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    Wellington Lions 2020

    Sports Talk
    wellington
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    • Canes4life
      Canes4life last edited by Duluth

      Will have a stab at this years squad including those already ruled out with injury. Looks like slim pickings due to injuries, unless we sign players to bulk up the squad (Savea included)

      Props:

      • Xavier Numia (out for season)
      • Fraser Armstrong (out for season)
      • Morgan Poi
      • Alex Fidow
      • Kaliopasi Uluilakepa
      • Jarred Adams (rumoured to have signed but still unlikely)
      • anyone else?

      Hookers:

      • Dane Coles
      • Asafo Aumua
      • Tyrone Thompson

      Locks:

      • James Blackwell
      • Vaea Fifita
      • Taine Plumtree
      • Hugo Plummer

      Loose Forwards:

      • Teariki Ben-Nicholas
      • Ardie Savea
      • Du’Plessis Kirifi
      • Caleb Delaney
      • Josh Southall

      First Fives:

      • Jackson Garden-Bachop
      • Trent Renata
      • Aiden Morgan
      • Ruben Love

      Centres:

      • Thomas Umaga Jensen (injured)
      • Peter Umaga-Jensen
      • Billy Proctor
      • Keinan Higgins

      Outside Backs:

      • Wes Goosen
      • Vince Aso
      • Julian Savea (???)
      • Connor Garden-Bachop ( injured???)
      K 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
      • Bovidae
        Bovidae last edited by

        Where is Tane Te Aho in the pecking order for Wellington hookers?

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • Stargazer
          Stargazer last edited by Stargazer

          I hate to say it, but don't you need four hookers, and will that fourth be James O'Reilly?

          Props: maybe Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe? Didn't get game time in Hawke's Bay, last year, but now playing club rugby in Wellington. Maybe Wellington signed him (I have no idea)? And is Tolu Fahamokioa back playing club rugby?

          Locks: is Ah Kuoi still contracted to Wellington, or has he moved to Waikato for NPC, too?

          First-fives: no Callum Harkin?

          Outside backs: I've seen on instagram that Malo Tuitama is in Wellington; don't know whether he's playing club rugby. Other names: Losi Filipo and Saia Paese (haven't seen him play club rugby, but he's playing in Wellington).

          I guess Wellington doesn't need halfbacks? 😀

          • TJ Perenara
          • Kemara Hauiti-Parapara
          • Jono Hickey?
          • Isaac Bracewell?
          Bones Canes4life 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 2
          • Bones
            Bones @Stargazer last edited by

            @Stargazer I don't recall seeing O'Reilly on the team sheets recently but may have overlooked. Think Ben Power has been starting.

            Stargazer 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • Stargazer
              Stargazer @Bones last edited by

              @Bones Yes, you're right. O'Reilly only played in the first round of club rugby. Either he's injured, or he's moved somewhere else.

              Another option might be Leni Apisai, who is playing club rugby in Wellington. I assume he's no longer contracted to Auckland?

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • M
                mikey07 last edited by

                Mateaki Kafatolu Has been in the squad the last 2 or 3 years also Filipo is currently joint top try scorer and will be included in the squad.

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • K
                  Kiwidom @Canes4life last edited by

                  @Canes4life What about the winger Pepesana Patefilo from last years squad? I haven't seen his name for Tawa in club rugby this year

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • Canes4life
                    Canes4life @Stargazer last edited by Canes4life

                    @Stargazer said in Wellington Lions 2020:

                    I guess Wellington doesn't need halfbacks?

                    You make a valid point. 😉

                    Oh yup, I think Ah Koui is still contracted to Wellington so he will most likely start alongside Blackwell.

                    Interesting to see Harkin has moved away from halfback, he looked really good there before he broke his ankle in a pre season game for the Hurricanes against the Crusaders a couple of seasons ago. Connor Collins is another that will most likely be in the mix after playing last year. Also, TJ Va'a might be in the first five equation aswell.

                    Malo Tuitama will be a nice addition, I'd actually rather prefer him to Julian Savea. He is a great finisher and is probably in the similar mould to the likes of Telea & Reece. Hopefully he has signed.

