NZ Provincial Barbarians v B&I Lions (Whangarei, 3 June 2017)

[Stargazer]

The NZ Provincial Barbarians side to take on the Lions in the first game of the Lions Series will be named at 10.30am today.

[antipodean]

@Stargazer Bittersweet news if you were hoping for your name to read out as a bolter for the All Blacks...

[Bovidae]

I'd be surprised if any players who have previously played for the ABs are named. Perhaps they throw a bone to the locals and select someone like Ranger.

I'm curious to see if any Heartland players are selected. That would be the biggest game of their lives.

[Stargazer]

I wonder how many players will be named, considering they're naming a squad so early.

[Stargazer]

@antipodean said in NZ Provincial Barbarians v B&I Lions:

@Stargazer Bittersweet news if you were hoping for your name to read out as a bolter for the All Blacks...

Yeah, or even Māori ABs or their Super Rugby team. Unless, they can be named in more than one squad.

[Stargazer]

And here's the core of the squad;

Forwards:
Aiden Ross (Bay of Plenty)
Tolu Fahamokioa (Wellington)
Sam Anderson-Heather (Otago)
Epalahame Faiva (Waikato)
Marcel Renata (Auckland)
Quinten Strange (Ta$man)
Joshua Goodhue (Northland)
Heiden Bedwell-Curtis (Manawatu)
Mitchell Brown (Taranaki)
Matthew Matich (Northland)
Peter Rowe (Wanganui)

Backs:
Jonathan Taumateine (Counties Manukau)
Jack Stratton (Canterbury)
Bryn Gatland (North Harbour)
Jonathan Fa’auli (Taranaki)
Jonah Lowe (Shield Snorters)
Sevuloni Reece (Waikato)
Luteru Laulala (Counties Manukau)
Junior Ngaluafe (Southland)

The remainder of the squad will be confirmed closer to the team’s assembly in Whangarei on May 28, as coaches monitor player progress across the country.

http://www.allblacks.com/News/30615/provincial-barbarians-squad-for-opening-match-of-dhl-nz-lions-series-named

[Wurzel]

Would've been cool to see young Wanganui fullback/wing Te Rangatira Waitokia in the team. He's teh kinda kid what could shine in that sort of game and give his career the jump start it needs.

[Frye]

Great for Rowe. Even if it is a bit of a token selection. Are there any other genuine provincial stalwarts named?

Hopefully Faauli gives his shoulders a decent rest before this game, I think they'll be required.

[Bovidae]

The article doesn't say how many extra players will be named. They need at least another 4.

All the players mentioned last week as possibilities to make the squad have been named. Funny that.

[Bovidae]

Also if Renata gets his arse handed to him in this match you couldn't risk him in the Maori scrum. Kainga is a better option.

[Stargazer]

I'd be disappointed if this selection means that Jonah Lowe can't make the Māori ABs or Hurricanes squad. It's very unlikely that any AB will be released to play for the Canes, so that would have given him a chance to be named in the Canes' 23.

[Bovidae]

There is no reason the Chiefs and Canes players can't be involved in both games. I would expect Brown, Taumateine and Fa’auli to be in the Chiefs squad to play the Lions.

[taniwharugby]

Stoked for Matich, reckon he is upto super rugby level so a great chance for him.

[Bovidae]

The 4 players to be named are a tighthead prop, a loose forward, a centre and a wing.

"We've got people in mind to fill those spots, but some are under an injury cloud or still involved with franchises," says coach Clayton McMillan.

[Kiwidom]

@Wurzel Think I read somewhere he's now playing for Manawatu

[Wurzel]

@Kiwidom He had gone to Palmerston North in his first year out of high school but then return to Wanganui last year. Maybe he's gone back to Palmy.

I hope he gets his chance somewhere. It scares me that there are still kids as talented as him that can simply full through the cracks of the talent pathway.

[Milk]

I enjoyed this interview with Clayton McMillan this morning. What an opportunity for all involved.

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[Stargazer]

Provincial Baabaas gets major setback as three players withdrawn for Super Rugby

Lock Quinten Strange (Ta$man/Crusaders), loose forward Heiden Bedwell-Curtis (Manawatu/Crusaders) and second five Jonathan Fa’auli (Taranaki/Chiefs) have been withdrawn from the Provincial Barbarians squad. I haven't seen any news on who will replace them.

[taniwharugby]

@Stargazer Kara Pryor could slot in at loosie, has had a light workload this season, someone I thought they may have gone with anyway.

Plenty of locks running about who could slot in.

Not sure on a 12

[Bovidae]

Super Rugby players Andrew Makalio, Oliver Jager, James Tucker, Mitch Dunshea and Lachlan Boshier have been added to the squad.

Forwards: Aidan Ross (Bay of Plenty), Tolu Fahamokioa (Wellington), Sam Anderson-Heather (Otago), Andrew Makalio (Ta$man), Marcel Renata (Auckland), Oliver Jager (Canterbury), Keepa Mewett (Bay of Plenty), Joshua Goodhue (Northland), James Tucker (Waikato), Mitchell Dunshea (Canterbury), Lachlan Boshier (Taranaki), Matthew Matich (Northland), Peter Rowe (Wanganui)

Backs: Jack Stratton (Canterbury), Richard Judd (Bay of Plenty), Bryn Gatland (North Harbour), Dwayne Sweeney (Waikato), Kaveinga Finau (Inga) (Canterbury), Jonah Lowe (Shield Snorters), Sevu Reece (Waikato), Sam Vaka (Counties Manukau), Luteru Laulala (Counties Manukau), Junior Ngaluafe (Southland)

Players unavailable due to Super Rugby commitments: Hame Haiva (Blues), Quentin Strange (Crusaders), Mitch Brown (Chiefs), Heiden Bedwell-Curtis (Crusaders), Jonathan Taumateine (Chiefs), Johnny Fa'auli (Chiefs).