Auckland Rugby 2023
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@Steven-Harris Thanks for that Steven. Love your work. I was disappointed Auckland did not bother to live stream the game. They did in recent seasons. Are you aware of any Final players who made the NPC squad, especially any from Rovers?
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@Daffy-Jaffy had a chat to Auckland CEO Jarrod Bear at the after match function , he’s was very coy when I quizzed him about the possibility of any of the Manukau Rovers players making the Auckland squad which he said will be named on Thursday, they have a preseason hit out against Northland next Saturday at University.
He did say it was tough especially when you’re playing the wages of so many super rugby contracted players which I understand.He did say he was a little annoyed with the 2 Australian players they bought in last year , Connor Vest came highly recommended from Brad Thorn and the boy Pugh who came over from the Western force was an athlete but undid much of his work with basic mistakes , we had a chuckle about the Northland game when I suggested he was Northlands player of the day
However he was expecting a much better showing in this years NPC , given he’s likely to have some All Blacks that might be on the outer of the RWC squad.
I suspect there might be a couple from club with still gaps to be filled.
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@Steven-Harris Hah, that's quite funny regarding the 2 Aussies. They'd clog up most of the Auckland game threads on here due to how bad they were.
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@Steven-Harris said in Auckland Rugby 2023:
He did say he was a little annoyed with the 2 Australian players they bought in last year , Connor Vest came highly recommended from Brad Thorn and the boy Pugh who came over from the Western force was an athlete but undid much of his work with basic mistakes
Did he have any comment about Kalani Thomas?
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Here you are Auckland fans. Finally named your squad
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Auckland Rugby names squad to compete in 2023 Bunnings Warehouse NPC
Auckland Rugby is proud to announce the squad to compete in the 2023 Bunnings Warehouse NPC . The lineup includes ...
Confirmation of the coaching staff too
McGrath head coach plus:
Former Auckland NPC half-back Jono Hickey has been appointed attacking coach, former Manu Samoa front-rower Census Johnston will lead the scrum and former All Black and Auckland number-eight Steven Bates will continue in his role as forwards coach.Good reward for Royal. What's he up to now, 115 games for Ponsonby?
It's very clear what position certain players are playing. Those decisions were made weeks ago.
I don't care if Thomas is a success he shouldn't be there. Just pick the next best halfback in club rugby.
A squad of 37 with ~25 SR players plus 3 u20s players there's not much room for club players. So signing an Aussie is just wrong IMOWas hoping for some other age group midfielders to make the squad but it looks like that area is well covered. Hopefully they are training with the side
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@NateHill74 Interesting to note Manakau Rovers, back to back club champs and undefeated in 2023, do not have a single player in the squad.
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@Higgins I'm not anywhere near Auckland so don't know if there's any policies or anything but that is odd. Happens else where too. Like in Dunedin, Taieri have dominated club rugby for 5 years but have maybe had 3 or 4 players make Otago through club form. Manukau? would any of them be in line for Counties by any chance like they actually get selected by CM if anything
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@Higgins said in Auckland Rugby 2023:
Interesting to note Manakau Rovers, back to back club champs and undefeated in 2023, do not have a single player in the squad.
A dumb season structure and a lot of pro players from the province. So you wind up having very few picks from club rugby. Those that are picked are filling gaps around the pros
@NateHill74 said in Auckland Rugby 2023:
Like in Dunedin, Taieri have dominated club rugby for 5 years but have maybe had 3 or 4 players make Otago through club form. Manukau? would any of them be in line for Counties by any chance like they actually get selected by CM if anything
Otago would pick a much higher percentage of their squad from club rugby
As for Counties their squad was named last week. A Rovers player has moved to Southland apparently
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@Bovidae said in Auckland Rugby 2023:
I wonder if Tangitau gets a run at fullback, his best position. I'm surprised that Spencer got selected so early.
I'm assuming Spencer is there to learn mostly
RTS, Tangitau and the 10's probably get games at 15 before him (McKenzie has been playing a bit at fullback recently)
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@NateHill74 said in Auckland Rugby 2023:
would any of them be in line for Counties by any chance like they actually get selected by CM if anything
Despite the name, they are not eligible for Counties. The Manukau club is in Mangere, in the Auckland province.
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@Duluth Joe is a real good bugger but I have got to say at 38 years of age you do wonder where the coaches are with this selection moving forward given you’ve got 2 experienced heads in Vikena and Apisai ..a young hooker would have been a great investment moving forward .
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Maybe. I wonder what the length of Apisai's contract is? Was he droppable?
I see it more as them wanting one trust worthy hooker behind Vikena
