Tasman v Auckland

[Dice]

Will Talataina-Mu is another 10 option.

He was involved with the team during pre-season.

[Duluth]

Sullivan out, McKenzie onto the bench

1 Alex Hodgman
2 Leni Apisai
3 Marcel Renata
4 Scott Srafton (VC)
5 Jamie Lane
6 Adrian Choat
7 Blake Gibson
8 Vaiolini Ekuasi
9 Jonathan Ruru
10 Harry Plummer (C)
11 AJ Lam
12 Corey Evans
13 Bryce Heem
14 Solomone Kata
15 Salesi Rayasi

16 Soane Vikena
17 Jordan Lay
18 Sione Ahio
19 Hamish Dalzell
20 Waimana Riedlinger Kapa
21 Taufa Funaki
22 Jock McKenzie (DEBUT)
23 Heremaia Murray (DEBUT)

https://www.aucklandrugby.co.nz/newsarticle/106841?newsfeedId=972103

[george33]

@duluth good choice rayasi at fullback big boot like zarn,bench looks good more experience in forwards but 2 rookie backs good luck

[Stargazer]

[Bovidae]

Wouldn't it make sense that Renton and Frizell are playing the 8 and 6, not as listed?

[Stargazer]

@bovidae Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. I also can't imagine this being a request from the ABs coaches. Maybe a mistake?

[Chris B.]

@bovidae Slightly surprising - though Shannon has played No. 8 for us before.

I wonder whether the main plan for the season is for Taina Fox-Matamua to be the starting 8, with Renton at 6. That was how we played the play-off games last year.

I also wonder a bit why Ethan Blackadder hasn't been released to play - he won't have had any rugby for weeks? They could have kept Sotutu as the spare loosie this week.

Edit: Also a bit surprising to see Quinten Strange on the bench again, this week. The backs look stronger with Fetuli Paea starting. Maybe with Grooby there as well, though I didn't think he kicked particularly well in the little bit I saw of him last week.

Bench forwards look pretty robust.

[Bovidae]

@chris-b Is Nankivell not available?

[Chris B.]

@bovidae He's in the squad, so presumably injured - but, I've got no news of him.

Similarly Makalio - I presume they wouldn't have named him if he wasn't due back at some point.

Cirikidaveta and Fox-Matamua also MIA.

[Stargazer]

@chris-b Other provinces have also named injured players in their squad, who will not play this season. Hoping for you that Makalio will become available this season, but presuming he will because he's named in the Mako squad, nope.

[KiwiMurph]

That's why Heem plays wing in Super....

[gt12]

@kiwimurph said in Ta$man v Auckland:

That's why Heem plays wing in Super....

Was that Frizell who just waved him through?

[Tim]

Big run from Ekuasi.

[KiwiMurph]

@gt12 said in Ta$man v Auckland:

@kiwimurph said in Ta$man v Auckland:

That's why Heem plays wing in Super....

Was that Frizell who just waved him through?

I think Frizell was the inside cover and got his feet clipped.

[KiwiMurph]

Great work by Ruru there

[nzzp]

@kiwimurph said in Ta$man v Auckland:

Great work by Ruru there

he's looking sharp today, and very good at this level

[KiwiMurph]

Lam in defence backs away far too often.

[nzzp]

@nzzp said in Ta$man v Auckland:

@kiwimurph said in Ta$man v Auckland:

Great work by Ruru there

he's looking sharp today, and very good at this level

fark, that's on me

[KiwiMurph]

@nzzp said in Ta$man v Auckland:

@nzzp said in Ta$man v Auckland:

@kiwimurph said in Ta$man v Auckland:

Great work by Ruru there

he's looking sharp today, and very good at this level

fark, that's on me

Well what do you expect. Ruru did the exact same thing last week.

[Tim]

Clear offside from Auckland on that kick!