Northland vs. Auckland
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Alex Hodgman (Suburbs, 1 cap(s) Leni Apisai (Loaned, 1) Marcel Renata (University, 33) Jamie Lane (Ponsonby, 6) Jack Whetton (Grammar TEC, 28) Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa (Ponsonby, 4) Blake Gibson β Co-C (Ponsonby, 26) Hoskins Sotutu (Marist, 11) Jonathan Ruru (University, 12) Harry Plummer (Grammar TEC, 16) Caleb Clarke (Suburbs, 11) TJ Faiane β Co-C (Pakuranga, 29) Tanielu Teleβa (Marist, 5) AJ Lam (Grammar TEC, 1) Salesi Rayasi (Marist, 12) Michael Lea (Marist, debut) Ezekiel Lindenmuth (Suburbs, 6) Marco Fepuleaβi (Ponsonby, 12) Peter-Chanel Tagaloa (Marist, debut) Dalton Papalii (Pakuranga, 13) Danny Tusitala (Ponsonby, 1) DβAngelo Leuila (Papatoetoe, 1) Kurt Heatherley (Loaned, debut)
Unavailable due to injury: Scott Scrafton (jaw), Tumua Manu (ankle), Jordan Trainor (thigh), Robbie Abel (hamstring), Lyndon Dunshea (knee)
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Lyndon Dunshea injured again I see.
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@African-Monkey Not sure if the coaches will want to move Sotutu with his ability off the back of the scrum.
I wouldn't mind Riedlinger-Kapa seeing a bit of time at lock in the 2nd half. He's not lock-tall, but he's a decent lineout option and was really putting pressure on the Harbour lineout last week.
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@Dice I've never known Sototu to play lock. Also reserve lock is covered by Peter-Chanel Tagaloa on debut. He is not super tall but 119kgs and impressed me with his physicality the couple of times i've seen him play, so it will be good to see how he goes off the bench.
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Sotutu played a bit off the bench there last year. I know he lacks the height but it's his ability to shift bodies in the tight that becomes an advantage (unless he's lost that ability).
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From the Northland thread:
Northland team to face Auckland
Isileli Tu'ungafasi (Mid Northern)
Jordan Olsen (Mid Northern)
Corey Te Whata-Colley (Western Sharks)
Temo Mayanavanua (Waipu)
Josh Goodhue (Kamo)
Sam McNamara (Waipu)
Matt Matich (Western Sharks)
Jaycob Matiu (Hora Hora)
Sam Nock (Kerikeri)
Dan Hawkins (OBM)
Pisi Leilua (Waipu)
Matt Johnson (OBM)
Scott Gregory (Hikurangi)
Jordan Hyland (Wellsford)
Jack Debreczeni (Eastern)
REPLACEMENTS
Paddy Jo Atkins (Wellsford)
Ross Wright (Wellsford)
Jack Straker (Kamo)
Sam Caird (OBM)
Jarod Brynes (OBM) Debut
Will Grant (Hora Hora) Debut
Blake Hohaia (Kamo)
Renata Roberts-Te Nana (OBM)
Unavailable due to Injury
Tamati Tua
Tom Robinson
Rene Ranger
Aorangi Stokes
Harrison Levien
Kane Jacobson.
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Looking forward to being at this game, look out for my post match interviews
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@DrivingMaul are the Bs playing beforehand?
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@DrivingMaul said in Northland vs. Auckland:
Looking forward to being at this game, look out for my post match interviews
Great work fella, wish I was up there watching live
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Ruru going well as is Leuila so far.
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@African-Monkey said in Northland vs. Auckland:
Ruru going well as is Leuila so far.
Agree
Good try to Jamie Lane ... hard pick and goes do work
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@Dice It's funny because yes it's only his 2nd game at this level, but like Tusitala last week, they've both played club rugby for 5+ years and played a number of tests for Samoa as well so they've both served long apprentiships.
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@African-Monkey I forget that Leuila is still only 22. I say we extend him while his stocks are still low.
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Renata's handling has been poor at times tonight.
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@African-Monkey Same with Ruru under the high ball.
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A few thoughts.
Leuila looks really good at 10.
Nock's game looks far better suited to higher levels than Ruru.
Jack Debz wasted at 15.
Apisai is one average footballer.
Rayasi's handling has been suspect again this week.
Sotutu continues to look good.
Renata's handling has always been really shit.
How the heck did Matt Johnson ever get a Super gig?
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Important 2nd half coming up. We fell away last week (understandably for some of them) but we need to keep the intensity high. Our defence has been very impressive so far. We've been far more aggressive this week and our linespeed has been very good, forcing them into mistakes.
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@African-Monkey Breakdown work has been good too. Northland can't string many phases together because we keep getting turnovers.
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@African-Monkey yep bum move. Has no tactical awareness. This Leilua for you blokes looks good.
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@African-Monkey he sure gets some distance.