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • Higgins
                      Higgins last edited by Higgins

                      Watched Kaliopasi Uluilakepa and Mateaki Kafatolu both play for Petone on Saturday. Uluilakepa looked to be about 15 to 20 kg overweight and did nothing scrumming wise to inspire any confidence in him in that aspect (until the Axemen bench props came on and made it not so difficult for him) but did come into his own a little bit in the second half with a couple of mid field bashes when his team had most of the ball and were on top of the smaller Axemen pack. Kafetolu had his first run for the season (at No. Eight) but did not really notice him until I spotted him in a lineout about ten minutes into the second half. Cannot really give an opinion on his play because I did not watch him very closely at all. Seemed to be OK fitness wise though. Fahamokioa actually turns out for Norths these days and has been on the bench for all others games this season and likewise for Tawa during the latter part of last season so not sure whether he is recovering from injury or the desire to play at the top is still there. We can certainly count out another Tawa front row player from any involvement with the Lions from now on.
                      From what I heard pre covid Fifita was exploring overseas options (and who can blame him after being permanently overlooked for Reed Princep at the Hurricanes!) although things might have changed since then with the drastic salary reductions, back to reality, happening up there.

                      B 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • macmanus
                        macmanus last edited by

                        Thomas Umaga-Jensen to Otago?

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • Canes4life
                          Canes4life last edited by

                          Connor Garden-Bachop made his return to club footy on Saturday for Norths. I thought he was out for the season so it's good to see him back and running around just before the NPC kicks off.

                          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                          • Duluth
                            Duluth last edited by

                            https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/122566392/mitre-10-cup-wellington-coachs-headache-where-to-fit-julian-savea-in

                            Wellington, though, has strong midfield stocks with Hurricanes Peter Umaga-Jensen, Vince Aso and Billy Proctor
                            

                            Aso is better on the wing. His defence is flakey in the midfield.

                            Savea at 12 and PUJ at 13? Proctor struggles to make the 23?

                            Canes4life 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                            • Bovidae
                              Bovidae last edited by

                              Proctor has spent time at fullback.

                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                              • Canes4life
                                Canes4life @Duluth last edited by Canes4life

                                @Duluth I'd like to see a backline of: 9. Perenara 10. Garden-Bachop 11. Aso 12. Proctor 13. Umaga-Jensen 14. Goosen 15. Garden-Bachop, with Savea rampaging off the bench.

                                I'm keen for Wellington to persist with Proctor somewhere in the backline, he's still only 21 so has plenty of time on his side.

                                Winger C 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • Winger
                                  Winger @Canes4life last edited by Winger

                                  @Canes4life said in Wellington Lions 2020:

                                  @Duluth I'd like to see a backline of: 9. Perenara 10. Garden-Bachop 11. Aso 12. Proctor 13. Umaga-Jensen 14. Goosen 15. Garden-Bachop, with Savea rampaging off the bench.

                                  I'm keen for Wellington to persist with Proctor somewhere in the backline, he's still only 21 so has plenty of time on his side.

                                  Proctor will likely come good soon enough. But he's been a bit disappointment so far. But then so was PUJ until he finally stepped up. My view is he still needs to bulk up.

                                  With Savea, Wellington signed him so he needs a chance in his preferred position (2nd 5) so I would like to see in one game

                                  1. Perenara 10. Garden-Bachop 11. Aso 12. Savea 13. Umaga-Jensen 14. Goosen 15. Proctor

                                  If he performs keep him there or as a backup midfielder

                                  Its a big loss that our top two LH props are out (when did Armstrong move to Wellington?)

                                  Crucial Canes4life 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • Crucial
                                    Crucial @Winger last edited by

                                    @Winger said in Wellington Lions 2020:

                                    @Canes4life said in Wellington Lions 2020:

                                    @Duluth I'd like to see a backline of: 9. Perenara 10. Garden-Bachop 11. Aso 12. Proctor 13. Umaga-Jensen 14. Goosen 15. Garden-Bachop, with Savea rampaging off the bench.

                                    I'm keen for Wellington to persist with Proctor somewhere in the backline, he's still only 21 so has plenty of time on his side.

                                    Proctor will likely come good soon enough. But he's been a bit disappointment so far. But then so was PUJ until he finally stepped up. My view is he still needs to bulk up.

                                    With Savea, Wellington signed him so he needs a chance in his preferred position (2nd 5) so I would like to see in one game

                                    1. Perenara 10. Garden-Bachop 11. Aso 12. Savea 13. Umaga-Jensen 14. Goosen 15. Proctor

                                    If he performs keep him there or as a backup midfielder

                                    Its a big loss that our top two LH props are out (when did Armstrong move to Wellington?)

