Auckland Rugby 2023
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@Steven-Harris I agree. The two players who lost out to those Aussie journeymen ended up getting Australian Super gigs and both looked comfortable at that level. (Ekuasi and Kalepu). I will be very grumpy if Riley Williams misses out on the squad. Especially as I already suspect the Japanese HB from Eden may also be in the team. I think maybe they panicked looking for halfbacks after loosing Sam Wye to Hawkes Bay and Manu Paea to the Tongan world cup team. Thomas looks a good player but it's still wrong. NPC's job should be to develop our next group of potential pro players, not Aussies. Next thing we will see the likes of Riley in another super teams academy!
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@Steven-Harris I agree. The two players who lost out to those Aussie journeymen ended up getting Australian Super gigs and both looked comfortable at that level. (Ekuasi and Kalepu). I will be very grumpy if Riley Williams misses out on the squad. Especially as I already suspect the Japanese HB from Eden may also be in the team. I think maybe they panicked looking for halfbacks after loosing Sam Wye to Hawkes Bay and Manu Paea to the Tongan world cup team. Thomas looks a good player but it's still wrong. NPC's job should be to develop our next group of potential pro players, not Aussies. Next thing we will see the likes of Riley in another super teams academy!
@Daffy-Jaffy spot with your last coms re the halfbacks
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Photosport has a few of the profile pics
photosport.nz/gallery/230717-Auckland-NPC-Players/G0000SEGzw5al0tw/C00001CrGsILaomM
Confirmation of Kalani Thomas & Edward Annandale
Leka Tu'unagafasi another new addition
Ta'avao
James Lay
Fusitua
Renata
Ahio
L Tu'unagafasiVikena
Annandale
Tuipulotu
Dalzell
BeehreGibson
Jones
Peita
EkuasiFunaki
ThomasMcKenzie
Evans
RTS
Tele'aCobb
RayasiSullivan
Probably another ~10 names to be added? (Plummer, Choat, Ioane, Heem, Lam etc)
Also I think previous years they took profile pics of people who were not in the full squad
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@Tim Warning - Check the Edit to my last post.
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@Daffy-Jaffy yeah, looks dodgy, and no mention of it on Auckland Rugby social media.
@Tim The link is on Varsity Facebook but in the comments. I think i will remove it from here. Auckland facebook has streamed the final the last few seasons but there is no info on their page right now.
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@Tim Faletoi Peni ,best 12 in the Auckland club comp
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Manukau Rovers are the 2023 Gallagher Shield champions going back to back in what was an intense pulsating final played at Waitemata Park defeating a very game Auckland University Rugby team who it’s fair to say had Rovers measure for a good part of the contest.
But as well all know it’s an 80 minute contest and more importantly as we headed into the last quarter the influence of the bench may have proved the ultimate difference.University head coach Jason McLean would have have been pleased with the start his charges made disrupting the Rovers set piece at scrum time and line-out especially
It was from a resulting penalty after 16 minutes which saw University win a line-out deep in the 22 , a rampaging Nathan Harris finding his way to the line and first five Christian Stenhouse adding the extras to see Varsity up 7-0Rovers ability to get the ball wide was displayed to ruthless effect 5 minutes later when an excellent Faletoi Peni pass which got the ball to the outsides ,stretching the University defence before hard working lock Fano Funaki found himself in the right place to touch down to bring the score back to 7-5 to University
Despite both sides creating opportunities before the halftime break both sides will fail to capitalise on opportunities , Manukau turning down 2 kickable penalties only to lose the line-outs close to the line and University spilling passes close to the line when looking likely.
University started the 2nd half in the best possible way with tough No 8 Uini Fetalaiga forcing his way over close to the posts , the try coming on the back of a brilliant break through the midfield Solofa Silipa finding winger Xavi Taele who was cut down 5 metres out , Varsity keeping their heads with a series of drives before touching down
During the next 20 minutes both sides struggled to get anything going with brutal defence and superb breakdown work keeping the game played between the 22 metre marks.
Often their moments in a game which either closes a door or keeps it open came with around 12 minutes to go University with series of drives off a line-out maul , a miss directed pass knocked on 2 metres from the line which gave Rovers the opportunity to clear.How University would rue that opportunity given more so that the arrival of the Rovers bench was starting to impose themselves,Sione Tuipulotu especially using his size effectively post tackle and we all know Rovers operate on quick ball.
That opportunity would come with 10 minutes to go Rovers moving the ball wide after series of side to side attacks the pass once again from Faletoi Peni finding fullback Simon Peter Taleafo who would touch down in the corner, despite the missed conversion from Peni the presence of the dynamic 2nd five was staring to be felt.Peni would give Rovers the lead with 5 minutes to go , we have seen during the season a vast array of skills from the midfielder passing and kicking but it would be his sheer power from 15 metres out that would leave 3 would be tacklers in his wake to touch down close to the posts , Peni adding the extras and then 2 minutes later adding a penalty to push the score out to 20-14.
And just to cap off a off stunning last few minutes for the 2nd five coming up with a big shot which jarred the ball free , a relieving penalty which was gleefully kicked to touch sending Manukau Rovers into back to back Gallagher Shield history.
For Auckland University the front row of lay,Te Puni and Morel were superb especially in the first half ,Cam Church never to far away from the ball.
Uini Fetalaiga who is not big in stature must be pound for pound one of the toughest loose forwards running in the Auckland comp was again outstanding.
And in the backs Saker and Stenhouse for good part of the match kept University playing in the right parts of the groundChatting to skipper Savelio Ropati he was the first to admit it took Rovers a while to get getting putting much of that down to University’s ability to disrupt their set piece and flow
But one thing this Manukau does have is strike power , Sofai Maka always dangerous on his wing as was Xavier Tito Harris , for a good part Faletoi Peni was kept in check but when he did unleash it was with great effect , in the forwards Nela Matakaiongo was an absolute handful, locks Savelio and Funaki great around the paddock as was hooker Faafou
Benc replacements ,Sione Tuipulotu ,Ikenasio brothers Petelo and Lafaele along with halfback Dayton Iobu bought some much needed energy into the closing 20.Manukau Rovers 20
Fano Funaki ,Peter Simon Taleafo and Faletoi Peni Tries
Faletoi Peni ,1 con ,1 penAuckland University Rugby 14
Nathan Harris ,Uini Fetalaiga Tries
Christian Stenhouse 2 con
