Auckland Rugby 2020

[Tim]

Any news on the Auckland squad?

[KiwiMurph]

Squad will be named on Tuesday after health/fitness session on Monday.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/300094379/auckland-coach-alama-ieremia-on-the-shackles-of-lockdown-keep-calm-and-carry-on

[Tim]

Auckland squad will have their one and only pre-season hitout against Hawke’s Bay on September 5

“It is frustrating,” says Ieremia, who adds an experienced coaching crew that includes Sir Graham Henry is helping him deal with his side of the equation. “You need to be flexible and have an open mind around communication and make sure you stay on top of things.

Great to see Henry back this year.

[Canes4life]

Looks like the Auckland squad is here: https://photosportnz.photoshelter.com/gallery/200831-Auckland-Mitre-10-Headshots/G000083.j9pnu49A/0/C0000azGTB7px3Ds
(minus those players in the North vs South match).

[KiwiMurph]

Good to see Zarn Sullivan there.

[Canes4life]

Interesting they have former Canterbury lock Hamish Dalzell in there, along with lock Liam Hallem Eames from Manawatu.

[Tim]

@Canes4life Damn, that's some good internet spotting!

[NateHill74]

@Canes4life what a play, considering teams don't usually like giving away their squad before its been finalised

[Tim]

Interesting to see Tumua Manu in there. When is he off to France?

Assume that Whetton is stuck in Dunedin.

[NateHill74]

@Tim He's probably signed but yeah. couldn't get back into Auckland cause of COVID. He or Auckland put a video of him training in Dunedin for Auckland

[NateHill74]

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[Bovidae]

Joe Royal was at Counties last year wasn't he?

[KiwiMurph]

Some interesting young names there in addition to the more known young names of Sullivan, Funaki and Vikena.

Felix Kalapu - 2019 Blues U20 lock
Joel Cobb - 2018 MAGs winger. RedBull Ignite 7s
Leweni Mocevakaca - 2019 Auckland U19 winger
Manu Paea - 2020 Blues U20 halfback
Terrell Peita - 2020 Blues U20 No.8
Vaiolini Ekuasi - 2020 Blues A loosie
Fatongia Paea - former Auckland U19 prop

[Tim]

Probable team is shaping up:

1 Hodgman
2 Sosene
3 Ta'avao
4 Whetton
5 Scrafton
6 Gibson
7 Choat
8 Riedlinger-Kapa
9 Ruru
10 Plummer
11 Rayasi
12 Faiane
13 Tele'a
14 AJ Lam
15 Trainor

16 Apisai
17 Adams
18 Renata
19 Hallam-Eames/Dalzell
20 Lot of rookies here
21 Tuistala
22 Sullivan but will they go with Hickey?
23 Manu

Loose forwards lack a big ball carrier.

[Tim]

@KiwiMurph said in Auckland Rugby 2020:

Joel Cobb - 2020 MAGs winger. RedBull Ignite 7s

I think Cobb has played for Ponsonby the last two seasons. NZ U20 trialist this year, IIRC.

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Tim Re: lacking a big ball carrying looseforward. He is only 19 y/o but check out Vaiolini Ekuasi below. Terrell Peita is also a very good ball carrying 8 but also very young -

Also if its the same Sione Tuipulotu he is also a number 8 who played for Manawatu last year or he could be the former Melbourne rebels centre by the same name.

[Daffy Jaffy]

Fatongia Paea is quite small for a Loosehead prop but crazy mobile. His best future may be at hooker -

[NateHill74]

@Tim There's A Ioane, and Sotutu, Tu'ungafasi, Ta'avao, R Ioane, Clarke, Tuipulotu also from North vs South

[KiwiMurph]

Fa'atiga Lemalu is back in the country I think - I wonder if he might get named in the squad.

[Tim]

@KiwiMurph What a difference he made to our maul in 2018!