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    Counties Manukau v Auckland

    Rugby Matches
    counties auckland
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    • Tim
      Tim last edited by Duluth

      Auckland match-day 23 for Counties Manukau, 7.35pm, Saturday August 19:

      .

      15 Jordan Trainor (Ponsonby, 0 Auckland caps) *

      14 Vince Aso (Ponsonby, 28)

      13 Malakai Fekitoa (Pakuranga, 23)

      12 George Moala (Grammar TEC, 45)

      11 Caleb Clarke (Suburbs, 0) *

      10 Daniel Bowden (Ponsonby, 7)

      9 Jono Hickey (Grammar TEC, 22)

      8 Akira Ioane (Ponsonby, 21)

      7 Blake Gibson (Ponsonby, 12)

      6 Samuel Slade (Ponsonby, 0) *

      5 Scott Scrafton (Grammar TEC, 22)

      4 Patrick Tuipulotu (Ponsonby, 14, c)

      3 Marcel Renata (University, 11)

      2 Greg Pleasants-Tate (Ponsonby, 16)

      1 Sam Prattley (Pakuranga, 34)

      Reserves:

      16 Kurt Eklund (University, 22)

      17 Isi Tu’ungafasi (Suburbs, 12)

      18 Dexter Fa’amoana (College Rifles, 0) +

      19 Ben Nee-nee (Pakuranga, 5)

      20 Jamason Fa’anana-Shultz (Suburbs, 0) +

      21 Lisati Milo-Harris (Grammar TEC, 0) +

      22 Otumaka Mausia (College Rifles, 0) +

      23 TJ Faiane (Pakuranga, 7)

      *Debut
      +Potential debut

      Injured/unavailable: Tom McHugh (season), Dalton Papali’i, Taleni Seu, Michael Fatialofa, Sam Ulufonua, Tumua Manu, Leon Fukofuka, Melani Nanai

      Tuipulotu to captain new-look Auckland

      Tuipulotu to captain new-look Auckland

      Patrick Tuipulotu is the new Auckland captain for the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup. The 24-year-old All Blacks lock has just 14...

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
      • Tim
        Tim last edited by

        Interesting:

        Both No 8 Akira Ioane and Tuipulotu return to the ground where they saw minutes for the All Blacks in last Friday’s ‘Game of Three Halves.’

        Stargazer 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • Stargazer
          Stargazer @Tim last edited by

          @Tim The only reason Akira and PT were in the AB squad for the game of three halves was because the Crusaders in the ABs were being rested, weren't they?

          Strong looking squad!

          Tim 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • Tim
            Tim @Stargazer last edited by

            @Stargazer No.

            Stargazer 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
            • Stargazer
              Stargazer @Tim last edited by

              @Tim Not a strong looking squad?

              Tim 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • Tim
                Tim @Stargazer last edited by

                @Stargazer Akira Ioane has been injury cover for the ABs this season, and there were no Crusaders players missing that he was covering for.

                Stargazer 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • Tim
                  Tim @Stargazer last edited by

                  @Stargazer Prop is a worry.

                  A 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • Stargazer
                    Stargazer @Tim last edited by Stargazer

                    @Tim They didn't name an injury cover list for the RC; that was only for the B&I Lions Series. Akira & PT were also among several players invited to the wider training camp.

                    For the RC, they've called up individual players when an injury occurred, rather than using an injury cover list (e.g., Havili and Riccitelli), which enables all other players to train with and play for their provincial team. From the injury cover list for the B&I Lions Series, they've only retained Fifita by naming him in the squad. Todd and Goodhue have also returned to their respective NPC teams.

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • KiwiMurph
                      KiwiMurph last edited by

                      Excited to see how Clarke goes on the wing and the new faces on the bench.

                      A bit of pressure on Trainor to deliver at this level I think - he's had a year in the Super environment so will be interested to see what he offers.

                      Stargazer Tim mimic 3 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 4
                      • Stargazer
                        Stargazer @KiwiMurph last edited by

                        @KiwiMurph I see another NZ U20s player, Sam Slade, is also in the starting line-up. Always interesting to see how these young lads adjust to playing at this level. 11-14, looks awesome on paper. Can't wait to see them on the field.

                        KiwiMurph 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                        • Tim
                          Tim @KiwiMurph last edited by

                          @KiwiMurph Trainor was really good against the Reds. Hope he continues that counter attacking form.

