Wellington 2022
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@Canes4life said in Wellington 2022:
It was announced on the Monday wrap on ClubRugby.co.nz that James Blackwell will be having a sabbatical from the NPC this year.
The Wellington Lions have also signed Sione Halalilo who has come through the system as a 6/8.
Looked good for Hurricanes U20s in their game against the Blues (still planning to re-watch the other games).
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@Stargazer will have to watch it aswell, I haven't seen much of Sione Halalilo to make much comment but to me he may be a little young to command a starting spot for the Lions this year.
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@Canes4life said in Wellington 2022:
It was announced on the Monday wrap on ClubRugby.co.nz that James Blackwell will be having a sabbatical from the NPC this year.
But how can he “excel” at his ceiling if he isn’t there.
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No surprises on these two signings but I am surprised Higgins has only committed for 1 year.
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Media release:
Wellington Lions Announce 2022 Squad for Bunnings NPC
Wellington Lions Director of Rugby, Leo Crowley has named his 32-man squad for the upcoming 2022 Bunnings Warehouse NPC. With a mixture of youth and experience, the side features eight players who’ve played for the All Blacks, including brothers Julian and Ardie Savea, and 22 current or former...
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@Stargazer a quick assesment of the squad:
Hookers: solid
Props: very average
Locks: very average
Loose forwards: good, but young
Halfbacks: solid
First fives: if you include Ruben Love - solid
Midfield: solid
Outsides: solid - very surprised to see Nehe Milner Skudder on that listMy starting side from that squad would be:
- Xavier Numia
- Asafo Aumua
- PJ Sheck
- James Blackwell
- Caleb Delany
- Taine Plumtree
- Du Plessis Kirifi
- Peter Lakai
- TJ Perenara
- Aiden Morgan
- Connor Garden-Bachop
- Peter Umaga-Jensen
- Billy Proctor
- Julian Savea
- Ruben Love.
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wgtnrugby 17 years after his professional career began - Wellington born, former Wallaby Pekahou Cowan has retired from rugby.
A chance meeting lead to him suiting up for the Lions in 2021/22 and he leaves with the Ranfurly Shield and @bunningsnpc trophy in 2022.
Thanks for the memories Pek, one of the great men. -
@Canes4life said in Wellington 2022:
Stargazer a quick assessment of the squad:
Hookers: solid
Props: very average
Locks: very average
Loose forwards: good, but youngI'm bored so did an assessment of the starting forwards
NUMIA (23). Still only 23 and really stepped up this NPC. Without him the Lions wouldn’t have made the final as his backup was poorish. As a result he was often on for the full match. Voted Lions player of the year.
AUMUA (25). Based on this NPC he is now the 2nd best hooker in NZ. And should start next year for the Canes with Coles as his backup. Except for one game (Ak) his lineout throwing was good. And was outstanding in the final.
O’REILLY (27). Didn’t get that much game time but he looked class when he did. The Canes should keep him as their third hooker if they can. The next Lions hooker (Southall) looked no more than adequate.
PEK COWAN (36). VG to start for the first 40 minutes. Thought he was a big loss for the final but not really missed. As Sheck stepped up big time.
SHECK (22). One of the finds of the year. And started in the final and stepped up. Maybe good enough for a Cane’s contract. The TH who replaced him in the final (Siale Lauaki who is 19) did a good job too.
BIRD (31). Played really well game after game. If his body holds up should have a few more years left in him. His performances surprised me.
BLACKWELL (27). At this level he is a quality player. Fronts up week after week. Finally cut out the pass to grass nonsense as well.
PLUMTREE (22) Disappointing. I had very high hopes for him but he started off below expectation as a starting 6. Was replaced by Delany. Did OK as a replacement lock usually for Bird. Or 6 when required.
DELANY (22). High work rate and a quality 6. Maybe an option for the Canes as a starting 6. Needs to bulk up a bit though but is another quality lineout option. Was a key part of a VG backrow.
KIRIFI (25). Surprisingly good after I had almost given up on him. Captain of a team that played as a team after a poor start. In the final keep his discipline so didn’t cost any silly penalties.
LAKAI (19). Outstanding for his age. Surely a future AB. I would like to see him tried at 7 for the Canes. As some may consider him a bit short (1.86) for an AB 8 (I think he is fine as he’s tall enough but is bulkier than Ardie). But he has it all and still only 19. Finished off what turned out to be an excellent back row combination. Along with Higgins 2 exciting young prospects that fortunately have signed with the Canes.
WHITMAN (21). Young and still just an adequate replacement.
