Ta$man

1 Tom Heywood, 2 Tomasi Makas, 3 Sam Matenga, 4 Hunter Leppien, 5 Antonio Shalfloon, 6 Tayne Hemopo, 7 Tone Ng Shiu, 8 Fletcher Anderson (C), 9 Jay Renton, 10 William Havili, 11 Macca Springer, 12 Levi Aumua, 13 Cooper Roberts, 14 Kyren Taumoefolau, 15 Maloni Kunawave
Reserves: 16 Eli Oudendryn, 17 Ryan Coxon, 18 Sione Mafi, 19 Quinten Strange, 20 Lopeti Faifua, 21 Wil Thornalley, 22 Cooper Grant, 23 Jack Gray

Auckland

1 Oscar Cowley-Andrea, 2 Soane Vikena, 3 Angus Ta’avao-Matau, 4 Josh Beehre, 5 Ola Tauelangi, 6 Che Clark, 7 Anton Segner (C), 8 Sam Hainsworth-Fa’ao, 9 James Arscott, 10 Rico Simpson, 11 Caleb Clarke, 12 Xavi Taele, 13 Leo Gordon, 14 Caleb Tangitau, 15 Payton Spencer
Reserves: 16 Millennium Sanerivi, 17 Fatongia Paea, 18 Hamdahn Tuipulotu, 19 Tai Cribb, 20 Ofa Topeni, 21 Taufa Funaki, 22 Alexander Harford, 23 AJ Lam

Is Tito Harris injured? Could have been an opportunity for him to play midfield

That Ta$man team has a bit of a B team look to it. Coaches smelling a Shield Challenge the following week?

TAB says Ta$man $1.35 Auckland $3.10.

On paper, that's inviting an insurance bet.

And apropos to the above: Canterbury $1.16; Southland $5.00

@Chris-B Blackadder is out for the season is that the case.?

@george33 said in Ta$man v Auckland:

@Chris-B Blackadder is out for the season is that the case.?

Yes mate Broken thumb.

@Chris said in Ta$man v Auckland:

@george33 said in Ta$man v Auckland:

@Chris-B Blackadder is out for the season is that the case.?

Yes mate Broken thumb.

Safe to say the discussion earlier this year on here about whether Blackadder was over his injury issues has unfortunately come to a resolution now.

Weren't a few guys meant to be returning from injury this week? Perofeta, Tele'a etc?

Anyone heard anything about the injuries?

@Duluth said in Ta$man v Auckland:

Weren't a few guys meant to be returning from injury this week? Perofeta, Tele'a etc?

Anyone heard anything about the injuries?

Perofetas leg injuries not responding to treatment, probably won't play at all this season.
Telea was all set to return against Wgtn but got a head knock during the week. Likely back for Rd 7 vs Manawatu.

What can we expect from Cooper Roberts ? He was one of the standouts for the ABs U20. Standing outside Levi Aumua who doesn't make many passes is not a big gift for his debut.

@cgrant said in Ta$man v Auckland:

What can we expect from Cooper Roberts ? He was one of the standouts for the ABs U20. Standing outside Levi Aumua who doesn't make many passes is not a big gift for his debut.

It is not his debut he started Rd 4 v Norh Harbour at 13 outside Amua in that game as well.
He played well.

A much better half from Auckland than usual this season but Ta$man still lead at halftime.

@KiwiMurph Yeah - entertaining and pretty even game. Auckland started well and Ta$man started with some shit discipline.

Probably both teams playing better than expected.

Both teams with a bit of firepower on the bench.

Anyone's game at present.

This could easily be the All Blacks wing pairing by the end of the year.

Bah - I thought we had Coxon, Oudendryn and Matenga to come off the bench. But, we didn't - just Coxon.

Scrum continued under pressure and that was huge.

Too many penalties conceded.

Not sure it was a great strategy to field the youngsters in this game - I guess to win either the Shield or the NPC we would have to beat Canterbury. Can't really see either of those things hapeing, but you never know.

Chuffed with that.

Auckland boys really dug in today.

Heck of a game from Che Clark. 142 running metres for a blindside flanker is outstanding.

Anderson and Springer very good for us. Willi mostly good as always - and Taumoefolau had his moments

Liked the look of Roberts - he's a bit slender at the moment, but will add a bit of bulk and be a very good player. Worth watching.

@KiwiMurph said in Ta$man v Auckland:

Chuffed with that.

Auckland boys really dug in today.

Heck of a game from Che Clark. 142 running metres for a blindside flanker is outstanding.

All the loosies had good games. Clark was the best player on the field though

Oscar Cowley-Andrea is improving fast. With the injuries at prop Auckland is asking him to play a lot of minutes

@Frank cos reasons

@Frank said in Ta$man v Auckland:

Why not now?

Good enough on attack. Needs to play more to tidy up some of his defence/decision making

EOYT makes sense

@Duluth said in Ta$man v Auckland:

@Frank said in Ta$man v Auckland:

Why not now?

Good enough on attack. Needs to play more to tidy up some of his defence/decision making

EOYT makes sense

I have to admit, he looks a bit casual in his positioning on defense.