Northland vs. Auckland

[African Monkey]

@Dice Hope to see Sotutu pushed up to the 2nd row when Papali'i comes on.

[Dice]

@African-Monkey Not sure if the coaches will want to move Sotutu with his ability off the back of the scrum.

I wouldn't mind Riedlinger-Kapa seeing a bit of time at lock in the 2nd half. He's not lock-tall, but he's a decent lineout option and was really putting pressure on the Harbour lineout last week.

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Dice I've never known Sototu to play lock. Also reserve lock is covered by Peter-Chanel Tagaloa on debut. He is not super tall but 119kgs and impressed me with his physicality the couple of times i've seen him play, so it will be good to see how he goes off the bench.

[African Monkey]

Sotutu played a bit off the bench there last year. I know he lacks the height but it's his ability to shift bodies in the tight that becomes an advantage (unless he's lost that ability).

[Daffy Jaffy]

From the Northland thread:

Northland team to face Auckland

Isileli Tu'ungafasi (Mid Northern)

Jordan Olsen (Mid Northern)

Corey Te Whata-Colley (Western Sharks)

Temo Mayanavanua (Waipu)

Josh Goodhue (Kamo)

Sam McNamara (Waipu)

Matt Matich (Western Sharks)

Jaycob Matiu (Hora Hora)

Sam Nock (Kerikeri)

Dan Hawkins (OBM)

Pisi Leilua (Waipu)

Matt Johnson (OBM)

Scott Gregory (Hikurangi)

Jordan Hyland (Wellsford)

Jack Debreczeni (Eastern)

REPLACEMENTS

Paddy Jo Atkins (Wellsford)

Ross Wright (Wellsford)

Jack Straker (Kamo)

Sam Caird (OBM)

Jarod Brynes (OBM) Debut

Will Grant (Hora Hora) Debut

Blake Hohaia (Kamo)

Renata Roberts-Te Nana (OBM)

Unavailable due to Injury

Tamati Tua
Tom Robinson
Rene Ranger
Aorangi Stokes
Harrison Levien
Kane Jacobson

.

[DrivingMaul]

Looking forward to being at this game, look out for my post match interviews

[Nogusta]

@DrivingMaul are the Bs playing beforehand?

[nzzp]

@DrivingMaul said in Northland vs. Auckland:

Looking forward to being at this game, look out for my post match interviews

Great work fella, wish I was up there watching live

[J77]

Auckland B beat Northland B 40-5.

Couple of late changes just announced for Auckland. Blake Gibson and Harry Plummer out. Choat and Deangelo Someone-a-rather into the starting lineup.

[nzzp]

Ref and TMO just bottled it I reckon. Auckland winger hits the ball ahead wtih his legs, then gets absolutely smoked ina tackle. Never held the ball, but ref rules play on.

Wrong call for me

[Dice]

Decent start by Leuila so far.

[nzzp]

Good try to Whetton

[Machpants]

Lots of no arms tackles around too

[Dice]

@nzzp Deserved it. He's been good.

[nzzp]

@Dice said in Northland vs. Auckland:

Decent start by Leuila so far.

Jinxing him, but a really good kick ther

[nzzp]

Nock threw an absolute peach of a pass, hard cutout, but unfortunately the Taniwha couldn't take it.

Bounced up, Try auckland - caleb clarke. Long way back already, 12-3 kick to come

[African Monkey]

Ruru going well as is Leuila so far.

[nzzp]

@African-Monkey said in Northland vs. Auckland:

Ruru going well as is Leuila so far.

Agree

Good try to Jamie Lane ... hard pick and goes do work

[Dice]

Geez, Leuila is having a dream start.

[African Monkey]

@Dice It's funny because yes it's only his 2nd game at this level, but like Tusitala last week, they've both played club rugby for 5+ years and played a number of tests for Samoa as well so they've both served long apprentiships.