Auckland Rugby 2020

[Duluth]

Round 3 team sheets: pdf link

[NateHill74]

Noticed Freedom Vaha'akolo playing for Dunedin club side Dunedin. Possible transfer move?

[Tim]

@NateHill74 Interesting. Might also be there in the Highlanders wider squad?

[Dice]

@Tim said in Auckland Rugby 2020:

https://www.superrugby.co.nz/news/club-rugby-to-have-a-super-flavour-this-weekend/

Other Blues players set to feature for their club on Saturday are Aaron Carroll (Mt Maunganui), Ezekiel Lindenmuth (Ardmore Marist) and Jack Heighton (East Coast Bays). Tamati Tua, Luteru Tolai and Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa are also available but their clubs weren’t known at the time of publication.

Moved to Counties Manukau?

Looks like it.

Lavea going to Counties is probably the worst thing that could've happened to us. He could decimate our depth in a couple of seasons. If he went to any team outside of Counties/Harbour, he'd have a harder time to do that.

[Tim]

[Dice]

It seems Ponsonby are just well ahead of everyone else this season. Not too surprised with the team they have.

It'll be interesting to see how Eden go against them this week. If Eden can't give them a challenge, then I can't see who else can.

[Duluth]

Auckland club rugby team sheets: pdf link

It looks like Trainor is the only SR player

Does anyone have an opinion on Thomas Strachan? Is he a chance of making the Auckland side? I see he's getting a run ahead of Jono Hickey

[Nogusta]

@Duluth ex SR player?

[Duluth]

@Nogusta

Yeah, I forgot he wasn't in this years squad

The Highlanders should give him a call

[Nogusta]

@Duluth yea they could do worse than have him in there!

[Tim]

Any news on Adrian Choat? I see that he is England qualified ...

[Tim]

James Lay packed down at tighthead prop for University on Saturday. Is his contract with Bristol up?

[Tim]

Max East is back for Pakuranga, might be a lock option for Auckland. Jamie Lane hasn't played for Ponsonby this year, and Dunshea is off to Counties.

Nathaniel Apa is still trying to make the Auckland squad it seems.

[Duluth]

@Tim said in Auckland Rugby 2020:

Any news on Adrian Choat? I see that he is England qualified ...

Pretty sure he was still expected to come back to Auckland after his time with Bristol. They list him as "released" as opposed to transferred to another UK club

[Tim]

Solofa Silipa (wing/midfield) and Hawaii Ahokovi (wing) are a couple of other squad possibilities.

[Tim]

From last year's squad looks like the following players are gone:

Robbie Abel
Rob Cobb
Ezekiel Lindenmuth
Lyndon Dunshea
Dalton Papalii
Tumua Manu

Also, Freedom Vahaakolo is in the Otago training squad

https://www.sporty.co.nz/asset/downloadasset?id=1601617f-b93c-479b-ae82-e36f5b0b8635

[Tim]

Any news on the injuries to Tele’a and Ta'avo?

[Bovidae]

@Tim Cobb looks to have stayed in the Waikato, as he is playing for Hamilton Old Boys. He will be a good addition to the Waikato NPC squad.

[Tim]

Wondering if Eklund will play for Auckland this year?

[Tim]

If Rugbypass is on the money, then Auckland will lose the following players to the AB squad, and maybe Ta'avo too.

Alex Hodgman
Ofa Tu’ungafasi
Patrick Tuipulotu
Akira Ioane
Hoskins Sotutu
Rieko Ioane
Caleb Clarke