Auckland Rugby 2020

[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

[Tim]

Possible Auckland XXIII:

1. Marcel Renata (went well for the Blues on his old side of the scrum)
2. Kurt Eklund
3. Angus Ta'avao (injury?)
4. Scott Scrafton
5. Jack Whetton
6. Blake Gibson
7. Adrian Choat
8. Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa
9. Jonathan Ruru
10. Harry Plummer
11. Salesi Rayasi
12. TJ Faiane
13. AJ Lam/ Tanielu Telea (injury?)
14. Joel Cobb
15. Jordan Trainor
16. Mike Sosene-Feagai
17. Jarred Adams
18. Marco Fepuleai
19. Max East
20. Cameron Suafoa
21. Taufa Funaki
22. Zarn Sullivan
23. Lemeki Namoa

[Cpt Kumera]

@Tim him and jordan are back. Got released

[Tim]

@Cpt-Kumera Are they going to play for the Bay?

[Stargazer]

@Tim said in Auckland Rugby 2020:

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

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

Where's Papali'i going?

[Tim]

@Stargazer Counties Manukau. Joining his old Saint Kentigern College coach, Lavea, there.

[Tim]

Anyone know if Auckland is going to name a dev squad for this season?

[Duluth]

https://www.aucklandrugby.co.nz/newsarticle/92635?newsfeedId=972103

Zarn Sullivan playing fullback for his club. I wouldn't be surprised to see him get game time there for Auckland.

[Dice]

@Duluth Andrew Makalio and Isi Tu'ungafasi playing for Grammar TEC. And Fetuli Paea playing for Marist.

Not liking that Marist has been playing Funaki at 10 the last couple of weeks. He needs to be playing 9 every week.

[Tim]

Nepia Fox-Matamua back for Varsity too.

[Tim]

@Dice said in Auckland Rugby 2020:

Andrew Makalio and Isi Tu'ungafasi playing for Grammar TEC

Front row battle in that game should be good.

Any wraps on Tovo Faleafa?

[Tim]

Grammar TEC had a big win over Ponsonby, 47 - 24.