Auckland v Manawatu

[Duluth]

For those the prefer text:

1 Ben Ake, 2 Leni Apisai, 3 Angus Ta'avao, 4 Hamish Dalzell, 5 Sione Tuipulotu, 6 Che Clark, 7 Niko Jones, 8 Akira Ioane (c), 9 Taufa Funaki, 10 Jock McKenzie, 11 Salesi Rayasi, 12 Taniela Tele'a, 13 Corey Evans, 14 Caleb Tangitau, 15 Peyton Spencer

Reserves: 16 Joe Royal, 17 Sam Lester, 18 Marcel Renata, 19 Kalin Felise, 20 Vaiolini Ekuasi, 21 Pele Cowley, 22 Leo Gordon, 23 Joel Cobb

[Duluth]

First Auckland game for Tele'a since the 2020 final (injuries, covid lockdowns & a couple of games for Counties in between)

Clark has looked good off the bench this year. Looking forward to seeing how him, McKenzie and Spencer go

Pleased to see Evans at 13. Heem has had a slight dip in form. Evans could force his way into the top xv

Who is covering ten?

I presume Annandale is injured? Anyone know how serious it is?

[george33]

Covering 10 Evans /Spencer would b my guess

[African Monkey]

Always exciting to see some youngsters get a run. Che Clark looks the goods, deserves a start.

[Bovidae]

Did Payton play any Auckland club rugby? While I agree he is the likely 1st 5 cover, the last time I remember him playing there regularly was as a yr 11 in the 2nd XV.

[Duluth]

[Stargazer]

[Duluth]

The text version:

1 Joseph Gavigan, 2 Andrew Quattrin, 3 Sean Paranihi, 4 Ofa Tauatevalu, 5 Josh Tuala, 6 TK Howden, 7 Johnny Galloway, 8 Terrell Peita, 9 John Poland, 10 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 11 Taniela Filimone, 12 James Tofa, 13 Kegan Christian-Goss, 14 Waqa Nalaga, 15 Nehe Milner-Skudder

Reserves: 16 Raymond Tuputupu, 17 Malakai Hala-Ngatai, 18 Cole Keith, 19 Johan Momsen, 20 Julian Goerke, 21 Jordi Viljoen, 22 Beaudein Waaka, 23 Pena Va'a

---

So quite a few missing from their top side

Peita starts against his team mates. He was in the squad up until two weeks ago

The player/coach gets a start at fullback

[Canes4life]

Awesome to see Waga Nalaga back from injury. He's one I'm sure many Super sides will be looking at, not the biggest of wingers but give him some space and he can cut teams apart.

[Stargazer]

@Canes4life Yeah, keen to see how he goes at this level.

By the way, I find it confusing that his name changes back and forth from Waqa Nalaga to Epeli Waqa. Anyway, I read recently (don't know whether it's true) that he is the younger brother of Napolioni Nalaga, who's had a pretty good career; and another brother Inoke, who plays for Agen, and all with a father Kavekini Nalaga, who's played for Fiji at the 1987 RWC.

[Bovidae]

@Stargazer Good that you cleared that up. I was going to ask if it was the same player. He looked dangerous for the NZ U19s.

[Stargazer]

[Duluth]

That maul looks ominous for Manawatu

[Duluth]

Nice touch Spencer

Both midfielders have been good

[African Monkey]

Manawatu in. Auckland discipline has been poor.

[Duluth]

Clark should’ve done better

[Stargazer]

TK Howden has been really good.

[Stargazer]

There he is! Great try.

[African Monkey]

Manawatu in again, and again, Auckland's discipline letting them down.

[Steven Harris]

Thats an excellent try by the Turbos