Auckland Rugby 2022

[Tim]

@Daffy-Jaffy I wouldn't play Jones, but I suspect the coach might. Would be good to see Kalapu get a run.

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Tim With playing Manawatu Wednesday next week and then Southland the next Sunday we should see a good number of the squad get a run over the first few games.

[Daffy Jaffy]

Two additions to the coaching group -
The Auckland Rugby coaching group welcomes two new additions to the 2022 make-up. Census Johnston joins as Scrum Coach after coaching experience with Manu Samoa and in France. Census has come back to take on development of the scrum capabilities of the NPC and Auckland Rugby Academy players.

Jono Hickey joins the Auckland squad in a coaching capacity. The former Auckland Halfback who racked up 32 caps in the Blue and White Hoops will take on the attack coaching role. Hickey will join brother Simon in the NPC campaign after several years coaching Auckland Bs and Under 19s.

[Duluth]

The quality of the season will depend on how well those locks go. Also Auckland need one of the larger loosies to get up to speed quickly and form a trio with Choat and Gibson

Front row is pretty good at this level. Plenty of options in the backs. Although I hope Heem doesn't get injured because the depth at 13 isn't great

Looking forward to seeing Vikena kick on after some solid SR cameos

[African Monkey]

I'm really excited to see Vailoni Ekuasi in this campaign. He's a special talent from what I've seen of him and in Auckland, we know how to produce quality 6s and 8s. Another one from the production line.

[Duluth]

@African-Monkey

A back row of Choat/Peita/Ekuasi after the inevitable Gibson injury?

[Tim]

@Duluth Ekuasi covers 7 too, so that might have good balance.

[Tim]

Marco Fepulea'i seems to have fallen out of favour, but he was pretty handy at tighthead - where depth could be a concern.

[KiwiMurph]

@African-Monkey said in Auckland Rugby 2022:

I'm really excited to see Vailoni Ekuasi in this campaign. He's a special talent from what I've seen of him and in Auckland, we know how to produce quality 6s and 8s. Another one from the production line.

He looked really promising in the limited games Auckland played last year in NPC and also for Blues preseason earlier this year.

Could be some good clashes in the loose forwards on Saturday with Suafoa presumably lining up for Harbour.

[Tim]

@KiwiMurph Yeah, Suafoa played at 8 in the last preseason game, and him vs. Ekuasi could be a cracker.

[Daffy Jaffy]

@Tim Marco has transferred from LA Giltinis to Colomeirs Rugby in French D2.

[Nogusta]

@Tim Heem injured his knee against Hawkes Bay and could be out for a few weeks. James Lay tore his hammy and is out for 6-8 weeks. Sounding like the Aussie pair of Pugh at no.8 and Connor Vest at lock will be starters in the pack.

[Nogusta]

@Tim Suafoa is injured and will be out for the first week at least

[Tim]

@Nogusta Damn, who is centre cover?

[KiwiMurph]

@Tim said in Auckland Rugby 2022:

@Nogusta Damn, who is centre cover?

Lam played centre last week

[African Monkey]

@Duluth I would hope so, unless they slide Niko Jones in there somewhere?

[Duluth]

Try scoring highlights from one of the semi finals

7.6K views · 107 reactions | See all the best bits from Semi Final 1...

See all the best bits from Semi Final 1 of Goodyear Tyres NZ Club Rugby between Ponsonby Rugby Club and Grammar TEC Rugby Club Inc. See all the best bits from Semi-Final 1 of the Gallaher Shield...

[Duluth]

Club rugby teams: link

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Gallaher Shield final

This game is on SS1 4:30pm on Saturday

[Dice]

Congrats to Manukau on winning the Gallaher Shield.

[nzzp]

@Dice said in Auckland Rugby 2022:

Congrats to Manukau on winning the Gallaher Shield.

Bloody good game to watch, great fun