Taranaki v Manawatu - Ranfurly Shield

[Duluth]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/106500383/michael-alaalatoa-times-his-return-for-ranfurly-shield-challenge

15 Junior Laloifi, 14 Te Rangatira Waitokia, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Hamish Northcott, 11 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 10 Sam Malcolm, 9 Kayne Hammington, 8 Brice Henderson, 7 Antonio Kiri Kiri (captain), 6 Liam Mitchell, 5 Nick Crosswell, 4 Brad Tucker, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Tim Cadwallader, 1 Fraser Armstrong.
Reserves: 16 Sam Stewart, 17 Faálelei Sione, 18 Sione Asi, 19 Samuel Slade, 20 Jackson Iose, 21 Jamie Booth, 22 Jade Te Rure, 23 James Tofa

[Duluth]

Taranaki Rugby

The official website of Taranaki Rugby and the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls. Inspiring Taranaki. Enriching Lives.

1 Reuben O’Neill
2 Ricky Riccitelli
3 Angus Ta’avoa (c)
4 Jarrad Hoeata
5 Jesse Parate
6 Mitchell Crosswell
7 Lachlan Boshier
8 Toa Halafihi
9 Logan Crowley
10 Daniel Waite
11 Manasa Mataele
12 Teihorangi Walden
13 Seta Tamanivalu
14 Latu Vaeno
15 Beaudein Waaka

Reserves:
16 Donald Maka
17 Chris Gawler
18 Kyle Stewart*
19 Kane Thompson
20 Pita Gus Sowakula
21 Brendan Leonard*
22 Brayton Northcott-Hill
23 Regan Ware*

[Rembrandt]

Kinda glad Laumape is required for the AB's this weekend. Manawatu might have a shot here. .

[Canes4life]

@rembrandt On paper Manawatu look very likely and with Milner Skudder in the mix, there is every chance of an upset.

Taranaki probably have a slight edge in the forwards but Manawatu look to have more experience coming off the bench which could be crucial in the late stages.

I think the battle between both centre pairings could go a long way towards deciding this match. Walden and Thompson will be into each other I'm sure.

Manawatu could be worth a punt with the TAB opening them up at $4.00.

[gt12]

Fun game this.

NMS looks like the 3rd best winger out there so far....

[Stargazer]

Just tuned in. Who scored the first Taranaki try, and who the Manawatu try?

[KiwiMurph]

Laloifi should be Reds starting fullback.

[KiwiMurph]

@stargazer Laloifi for Manawatu. Mataele for Naki.

[gt12]

Seta T is really a better player than the chances he’s been given - good in the midfield and on the wing. I’m still pissed he left the Chiefs.

[Stargazer]

@kiwimurph Thanks! Good to see Mataele is back. Laloifi is a good talent, too. Is he an Aussie; or is he a Kiwi who just happens to play for the Reds?

[gt12]

Mataele is just Joe v2. It’s crazy.

[Stargazer]

@gt12 Have to say that he's become better since he moved to the Crusaders. It's a pity he's leaving NZ; he's a good player to have available for the ABs if we're down players due to injury.

[KiwiMurph]

@stargazer said in Taranaki v Manawatu - Ranfurly Shield:

@kiwimurph Thanks! Good to see Mataele is back. Laloifi is a good talent, too. Is he an Aussie; or is he a Kiwi who just happens to play for the Reds?

Samoan born Aussie I believe.

[taniwharugby]

naki FB not up with those pesky rules...

[gt12]

@stargazer

Players who can do both are crazy valuable for the current AB set up. I wonder if he went too early?

[KiwiMurph]

@gt12 said in Taranaki v Manawatu - Ranfurly Shield:

@stargazer

Players who can do both are crazy valuable for the current AB set up. I wonder if he went too early?

He'd have been very handy to replace Rieko this weekend just quietly.

[taniwharugby]

Tamanivalu looking strong

[Stargazer]

@gt12 Yeah, I think so, too. I read an interview with him, saying that initially he signed with the Saders for one year, because he didn't really know what to expect. He seemed to leave the Chiefs disappointed about things. He liked the culture at the Saders so much, that he re-signed for a year. I understood from what he said that he's going to France basically because he now has a young family (he & his partner had their first child earlier this year) to support.

[taniwharugby]

nicely done

[gt12]

@stargazer

I feel like he didn’t get much of a chance at the Chiefs, and then when SBW pissed off we were high and dry.