Auckland Rugby 2019
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Lock is a position we need to keep an eye on this year.
We've lost Fatialofa, Seu, probably Olmstead, and maybe Lemalu too. And John Akau'ola-Laula probably would've made the team this year if he stuck around, but I think he's staying with Ta$man.
@Dice So front line will be Scrafton and Whetton. Backups may include Jamie Lane, Lyndon Dunshea, Cameron Suafoa, and maybe Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa. Sam Slade and Sam Ulufonua other possibilities.
Would feel a lot more comfortable with Olmstead and Lemalu in there. You'd think that we'd get Tuipulotu for a few games, even if he goes to the World Cup?
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BTW, Suafoa has been playing for the Blues dev team, and @Nogusta had this write-up on him:
Cameron Suafoa also brought in to cover lock/loose forward. Has been training with the Blues the past couple of weeks. Big strong ball running forward, decent lineout option. Member of the winning Akl U19s team in 2017. Was in strong contention for the NZ20s last year but a dislocated shoulder in preseason scuppered that. Counties Manukau were very keen on him this year for Mitre 10 but hes opted to stay in Auckland on a lesser deal.
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@Tim Really liked what Reidlinger-Kapa did at 6 last year, but wish he was a little bit taller though, so he could be a proper lock option. He might be able to pass as a bench lock at NPC level.
Suafoa might be the best lock option off the bench for us this year.
I'm a little hopeful that Lemalu could come back, because I think he was only on a one year deal with Yorkshire Carnegie.
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@Tim Really liked what Reidlinger-Kapa did at 6 last year, but wish he was a little bit taller though, so he could be a proper lock option. He might be able to pass as a bench lock at NPC level.
Suafoa might be the best lock option off the bench for us this year.
I'm a little hopeful that Lemalu could come back, because I think he was only on a one year deal with Yorkshire Carnegie.
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@Dice So front line will be Scrafton and Whetton. Backups may include Jamie Lane, Lyndon Dunshea, Cameron Suafoa, and maybe Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa. Sam Slade and Sam Ulufonua other possibilities.
Would feel a lot more comfortable with Olmstead and Lemalu in there. You'd think that we'd get Tuipulotu for a few games, even if he goes to the World Cup?
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Who is likely to be the hookers this year? Mike Sosene? Kurt Eklund? Any young guns running around club rugby?
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Who is likely to be the hookers this year? Mike Sosene? Kurt Eklund? Any young guns running around club rugby?
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Who is likely to be the hookers this year? Mike Sosene? Kurt Eklund? Any young guns running around club rugby?
@shack Victor Tu'ungafasi (younger brother of Ofa) is an option. Leif Schwenke and Penisoni Fineanganofo both played preseason with Auckland last season but neither have appeared in club rugby yet this year so I don't know whats going on with them.
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@shack Victor Tu'ungafasi (younger brother of Ofa) is an option. Leif Schwenke and Penisoni Fineanganofo both played preseason with Auckland last season but neither have appeared in club rugby yet this year so I don't know whats going on with them.
@Daffy-Jaffy Think Schwenke played at least one club game, but got injured.
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I saw him play fullback for Blues dev. vs Canes dev. He was very good. He made good decisions especially on defence, sometimes repairing others errors. He also put himself about in attack running a lot of support lines and was probably the blues most threatening back (along with Gjatema who was also very good). Ahokovi also scored a very good try beating several tackles on a burst supporting the forwards. Only one game though. We may see more of him for Auckland with Aso gone.
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I saw him play fullback for Blues dev. vs Canes dev. He was very good. He made good decisions especially on defence, sometimes repairing others errors. He also put himself about in attack running a lot of support lines and was probably the blues most threatening back (along with Gjatema who was also very good). Ahokovi also scored a very good try beating several tackles on a burst supporting the forwards. Only one game though. We may see more of him for Auckland with Aso gone.
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@Daffy-Jaffy Has Aso left?
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@Daffy-Jaffy Has Aso left?
@shack Sorry my vince Aso comment was a bit misleading. It was about his season ending injury, although that may only be for the super rugby season? So I guess he could be back for Auckland. The Canes broke him last season as well didn't they?