                          Dice 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • mimic
                            mimic @KiwiMurph last edited by

                            @KiwiMurph said in Counties Manukau v Auckland:

                            Excited to see how Clarke goes on the wing and the new faces on the bench.

                            A bit of pressure on Trainor to deliver at this level I think - he's had a year in the Super environment so will be interested to see what he offers.

                            It's a pity though, given the midfield, they might never get the ball unless they're kick returning.

                            Kirwan 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                            • Kirwan
                              Kirwan @mimic last edited by

                              @mimic said in Counties Manukau v Auckland:

                              @KiwiMurph said in Counties Manukau v Auckland:

                              Excited to see how Clarke goes on the wing and the new faces on the bench.

                              A bit of pressure on Trainor to deliver at this level I think - he's had a year in the Super environment so will be interested to see what he offers.

                              It's a pity though, given the midfield, they might never get the ball unless they're kick returning.

                              Hopefully they won't use Fekitoa that much and sub him for Faiane. Much better midfield with him in there at 12.

                              Strong looking team.

                              Tim 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                              • Tim
                                Tim @Kirwan last edited by

                                @Kirwan Faiane is returning from injury.

                                TJ Faiane is making his way back from a niggle, so will wear the No 23 jersey in what could be his first Auckland appearance since 2014 after two injury-plagued years.

                                Kirwan 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • Kirwan
                                  Kirwan @Tim last edited by

                                  @Tim said in Counties Manukau v Auckland:

                                  @Kirwan Faiane is returning from injury.

                                  TJ Faiane is making his way back from a niggle, so will wear the No 23 jersey in what could be his first Auckland appearance since 2014 after two injury-plagued years.

                                  Ahh, good. So Fekitoa is likely temporary cover then. I don't want to select someone leaving unless we have to.

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • KiwiMurph
                                    KiwiMurph @Stargazer last edited by

                                    @Stargazer Yeah from the little i've seen of Slade he's a lock/6 so fascinating to see how he goes. I also just read that Tuipulotu is captain - hopefully it fires him up - he certainly has a lot to prove.

                                    Very true points being made about the midfield - doesnt seem the right balance.

                                    @Tim yeah i'm hopeful Trainor will at least be better than Elkington-MacDonald from last year - a reasonable hope!

                                    Tim 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • Tim
                                      Tim last edited by Tim

                                      Interesting to see that Josh Kaifa is now listed on the squad page. I wonder if he is injury cover for Seu?

                                      Auckland Rugby Union

                                      Auckland Rugby Union

                                      Official site of Auckland Rugby Union. Delivering amateur and professional rugby in Auckland City.

                                      Salesi Rayasi is a big boy for a wing:

                                      Height: 1.97m
                                      Weight: 115kg

                                      KiwiMurph Bones 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • Tim
                                        Tim @KiwiMurph last edited by

                                        @KiwiMurph At only 1.94m, Slade had better be a good loose forward.

                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                        • Tim
                                          Tim last edited by

                                          Counties Manukau: Luteru Laulala, NIgel Ah Wong, Sam Furniss, Stephen Donald, Tim Nanai-Williams, Baden Kerr, Augustine Pulu (c), Sam Henwood, Fotu Lokotui, Ronald Raamakers, Matiaha Martin, Viliame Rarasea, Kalolo Tuiloma, Gafatasi Su'a, Pauliasi Manu.
                                          Reserves: Joe Royal, Sean Bagshaw, Coree Te Whata-Colley, Daymon Leasuasu,, Viliami Taulani, Jonathan Taumateine, Orbyn Leger, Kalione Hala.

                                          https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/95883899/stephen-donald-to-start-at-secondfive-for-counties-manukau

                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • Tim
                                            Tim last edited by

                                            The NZ TAB has Counties as favourites:

                                            1 Counties 1.60
                                            2 Auckland 2.35
                                            3 Draw 21.00

                                            Crucial 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                            • KiwiMurph
                                              KiwiMurph @Tim last edited by

                                              @Tim Otu Mausia also listed as pretty darn big for a 10/15.

                                              I see Pryor Collier is also on that site but I don't think he was in the extended squad list Auckland announced the other day?

                                              Tim 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                              • Tim
                                                Tim @KiwiMurph last edited by

                                                @KiwiMurph Injury cover for Nanai?

                                                KiwiMurph 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                • KiwiMurph
                                                  KiwiMurph @Tim last edited by

                                                  @Tim Good point. Hopefully only that.

