Just been told to expect to see Dalton Papalii, Nanai-Seturo and Cam Roigard all named for Counties this weekend. Big additions in a must win if that’s the case.
Manawatu
Match thread
Counties Manukau
1 Joseph Gavigan, 2 Raymond Tuputupu, 3 Flyn Yates, 4 Johan Momsen, 5 Lachlan Shaw, 6 Te Kamaka Howden, 7 Elyjah Crosswell, 8 Brayden Iose (C), 9 Jordi Viljoen, 10 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 11 Ataata Moeakiola, 12 Caleb Leef, 13 Kyle Brown, 14 Taniela Filimone, 15 Drew Wild
Reserves: 16 Sase Va'a, 17 Malakai Hala Ngatai, 18 Feleti Sae Ta'ufo'ou, 19 Julian Goerke, 20 Vernon Bason, 21 Luke Campbell, 22 Rihari Jobe, 23 Sam Coles
After seeing the score Counties put on Wellington, I thought - jeez, you wouldn't want to play them in the QFs.
Having watched the first half of this game, I'm changing my mind. They need to wake up or they won't be in the QFs.
Roigard starts the 2nd half and scores a try after 5 minutes - nice little dummy close to the posts and scores under them.
Iose should have replied almost immediately - but, he runs through a gap - looks about to score but just drops the ball trying to shift it to the other arm. Minties moment! 
@hkkiwi said in Manawatu v Counties Manukau:
dp.playing lock.
Partly explaining their scrummaging.....
Last try saw the Counties defenders hanging off expecting Roigard to go himself.
Shows the value of having a true running halfback.
@KiwiMurph said in Manawatu v Counties Manukau:
Has Vernon Bason switched from hooker to loosie?
Injuries meant he was named as a reserve loose forward.
@KiwiMurph was wondering about Bason too mate, his brother is a loosie
The extra good thing is with Counties (hopefully) making finals now Roigard will get another run before ABs assemble for EOYT!
Glad to see Brash got MOTM , geez he played bloody well.
Here is some info about their injuries. Note the knee injury to Cameron.
Meanwhile, it wouldn’t be the Turbos without injuries. Brett Cameron has a knee injury which might be a concern for the Hurricanes and game-breaker Reece MacDonald dislocated his shoulder again at Taranaki and will require surgery. Young forward Mosese Bason (hip) is out as is lock Stan van den Hoven (shoulder). Naming three hookers is surely a Manawatū record, with Vernon Bason likely to cover the shortage of flankers.
Shaw is from the Brumbies. He has looked a decent young lock.
@Frank said in Manawatu v Counties Manukau:
Ridiculous skills from a halfback - looks like a wing in space
He looks like a very big unit for a halfback - someone needs to update his internet stats!
Very good outing for his first game in months. Papalií very good, as well - hopefully that injury isn't serious - Dalton didn't look thrilled about it.
Didn't think Hoskins had a great outing. If he needed a big game to put pressure on Ardie and Sititi Ratima, I don't think that was it.
@Chris-B said in Manawatu v Counties Manukau:
hopefully that injury isn't serious - Dalton didn't look thrilled about it.
I noticed he was shaking hands at the end without any ice or strapping or brace - hopefully a good sign
@Chris-B said in Manawatu v Counties Manukau:
If he needed a big game to put pressure on Ardie and Ratima, I don't think that was it.
Bloody strong for a halfback they say.
@KiwiMurph said in Manawatu v Counties Manukau:
Dalton showing his speed there