Cantebury vs Auckland

[KiwiMurph]

Canterbury: George Bridge, Josh McKay, Braydon Ennor, Phil Burleigh, Caleb Makene, Brett Cameron, Mitchell Drummond (cc), Whetu Douglas (cc), Tom Christie, Reed Prinsep, Hamish Dalzell, Luke Romano, Sef Fa'agase, Greg Pleasants-Tate, Alex Hodgman.

Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Chris King, Mitchell Dunshea, Tom Sanders, Connor Collins, Sam Beard, Ngani Punivai.

Romano available is a big plus for the Cantabs. Should be a cracking game. Hopefully nothing controversial from ref Ben O'Thief.

[Stargazer]

@kiwimurph And Ennor is back from injury. That will improve their midfield.

[KiwiMurph]

Auckland team named

Ravouvou in for Rayasi. Good to see Lindenmuth on the bench.

Auckland: Sam Prattley (Pakuranga) Robbie Abel (College Rifles) Marcel Renata (University) Fa’atiga Lemalu (Papatoetoe) Jack Whetton (Grammar TEC) Evan Olmstead (Suburbs) Blake Gibson – Captain (Ponsonby) Akira Ioane (Ponsonby) Jonathan Ruru (University) Harry Plummer (Grammar TEC) Joe Ravouvou (College Rifles) TJ Faiane (Pakuranga) Tumua Manu (College Rifles) Melani Nanai (Manukau Rovers) Jordan Trainor (Ponsonby)

Reserves: Mike Sosene-Feagai (Mt Wellington) Ezekiel Lindenmuth (Suburbs)* Marco Fepulea’i (Ponsonby) Hoskins Sotutu (Marist) Dalton Papali’i (Pakuranga) Leon Fukofuka (Marist) Jacob Umaga (Eden) Tanielu Tele’a (Marist)

Traditional foes Canterbury await unbeaten Auckland

Auckland will look to extend their unbeaten start to the season Joe Ravouvou comes on to the left wing for Salesi...

[KiwiMurph]

@stargazer should be a good battle him vs Manu.

[Tim]

Unavailable due to injury: Michael Fatialofa (knee), Taleni Seu (back - season), Taniela Koroi (arm – season)

[Kirwan]

Papali’i on the bench again?

[Dice]

Weird seeing Papali'i on the bench for the 2nd week in a row. He wasn't just our best player in the first 3 games, he was looking like the best player in the comp.

I've heard Ravouvou has been really dominate for the Bs, so I can see why he's being rewarded. Tough break for Rayasi though.

[KiwiMurph]

I wonder if being without Tuipulotu (and Canterbury having Romano back) if they've gone for the bulk of Olmstead for early on in the game. Olmstead quietly had a very good outing vs Tasman.

[African Monkey]

Romano and Ennor being there makes Canterbury look a lot stronger. I think we'll drop this game personally but it's not a must win for us which is a nice situation to be in for a change. Don't mind seeing Olmstad and Ravouvou there despite Rayasi and Papali'i being very good so far.

[pakman]

Who is Cantebury?

[KiwiMurph]

Gibson out injured (surprise surprise) Papali'i to 7 Lane to bench.

[Tim]

@kiwimurph Crap. What's the injury?

[Duluth]

So Akira will be covering 7?

[KiwiMurph]

@Tim I think right knee.

[KiwiMurph]

Rough forward pass call cripes

[KiwiMurph]

What a try!

[akan004]

Future AB seven with a great intercept.

[akan004]

Yes!

[Steven Harris]

Great start to the Aucks

[nzzp]

Well, I dont expect us to win, but we sure has heck are taking a good crack at it. Great hard line for the second try

[Dice]

Faiane is the form 12 in the comp.

[nzzp]

@dice said in Cantebury vs Auckland:

Faiane is the form 12 in the comp.

had big wraps when he came into the blues, but I never saw much from him. Looked good this season though

[nzzp]

Blow me down with a feather, we just defended two mauls effectively. How the hell can the Auck do this, but the Blues can't?

is this because it is Cantebury, and they aren't the same without the R?

[nzzp]

Also, this is a decent wind. I'm not sure Auckland can play territory, but I'd love to see it!

[Steven Harris]

Wow,an Auckland team showing patience..!,

[Tim]

@nzzp They showed how to defend a lead last week.

[Steven Harris]

@tim bugger,should have scored,too much white line fever

[Tim]

Good defence from Canterbury. Patient.

[Steven Harris]

Good 40 minutes of footy, a lot to like about what Auckland are doing,need another good 40..

[nzzp]

@steven-harris said in Cantebury vs Auckland:

Good 40 minutes of footy, a lot to like about what Auckland are doing,need another good 40..

Look, we've exceeded expecations already. There's no downside to this - so plug the corners, defend hard and throw some magic in the backs.

Failing that, do what we did for Try 3, and just stick it up our jumpers

[Dice]

We have the lead with the wind in our favor in the 2nd half, can't ask for much more than that. We should be able to play a more balanced game in the 2nd half.

Sotutu had a nice little cameo while coming on for Papali'i. Best he's looked this season.

[taniwharugby]

@dice although plenty of teams seem to play better into the wind these days...Aucklands to lose

[Tim]

I take it that Nathan Mauger doesn't join his team in the gym.

[Tim]

Plummer is actually very good at holding tacklers up.

[nzzp]

@tim said in Cantebury vs Auckland:

I take it that Nathan Mauger doesn't join his team in the gym.

I know! What a change - gone full Geoff Allott.

Also, big wind - that Ruru kick just went 60 yards

[Steven Harris]

Brilliant try..!

[nzzp]

@steven-harris said in Cantebury vs Auckland:

Brilliant try..!

That's as good a try as yuo'll see. Hat trick for Faiane - magnificent turnaround. Shoudl control the game from here, amazing.

[shark]

Well I'm happy to concede that Auckland are genuine quality. We're in a hole now at 12 down into the breeze. Enough talent on the park for us to come back but it's essential we score next.

[shark]

I'd love to know if that big cross kick leading up to the last try was an attempted clearance or a genuine cross kick for the winger. Given Plummer chose tokick to the farther touch I suspect maybe the latter.

[nzzp]

I love Graham Henry.

Some sensational short passes in this game, asking good questions around the ruck. Saw it with Northland, and it' happening again tonight.