Taranaki v Auckland
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Auckland v Taranaki
James Lay (University)
Leni Apisai (Ponsonby)
Marcel Renata (University)
Scott Scrafton (Grammar TEC)
Jack Whetton (Grammar TEC)
Adrian Choat (Waitemata)
Blake Gibson (Ponsonby)
Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa (Ponsonby)
Taufa Funaki (Marist)
Harry Plummer (Grammar TEC)
Salesi Rayasi (Marist)
TJ Faiane © (Pakuranga)
Tumua Manu (College Rifles)
AJ Lam (Grammar TEC)
Jordan Trainor (Ponsonby)Soane Vikena (Ponsonby)(DEBUT)
Jarred Adams (Suburbs)
Marco Fepulea’i (Ponsonby)
Hamish Dalzell (College Rifles)
Niko Jones (Waitemata)(DEBUT)
Jonathan Ruru (University)
Simon Hickey (Grammar TEC)
Tanielu Tele’a (Marist)Auckland travel to Inglewood for their Round 5 clash with Championship team Taranaki this Saturday afternoon.
Head Coach, Alama Ieremia has made various changes to the 23 travelling to New Plymouth. The Blue and White Hoops will be on the road for the second week in a row after their 20-16 victory over Bay of Plenty in Rotorua. Ieremia has taken some lessons from his team’s implementation on the field last Friday.
“This week we have another away fixture that will test us. At times last week we played some good rugby, but we know we could’ve executed a lot better in other areas” said Ieremia.
Two Auckland Rugby Academy graduates will be given their chance off the bench this Saturday in Taranaki. Ponsonby Hooker, Soane Vikena and Waitemata Loose Forward, Niko Jones will be in line for their Auckland debut for Saturday’s fixture.
Harry Plumer will move into the first-five position while Simon Hickey will be hoping to inject some energy from the bench later in the game.
Marist Utility Back, Taniela Tele’a will make his first appearance of the season for the Blue and White’s in the 23 jersey. Salesi Rayasi has been named on the left wing after scoring both of Auckland’s trys in their victory over The Steamers.
Head Coach, Alama Ieremia will be looking for a full 80-minute performance and is aware of what Taranaki can bring to the table.
“We are facing an injured Bulls team who will be hurting from last week and we all know what happens when you deal with an angry Bull. The team is excited about the challenge and it’s an opportunity for some players to express their skills – we need to be better than last week.”
Kickoff is at 2:05pm on Saturday from TET Stadium, Taranaki.
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Does Choat and Gibson work?
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@ACT-Crusader Nah, not on attack anyway. Our loose trio lacks a bit of punch now with Ioane and Sotutu going into the ABs setup. Having said that, we don't really have a choice atm so they're kind of put there together by default.
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@African-Monkey I’ve been pretty impressed with Choat defence and work at the tackle. SRA and NPC so far has unearthed some very good loose forwards.
But neither Gibson and Choat really carry much but are more about helping to secure attacking ball.
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Good to see Tele’a back, the cover looks a lot better with him there.
Although I do want Sullivan to get some meaningful game time at some stage. Auckland are running out of chances to do that (maybe against Northland? Ta$man, NH, Waikato, Canterbury are the other matches)
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1 Reuben O'Neill, 2 Ricky Riccitelli 3 Ben May, 4 Kaylum Boshier, 5 Findlamor Hoeata, 6 Mitchell Crosswell, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 8 Pita Gus Sowakula, 9 Warwick Lahmert, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 11 Lewis Ormand, 12 Daniel Waite, 13 Sean Wainui, 14 Jacob Raumaitayuki-Kneepkens, 15 Jayson Potroz
Reserves: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Chris Gawler, 18 Donald Brighouse, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Mitchell Brown, 21 Lisati Milo Harris, 22 Codey Rei, 23 Lukas Halls
