Auckland v Northland

[taniwharugby]

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Auckland v Northland:

Northland favorites?

haha, you are kidding right?

[Duluth]

5 or 6 injuries

Head Coach, Alama Ieremia has made numerous forced changes to the team that were victorious over Waikato to move to the top of the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership table last Saturday. Injuries have taken its toll on the team selection this week with Scott Scrafton, Jack Whetton, Adrian Choat, Blake Gibson and TJ Faiane ruled out and Tumua Manu an unlikely starter for the fixture against Northland.  

Angus Ta’avao makes a welcomed return at Tighthead Prop and also strong running Centre, Tanielu Tele’a makes his return from injury for Saturday afternoon.

Soane Vikena and Niko Jones will both gain their first starts of the season after coming off the bench in earlier games this season.

Grammar TEC Lock, Felix Kalapu, Ponsonby Midfielder, William Talataina and Ponsonby Loose Forward, Terrel Peita will be in line for their debut appearance in the Blue and White Hoops for the Saturday afternoon fixture.

Ponsonby Loose Forward, Presley Tufuga will get his first cap of the season at Flanker. Tufuga made one appearance for Auckland in the 2019 season.

Simon Hickey will Captain the side from First-Five in his 56th appearance for the province.

The last meeting between the two teams was in Week 2 of the 2019 Mitre 10 Cup season which saw Auckland close out the game in Whangarei 43-10.

With two rounds to go in the 2020 season, both teams will be working towards a Semi-Final appearance in their respective divisions. Coach Ieremia is mindful of what a tough Northland team can bring to Eden Park.

“We are seeing the effects of a tough competition and squads are going to be tested with injuries. Both Northland and North Harbour have highlighted throughout this season how strong this Blues franchise is.”

Ieremia says there is a buzz around the team this week.

“We have a few players who have been given their opportunity this Saturday. They are eager, but it will be up to them to stand up and showcase the depth that we have in our squad. It has been an exciting week assisting those who have been given their chance” said Ieremia. 

[KiwiMurph]

Really pleased to see some new blood in there.

[Tim]

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Auckland v Northland:

Willie Talataina

Have seen that name for a long time in the club rugby reports!

[taniwharugby]

Auckland still at $1.02 to Northland's $11 H2H.

[African Monkey]

@Tim He played at Southland for a season in 2017. He's also the son of former Kiwis league player Nigel Vagana.

[Nogusta]

@taniwharugby Well worth a lazy 20 on the Tunnies! Both starting AKL midfielders out is a major. New combo against Tua/Ranger...

[ARHS]

Those are huge odds given the lineups named. But, with Northland resting a few, Auckland got that luxury.

[taniwharugby]

@Nogusta this year they only started together briefly in the match v Ta$man when Tua was injured in the 1st half, so havent played together much either.

I cant see anything other than a 13+ win for Auckland unfortunately

[Steven Harris]

@taniwharugby , we should’nt forget if it was’nt for injuries Brady Rush ,Robert Rush ,Johnny Cooper ,Will Grant ,Setafano Funaki and Mason Hohaia ..would not even be in the Match 23 ..so it’s not exactly Northlands number 1 lineup either , No Tom Robinson, Dan Pryor ,Harrison Levine, Temo Mayanvanua , Matt Matich ,Jordon Hyland, Dan Hawkins ,Ross Wright or Blake Hohaia based on selections earlier in the season ..still it’s a good opportunity to see how these young guys front up..still a good Auckland side in my opinion , many in theIr 23 man squad named would walk into either Southland , Manawatu , Counties Manukau or Northland without too much trouble In my opinion ..

[nzzp]

righto, here we go.

Want Auckalnd to get up, and frankly Northland seem to have a mental block about city slickers.

[nzzp]

also, amusingly, Sky Sport Now sent me an email telling me that Auckland were travelling up to Kaikohe for this ... impressive new stadium in Kaikohe

[Dice]

That Rayasi pass to Tuipulotu looked good to me.

[taniwharugby]

and again, our compressed defence leaves our wing exposed

[taniwharugby]

great touch finder by Cooper, then looked like a forward pass by Auckland

[Dice]

Injuries are piling up. Not good leading into the playoffs.

[taniwharugby]

some aimless kicking by Northland and poor handling, agian

[Dice]

Both teams look terrible on attack. Very disjointed.

[taniwharugby]

tough call there I reckon

[taniwharugby]

messy by Auckland as Northland manage to disrupt a maul!