Auckland v Northland

[taniwharugby]

Northland side named.

A few changes again, I think only Goodhue is an injury enforced one.

[Duluth]

Text version is more readable:

1 Jarred Adams, 2 Matt Moulds, 3 Remsy Lemisio, 4 Sam Caird, 5 Liam Hallam-Eames, 6 Rob Rush, 7 Saimoni Uluinakauvadra, 8 Matt Matich, 9 Sam Nock, 10 Rivez Reihana, 11 Heremaia Murray, 12 Rene Ranger, 13 Tamati Tua, 14 Jordan Trainor, 15 Joshua Moorby

Reserves: 16 Jordan Olsen, 17 Robert Cobb, 18 Wilton Rebolo, 19 Allan Craig, 20 Sam McNamara, 21 Lisati Milo-Harris, 22 Daniel Hawkins, 23 Brady Rush

[taniwharugby]

Aside from Mau'u, who appears has simply dropped out of the 23, and arguably one of our form players for 2023, that is probably the best pack we can put out.

A little surprised they didnt give Matt Letoga another run off the bench, typically the Auckland sides bully us in these fixtures, so having a bit more size off the bench would have been my preference.

That is best use of the backs we have available I think, odd that Tama has now dropped behind Brady for that bench spot (he didnt even get on the field last week did he?)

Right now, I think half back is a toss up between Nock & LMH, Nock was superb v HB, but hasnt been that good otherwise, while LMH has been very good (a patch v NH aside) really stepped up in Nocks absence.

[Kirwan]

How's Trainor been going? I'm a fan of his, a throwback to the game when it was for all shapes and sizes ala Terry Wright.

[KiwiMurph]

Auckland finally select a balanced loose forward trio.

[Duluth]

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1 Josh Fusitua, 2 Soane Vikena, 3 Sione Ahio, 4 Edward Annandale, 5 Josh Beehre, 6 Che Clark, 7 Blake Gibson, 8 Vaiolini Ekuasi, 9 Kalani Thomas, 10 Zarn Sullivan, 11 Salesi Rayasi, 12 Harry Plummer, 13 Bryce Heem, 14 AJ Lam, 15 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

Reserves: 16 Leni Apisai, 17 Marcel Renata, 18 Angus Ta'avao, 19 Hamish Dalzell, 20 Niko Jones, 21 Taufa Funaki, 22 Taniela Tele'a, 23 Corey Evans

[taniwharugby]

@Kirwan nothing special, just done his job, although been injured most of the season, started last 2 games I think.

[Duluth]

[Duluth]

@taniwharugby

You're missing your best player from lasts years game

[Duluth]

Expect plenty of bombs. Strong, gusty wind

[Stargazer]

This game is also live on Sky Open.

[Stargazer]

Northland update: Moorby out, Trainor starting at fullback, Rush starting on the wing (I think), don't know who takes the spot on the bench.

[taniwharugby]

@Stargazer Blake Hohaia

[taniwharugby]

messy start

[taniwharugby]

Simple start by Auckland and they take the penalty

[taniwharugby]

nice exit by Zarn

[taniwharugby]

wtf was that Rene

[taniwharugby]

poor decision by Nock

[taniwharugby]

2nd time Nock has leapt the ruck, silly

[taniwharugby]

great defence there by TRainor