Auckland Rugby 2022

[Daffy Jaffy]

Looks like the Ponsonby front row factory is still producing -

[Higgins]

@Daffy-Jaffy Holy crap, looks like some grandads are in for an expensive season ice cream wise for each try, especially the small kid with the affro. Hard to believe he has such beautiful running and stepping skills at such a young age. And there were a good number of others too.

[Steven Harris]

@Tim yes they are ,excellent loose forwards and good in the halves ..will also have Marcel Renata and Taine Plumtree on deck in the forwards

[Tim]

Rather impressive backline for GTEC this weekend!

https://www.sporty.co.nz/asset/downloadasset?id=6c5ad05e-e0cf-43a9-ba4b-3b7a4698859c

[Tim]

Looking like University, Grammar TEC, and Manukau Rovers competing for the title this year.

[Tim]

39 year old John Senio on the bench for Ponsonby this weekend.

[Tim]

Hamdahn Tuipulotu and Aleks Dabek are playing Shute Shield club rugby for the Western Sydney Two Blues this year. Dabek was captain (at number 8 ) for their most recent game.

[Stargazer]

I haven't paid enough attention to the team line-ups in Auckland Club rugby.

I just saw Afa Moleli on the team sheet for University (23). Has he played for that club before (I mean previous weeks) and has anyone seen him play?
He's a really good talent from Napier Boys', mostly playing at 10 or fullback.

[Tim]

@Stargazer said in Auckland Rugby 2022:

Afa Moleli

Looks like he's been playing for the U21 team, and made his debut off the bench against Waitemata on the 15th of May. Got a try assist on debut.

Here he is being interviewed by a familiar face:

14 reactions | When you run on for your first senior premier mens...

When you run on for your first senior premier mens club rugby game at 18 years old for Auckland University Rugby Football Club and your first touch results in a try assist,I can’t see promising...

https://www.sporty.co.nz/asset/downloadasset?id=ba83c16c-12a9-4a09-bbc6-ee3917590290

Some good players in that run on XV - Marcel Renata, Te Ariki Te Puni, Taine Plumtree, Tyrone Elkington, Alfred Nonu, and Sage Shaw Tate.

[Stargazer]

@Tim Hey that's cool! Playing as an 18 yo for the U21 team. Not bad. He wasn't in the Blues U20 team, but has plenty of time. Maybe next year?

[Tim]

@Stargazer Be interesting to see if he plays in the U19 squads later this year.

[Stargazer]

@Tim Do you know, will there be a Jock Hobbs Tournament this year, or has that been canned permanently?

[Tim]

@Stargazer Haven't seen anything. Would be sad if it's not on this year.

[Stargazer]

@Tim Yes, it's a good prep and selection process for the U20s.

Edit: the Jock Hobbs webpage doesn't exist anymore.

[Tim]

Anyone heard anything about who the Auckland coaches will be this year?

[Tim]

https://www.aucklandrugby.co.nz/newsarticle/116497?newsfeedId=1360311

[Tim]

Big game this weekend: the two unbeaten teams, University and Grammar TEC, play at Orakei Domain.

[Nogusta]

@Tim McGrath I think is head coach.

[Tim]

@Nogusta Great news. Should be a title this year then.

[Nogusta]

@Tim in the Blues media release about the re-signing of Choat, Funaki and Evans - 'Auckland coach' Alama Ieremia is quoted commenting on the players. I really hope he isn't back in the mix.