Northland vs Auckland

[Duluth]

1 Sam Prattley (Pakuranga)
2 Robbie Abel* (College Rifles)
3 Marcel Renata (University)
4 Fa’atiga Lemalu* (Papatoetoe)
5 Jack Whetton (Grammar TEC)
6 Dalton Papali’I (Pakuranga)
7 Blake Gibson - Captain (Ponsonby)
8 Akira Ioane (Ponsonby)
9 Leon Fukofuka (Marist)
10 Harry Plummer (Grammar TEC)
11 Salesi Rayasi (Marist)
12 TJ Faiane (Pakuranga)
13 Tumua Manu (College Rifles)
14 Melani Nanai (Manukau Rovers)
15 Jordan Trainor (Ponsonby)

16 Mike Sosene-Feagai (Mt Wellington)
17 Jarred Adams (Suburbs)
18 Taniela Koroi (Marist)
19 Evan Olmstead (Suburbs)
20 Hoskins Sotutu (Marist)
21 Jonathan Ruru (University)
22 Daniel Kirkpatrick (University)
23 Jacob Umaga (Eden)

New look front row to take battle to Taniwha

New look front row for Auckland with Sam Prattley and Marcel Renata to make their first starts Unchanged starting...

[Tim]

Unavailable due to injury: Patrick Tuipulotu (shoulder), Michael Fatialofa (knee), Lyndon Dunshea (shoulder), Tanielu Tele’a (shoulder), Caleb Clarke (hip), Taleni Seu (back - season)

New look front row to take battle to Taniwha

New look front row for Auckland with Sam Prattley and Marcel Renata to make their first starts Unchanged starting...

[KiwiMurph]

Good to see Renata back.

Interesting to see how Abel goes - thought Sosense was pretty tidy last week.

Good opportunity for Lemalu.

[taniwharugby]

good Northland influence in Abel, Renata and Whetton

[taniwharugby]

2 changes to the starting lineup; Rinakama and Matich starting, Straker and Matiu dropping to the bench.

Northland Team to face Auckland:

1 Ross Wright, 2 Matt Moulds, 3 Ropate Rinakama, 4 Tom Robinson, 5 Josh Goodhue, 6 Murray Douglas, 7 Kara Pryor, 8 Matt Matich, 9 Sam Nock, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 11 Rene Ranger, 12 Blake Hohaia, 13 Tamati Tua, 14 Jordan Hyland, 15 Matty Wright
Reserves: 16 Jordan Olsen, 17 Isileli Tu'ungafasi, 18 Jack Straker, 19 Kane Jacobson, 20 Jaycob Matiu, 21 Jono Kitto, 22 Myles Throughgood, 23 Scott Gregory

[Dice]

Probably the most experienced pack we've named since 2007.

The balance of the bench looks a bit wrong with Kirkpatrick and Umaga on it. I can understand picking one of the two, but not both. I'd rather see Ravouvou in that 23 jersey.

[Dice]

@tim So it seems Seu getting named in the squad was a tease. It's too bad, he would've been handy.

[Dice]

Nock milked that penalty.

[KiwiMurph]

Not a great start from the Auckland hooker. Sosene who started last week was better.

[Dice]

Papali'i might just be as good as Kaino and Akira at holding players up.

[KiwiMurph]

Plummer wonderful play. The turnover then the try.

[Kirwan]

@kiwimurph said in Northland vs Auckland:

Plummer wonderful play. The turnover then the try.

Yep, not put off by the jersey pulling.

[Kirwan]

Try saving turnover front akira!

[Kirwan]

Ha, what great rugby! Could have been a try either way

[KiwiMurph]

Great try Northland.

Pryor is having a whale of a game at the breakdown.

[gt12]

@kirwan

One of the few good things he’s done. I’ve only been watching this game to watch him, and he looks the third best Auckland loose forward. If I were an AB selector I’d be hoping to see be more powerful with his strength - nice example there where he just let Pryor turn over the ball.

[gt12]

Couldn’t agree more Jeff.

[KiwiMurph]

Trainor has returned to his standard play. Mud.

[KiwiMurph]

@kiwimurph said in Northland vs Auckland:

Trainor has returned to his standard play. Mud.

Same with Prattley. How does this fucking guy keep getting picked?

[Kirwan]

@gt12 said in Northland vs Auckland:

@kirwan

One of the few good things he’s done. I’ve only been watching this game to watch him, and he looks the third best Auckland loose forward. If I were an AB selector I’d be hoping to see be more powerful with his strength - nice example there where he just let Pryor turn over the ball.

He’s been working hard on defence, made some crucial tackles. Not sure why we aren’t seeing his normal attacking game.