                                    The coach has already said that Savea might have his ideas but they know where he has been proven in the past so will think of him there.
                                    Sounds quite blinkered but I guess that if they think they can get value from him out wide they will try.

                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                    • Canes4life
                                      Canes4life @Winger last edited by

                                      @Winger He probably has been a disappointment but I don't think he's fully matured, like PUJ I think we need to give him time to develop properly before making too much judgment. If he's still playing like this in a year or two then we have a problem.

                                      Giving Savea a go in the midfield will also come down to whether we have signed TUJ, if we have then I can't see Savea jumping our strong centre options.

                                      NateHill74 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                      • NateHill74
                                        NateHill74 @Canes4life last edited by

                                        @Canes4life check Otago rugby Facebook, he's on the injured list for Otago, he's signed with Otago now

                                        Canes4life 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                        • C
                                          cgrant @Canes4life last edited by

                                          @Canes4life said in Wellington Lions 2020:

                                          @Duluth I'd like to see a backline of: 9. Perenara 10. Garden-Bachop 11. Aso 12. Proctor 13. Umaga-Jensen 14. Goosen 15. Garden-Bachop, with Savea rampaging off the bench.

                                          I'm keen for Wellington to persist with Proctor somewhere in the backline, he's still only 21 so has plenty of time on his side.

                                          There are two Garden-Bachop in your backline.

                                          Bones 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                          • Bones
                                            Bones @cgrant last edited by

                                            @cgrant
                                            Jackson and Connor....

                                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                            • C
                                              cgrant last edited by

                                              OK, thanks.

                                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                              • Canes4life
                                                Canes4life @NateHill74 last edited by

                                                @NateHill74 cool cool. Shame we lost TUJ but I guess it's the problem we have when we are so stacked in one position.

                                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                • Canes4life
                                                  Canes4life last edited by

                                                  How does O'Reilly still have a contract? Surely after the cocaine incident, this would be a massive black mark against his name. It's not like Wellington are short of decent hookers.

                                                  https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/122589125/wellington-hooker-james-oreilly-gets-fiveweek-ban-for-abusing-referee-when-water-boy

                                                  Stargazer Yeetyaah 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                  • Stargazer
                                                    Stargazer @Canes4life last edited by

                                                    @Canes4life Yep, Coles, Aumua and Tyrone Thompson. Not sure about the fourth.

                                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                    • Yeetyaah
                                                      Yeetyaah @Canes4life last edited by

                                                      @Canes4life jeez what a fuckwit.

                                                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                                      • M
                                                        mikey07 last edited by

                                                        https://www.wrfu.co.nz/news/post/wellington-lions-squad-named-for-2020-mitre-10-cup/News/detail/
                                                        Interstellar there’s 4 players that play or can play 10 excluding TJ

                                                        Stargazer 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                        • Stargazer
                                                          Stargazer @mikey07 last edited by Stargazer

                                                          @mikey07 So indeed, Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe in the squad. I wondered whether Wellington had signed him when I noticed he was playing club rugby in Wellington. It will be interesting to see if he can get more game time for the Lions.

                                                          Canes4life M 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                          • Canes4life
                                                            Canes4life last edited by

                                                            The Wellington Lions squad for the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup is:

                                                            Naitoa Ah Kuoi

                                                            Fraser Armstrong

                                                            Vince Aso

                                                            Asafo Aumua

                                                            Ben Aumua-Peseta

                                                            Teariki Ben-Nicholas

                                                            James Blackwell

                                                            Dane Coles

                                                            Connor Collins

                                                            Caleb Delaney

                                                            Alex Fidow

                                                            Vaea Fifita

                                                            Connor Garden-Bachop

                                                            Jackson Garden-Bachop

                                                            Wes Goosen

                                                            Callum Harkin

                                                            Kemara Hauiti-Parapara

                                                            Mateaki Kafatolu

                                                            Du'Plessis Kirifi

                                                            Ruben Love

                                                            Aidan Morgan

                                                            Xavier Numia

                                                            James O'Reilly

                                                            Pepesana Patafilo

                                                            TJ Perenara

                                                            Taine Plumtree

                                                            Morgan Poi

                                                            James Poloniati

                                                            Billy Proctor

                                                            Trent Renata

                                                            Ardie Savea

                                                            Julian Savea

                                                            Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe

                                                            Tyronne Thompson

                                                            Kaliopasi Uluilakepa

                                                            Peter Umaga-Jensen

                                                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                            • Canes4life
                                                              Canes4life last edited by

                                                              Good depth in most positions but we look piss poor in the propping department with the loss of our two first-choice loose-head props.

