Auckland vs Canterbury
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<p>Jordie Barrett, Johnny McNicholl, Jack Goodhue, Rob Thompson, Nathan Earle, Richie Mo'unga, Mitchell Drummond, Luke Whitelock [captain], Billy Harmon, Reed Prinsep, Dominic Bird, Scott Barrett, Siate Tokolahi, Ben Funnell, Alex Hodgman.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Reserves: Nathan Vella, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Oliver Jager, Luke Romano, Jed Brown, Jack Stratton, Inga Finau, Ben Volavola.</p> -
<p>That midfield match-up does look quite good.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Pretty lucky to have the Ioane boys back so early. They just came back yesterday morning, but were straight back into training with the team in the afternoon. They were allowed to take a break and come back next week, but they turned it down.</p>
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<p>Stacy Ili was playing on the wing for Melbourne Rising this time last year. I saw some highlights and he scored a few nice tries.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Duluth" data-cid="606265" data-time="1471480148">
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<p>Edwards at 7 is risky</p>
<p> </p>
<p>No openside on the bench either. Seu will probably shift across if Edwards has to go off</p>
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<p>I suppose with the new rules we can risk doing this but yes a risk all the same.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Dice" data-cid="606349" data-time="1471498403">
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<p>Pretty lucky to have the Ioane boys back so early. They just came back yesterday morning, but were straight back into training with the team in the afternoon. They were allowed to take a break and come back next week, but they turned it down.</p>
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<p>they're probably not allowed to start fights at home.</p> -
<p>Playing Edwards at 7 is not a big risk IMO. He won't let the team down as he is a good tackler and adds power around the rucks. But don't expect him to score tries à la Savea.</p>
<p>I have more worries concerning the second row where Scrafton and Moli have to face an in form Bird and a solid Barrett.</p>
<p>Isi T could struggle in the set scrums too.</p>
<p>The debutant wings are also a concern though Nathan Earle is an unknown quantity at this level.</p>
<p>So Edwards at 7 is far from being the main problem.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://canterburyrugby.co.nz/news/304-2016-canterbury-mitre-10-cup-squad-announced'>http://canterburyrugby.co.nz/news/304-2016-canterbury-mitre-10-cup-squad-announced</a></p>
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<p style="font-size:13px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:'hedley-new-web', DIN, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">“We have two new props in the mix, Oli Jager and Lee Roy Atalifo. Oli hails from Ireland but a stint in Christchurch to train at the Crusaders International High Performance Unit resulted in him being offered a place in the Canstaff Crusaders Academy. He has been impressing for New Brighton Rugby Club and deserves a place in our squad this season. </p>
<p style="font-size:13px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:'hedley-new-web', DIN, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">“Lee Roy brings international experience to the group, having played for Fiji in the 2015 Rugby World Cup. He is a dynamic prop and a strong scrummager, so we can’t wait to see what he can add to the group,†Robertson said.</p>
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<p style="font-size:13px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:'hedley-new-web', DIN, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </p>
<p style="font-size:13px;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:'hedley-new-web', DIN, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">I'm not very impressed by this. Who's actually developing our next generation of tighthead props?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mimic" data-cid="606419" data-time="1471513832">
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<p>Just noticed Stacey Ili on the wing. I didn't know he made the itm cup squad?<br>
Are our other wingers injured?</p>
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<p>Yup him and Pryor didn't even make the original squad. Joe Ravouvou and Visinia are both out .</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="cgrant" data-cid="606373" data-time="1471505937">
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<p>Playing Edwards at 7 is not a big risk IMO. He won't let the team down as he is a good tackler and adds power around the rucks. But don't expect him to score tries à la Savea.</p>
<p>I have more worries concerning the second row where Scrafton and Moli have to face an in form Bird and a solid Barrett.</p>
<p>Isi T could struggle in the set scrums too.</p>
<p>The debutant wings are also a concern <strong>though Nathan Earle is an unknown quantity at this level.</strong></p>
<p>So Edwards at 7 is far from being the main problem.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Earle was stand out for England U20s and tipped for big things. Has been badly held back by injury since though, so it will be interesting to see how he goes in a different environment.</p> -
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SammyC" data-cid="606658" data-time="1471573888">
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<p>Good to see Billy Harmon at 7.</p>
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<p>He's a real hard man in club rugby</p>
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<p>Got sent off 10 minutes into the club final for a pretty reckless spear tackle on Barrett.</p>
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<p>Yes especially for someone so young, he's had a few injury problems this season but has always stood out for Brighton both with ball in hand and on defence.</p>
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<p>Tim, not too sure. Visinia has been injured since the club final so it must be quite serious. We're quite thin out wide so any injury out there is a setback for us.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Anonymous" data-cid="607142" data-time="1471680705">
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<p>How was that a yellow card? It shouldn't even have been a penalty.</p>
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<p>It was clearly a tip tackle and he landed on his upper back. To me as a neutral a yellow card was the only right outcome. It has been officiated that way in Super Rugby, too.</p>
