Auckland Rugby 2020

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:

Marcel Renata (went well for the Blues on his old side of the scrum)
Kurt Eklund
Angus Ta'avao (injury?)
Scott Scrafton
Jack Whetton
Blake Gibson
Adrian Choat
Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa
Jonathan Ruru
Harry Plummer
Salesi Rayasi
TJ Faiane
AJ Lam/ Tanielu Telea (injury?)
Joel Cobb
Jordan Trainor
Mike Sosene-Feagai
Jarred Adams
Marco Fepuleai
Max East
Cameron Suafoa
Taufa Funaki
Zarn Sullivan
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.

Tim

Anyone watched Thomas Strachan, the Grammar TEC halfback? He was nominated for Auckland Under 19 Player of year in 2019.

taniwharugby

@Tim is that a case of like father like son? Assuming he is the son of, always great seeing some of these names emerge through club footy and even better when they make the next step too, particularly playing the same position

The Silver Fern

Auckland Rugby 2020