Auckland Rugby 2023
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Auckland rugby posted a short video from the game last night
Also some photos on facebook
https://www.facebook.com/aucklandrugbyunion/posts/1278997006081126@Duluth ha Contenders vs Northland...
Was our HP side which includes contracted players along with a good number of 18/19 year old, which is all the more shame someone wasn't there to report on the game.
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Backline could be good this year:
Funaki
McKenzie
Rayasi
Plummer
Heem
Lam
SullivanAny ideas about the forwards?
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@Tim said in Auckland Rugby 2023:
Any ideas about the forwards?
Hodgman
Vikena
Ta'avao
Beehre
Kalapu?
Ekuasi
Choat
PeitaTuipulotu would be huge for that pack.
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@Tim hard to see , thats pretty much the top 4 we see , the only team that might be a show is G-Tech although Heremaia Murray wont feature anytime soon , he broke his collarbone during his time at the Highlanders during a training session which apparently was way over the top ,sources have told me players have picked serious injuries during these training sessions during the season
Disappointing to hear this
Also Lasati Milo Harris who will have to return to Northland before the cut off time ..
In all honesty , hard to see Manukau geeting beaten but i would not discount Ponsonby , you never know whow they may get back from Super and MLR -
@Tim hard to see , thats pretty much the top 4 we see , the only team that might be a show is G-Tech although Heremaia Murray wont feature anytime soon , he broke his collarbone during his time at the Highlanders during a training session which apparently was way over the top ,sources have told me players have picked serious injuries during these training sessions during the season
Disappointing to hear this
Also Lasati Milo Harris who will have to return to Northland before the cut off time ..
In all honesty , hard to see Manukau geeting beaten but i would not discount Ponsonby , you never know whow they may get back from Super and MLR@Steven-Harris said in Auckland Rugby 2023:
Lasati Milo Harris
pretty sure he was playing Fullback for Moerewa/Kawakawa on the weekend
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Potentially Auckland will have Ioane and Tuipulotu, though I'd much prefer both to be in the ABs.
Questions:
Will Angus Ta'avao be available after his injuries?
Will Tanielu Tele'a have recovered from his?
Is Felix Kalapu sticking with Harbour, or even staying in Perth during the NPC?
Is Vaiolini Ekuasi coming back for the NPC, or is he staying in Melbourne?
Will Hamdahn Tuipulotu be around? How about Blake Gibson?
Any young players ready for a break through year? Maybe Terrell Peita?
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Will expect quite a few squad changes, with departure of some of Ieremea's favourites, and the Aussies. Che Clark and should be in the squad, probably Leo Gordon too. Byron Smith is another possibility (10/15), and Edward Annandale (lock) has been confirmed. Tuitupou and Tangitau to get more game time. Quinton Nichols a chance in the midfield? I'd like to see Ahio and Fusitua get some solid game time.
Last year's players:
Charlie Abel REP [a] - Ieremea pick that will go?
Sione Ahio
Josh Fusitua
Alex Hodgman- France
James Lay
Jordan Lay- Samoa
Sam Lester REP [b]
Marcel Renata
Angus Taʻavao - injured?
Hamdahn Tuipulotu - still in Auckland?Robbie Abel - Ieremea pick that will go?
Leni Apisai
Te Ariki Te Puni REP [c]
Soane VikenaJosh Beehre REP [a]
Hamish Dalzell - still in Auckland?
Felix Kalapu - Harbour/Force?
Jamie Lane
Patrick Tuipulotu - may still go to ABs
Connor Vest- AustraliaAdrian Choat
Vaiolini Ekuasi - Rebels?
Blake Gibson- Hawkes Bay/Japan?
Sam Hainsworth-Fa'aofo REP [a]
Akira Ioane - may still go to ABs
Niko Jones
Terell Peita
Jackson Pugh- AustraliaTaufa Funaki
Manu Paea- Tonga
Sam Wye- Hawkes BaySimon Hickey - is he still playing?
Jock McKenzie
Harry Plummer (c)Pasqualle Dunn REP [a]
Corey Evans
Bryce Heem
Rieko Ioane- ABs
Tanielu Teleʻa - injured?
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
Essendon TuitupouTomas Aoake - still in Auckland?
Caleb Clarke- ABs
Joel Cobb - has he played this year in Auckland?
AJ Lam
Sofai Maka REP [a]
Salesi Rayasi - injured?
Zarn Sullivan
Jordan Trainor- Northland
Caleb Tangitau -
Its Jordan Lay, not James that is in the Samoa squad. I've not heard anything official about the makeup of the coaching group. I wonder if Bates and Hickey are still invilved. I hope they keep Census Johntson as scrum coach. He turned it into a weapon last season.
