Auckland Rugby 2024

[Tim]

Would be good to see some of the U20 players kick on. Any candidates? Ben Ake, Leo Gordon, and Xavi Taele spring to mind. Che Clark with sevens?

[Duluth]

@Tim said in Auckland Rugby 2024:

Che Clark with sevens?

Payton Spencer: 7's and injured

[Tim]

I'd forgotten about Sione Ahio. Can he play both sides? Reneta can.

[Bovidae]

Tito-Harris also. I doubt he makes the Olympic squad.

[Tim]

[Tim]

Riley Williams is another NZ U20 player in contention.

[Canes4life]

@Tim said in Auckland Rugby 2024:

Auckland might have a handy starting XV this year:

1 Fusitua
2 Vikena
3 Ta'avao
4 Beehre
5 Kalapu
6 Choat
7 Segner
8 Ioane

9 Funaki
10 Plummer
11 Rayasi
12 Heem
13 Lam
14 Tangitau
15 Sullivan

16 Lay
17 ?
18 Reneta
19 Annandale
20 Ekuasi
21 ?
22 Tele'a
23 ?

That 15 will be tough to beat. I’m kind of hoping Wellington will be weaker this year as it will mean a good chunk of players would have made the ABs.

If Auckland can field that 15 the whole comp they’ll go close to winning it. I thought Darry had also made the shift to Auckland.

[Duluth]

@Canes4life said in Auckland Rugby 2024:

I thought Darry had also made the shift to Auckland.

The rumour was next year

[Duluth]

@Tim said in Auckland Rugby 2024:

23 ?

Harford maybe?

[Tim]

Plenty of U20 rep players in there.

Sam Howling (Kelston) played for Wellington last year. Will Butler is the former Worcester Warriors player.

Sam Howling

[Duluth]

Auckland won 40-14 apparently. Surprised it was that high scoring considering the conditions

Hopefully a few more clips get posted

[taniwharugby]

@Duluth not that it matters, but I saw 40-19 as final score, with Auckland up 19-14 at halftime, assume Auckland had 2 15s for each half as well

Apparently Northland had the gales in the 1st half...after everyone had finished and left the pitch a mini tornado hit one part of the pitch taking some metal hordongs for a spin.

Edit..I see northland have changed thier page to 40-14.

[Tim]

Lazarus Papali'i has to the name of the round for club rugby.

[Tim]

@Duluth Luke Donaldson is playing halfback for Marist. The Luke Donaldson who played halfback for Canterbury was from Auckland and went to St Paul's ...

[Duluth]

@Tim said in Auckland Rugby 2024:

Auckland might have a handy starting XV this year:

1 Fusitua
2 Vikena
3 Ta'avao
4 Beehre
5 Kalapu

I see Kalapu has finished with the Force. No announcement of where he is going next

He could be a useful pickup for one of the NZ SR sides or MP

[Kiwidom]

So Kalapu is now with Harbour. Who will be the locks ? Did Annandale play any club rugby this year?
Hamish Dalzell might play another season

[Nogusta]

@Kiwidom pretty sure Auckland have brought over Tualima from the Rebels

[Daffy Jaffy]

Welcome Home Dave - :
That means we hold both the Men’s & Women’s titles in our 150th season!

[Nogusta]

Moana & Manu Samoa players Nigel Ah Wong, Michael Curry, Sama Malolo signed for Auckland this season

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Nogusta I find it very disappointing that they would sign aging journeymen like Ah Wong (34) and Curry (30) (and Brumbie Tuilama) rather that promoting young talent from within the region. Then they wonder why young talent leaves. The primary role of our NPC team should always be to create pathways to professional careers for young and club players, not just to try and win sort term with aging imports. Those players are unlikely to make a difference in results anyway and won't be there long. Far better to develop experience with a younger squad to produce longer lasting success. I can live with Malolo signing. He is an Auckland boy originally and at only 26 has time to develop and contribute long term. If I was a promising young Lock why would I stay around when they bring Curry and Tuilama in ahead of me? As for Ah Wong, no thanks, there is plenty of young back talent around the clubs and acadamy.