NPC - news, injuries etc

Duluth

@Tim said in Mitre 10 Cup - news, injuries etc:

White had the Auckland forwards playing well in 2015, so I have no idea what happened last year.

See any of his comments prior to the 2016 season about how thought the experimental laws would impact the game. He couldn't have been more wrong. The selection and tactics followed from there

Wurzel

Isn't it great to be talking about NPC rugby in June the way God intended it. Some Mickey Mouse Super Rugby comp will be back for a few weeks to disrupt the flow from club rugby to provincial footy.

Stargazer

North Harbour have signed Ben Volavola.

http://www.harbourrugby.co.nz/news/qbe-north-harbour-sign-fiji-and-rebels-ben-volavola/

Nepia

@Stargazer said in Mitre 10 Cup - news, injuries etc:

North Harbour have signed Ben Volavola.

http://www.harbourrugby.co.nz/news/qbe-north-harbour-sign-fiji-and-rebels-ben-volavola/

Why the fudge is NZ rugby insisting on wasting money on this guy?

Duluth

Thats a strange signing

You'd assume Gatland would be the starting 10 and the back three would be Li/Duffie/Stevenson.

Depth? They would be better off picking a young local..

Stargazer

@Duluth Yeah, I assume they've signed him to replace Matt McGahan but surely there must have been better players available? Even if local and inexperienced?

African Monkey

@Duluth Our front row stocks have been weak for a while now. Marcel Renata seems like the only one who has any sort of promise. McHugh and Isi Tu'ungafasi are shocking.

We were all at sea with those experimental laws last season. I don't expect us to be as bad this season under the normal rules.

booboo

Again with signing an ordinary overseas player!

Surely there's plenty of talent out there who have not yet played NPC wanting a start.

cgrant

@African-Monkey said in Mitre 10 Cup - news, injuries etc:

@Duluth Our front row stocks have been weak for a while now. Marcel Renata seems like the only one who has any sort of promise. McHugh and Isi Tu'ungafasi are shocking.

We were all at sea with those experimental laws last season. I don't expect us to be as bad this season under the normal rules.

Lindenmuth should be included in the squad. He's a very promising prop.
Concerning the wings, I would have selected Caleb Clarke who was really impressive during the U20 WC.

Stargazer

Preseason game: Counties Manukau (Cavaliers) v Ta$man (Buccaneers)

Today (Wed 28 June), kick-off: 2:00pm
Manurewa Rugby Club - 25 Dr Pickering Ave, Manurewa

Ta$man squad:

1 Tom Hill, 2 Samiuela Moli, 3 Drew Petelo, 4 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 5 Shannon Frizell, 6 Ethan Blackadder (c), 7 Tone Ng Shiu, 8 Vern Fredericks, 9 Ben Finau, 10 Tim O'Malley, 11 Fletcher Matthews, 12 Alex Nankivell, 13 Rupena Parkinson, 14 Johnny Ika, 15 Andrew Knewstubb

Reserves: Pelefoti Siaki, Eden Beech, Jack Best, Dan Hytongue, Willis Scott, Jack Grooby, James Hawkey, Tomas Aoake, Glen Bellam.

Not considered due to injury: Brendan Asomua-Goodman, Isaac Salmon, Paripari Parkinson, Mike Curry, Ofa Folau, Braden Stewart, Isaiah Miller, Nick Foxley, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Sam Chamberlain, Trael Joass and Viliami Lolohea.

I haven't seen a Counties line-up.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/sport/94112045/tasman-rugby-contracts-up-for-grabs-as-preseason-kicks-off-against-counties

Stargazer

Half time:

Counties Manukau Cavaliers 14 (Tries: Matt Vaai, Gafa Su'a; Con (2): Luteru Laulala)
Ta$man Buccaneers 28 (Tries: Tone Ng Shiu, Rupena Parkinson, Johnny Ika, Fletcher Matthews; Con (4): Tim O'Malley)

Stargazer

Full time:

Counties Manukau Cavaliers 26 (Tries: Matt Vaai, Gafa Su'a, Feta Luamanu, Sepu Taufa; Con: Luteru Laulala (2), Jared Page)

Ta$man Buccaneers 49 (Tries: Pelefoti Siaki, Tomas Aoaki, Tom Hill, Tone Ng Shiu, Rupena Parkinson, Johnny Ika, Fletcher Matthews; Con: Tom O'Malley (6), James Hawkey)

Tim

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/94264738/otago-sign-italian-test-lock-josh-furno-for-upcoming-mitre-10-cup-campaign

Duluth

I see Dan Bowden is playing 10 for Ponsonby. If he's over his injuries, he would be a decent stop gap until one of the younger flyhalfs is ready

Stargazer

Are there more foreign imports into the Mitre 10 Cup this year, or does it just look that way because they get more publicity? I can't say I find it a good development. Surely there must be good NZ locks that Otago could have signed?