Northland vs Auckland
-
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...
-
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...
-
Good to see Renata back.
Interesting to see how Abel goes - thought Sosense was pretty tidy last week.
Good opportunity for Lemalu.
-
good Northland influence in Abel, Renata and Whetton
-
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 -
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.
-
@tim So it seems Seu getting named in the squad was a tease. It's too bad, he would've been handy.
-
Nock milked that penalty.
-
Not a great start from the Auckland hooker. Sosene who started last week was better.
-
Papali'i might just be as good as Kaino and Akira at holding players up.
-
Plummer wonderful play. The turnover then the try.
-
@kiwimurph said in Northland vs Auckland:
Plummer wonderful play. The turnover then the try.
Yep, not put off by the jersey pulling.
-
Try saving turnover front akira!
-
Ha, what great rugby! Could have been a try either way
-
Great try Northland.
Pryor is having a whale of a game at the breakdown.
-
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.
-
Couldn’t agree more Jeff.
-
Trainor has returned to his standard play. Mud.
-
@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?
-
@gt12 said in Northland vs Auckland:
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.
-
He’s made a few cover tackles, but is hardly dominant, and he’s just jogging around.
Good example here where he made no effort to keep up with the play.
-
@kiwimurph He's just too small.
-
Great D from northland, then they try to run it from their line. Madness.
-
@tim said in Northland vs Auckland:
@kiwimurph He's just too small.
And he has shit hands.
Rayasi looks sharp again. Very impressed by him.
-
About four Northland players went straight to deck in that ruck.
-
@tim said in Northland vs Auckland:
About four Northland players went straight to deck in that ruck.
Yep the ref is letting lots go
-
Another good tackle from akira, and forces a turnover.
-
Nice pressure by Akira at ruck time.
-
I think I know why Akira hasn’t been selected for the ABs. During the last passage of play, both he and Papailii attended three rucks. However, Akira just arrived and leant on them, while Dalton attends with power - making two dominant clean outs.
I want to make it clear that I think he has all the talent to be an amazing AB, but he’s just not contributing consistently.
Btw: Good cover tackle there, and another, and a turnover attempt to finish the half.
-
Our lineout is not going well, we need to clean that up in the second half.
-
@kirwan It's terrible. We're getting beaten to the punch at breakdown time as well and won't win this game unless we fix up those areas. Akira needs a rest, I'd take him off and bring on Sotutu.
-
Northland deserve their halftime lead.
Auckland blowing chances like last week. I think it might cost them this week.
-
@gt12 These last two games he's looked very lethargic. He may be tired from playing every minute of every Blues game, but this just isn't anywhere near good enough. Get in the game or come off the bench.
-
Bored of people speculating why Akira has not been selected for the ABs. Hanson has said why, some waffle about not going through his processes on defence.
Reminds me of Mitchell talking about Cullens thumb grip on the ball.
Akira is playing fine, has saved out bacon multiple times this half and people are complaining he’s not scoring 50 metre trys.
Give the guy a break.
-
@tim said in Northland vs Auckland:
@gt12 These last two games he's looked very lethargic. He may be tired from playing every minute of every Blues game, but this just isn't anywhere near good enough. Get in the game or come off the bench.
He’s certainly had a huge year with Tana playing him into the ground.
-
It could be that. He may need a rest or some more fitness? I haven’t been watching the play at all, only trying to find him, and it’s surprising how he is just jogging around. He still makes some positive impact, but it’s only for 30 seconds or two plays.
If you were picking the next AB in this game, it would be Papailii. He’s busy as fuck. Pryor seems to be going well too.
-
Several times our timing on passes has been off.
-
@dice said in Northland vs Auckland:
Several times our timing on passes has been off.
Helps when Trainor doesn’t try to catch with his face.
-
Nice accurate start from Auckland, and nice try
-
Nice dart and tackle bust front akira too
