Auckland Rugby 2019
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Leuila did great up in Northland but found it tougher going this weekend
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@African-Monkey Plummer has a torn quad so definitely won't be back this week and probably not for a few weeks. I would start Dan Kirkpatrick with Leuila off the bench. Be nice to get Trainor back too at the back. Tumua Manu for mine goes straight into 13 too if/when he's fit.
@Nogusta Hmm no good thanks for that though. Manu and Trainor also bring more balance to the backline as we're virtually playing with 4 wingers out there. I include Tele'a as a winger as his distribution still needs working on for me. Manu is a far more rounded player at this stage.
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@Nogusta Hmm no good thanks for that though. Manu and Trainor also bring more balance to the backline as we're virtually playing with 4 wingers out there. I include Tele'a as a winger as his distribution still needs working on for me. Manu is a far more rounded player at this stage.
@African-Monkey my thoughts exactly re Tele'a/Manu. His (Tele'a) work at the breakdown not the best for a dude his size.
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@Daffy-Jaffy Would be nice if he's decent enough to give our starting locks some rest, especially Whetton. We obviously don't trust Peter-Chanel Tagaloa enough, as both Lane and Whetton played 80 on the weekend.
Some tough games coming up, so Whetton could be playing some big minutes until the Southland game in round 9. We're going to have to hope for some early blowouts to get him subbed off.
@Dice said in Auckland Rugby 2019:
Would be nice if he's decent enough to give our starting locks some rest, especially Whetton. We obviously don't trust Peter-Chanel Tagaloa enough, as both Lane and Whetton played 80 on the weekend.
Could one of the loosies cover lock? They are probably all slightly too small?
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@Dice said in Auckland Rugby 2019:
Would be nice if he's decent enough to give our starting locks some rest, especially Whetton. We obviously don't trust Peter-Chanel Tagaloa enough, as both Lane and Whetton played 80 on the weekend.
Could one of the loosies cover lock? They are probably all slightly too small?
@Duluth said in Auckland Rugby 2019:
@Dice said in Auckland Rugby 2019:
Would be nice if he's decent enough to give our starting locks some rest, especially Whetton. We obviously don't trust Peter-Chanel Tagaloa enough, as both Lane and Whetton played 80 on the weekend.
Could one of the loosies cover lock? They are probably all slightly too small?
Riedlinger-Kapa could maybe cover lock. He was a lock coming through the ranks, but he'd definitely be on the smaller side for a lock at this level. I probably wouldn't start him at lock, but I think you can get by with him as a bench lock in the M10.
He's taller than Blackwell and he's only a cm shorter than Waikato lock, Tim Bond. I'm sure there are other locks who are around the same height as him in the comp.
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If anyone is interested in buying a 2019 Auckland jersey you can message the Auckland Rugby Facebook page and they'll direct you to the contact to email.
Alternatively if you want the email address - DM me and i'll let you know.
I managed to get mine to ship to Australia so it looks like international shipping is available.
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Auckland B team to play Bay of Plenty (31/08/19):
Note - Jordan Trainor returning at last from his injury at fullback and Mike Sosene-Feagai at reserve hooker, so maybe he did not get make the USA world cup squad?
1.Fatongia Paea (Pakuranga)
2.Michael Lea (Marist)
3.Simi Kata (Marist)
4.Marcel Barnard (unattached)
5.Hau Paea (Mt Wellington)
6.Isi Manu (College Rifles)
7.Adrian Choat (Waitemata)
8.Dylan Lam - Captain (Grammar TEC)
9.Rilloy Suesue (Ponsonby)
10.Johnny Cooper (Ponsonby)
11.Hawaii Ahokovi (Pakuranga)
12.Paul Roache (Ponsonby)
13.Ma'ake Taulahi (College Rifles)
14.Freedom Vaha'akolo (Ponsonby)
15.Jordan Trainor (Ponsonby)
16.Mike Sosene-Feagai (Marist)
17.Marco Fepulea'i (Ponsonby)
18.Aleks Dabek (Ponsonby)
19.Presley Tufuga (Ponsonby)
20.Brad Moyer (Suburbs)
21,TBC (TBC)
22.Matt Storm (Grammar TEC) -
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Thoughts on the season so far? At least we're unbeaten - but I think that's probably the main positive. The team doesn't seem as effective as last year; still mentally tough in hanging in there, but some of the errors on Saturday night were abysmal. Dropping kickoffs is purely mental, and lets the opposition into games.
I think we're good enough for a top 4 spot, but I struggle to see how we're going to beat (say) Ta$man. Reckon we're in with a shot for most others if we show up in the right headspace.