                                                              M 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                              • Canes4life
                                                                Canes4life @Stargazer last edited by

                                                                @Stargazer can he play both sides?

                                                                Stargazer 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                                • Stargazer
                                                                  Stargazer @Canes4life last edited by Stargazer

                                                                  @Canes4life I know him as a TH. Not sure I've ever seen him play at LH. During this year's club rugby season, he played all frontrow positions, I think, but that doesn't mean much at a higher level.

                                                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                                  • M
                                                                    mikey07 @Stargazer last edited by

                                                                    @Stargazer I forgot Callum Harkins been playing 10 for OBU.

                                                                    I’m sure he will if the rumours of Armstrong and Numia being done for the season.

                                                                    On a side note good to see Reuben Love on the bench for Wainui this weekend he must’ve been injured or the WRU had wrapped him up in cotton wool.

                                                                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                                    • M
                                                                      mikey07 @Canes4life last edited by

                                                                      @Canes4life said in Wellington Lions 2020:

                                                                      Good depth in most positions but we look piss poor in the propping department with the loss of our two first-choice loose-head props.

                                                                      JGB would go well in there 😂

                                                                      Canes4life 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 3
                                                                      • Canes4life
                                                                        Canes4life @mikey07 last edited by Canes4life

                                                                        @mikey07 better yet, Julian Savea. 😛

                                                                        M 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                                        • M
                                                                          mikey07 @Canes4life last edited by

                                                                          @Canes4life Can we get them at 1 and 3 respectively?

                                                                          Canes4life 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                                          • Tim
                                                                            Tim last edited by

                                                                            Top XXIII's with and without ABs?

                                                                            Canes4life 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                                                            • Canes4life
                                                                              Canes4life @mikey07 last edited by Canes4life

                                                                              @mikey07 what's Piri doing? He could be fairly handy unfront. 😃

                                                                              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                                              • F
                                                                                foobaNZ last edited by

                                                                                First XV

                                                                                Armstrong / Numia
                                                                                Coles / Aumua
                                                                                Fidow
                                                                                Ah Kuoi
                                                                                Blackwell
                                                                                Fifta / TBN
                                                                                Kirifi
                                                                                A Savea
                                                                                Perenara
                                                                                JGB
                                                                                J Savea
                                                                                Aso
                                                                                PUJ
                                                                                Patafilo
                                                                                Goosen

                                                                                Not sure on the back 3 make up, there is no standout fullback in that squad to me at this stage.

                                                                                Keen to see the youngsters - Morgan, Plumtree, & Love & a lot of names I don't recognise.

                                                                                It's a pretty strong top 15 at NPC level.

                                                                                Still not sold on B Proctor, and surprised Renata makes the squad.

                                                                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                                                                • Canes4life
                                                                                  Canes4life @Tim last edited by Canes4life

                                                                                  @Tim With Numia and Armstrong out for the season here are my picks on squads with and without ABs:

                                                                                  With All Blacks: 1. Poi 2. Coles 3. Fidow 4. Blackwell (most likely) 5. Ah Koui 6. Fifita 7. Kirifi 8. Savea 9. Perenara 10. Garden-Bachop 11. Aso 12. Umaga-Jensen 13. Proctor 14. Goosen 15. Garden-Bachop 16. Aumua 17. Tevita Metcalfe 18. Uluilakepa 19. Plumtree 20. Ben-Nicholas 21. Collins 22. Love/Morgan 23. Savea

                                                                                  Without All Blacks: 1. Poi 2. Thompson 3. Fidow 4. Blackwell 5. Ah Koui 6. Fifita 7. Kirifi 8. Ben-Nicholas 9. Collins 10. Garden-Bachop 11. Aso 12. Umaga-Jensen (might be a bolter for ABs) 13. Proctor 14. Goosen 15. Garden-Bachop 16. O'Reilly 17. Tevita Metcalfe 18. Uluilakepa 19. Plumtree 20. Delaney 21. Hauiti Parapara 22. Love/Morgan 23. Savea

                                                                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 2
                                                                                  • F
                                                                                    foobaNZ last edited by

                                                                                    No Patafilo canes4life? He's been pretty dangerous last few years at NPC level.

                                                                                    How do you rate the younger GB? Haven't seen much of him myself.

                                                                                    Canes4life 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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