Counties Manukau v Canterbury
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Canterbury
- Harry Allan
- Nathan Vella
- Sef Fa'agase
- Luke Romano (VC)
- Hamish Dalzell
- Tom Sanders
- Tom Christie
- Reed Prinsep
- Mitchell Drummond (C)
- Phil Burleigh (VC)
- Ngane Punivai
- Sam Beard
- Braydon Ennor
- Connor Garden-Bachop
- George Bridge
RESERVES
16. Brodie McAlister
17. Joe Moody
18. Chris King
19. Mitchell Dunshea
20. Hugh Renton
21. Ereatara Enari
22. Brett Cameron
23. Caleb MakeneMaddock has made five changes to the starting XV that accounted for Taranaki 41-7 last Saturday night in Christchurch. In the forward pack, Harry Allan, Hamish Dalzell, Tom Sanders and Reed Prinsep all join the run-on fifteen.In the backs, vice captain Phil Burleigh will start at first-five eighth with Brett Cameron moving to the reserves. The reserves also have a new look, with All Black Joe Moody joining the 23 following his recovery from a hand injury. Alongside Moody in the forwards, Brodie McAlister joins the 23, Mitchell Dunshea drops out of the starting 15 for Hamish Dalzell and there is also a straight swap between Hugh Renton and Reed Prinsep at number eight. The backs cover sees the long awaited return of Ereatara Enari at halfback. Calab Makene rounds out the changes this week. When he takes the field it will be his blazer game for Canterbury following his 11 previous appearances in the red and black hoops. -
Counties Manukau
1Sean Bagshaw, 2. Gafatasi Su’a, 3. Coree Te Whata-Colley, 4. Daymon Leasuasu, 5. Matiaha Martin ©, 6. Sikeli Nabou, 7. Fotu Lokotui, 8. Daniel Hyatt or Matt Vaai; 9. Liam Daniela, 10. Luteru Laulala, 11. Tevita Nabura, 12. Cardiff Vaega, 13. Nigel Ah Wong, 14. Toni Pulu, 15. Etene Nanai-Seturo.
Reserves:
16 Joseph Royal, 17. Howard Sililoto, 18. Nepo Laulala, 19. Viliame Rarasea, 20. Matthew Vaai or Viliami Taulani, 21. Te Aihe Toma 22. Orbyn Leger, 23. Sione Molia.The Steelers need two points at least from their final round match to ensure they remain in the Mitre-10 Cup Premiership for next year, and look for strong hometown support at Navigation Homes Stadium. Prop Sean Bagshaw, the 31-year-old from the Onewhero club, will earn his 50th cap when he starts in Saturday’s clash after nine straight games for the Steelers this season. Meanwhile fellow prop Nepo Laulala, the 13-test All Black, will earn his first cap for the Steelers off the bench in his long-anticipated return from injury. The former Wesley College player has been beset with injury after joining Steelers following 31 appearances for the Crusaders. His long-awaited debut might still have a twist, in that his wife is already due to give birth to their first child.Coach Darryl Suasua has made several changes to his starting line-up with Gafatasi Su’a getting his first start at hooker while Matt Vaai has been bracketed with Dan Hyatt at No8 and Sikeli Nabou will start at loose forward. Team captain Sam Henwood has been unable to recover from his concussion to be available, despite training with the team this week. In the backs Liam Daniela get a further start at halfback while Cardiff Vaega and Nigel Ah Wong form the midfield, and Toni Pulu plays his 51st and final game for the Steelers before moving to the Brumbies for next year’s Super Rugby competition. -
- Phil Burleigh (VC)
Wow. Only Counties I guess.
@Stargazer back to your Maori article bro, urgent to discuss that 2017 squad.
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If Nepo gets to play , he will be the fourth brother to play for Counties after Casey, Ray and Luteru.
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Baby hasn't come yet so Nepo is on the bench. Game 50 for Sean Bagshaw. Last game for Pulu and Nabou.
7 nil to Canterbury after 15 min.
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Counties making dumb lineout calls, getting picked off.
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7 all, Try to Ah Wong off a maul. A couple of backs added to the line out 5m out then maul off that.
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Sione Molia on for Nanai-Seturo blood bin and scores. Counties ahead 14 to 7
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14 to 12 half time, Counties lead.
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45th minute and Joe Moody has come on!
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What's with the deliverance music after that penalty try? A threat to Canterbury?
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Nepo Laulala comes on as well!
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Big Nepo doing the job
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Tried one time too many and the cheating inbreds ran sideways
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Live the way TJ got all frothy about Moody returning then Nepo walks straight back into the ABs
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If the three returning front rowers this week it has been Nepo that has looked the goods
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This is the level of performance from CM that I hoped for all season
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Nepo wins another penalty against Moody
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Well done Canterbury B.
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Thanks Counties!
Not enough to win but enough to help Auckland
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Counties must have one of the quickest wingers in NZ in Tony Pulu,but they can never seem to get him into space..it’s bloody frustrating,we would gladly take him in Northland
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@steven-harris With him going to the Brumbies, I assume he won't be playing M10 Cup anymore, next year?
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A much better performance than last year. So many close games this year. This will be Nepo Laulala's last game for us for a while he will be back in the AB's this time next year health permitting.
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Awesome work Counties. Auckland have a home semi.
