Auckland Rugby 2022

[Dice]

Patrick Tuipulotu starting for Ponsonby today.

Rayasi on the bench for Marist.

Mose Tuiali'i on the bench for Suburbs.

Corey Evans back for Grammar TEC.

[Steven Harris]

@Dice did an interview with Patrick after Ponsonby’s impressive win over college rifles today ..its on the NZ Sport Radio Facebook site ..
Looks in amazing condition, speaks very well.

[booboo]

@Tim said in Auckland Rugby 2022:

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

Great article.

Knew the Centenary was this year, thought fleetingly about heading over, but never seriously.

Awesome that Tom O'Hanlon is still going!

[Steven Harris]

This post is deleted!

[Tim]

https://www.aucklandrugby.co.nz/newsarticle/117607?newsCarouselId=1360310

[Tim]

Following @Duluth's post on a possible Taranaki team, this would be a possible first choice Auckland 23:

1 Hodgman
2 Vikena
3 Ta'avao
4 Scrafton/Sione Tuipulotu
5 Tuipulotu
6 Ioane
7 Choat
8 Sotutu
9 Funaki
10 Plummer
11 Clarke
12 RTS
13 Ioane
14 Lam
15 Sullivan

16 Apisai
17 Lay
18 Renata/Lay
19 Lane/Scrafton
20 Gibson/Ekuasi
21 Paea
22 McKenzie
23 Evans/Heem

If a 10 team NPC replaced Super Rugby, we'd have a better coach, and probably get Ofa Tu'ungufasi back. Assume we'd also get Eklund, and one or two Blues locks. Target a halfback to recruit. Beauden Barrett might prefer to stay in Auckland. If were had Counties Manukau as part of the team, then Papalii and Laulala would come in.

[Duluth]

@Tim

Sotutu is one of the guys that left when there were payment and/or Ieremia issues

[Tim]

@Duluth Ah, yeah, I forgot again.

[Tim]

Robbie Abel's back in Auckland playing club rugby for Waitemata. Jono Hickey's playing for Grammar TEC.

[Dice]

Alapati Leiua playing on the wing for Ponsonby.

Vaiolini Ekuasi at 7 for East Tamaki. That's quite strange as he was in the Manukau team earlier in the season.

[Daffy Jaffy]

This guy is playing preseason for Auckland this Friday -

Also Connor Vest from the Reds -
NPC PRE SEASON: AUCKLAND v HAWKES BAY
Friday, 1:00pm
St Peters School, Cambridge
FREE ENTRY

[Steven Harris]

@Daffy-Jaffy Hashimoto has been playing for Waitemata, odd selection..

[Bovidae]

Has Robbie Abel un-retired? I thought he had finished playing when named the Utah Warriors forwards coach?

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae Was wondering the same thing!

[Tim]

@Bovidae Bit of a curious one, with Apisai available, and Te Ariki Te Puni coming through club rugby.

[Tim]

One of the Costa brothers popping up on tomorrow's Manukau Rovers' team sheet.

[Duluth]

@Tim said in Auckland Rugby 2022:

@Bovidae Bit of a curious one, with Apisai available, and Te Ariki Te Puni coming through club rugby.

Might be Blues related? Eklund & Vikena the top two. The 3rd hooker won't get much game time but needs to be relatively experienced and reliable (so not Riccitelli)

Depends if a SR contract is more attractive than that US based coaching gig

[Tim]

@Stargazer Afa Moleli is starting for University this weekend - big game against Manukau Rovers.

[Tim]

@Duluth Lemalu is back in club rugby too. Still only 33.

[Stargazer]

@Tim At 10 or fullback?