Wellington vs Counties Manukau

[Canes4life]

Wellington Lions team to play Counties

1. Xavier Numia
2. James O’Reilly
3. Siale Lauaki
4. Dominic Bird
5. Hugo Plummer
6. Brad Shields
7. Du’Plessis Kirifi ©
8. Keelan Whitman
9. Kyle Preston
10. Aidan Morgan
11. Isi Saumaki
12. Peter Umaga-Jensen *
13. Billy Proctor
14. Losi Filipo
15. Ruben Love
16. Penieli Poasa
17. Cameron Orr
18. Josiah Tavita-Metcalfe
19. Akira Ieremia
20. Dominic Ropeti
21. Kemara Hauiti-Parapara
22. Sam Clarke
23. Riley Higgins

Unavailable for Selection:

Asafo Aumua, Bradley Crichton, Connor Garden-Bachop, Caleb Delany, Chicago Doyle, Pepesana Patafilo, TJ Perenara, Julian Savea, PJ Sheck, Josh Southall, Tjay Clarke, Peter Lakai

[Canes4life]

Lions Look to Lock Away Another Trophy as Counties Come to Town

After an impressive storm week showing, the Wellington Lions are well rested and ready for their next Ranfurly Shield defence, welcoming Counties Manukau to the Capital on Saturday night.

[foobaNZ]

Preston now first choice 9? Good to see.

I liked what I saw from Clarke at 10. Wonder if he'll get more changes.

Presumably though Morgan will be the starting 10 unless he completely bottles a series of games.

[Canes4life]

@foobaNZ I don't mind the rotation, particularly after a storm week.

I just hope those that are unavailable only have minor niggles and dings.

Without seeing the Counties team there is enough experience in this Wellington side across the park to get the job done. We just can't take our eyes off the ball and think we'll win by just turning up, which I'm sure these players won't.

[Winger]

@foobaNZ said in Wellington vs Counties Manukau:

Preston now first choice 9? Good to see.

I liked what I saw from Clarke at 10. Wonder if he'll get more changes.

Presumably though Morgan will be the starting 10 unless he completely bottles a series of games.

My view is Clarke is a much better first than Morgan and I'm unsure what the coaches are doing. Also, I don't think PUJ is suited to 2nd 5. The ball dies with him too much. Although playing outside Morgan can't help.

But what a difference it made with Higgins at 2nd and Clarke at first. WTF does Higgins have to do to get the start. Coaches will drive him away if he doesn't get more game time.

But good to see Preston start. At least they managed to get one out of three (HB 1st 2nd) selections right

And Southall injured again. He had a VG game so shame if injuries stuff his progression up (again). Too many injuries. Whats going on

[mikedogz]

[mikedogz]

Ten years since we last had the shield. Two players in this team were there and three others are in the squad.

[Stargazer]

https://www.steelers.co.nz/steelers-heat/latest/news/pic-steelers-to-face-wellington-on-saturday.html

[Dan54]

@Canes4life Just a question , do you know if Bradley Chicton is related to Scotty in any way?

[Stargazer]

That's the Aidan Morgan we know!

[Canes4life]

The amount of times Morgan and Umaga-Jensen drop the ball cold is shockingly bad. Time to keep starting Clarke and Higgins, who cares if the former are more experienced.

[Canes4life]

Siale Lauaki has been everywhere in this game. Very impressive with ball in hand.

[Canes4life]

Superb rugby by Wellington. Numia with a barnstorming run.

[Steven Harris]

Movie time

[Canes4life]

Another lovely try. Preston under the posts.

[Stargazer]

That started all with Peter U-J. Great run from Filipo and finish from Preston.

[Canes4life]

@Stargazer PUJ is making a habit of running from rucks.

[Stargazer]

That was super stupid from Love, diving on a player on the ground.

[Canes4life]

@Stargazer I think he got a bit over excited there.

[Stargazer]

And that cost Wellington a try to Counties.