                                                  That's a good Counties backline.

                                                  Crucial 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                  • A
                                                    African Monkey @Tim last edited by

                                                    @Tim Renata and Prattley aren't too bad at this level. Anything below that and we're in massive shit there.

                                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 3
                                                    • C
                                                      cgrant last edited by

                                                      This Auckland squad is made of very young players. Is it the youngest squad of the competition ?

                                                      Bovidae 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                      • Crucial
                                                        Crucial @Tim last edited by

                                                        @Tim said in Counties Manukau v Auckland:

                                                        The NZ TAB has Counties as favourites:

                                                        1 Counties 1.60
                                                        2 Auckland 2.35
                                                        3 Draw 21.00

                                                        Wow. When I saw that AK team I thought 'way too many professionals and Super players in there for us'

                                                        Very surprised CM ranked favourite

                                                        KiwiMurph 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                        • Crucial
                                                          Crucial @KiwiMurph last edited by

                                                          @KiwiMurph said in Counties Manukau v Auckland:

                                                          @Tim Good point. Hopefully only that.

                                                          That's a good Counties backline.

                                                          A very untried one though. Will need to gel on defence against that AK midfield.

                                                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                          • KiwiMurph
                                                            KiwiMurph @Crucial last edited by

                                                            @Crucial Did you see Auckland last year? They were garbage.

                                                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                            • Bovidae
                                                              Bovidae @cgrant last edited by

                                                              @cgrant said in Counties Manukau v Auckland:

                                                              This Auckland squad is made of very young players. Is it the youngest squad of the competition ?

                                                              The majority of the squads are very young. I was reading this morning that the average age of the Waikato squad is 23, and that is with Sweeney, Christie and Guildford.

                                                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                              • Dice
                                                                Dice last edited by

                                                                That's a better line-up than any we threw up last year. Hopefully no more criminally slow starts like we had right through last season. I also hope we get more bench production this year.

                                                                Be interesting to see how we manage the midfielders this year.

                                                                Duluth 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                                • Dice
                                                                  Dice @Tim last edited by Dice

                                                                  @Tim said in Counties Manukau v Auckland:

                                                                  @KiwiMurph Trainor was really good against the Reds. Hope he continues that counter attacking form.

                                                                  For the most part, he was good for Waikato last year too. I'm a bit worried his great line running won't get rewarded with this midfield combo though. Last year he would often run some really good lines, but would often never get the pass - if he got those passes, he was either gone or would've made a long break.

                                                                  He makes a number of features on this video.

                                                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                                  • Duluth
                                                                    Duluth @Dice last edited by

                                                                    @Dice said in Counties Manukau v Auckland:

                                                                    Be interesting to see how we manage the midfielders this year.

                                                                    What would you go for?

                                                                    Personally I would leave Aso on the wing. Of all the Auckland midfielders he is the one who makes more errors in defence.

                                                                    TJ should start. He will be the long term Auckland and Blues 12, the sooner he is up to speed the better

                                                                    Moala, yes he's a ball hog on attack but I would start him at 13. Nonu showed its possible to develop a passing game/decision making mid career.

                                                                    Fekitoa - he's leaving so no point trying to fix his weaknesses. He makes a very useful impact sub/injury cover though

                                                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                                    • SammyC
                                                                      SammyC last edited by

                                                                      Where's harry Plummer?

                                                                      Did he make the squad?

                                                                      Duluth 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                                      • Duluth
                                                                        Duluth @SammyC last edited by Duluth

                                                                        @SammyC said in Counties Manukau v Auckland:

                                                                        Where's harry Plummer?

                                                                        Did he make the squad?

                                                                        No, he'll be in the under 19s this year.

                                                                        The conversation about him in the other thread was actually about whether or not he should be selected this season or next.

                                                                        SammyC 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 3
                                                                        • SammyC
                                                                          SammyC @Duluth last edited by

                                                                          @Duluth said in Counties Manukau v Auckland:

                                                                          @SammyC said in Counties Manukau v Auckland:

                                                                          Where's harry Plummer?

                                                                          Did he make the squad?

                                                                          No, he'll be in the under 19s this year.

                                                                          The conversation about him in the other thread was actually about whether or not he should be selected this season or next.

