Rugby 2020:

Any news on Adrian Choat? I see that he is England qualified ...

Pretty sure he was still expected to come back to Auckland after his time with Bristol. They list him as "released" as opposed to transferred to another UK club

Tim

Solofa Silipa (wing/midfield) and Hawaii Ahokovi (wing) are a couple of other squad possibilities.

Tim

From last year's squad looks like the following players are gone:

Robbie Abel
Rob Cobb
Ezekiel Lindenmuth
Lyndon Dunshea
Dalton Papalii
Tumua Manu

Also, Freedom Vahaakolo is in the Otago training squad

https://www.sporty.co.nz/asset/downloadasset?id=1601617f-b93c-479b-ae82-e36f5b0b8635

Tim

Any news on the injuries to Tele’a and Ta'avo?

Bovidae

@Tim Cobb looks to have stayed in the Waikato, as he is playing for Hamilton Old Boys. He will be a good addition to the Waikato NPC squad.

Tim

Wondering if Eklund will play for Auckland this year?

Tim

If Rugbypass is on the money, then Auckland will lose the following players to the AB squad, and maybe Ta'avo too.

Alex Hodgman
Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Patrick Tuipulotu
Akira Ioane
Hoskins Sotutu
Rieko Ioane
Caleb Clarke

Tim

Possible Auckland XXIII:

Marcel Renata (went well for the Blues on his old side of the scrum)
Kurt Eklund
Angus Ta'avao (injury?)
Scott Scrafton
Jack Whetton
Blake Gibson
Adrian Choat
Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa
Jonathan Ruru
Harry Plummer
Salesi Rayasi
TJ Faiane
AJ Lam/ Tanielu Telea (injury?)
Joel Cobb
Jordan Trainor
Mike Sosene-Feagai
Jarred Adams
Marco Fepuleai
Max East
Cameron Suafoa
Taufa Funaki
Zarn Sullivan
Lemeki Namoa

Cpt Kumera

@Tim him and jordan are back. Got released

The Silver Fern

Auckland Rugby 2020