FORWARD COACHES. (Tito and Hartford?) Outstanding job. Turned a pathetic pack after 3 games into one of the best Wellington packs I have seen. The pack slowly got better throughout the year and finished with 2 outstanding displays. -
@Winger said in Wellington 2022:
@Canes4life said in Wellington 2022:
Stargazer a quick assessment of the squad:
Hookers: solid
Props: very average
Locks: very average
Loose forwards: good, but youngI'm bored so did an assessment of the starting forwards
NUMIA (23). Still only 23 and really stepped up this NPC. Without him the Lions wouldn’t have made the final as his backup was poorish. As a result he was often on for the full match. Voted Lions player of the year.
AUMUA (25). Based on this NPC he is now the 2nd best hooker in NZ. And should start next year for the Canes with Coles as his backup. Except for one game (Ak) his lineout throwing was good. And was outstanding in the final.
O’REILLY (27). Didn’t get that much game time but he looked class when he did. The Canes should keep him as their third hooker if they can. The next Lions hooker (Southall) looked no more than adequate.
PEK COWAN (36). VG to start for the first 40 minutes. Thought he was a big loss for the final but not really missed. As Sheck stepped up big time.
SHECK (22). One of the finds of the year. And started in the final and stepped up. Maybe good enough for a Cane’s contract. The TH who replaced him in the final did a good job too.
BIRD (31). Played really well game after game. If his body holds up should have a few more years left in him. His performances surprised me.
BLACKWELL (27). At this level he is a quality player. Fronts up week after week. Finally cut out the pass to grass nonsense as well.
PLUMTREE (22) Disappointing. I had very high hopes for him but he started off below expectation as a starting 6. Was replaced by Delany. Did OK as a replacement lock usually for Bird. Or 6 when required.
DELANY (22). High work rate and a quality 6. Maybe an option for the Canes as a starting 6. Needs to bulk up a bit though but is another quality lineout option. Was a key part of a VG backrow.
KIRIFI (25). Surprisingly good after I had almost given up on him. Captain of a team that played as a team after a poor start. In the final keep his discipline so didn’t cost any silly penalties.
LAKAI (19). Outstanding for his age. Surely a future AB. I would like to see him tried at 7 for the Canes. As some may consider him a bit short (1.86) for an AB 8 (I think he is fine as he’s tall enough but is bulkier than Ardie). But he has it all and still only 19. Finished off what turned out to be an excellent back row combination. Along with Higgins 2 exciting young prospects that fortunately have signed with the Canes.
WHITMAN (21). Young and still just an adequate replacement.
FORWARD COACHES. (Tito and Hartford?) Outstanding job. Turned a pathetic pack after 3 games into one of the best Wellington packs I have seen. The pack slowly got better throughout the year and finished with 2 outstanding displays.Nice assessment of the squad. I’ll do a quick look to next year and see how we stack up to defend both the Shield and the NPC title.
Props: with Lauaki coming through the system (who also came off the bench on Saturday) I think Sheck will start for us next year and Lauaki will develop off the bench.
Hookers: we will most likely lose Aumua next year but we should get Dane Coles because I don’t think he’ll be going overseas but I’m picking Aumua to replace him in the ABs. If we can keep O’Reilly aswell then those are two solid hookers. I like Southall, he just needs more minutes. Pretty sure he only had about 10 off the bench this year.
Locks: if Dominic Bird doesn’t re-sign then I’m a little concerned. Blackwell was excellent but we will need someone to come through and fill Bird’s shoes if he departs. Plumtree might be that guy but he needs to bulk up somewhat.
Loose forwards: the Lions have a settled loose-trio in Delany, Kirifi and Lakai. Expect them to play most games with the likes of Halalilo and Whitman filling in where necessary.
Halfbacks: not sure what Perenara will do next year but I hope he sticks around to defend the Shield/the NPC. Hopefully Judd stays around too because there aren’t too many halfbacks of note coming through Wellington atm.
First fives: after further development in another Hurricanes campaign, Morgan should be primed to take that 10 spot going forward. I’m not sure whether JGB will stay on or go overseas.
Centres: with Higgins, Umaga-Jensen and Proctor in the squad we look to have all bases covered.
Outside backs: four Super Rugby outsides to choose from in Patafilo, Love, Garden-Bachop and Savea. Definitely good enough for this level.
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@Canes4life said in Wellington 2022:
Props: with Lauaki coming through the system (who also came off the bench on Saturday) I think Sheck will start for us next year and Lauaki will develop off the bench.
Lauaki looked VG. And still only 19. One to watch maybe. And thanks. I've added his name to my assessment.
