Auckland Rugby 2019

[Tim]

@Daffy-Jaffy Any word on who the form players in club rugby are?

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Tim Both Leka and Victor Tu’ungafasi play hooker. One of them also plays prop. I don't know about their form but Leka toured with Auckland to Oz in March. Eden captain Blake Hill played briefly for Auckland a few seasons ago, but not sure if he is rep standard. Ponies legend Joe Royal is still playing but maybe too old now (34). Soane Vikena from Ponies is a prospect but just out of school. Then of course Dillan Halaholo may be the best hooker out there in club rugby but should be no where near any team ever. Sorry not much about form here, Only really watch Ponies play.

[KiwiMurph]

Good to see Zarn Sullivan back at 10 for College Rifles after a few weeks not playing (I assume with injury?)

[Tim]

[Tim]

@KiwiMurph said in Auckland Rugby 2019:

Zarn Sullivan

How old is he, 19?

[Stargazer]

@Tim I think so. He played for NZ Schools in 2018, with mixed success. Went to Napier Boys; spent his last year or last 2 years at Kings' College.

[Nogusta]

Sonny Bill running out for Ponsonby this week I heard?

[Duluth]

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=12243908

So why isn't SBW playing in the Counties competition? The article says that he made the approach to play for Ponsonby.

I presume he didn't rate the quality of games?

[Tim]

I didn't know Auckland had a club rugby podcast.

Auckland Rugby
3 hrs ·

CLUB RUGBY PODCAST - ROUND 1️⃣3️⃣

With the Contenders Group playing in Auckland Rugby colours last night, we talk with Tai on the skill development of those within the environment and the flow-on effect it achieves

LISTEN ️ http://bit.ly/2019ClubPodcastWk13

[Tim]

@Tim The gist of Tai Lavea's comments: players are coming into the squad in better condition than last year, and they have better squad depth - in particular in the midfield, where they were short last year, but are "stacked" this year.

[Tim]

So what's the likely XXIII for Auckland this year? I'm assuming that Nanai, Ioane, Fukofuka, Lemalu, Tuipulotu, Olmstead, Abel, and Sam Prattley​​​​​​​ are unavailable.

1. Hodgman
2. Sosene-Feagai
3. Renata
4. Whetton
5. Scrafton
6. Papalii
7. Gibson (c)
8. Sotutu
9. Ruru
10. Plummer
11. Rayasi
12. Faiane (c)
13. Manu
14. Clarke
15. Trainor
16. Eklund
17. Lindenmuth
18. Fepulea'i
19. Suafoa
20. Riedlinger-Kapa/Choat/Seu
21. Funaki
22. Sullivan
23. Tele'a

[Daffy Jaffy]

Teleni Seu is with Waikato this season. Jarrod Adams and Jamie Lane would make the bench for me. Adams is playing tight head for his club this season so he may be good to cover both sides.

[Tim]

@Daffy-Jaffy I thought Lindenmuth looked pretty good in his start for the Blues.

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Tim I agree, I would have him covering loosehead with Adams battling with Fepulea'i for tighthead bench. Its good that a few of them can play both sides, allows for rotation in those short turn around weeks.

[Daffy Jaffy]

I wonder who else is around for the 'stacked midfield'? Is Vince Aso returning from his injury. I know Viliami Lolohea is playing for Papatoetoe this season.

[African Monkey]

@Daffy-Jaffy Hopefully not. He plays like he's too good for everyone when he comes to Auckland. He does his own thing and tries stupid miracle plays as if he's trying to put together a highlights reel or something. He was one of our worst culprits in 2016-2017.

[Daffy Jaffy]

Ponsonby players that were involved in the preseason game for Auckland this week.

Rilloy Suesue
Sam Ulufonua
Danny Tusitala
Jamie Lane
Paul Roache
Waimana R.K.
Freedom Vaha'akolo
Jonah Ma'u
Aleks Dabek
Of these guys I only see Lane, Riedilnger-Kapa and maybe Vaha'akolo making the final squad.

[KiwiMurph]

@Daffy-Jaffy I imagine Lemeki Namoa is another midfield option

[Duluth]

Club team sheets http://www.aucklandrugby.co.nz/newsarticle/78728

SBW is playing

[booboo]

@Duluth said in Auckland Rugby 2019:

Club team sheets http://www.aucklandrugby.co.nz/newsarticle/78728

SBW is playing

Picture of Gribbley in the background makes me all nostalgic.