Otago v Auckland

[Duluth]

@KiwiMurph said in Otago v Auckland:

Hickey is ok for now but i'd like to see Sullivan given his chance as well - i'd hate to see his path blocked by a journeyman like Hickey.

Yeah it'll be interesting to see where/when the introduce him. Maybe he gets a run at fullback before ten

[Dice]

@KiwiMurph said in Otago v Auckland:

Hickey is ok for now but i'd like to see Sullivan given his chance as well - i'd hate to see his path blocked by a journeyman like Hickey.

With no Rayasi or Sullivan in the 23, it means Plummer or Hickey are covering fullback. I would've at least got one of Rayasi or Sullivan in the 23.

[Daffy Jaffy]

I am pleased to see Lam getting a start. I think the Blues should be looking at him for the centre / wing position that Marchant covered last season. I hope he develops well through this comp.
It will also be interesting to see how Jarrod Adams goes after his super rugby experience with the Sunwolves. He has already done well to get picked for match day out of a squad of 8 props!

[Kiwiwomble]

@macmanus said in Otago v Auckland:

Aoina
2 Coltman
3 Hohneck
4 Tucker
5 Hill
6 Manu
7 McDowall
8 Nel
9 Hammington
10 Ioane
11 Nareki
12 Tomkinson
13 Timu/Aleki Morris-Lome
14 Vaahakolo
15 Collins

1 Aoina
2 Coltman
3 Hohneck
4 Tucker
5 Hill
6 Manu
7 McDowall
8 Nel
9 Hammington
10 Ioane
11 Nareki
12 Tomkinson
13 Collins
14 Vaahakolo
15 Koroi

my team only slightly different, Koroi's boot for exit plays might take some pressure of J'oane

[Tim]

@Dice Hasn't Clarke covered fullback ocassionally in the past? Maybe for Marist?

[Duluth]

The All Blacks have been handed another injury concern, with Patrick Tuipulotu ruled out of Auckland's Mitre 10 Cup opener against Otago this weekend.

Tuipulotu has been ruled out of Saturday afternoon's clash with an Achilles problem, though Auckland coach Alama Ieremia says it is a precautionary move.

"[It's] a little bit niggly with his Achilles so we'll just try and manage that for ourselves and the All Blacks."

[Dice]

@Tim I don't remember him ever covering fullback before, and definitely not for Marist since he's never played for them before. Are you mixing him up with Rayasi? Rayasi has played fullback for Marist a number of times.

[Tim]

@Dice Maybe!

[Kiwiwomble]

Koroi on Clarke....hope Korio's been working the big tackle bag

[African Monkey]

@Dice @Tim Clarke has played fulback for Suburbs in the past.

[KiwiMurph]

For those who want to see the team in text form

Otago: Michael Collins (c), Vilimoni Koroi, Josh Timu, Aleki Morris-Lome, Jonah Nareki, Josh Ioane, Kayne Hammington, Dylan Nel, Slade McDowall, Charles Elton, Will Tucker, Josh Hill, Josh Hohneck, Liam Coltman, Josh Aoina. 

Reserves: Ricky Jackson, George Bower, Hisa Sasagi, Jack Regan, Nasi Manu, James Arscott, Patelesio Tomkinson, Freedom Vaha’akolo.

[Kiwiwomble]

im just a bit worried Collins wont have the wheels for cover some of the Auckland backs if they make a break where Koroi would and although small at least he might make the ground for an attempt

cant see us kicking it much, maybe try for a lot of possession and grind away

[Bones]

@KiwiMurph an overload of Josh's, plus a sprinkling of Charles, Liam, George. It's like it's the Windsor XV.

[Kiwiwomble]

@Bones hadn't noticed...why was Josh such a popular name in the late 90's early 00's?

[KiwiMurph]

@Kiwiwomble said in Otago v Auckland:

@Bones hadn't noticed...why was Josh such a popular name in the late 90's early 00's?

Kronfeld obviously....

[Bones]

@KiwiMurph oh so not...

[African Monkey]

Also, why is Simon Hickey in the squad? Can we loan him out to Counties or Southland or something like that and have Zarn Sullivan on the bench instead?

[KiwiMurph]

@African-Monkey Hickey isn't even the best first-five from his school in this game....

[Bovidae]

So Bower makes the bench for the SI team but doesn't start for Otago?

[Kiwiwomble]

@Bovidae maybe he hadn’t had as much time with the squad, saders then N v S