Canterbury this weekend will be a doozy. If we can rock up and dominate in the forwards, all will be well ... but if they get Angry Owen back, things could get interesting out there.
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Thoughts on the season so far? At least we're unbeaten - but I think that's probably the main positive. The team doesn't seem as effective as last year; still mentally tough in hanging in there, but some of the errors on Saturday night were abysmal. Dropping kickoffs is purely mental, and lets the opposition into games.
I think we're good enough for a top 4 spot, but I struggle to see how we're going to beat (say) Ta$man. Reckon we're in with a shot for most others if we show up in the right headspace.
Canterbury this weekend will be a doozy. If we can rock up and dominate in the forwards, all will be well ... but if they get Angry Owen back, things could get interesting out there.
@nzzp said in Auckland Rugby 2019:
Thoughts on the season so far? At least we're unbeaten - but I think that's probably the main positive. The team doesn't seem as effective as last year; still mentally tough in hanging in there, but some of the errors on Saturday night were abysmal.
The forwards are mostly going ok, a couple of issues in the backs are putting us under massive pressure
Rayasi has a huge boot but not that accurate. We are basically playing without quality kicking option in the back 3.
Plummer is missed at ten, his kicking from hand was a work in progress, but it was considerably better than DL.The 9 and 10 are also struggling to get quality ball to the midfield. Ruru/Plummer worked last year and the backline was humming.
I think part of that was Plummer's fast hands made up for Ruru's slow service.. this year Ruru has gone backwards as he is getting more and more frustrated.
I would start Tusitala and Kirkpatrick.The forwards and scramble defence is keeping us in matches
However the 2nd row pairing reminds me of the first half of the Blues season. A good lock at this level (Whetton in the NPC and Tuipulotu at SR) partnered with a physical non-entity.
Compare that to last year: Lemalu did a great job, Whetton, cameos from Tuipulotu & Fatialofa and cover was provided by Olmstead. It's a big step down.Canterbury are big favourites but it's hard to judge where they are at. The season's have been similar apart from the results. Three poor performances and running up a score against one of the worst sides.
I doubt Canterbury will have Franks
The season from here is about limiting damage until people come back from injury and get back in form. Still, we are second and unbeaten despite the injuries and mixed form.
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@nzzp said in Auckland Rugby 2019:
Thoughts on the season so far? At least we're unbeaten - but I think that's probably the main positive. The team doesn't seem as effective as last year; still mentally tough in hanging in there, but some of the errors on Saturday night were abysmal.
The forwards are mostly going ok, a couple of issues in the backs are putting us under massive pressure
Rayasi has a huge boot but not that accurate. We are basically playing without quality kicking option in the back 3.
Plummer is missed at ten, his kicking from hand was a work in progress, but it was considerably better than DL.The 9 and 10 are also struggling to get quality ball to the midfield. Ruru/Plummer worked last year and the backline was humming.
I think part of that was Plummer's fast hands made up for Ruru's slow service.. this year Ruru has gone backwards as he is getting more and more frustrated.
I would start Tusitala and Kirkpatrick.The forwards and scramble defence is keeping us in matches
However the 2nd row pairing reminds me of the first half of the Blues season. A good lock at this level (Whetton in the NPC and Tuipulotu at SR) partnered with a physical non-entity.
Compare that to last year: Lemalu did a great job, Whetton, cameos from Tuipulotu & Fatialofa and cover was provided by Olmstead. It's a big step down.Canterbury are big favourites but it's hard to judge where they are at. The season's have been similar apart from the results. Three poor performances and running up a score against one of the worst sides.
I doubt Canterbury will have Franks
The season from here is about limiting damage until people come back from injury and get back in form. Still, we are second and unbeaten despite the injuries and mixed form.
@Duluth said in Auckland Rugby 2019:
@nzzp said in Auckland Rugby 2019:
Canterbury are big favourites but it's hard to judge where they are at. The season's have been similar apart from the results. Three poor performances and running up a score against one of the worst sides.
Really? I don't think they are favourites at all. The last sentence of this quote says it all. IMO Auckland are easily the favourites for this game, especially because they're playing at home.
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@nzzp said in Auckland Rugby 2019:
Thoughts on the season so far? At least we're unbeaten - but I think that's probably the main positive. The team doesn't seem as effective as last year; still mentally tough in hanging in there, but some of the errors on Saturday night were abysmal.
The forwards are mostly going ok, a couple of issues in the backs are putting us under massive pressure
Rayasi has a huge boot but not that accurate. We are basically playing without quality kicking option in the back 3.
