Auckland v Northland
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<div><strong>Auckland</strong> team to play Northland</div>
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<div>1. Sam Prattley (Pakuranga) 2. Kurt Eklund (University) 3. Isi Tuâ€
ungafasi (Grammar TEC) 4. Scott Scrafton (Grammar TEC) 5. Liaki Moli (Manukau Rovers) 6. Taleni Seu (Grammar TEC) 7. Akira Ioane (Ponsonby) 8. Steven Luatua (University)</div>
<div>9. Leon Fukofuka (Marist) 10. Simon Hickey (Grammar TEC) 11. Pryor Collier (Ponsonby) 12. Calvary Fonoti (Manukau Rovers) 13. Vince Aso (Ponsonby) 14. Lolagi Visinia (Suburbs) 15. Melani Nanai (Manukau Rovers)</div>
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<div>Reserves</div>
<div>16. Greg Pleasants-Tate (Ponsonby) 17. Tom McHugh (Grammar TEC) 18. Marcel Renata (University) 19. Joe Edwards (Pakuranga) 20. Josh Kaifa (Manukau Rovers)* 21. Jono Hickey (Grammar TEC) 22. Latiume Fosita (Papatoetoe) 23. Joe Ravouvou (College Rifles)*</div>
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<div>*Auckland debut</div>
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<div>Return of: Visinia</div>
<div>Out: Rieko Ioane (AB call-up)</div>
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<div><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.aucklandrugby.co.nz/newsarticle/38394'>http://www.aucklandrugby.co.nz/newsarticle/38394</a></div> -
<p>Akira Ioane at 7 - that's a bit different - could be interesting given the new rules but also Akira being a bit lighter at present due to 7s - I suppose if it doesn't work they can bring Kaifa off the bench he's supposed to be handy. Good to see some outside back talent back in Visinia and Ravouvou.</p>
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<p>not really looking forward to this....</p>
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<p>So it looks like we won't be playing a specialist 7 until Gibson comes back. At least Ioane is in the starting lineup which is a bonus.</p>
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<p>We'll do well to win a lineout with Eklund there as he has to be one of the worst throwers in the country. </p> -
<p>a few changes to our starting line-up, couple injury enforced, not sure on one though...</p>
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<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">1. Namatahi Waa 2. Jordan Olsen (<em><strong>Captain</strong></em>) 3. Phil Kite 4. Josh Goodhue 5. Shane Neville 6. Michael Faleafa 7. Jack Ram 8. Dan Pryor 9. Sam Nock 10. Peter Breen 11. Jone Macilai 12. Tamati Tua 13. Warren Dunn 14. Monty Lama 15. Solomon Alaimalo</span></span></p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">Replacements 16. Ross Wright 17. Howard Sililoto 18. Matt Talaese 19. Josh Larsen 20. Matt Matich 21. Malcolm MacLeod 22. Dan Hawkins 23. Jordan Hyland</span></span></p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </p>
<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:calibri;">19 year old Tamati Tua gets a chance to start, Hyland possibly getting the blame for the early mid-field issues. Odd they dropped Matich who was very good last week, believe both Moulds and Kara Pryor injured, not so keen on #22.</span></span></p> -
<p>Good to see Dan Hawkins back. Him possibly going head to head against the outstanding Simon Hickey shapes up to be one of the matchups of the round and worth the price of admission alone.</p>
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<p>Also relieved to see that Kara Pryor isn't there.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="608671" data-time="1472026941">
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<p><strong>Good to see Dan Hawkins back. </strong>Him possibly going head to head against the outstanding Simon Hickey shapes up to be one of the matchups of the round and worth the price of admission alone.</p>
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<p>Also relieved to see that Kara Pryor isn't there.</p>
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</blockquote>
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<p>Fluffybunny! </p>
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<p>2nd part made me laugh though! </p> -
<p>FFS go long in shitty conditions like that, twice!! </p>
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<p>haha and we go short and still lose</p>
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<p>Collier was offside. Only by a metre or so, but it was clear that he was standing in front of the half way line and Hickey kicked behind the halfway line</p>
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<p>I guess our scrum has improved since last year....</p>
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<p>that wasnt off side! </p>
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<p>Taniwha lost two loosies to injury. </p>
