Auckland Rugby 2025

[brodean]

Wait. Stephen Perofeta has left Taranaki?

That's handy given we've lost Sullivan. A change for Sullivan would do him good. He's never been as good as his first NPC and Super Rugby seasons when he was 20. Been unluck with injury though.

[Duluth]

@brodean said in Auckland Rugby 2025:

Stephen Perofeta has left Taranaki?

Yeah it was announced midway through SR. Wanted to be in Auckland for family reasons

[Duluth]

We might see a Caleb on both wings at some stage. Depending on how long Clarke is injured and if he needs game time

[Steven Harris]

@Daffy-Jaffy King Maxwell was offered to Harbour as a loan player but Habour declined the player they wanted was Haryln Saunoa I have heard he’s got a contract in from of him from Auckland

[Daffy Jaffy]

@brodean Sullivan moving will also hopefully mean much needed experience and game time for Peyton Spencer. Plus Norris and Morrison are exciting prospects who may get a chance.

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Steven-Harris Oh I forgot Saunoa - added.

[Duluth]

@Steven-Harris said in Auckland Rugby 2025:

Haryln Saunoa I have heard he’s got a contract in from of him from Auckland

I haven't had time to keep up with the u20's. How has he been going?

[Steven Harris]

@Duluth Saunoa came off the bench in the first game against Italy unfortunately the game itself wasn’t the greatest in terms of viewing

The 2nd he started against Georgia , got a brace in that game 2 brilliant finishes that saw him go airborne
Certainly knows how to finish
Was’nt in the squad for the game against Ireland

[Duluth]

[Kiwidom]

@Duluth Ah that explains why the squad is so large

[Kirwan]

Can you imagin listening to a Podcast with this guy and Robertson?

[KiwiMurph]

I'd much rather see a young squad play than a bunch of journeymen finish mid-lower table. Looking forward to it.

[African Monkey]

@KiwiMurph said in Auckland Rugby 2025:

I'd much rather see a young squad play than a bunch of journeymen finish mid-lower table. Looking forward to it.

Dead right. Couldn't care less where they come on the table, but at least bring some guys through for the Blues, not clog the side up with Australians, journeymen Pacific Island international players, and fringe super rugby globetrotters like Leni Apisai etc.

[Duluth]

@African-Monkey said in Auckland Rugby 2025:

at least bring some guys through for the Blues

Guys like Spencer and Taele need to be playing often

I wan to see the young loosies get a decent crack: Clark, Hainsworth-Fa'aofo, Vai etc

The Blues have room for new blood on the wing too

[Duluth]

Anyone know much about the new players. Cohen Norrie seems to be rated highly?

[antipodean]

Can Bates coach? I expected a much better NPC than what they served up last year.

[Duluth]

@antipodean

Not sure

Forwards were ok last year. Backs were a mess. Poorly selected and Jono Hickey couldn't get the attacking structure working

At least there's been a change to the selection policy of the outside backs

[taniwharugby]

Bates was U20s coach last year wasnt he?

Which TBF in Auckland, would seem like it should be a pretty easy gig with the young talent at his disposal, its getting the right ones, and keeping them would be a huge issue for Auckland.

I believe he was key to retaining Hainsworth-Fa'aofo who is obviously highly rated.

[Bovidae]

@Duluth said in Auckland Rugby 2025:

Anyone know much about the new players. Cohen Norrie seems to be rated highly?

I would liken Norrie to Stanley Solomon. Quick, elusive but not that tall.

[Duluth]

@taniwharugby said in Auckland Rugby 2025:

its getting the right ones, and keeping them

Which is why the selection policy last year was so bad. Putting an emphasis on experience meant picking a lot of players past their best

In particular the outside backs where you should be taking chances on younger men