                                                                          Didn't realise he was that young, probably a good thing to let him develop in the u19s

                                                                          KiwiMurph 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                                          • KiwiMurph
                                                                            KiwiMurph @SammyC last edited by KiwiMurph

                                                                            @SammyC Think he could do with putting on some weight too.

                                                                            Like it or not I would expect Fekitoa will be seeing a lot of minutes this season - I think they view him as a senior guy in that backline.

                                                                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                                            • P
                                                                              pakman last edited by

                                                                              If George and Fekitoa could get their passing going they could be a pretty devastating combo. Big if I know.

                                                                              Crucial 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                                              • Crucial
                                                                                Crucial @pakman last edited by

                                                                                @pakman said in Counties Manukau v Auckland:

                                                                                If George and Fekitoa could get their passing going they could be a pretty devastating combo. Big if I know.

                                                                                My concern is them simply running straight. If I was the AK coach that would be my first instruction. One of them to straighten and the other to run a line for a pop.

                                                                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                                                • Dice
                                                                                  Dice last edited by

                                                                                  @Duluth said in Counties Manukau v Auckland:

                                                                                  @Dice said in Counties Manukau v Auckland:

                                                                                  Be interesting to see how we manage the midfielders this year.

                                                                                  What would you go for?

                                                                                  Personally I would leave Aso on the wing. Of all the Auckland midfielders he is the one who makes more errors in defence.

                                                                                  TJ should start. He will be the long term Auckland and Blues 12, the sooner he is up to speed the better

                                                                                  Moala, yes he's a ball hog on attack but I would start him at 13. Nonu showed its possible to develop a passing game/decision making mid career.

                                                                                  Fekitoa - he's leaving so no point trying to fix his weaknesses. He makes a very useful impact sub/injury cover though

                                                                                  I'd leave Aso on the wing too. He's actually played some of his best rugby for us when he's been on the wing.

                                                                                  I've definitely got Faiane at 12, but at 13, I'm a bit on the fence between Moala and Fekitoa, mostly because Fekitoa is off.

                                                                                  If we're simply going with who matches up better with Faiane, I think Fekitoa might be the better choice. I think his style of play and play speed goes better with Faiane's style of play, whereas Moala plays a bit slower and doesn't really run any lines, which doesn't really take advantage of Faiane's distribution skills.

                                                                                  Both have their warts, but both should be better than most centres they come up against at this level, so I'm fine with either.

                                                                                  mimic 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                                                  • mimic
                                                                                    mimic @Dice last edited by

                                                                                    @Dice said in Counties Manukau v Auckland:

                                                                                    @Duluth said in Counties Manukau v Auckland:

                                                                                    @Dice said in Counties Manukau v Auckland:

                                                                                    Be interesting to see how we manage the midfielders this year.

                                                                                    What would you go for?

                                                                                    Personally I would leave Aso on the wing. Of all the Auckland midfielders he is the one who makes more errors in defence.

                                                                                    TJ should start. He will be the long term Auckland and Blues 12, the sooner he is up to speed the better

                                                                                    Moala, yes he's a ball hog on attack but I would start him at 13. Nonu showed its possible to develop a passing game/decision making mid career.

                                                                                    Fekitoa - he's leaving so no point trying to fix his weaknesses. He makes a very useful impact sub/injury cover though

                                                                                    I'd leave Aso on the wing too. He's actually played some of his best rugby for us when he's been on the wing.

                                                                                    I've definitely got Faiane at 12, but at 13, I'm a bit on the fence between Moala and Fekitoa, mostly because Fekitoa is off.

                                                                                    If we're simply going with who matches up better with Faiane, I think Fekitoa might be the better choice. I think his style of play and play speed goes better with Faiane's style of play, whereas Moala plays a bit slower and doesn't really run any lines, which doesn't really take advantage of Faiane's distribution skills.

                                                                                    Both have their warts, but both should be better than most centres they come up against at this level, so I'm fine with either.

                                                                                    Personally I'd have a TJ/Fekitoa midfield. Don't really care that Fekitoa is off, we are in win now mode. I could be swayed if we put in another talented centre and give him a go, but I wouldn't put Moala there.
                                                                                    I'd have Moala on the wing tbh. But, I'd like to see Clarke given a go, so Moala can come off the bench for impact with an added bonus that he can cover the midfield in case TJ breaks down again.

                                                                                    I know people refer to Nonu when talking about Moala, but people forget that Nonu worked with Umaga and Smith. I'm sure working with them helped him develop his game.

                                                                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
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