NPC - news, injuries etc

[Stargazer]

This Saturday, 13 July, is the first Ranfurly Shield game of the 2019 season. The first of two (?) against a Heartland team.

This is the Otago squad that will play Thames Valley (Wanaka Showgrounds, k/o 2.05pm - Sky Sport 3):

[Stargazer]

Thames Valley team:

NAME – (Caps)
1 Lance Mclntyre (Debut)
2 Glen McIntyre * (18 + 2 NZH= 20)
3 Sitiveni Tupou * (15)
4 Cameron Dromgool * (10) {Blazer Game}
5 Connor McVerry * (27)
6 Brett Ranga * (Captain) (42 + 2 NZH = 44)
7 Frederick Kei (Debut)
8 Matty Axtens (7 BoP)
9 Ben Bonnar * (vc) (27)
10 Reece Boughton * (10)
11 Kieran Lee * (10)
12 Danny Kayes (Debut)
13 Sam McCahon * (18 + 1 NZH= 19)
14 Harry Lafituanai * (18)
15 Jason Laurich (20) {Last game 2014}

Replacements
16 Brooklyn Toia (Debut)
17 Sergio De La Fuente * (6)
18 Lance Easton * (75 + 3 NZH + 3 C-M =81)
19 Sione To’a (Debut)
20 Laulea Mau (Debut)
21 Cole Berridge (Debut)
22 Regan Crosland (Debut)
23 Mathew Abraham * (7)

Total Caps = 310 +11 = 321 First Class Games
*= Meads Cup Final 2019 = 13 players
NZH = New Zealand Heartland XV Caps
BoP = Bay of Plenty Caps
C-M = Counties Manukau Caps

[Smudge]

@Stargazer said in Mitre 10 Cup - news, injuries etc:

This Saturday, 13 July, is the first Ranfurly Shield game of the 2019 season. The first of two (?) against a Heartland team.

This is the Otago squad that will play Thames Valley (Wanaka Showgrounds, k/o 2.05pm - Sky Sport 3):

South Otago midfield there, with Faddes and Matt Whaanga both products of South Otago High School in the Big River Town (aka Balclutha).

Apr 13, 2014

Rugby: SOHS pupil joins exclusive club

Matt Whaanga joined some illustrious company on Saturday with a stunning 60-point haul in a First XV game.

[Tim]

TAB odds. Auckland's are pretty generous, considering their stacked forward pack at NPC level.

[Steven Harris]

Gee Waikato look a great be at $11 ,I am all over that..!

[Canes4life]

@Steven-Harris what does the Waikato 15 look like?

[African Monkey]

@Tim Suprised Canterbury are such overwhelming favourites. They'll always be there or there abouts but they're not looking that strong this year, no better than last year anyway.

[Tim]

@African-Monkey Yeah, I'd expect Ta$man to be pretty strong this year too, so I'm surprised that Canterbury are at such short odds.

[Tim]

@Chris-B What's Ta$man's best XXIII likely to be this season?

[Steven Harris]

@Canes4life

It will be pretty strong line up based on their form from last year and some pretty impressive signings for this year.
This was the team that beat Otago in the championship final last year..I will add in some of their signings

1: Ayden Johnstone
2: Samisoni Taukei’aho
3: Joshua Iosefa-Scott
4: Laghlan McWhannell
5: James Tucker
6: Adam Burn Teleni Seu
7: Mitch Jacobsen
8: Jordan Manihera /Luke Jacobson /All Blacks..?
9: Jack Stratton
10: Fletcher Smith
11: Sevu Reece /All Blacks...?
12: Dwayne Sweeney
13: Quinn Tupaea
14: Tyler Campbell
15: Mathew Landsdown. /Solomon Alaimalo

Reserves: Sekope Lopeti Moli, Toby Smith, Sosaia Fale, Tim Bond, Murray Iti, Kylem O’Donnell, Bailyn Sullivan, Declan O’Donnell

[Stargazer]

@Tim said in Mitre 10 Cup - news, injuries etc:

@Chris-B What's Ta$man's best XXIII likely to be this season?

Based on the signings that I've seen/remember, Ta$man's starting XV could be something like:

1 Atu Moli
2 Andrew Makalio
3 Tyrel Lomax
4 Quinten Strange
5 Pari Pari Parkinson
6 Liam Squire
7 Ethan Blackadder???
8 Jordan Taufua
9 Finlay Christie
10 Mitch Hunt
11 Leicester Fainga'anuku
12 David Havili (c)
13 Alex Nankivell
14 Tima Fainga'anuku
15 Will Jordan

16
17 Wyatt Crockett

You could swap Squire and Taufua. Not sure whether Blackadder plays openside. They might move Taufua there (and then Blackadder at 6); he's played openside before.

A very strong squad.

[Tim]

@Stargazer Think Havili has signed at 7 for them. Strong pack, good team.

[Stargazer]

@Tim As far as Ta$man is concerned, you have to add first names to the name Havili .

If Sione Havili plays openside, Blackadder might end up on the bench, probably rotating with Taufua.

[Canes4life]

@Stargazer Wellington will put something out like this: the fact that I can’t name the whole team is a worry. Walker-Leawere is a huge loss.

1. Numia
2. Aumua
3. Fidow
4. Blackwell
5. ?
6. ? Fifita
7. Kirifi
8. Ben Nicholas
9. Hauiti-Parapara
10. Garden Bachop
11. Lam
12. Umaga-Jensen
13. Umaga-Jensen
14. Goosen
15. Garden-Bachop
16. Apisai
17. Poi
18. ?
19. ?
20. Southall
21. Va’a
22. Renata
23. Proctor

[Tim]

What's the team that Canterbury will roll out?

Ta$man look like favourites so far.

[Stargazer]

@Tim I think Canterbury have lost a few players again this year, but they don't publish their signings, so hard to guess what their starting line-up might look like. Maybe @Chris knows?

[Chris]

@Stargazer @Tim
1.Lienart-Brown
2.Funnell
3.Tokalahi
4.Dunshea
5.Romano
7.Harmon/Todd
6.Prinseep
8.Douglas
9.Drumond
10.Cameron
12.Polihipi
13.Punivai/Ennor
11.????
14.????
15.McKay

Subs
McAlister,Allen,Jager/Williams,Renton,Christie,Enari,Burke,McLeod

Something like this maybe a couple of signings not announced yet

[Stargazer]

@Chris Funnell is off to Japan.

[Chris]

@Stargazer I think after the Mitre10 cup ? if he leaves McAlister will probably start Siataga or Klein on the bench

[Stargazer]

@Chris Oh, yes, that might be. Their competition format has changed.