NPC - news, injuries etc

[Tim]

[Kiwiwomble]

this is weird and disappointing

Faddes who as almost always played 15 or 13 on the wing...Vahaakolo who has only plays 14 for us at 13 and tomkinson who has only started looking good since moving to the wing back to 12

Pretty much full strength, and Koroi back

[bobily2]

The Wellington Lions squad:

Tomasi Alosio
Iona Apineru *
Fraser Armstrong *
Vince Aso
Asafo Aumua
Dominic Bird *
James Blackwell
Dane Coles
Connor Collins
Pekahou Cowan *
Caleb Delany
Alex Fidow
Connor Garden-Bachop
Jackson Garden-Bachop
Wes Goosen
Richard Judd *
Bruce Kauika-Petersen
Du’Plessis Kirifi
Ruben Love
Brandyn Laursen
Aidan Morgan
Xavier Numia
James O’Reilly
Pepesana Patafilo
TJ Perenara
Taine Plumtree
Billy Proctor
Vincent Sakaria
Ardie Savea
Julian Savea
Sam Smith
Josh Southall *
Tyrone Thompson
Peter Umaga-Jensen
Keelan Whitman *

https://www.wrfu.co.nz/news/post/lions-squad-announced-for-bunnings-npc/News/detail/?fbclid=IwAR007eCjnVa-lpymUYrXeQMaVkAWlJdj3bmlusGPalXEqfZqi0N6xFKndNI

[Dice]

@crucial said in NPC - news, injuries etc:

Some added info on the Steelers squad.

We really need decent locks. Have been weak there forever. Will be watching the new ones closely.
Good depth in the front and back rows.

Hope the plan isn't for Leger to be the first pick 10 but it probably is. Would prefer to see a Taumateine/Roigard 9/10 combo.
A Tele’a/ Tikoirotuma midfield could be interesting but we have lost some back three speed. At least ENS will be available post olympics although a lack of wing options (unless Tikoirotuma still has some speed and we can have a Leger/Tele'a midfield)

My dream team (with changes for non-availability in brackets)

1. Kepu (Lindenmuth)
2. Togiatama
3. Laulala (Tuiloma)
4. Tatafu
5. Rarasea
6. Slade
7. Papalii (Motunga)
8. Sotutu (Taulauni)
9. Taumateine (likely Roigard)
10. Roigard (likely Leger)
11. Tikoirotuma
12. Leger
13. Tele'a
14. Malimali
15. Nanai-Seturo

Solid team.

I think they'll have Leger in at 10 too, with Telea and Tikoirotuma in the midfield. I'd imagine Page will get one of the wings.

Jason Robertson is a big loss for you guys, but at least they didn't select Kerr again.

I'd move Slade to lock for Rarasea to get Motuga in the starting line-up, then move Papali'i to 6. Motuga was probably your best player last year.

[bobily2]

[Kiwiwomble]

No squire, wonder where he’ll land

[Tim]

@bobily2 Solofa Silipa has been on the fringes of the Auckland squad for a while.

[Dice]

Just saw Jason Robertson's player profile on the Counties website. I didn't realize he was so young.

[bobily2]

@tim said in NPC - news, injuries etc:

@bobily2 Solofa Silipa has been on the fringes of the Auckland squad for a while.

He's 27 now, apparently. Tufui and Te Tamaki are 26. Overall the backs are quite old for an NPC team.

Especially in contrast to Counties bringing in players whose age has only just hit single digits

[Stargazer]

@bobily2 said in NPC - news, injuries etc:

@tim said in NPC - news, injuries etc:

@bobily2 Solofa Silipa has been on the fringes of the Auckland squad for a while.

He's 27 now, apparently. Tufui and Te Tamaki are 26. Overall the backs are quite old for an NPC team.

Especially in contrast to Counties bringing in players whose age has only just hit single digits

All born on 29 February?

[mikey07]

@dice said in NPC - news, injuries etc:

Just saw Jason Robertson's player profile on the Counties website. I didn't realize he was so young.

Goes pretty well for his age i doubt my toddler can do what he does

[ARHS]

@bovidae said in NPC - news, injuries etc:

Good news.

Fantastic!!! Great to have him back. Hopefully up for Chiefs too?

[ARHS]

@tim. Congrats to Lockie. Good Harbour product!

[Bovidae]

@arhs said in NPC - news, injuries etc:

Fantastic!!! Great to have him back. Hopefully up for Chiefs too?

I don't know his contract situation with the NTT Com Shining Arcs in Japan.

[Crucial]

@dice said in NPC - news, injuries etc:

@crucial said in NPC - news, injuries etc:

Some added info on the Steelers squad.

We really need decent locks. Have been weak there forever. Will be watching the new ones closely.
Good depth in the front and back rows.

Hope the plan isn't for Leger to be the first pick 10 but it probably is. Would prefer to see a Taumateine/Roigard 9/10 combo.
A Tele’a/ Tikoirotuma midfield could be interesting but we have lost some back three speed. At least ENS will be available post olympics although a lack of wing options (unless Tikoirotuma still has some speed and we can have a Leger/Tele'a midfield)

My dream team (with changes for non-availability in brackets)

1. Kepu (Lindenmuth)
2. Togiatama
3. Laulala (Tuiloma)
4. Tatafu
5. Rarasea
6. Slade
7. Papalii (Motunga)
8. Sotutu (Taulauni)
9. Taumateine (likely Roigard)
10. Roigard (likely Leger)
11. Tikoirotuma
12. Leger
13. Tele'a
14. Malimali
15. Nanai-Seturo

Jason Robertson is a big loss for you guys, but at least they didn't select Kerr again.

Do you know where he has gone? I thought he was very good last year.

[OleOleOle]

@crucial He's been playing MLR in the States, back in NZ now in MIQ...not sure if he has an NPC gig...

[Crucial]

@oleoleole said in NPC - news, injuries etc:

@crucial He's been playing MLR in the States, back in NZ now in MIQ...not sure if he has an NPC gig...

Would be a pity. He’s not far off Super squad quality IMO.
He’s better than Leger anyway so would have been good enough for the Canes.

[OleOleOle]

@crucial Completly agree

[OleOleOle]

@bovidae I was talking recently with a player who had recently left Japan who suggested things hadn't worked out for him at NTT....so he may well be available for selection.

[Bovidae]

@oleoleole Gatland and Trask are contracted so that would depend on whether Reihana is re-signed.