Plummer is missed at ten, his kicking from hand was a work in progress, but it was considerably better than DL.The 9 and 10 are also struggling to get quality ball to the midfield. Ruru/Plummer worked last year and the backline was humming.
I think part of that was Plummer's fast hands made up for Ruru's slow service.. this year Ruru has gone backwards as he is getting more and more frustrated.
I would start Tusitala and Kirkpatrick.The forwards and scramble defence is keeping us in matches
However the 2nd row pairing reminds me of the first half of the Blues season. A good lock at this level (Whetton in the NPC and Tuipulotu at SR) partnered with a physical non-entity.
Compare that to last year: Lemalu did a great job, Whetton, cameos from Tuipulotu & Fatialofa and cover was provided by Olmstead. It's a big step down.Canterbury are big favourites but it's hard to judge where they are at. The season's have been similar apart from the results. Three poor performances and running up a score against one of the worst sides.
I doubt Canterbury will have Franks
The season from here is about limiting damage until people come back from injury and get back in form. Still, we are second and unbeaten despite the injuries and mixed form.
@Duluth said in Auckland Rugby 2019:
However the 2nd row pairing reminds me of the first half of the Blues season. A good lock at this level (Whetton in the NPC and Tuipulotu at SR) partnered with a physical non-entity.
I saw this graphic before the Waikato-Auckland game. Sums up Lane around the field.
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@Duluth said in Auckland Rugby 2019:
However the 2nd row pairing reminds me of the first half of the Blues season. A good lock at this level (Whetton in the NPC and Tuipulotu at SR) partnered with a physical non-entity.
I saw this graphic before the Waikato-Auckland game. Sums up Lane around the field.
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@Bovidae A lock making eight tackles a game? Is he coming off the bench?
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@antipodean Lane starts but often gets replaced in the 2nd half. After watching him live on Sat night he's really only there for his ability in the lineout.
@Bovidae said in Auckland Rugby 2019:
Lane starts but often gets replaced in the 2nd half. After watching him live on Sat night he's really only there for his ability in the lineout.
Correct
The Scrafton broken jaw has meant he needs to start. I suspect this year he was meant to pick up a handful of minutes and try to add some bulk.
He’s not good enough to start. We should consider moving a loosie
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Thoughts on the season so far? At least we're unbeaten - but I think that's probably the main positive. The team doesn't seem as effective as last year; still mentally tough in hanging in there, but some of the errors on Saturday night were abysmal. Dropping kickoffs is purely mental, and lets the opposition into games.
I think we're good enough for a top 4 spot, but I struggle to see how we're going to beat (say) Ta$man. Reckon we're in with a shot for most others if we show up in the right headspace.
Canterbury this weekend will be a doozy. If we can rock up and dominate in the forwards, all will be well ... but if they get Angry Owen back, things could get interesting out there.
@nzzp Yeah we've been pretty average despite being unbeaten. Our backline is all over the place and Ruru and Leuila there means that our outside backs which is full of wingers barely see the thing. Plummer, Trainor and Manu have been badly missed so far as well as Lemalu and Olmstead.
At this rate I'd take a semi final spot and feel we're due a wake up call which I feel could come this Sunday against Canterbury.
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@nzzp Yeah we've been pretty average despite being unbeaten. Our backline is all over the place and Ruru and Leuila there means that our outside backs which is full of wingers barely see the thing. Plummer, Trainor and Manu have been badly missed so far as well as Lemalu and Olmstead.
At this rate I'd take a semi final spot and feel we're due a wake up call which I feel could come this Sunday against Canterbury.
@African-Monkey yep. I'm just catching up on the Waikato game. Forwards did go well, but Ruru and Leiua don't seem a good combo at this level.
Also, last year we kicked all over the backline adn tore teams apart with it - really smart, well weighted kicks. This year it seems so predictable and only 10 and sometimes 9 getting into it. Generally a step backwards regrettably.
Still, if we click, Akira ramps up and we get some players back from injury we could threaten to finish second. I'd take that this season based on our form so far. Setting the bar low, eh
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@African-Monkey yep. I'm just catching up on the Waikato game. Forwards did go well, but Ruru and Leiua don't seem a good combo at this level.
Also, last year we kicked all over the backline adn tore teams apart with it - really smart, well weighted kicks. This year it seems so predictable and only 10 and sometimes 9 getting into it. Generally a step backwards regrettably.
Still, if we click, Akira ramps up and we get some players back from injury we could threaten to finish second. I'd take that this season based on our form so far. Setting the bar low, eh
