1. Isi Tu’ungafasi (Grammar TEC)

2. Greg Pleasants-Tate (Ponsonby)

3. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Grammar TEC)

4. Michael Fatialofa (Ponsonby)

5. Patrick Tuipulotu (Ponsonby)

6. Liaki Moli (Manukau Rovers)

7. Blake Gibson (Ponsonby)

8. Akira Ioane (Ponsonby)

9. Leon Fukofuka (Marist)

10. Simon Hickey (Grammar TEC)

11. Pryor Collier (Ponsonby)

12. Vince Aso (Ponsonby)

13. Rieko Ioane (Ponsonby)

14. Joe Ravouvou (College Rifles)

15. Tyrone Elkington-MacDonald (University)

16. Kurt Eklund (University)

17. Tom McHugh (Grammar TEC)

18. Marcel Renata (University)

19. Scott Scrafton (Grammar TEC)

20. Joe Edwards (Pakuranga)

21. Jono Hickey (Grammar TEC)

22. Latiume Fosita (Papatoetoe)

23. Pasqualle Dunn (College Rifles)

Blake Gibson is back

Moli still on the blindside. Would be a better side if we swapped him and Edwards

Yeah that's a bit weird. Is Seu injured?

@Bones Yeah.. this is the update from the site

Taleni Seu has been sidelined after a head knock on Wednesday night, while Steven Luatua remains out after sustaining an ankle injury against Southland. Sam Prattley, Melani Nanai and Lolagi Visinia were all injured against Northland and are likely to miss a few more matches before returning.

Waikato: Jordan Trainor, Iliesa Ratuva Tavuyara, Willis Halaholo, Sam Christie, Sevu Reece, Damian McKenzie, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Whetu Douglas (c), Mitch Jacobson, Jordan Manihera, Brian Alainu'uese, Jacob Skeen, Atu Moli, Hame Faiva, Loni Uhila;

Reserves: Steven Misa, Sefo Kautai, Latu Talakai, Adam Burn, Murray Iti, Harrison Levien, Tevita Taufui, Tyler Campbell

Yeah I think Auckland might have a tough time of it against Waikato after struggling against Hawke's Bay. Good to see Blake Gibson back though - and good to see DMac at 10 for Waikato - should be an entertaining open game as the weather looks good for it.

Interesting to see DMac at 10. Good axis with TKB but I still think we will ship more points than we will score.

@Duluth Pint of beer says Waikato wins. What say you?

@Hooroo said in Auckland vs Waikato:

Interesting to see DMac at 10. Good axis with TKB but I still think we will ship more points than we will score.

@Duluth Pint of beer says Waikato wins. What say you?

Sure, as long as its not Waikato Draught

I agree with KM though - Auckland will have to lift their standards to win this one. This is the 3rd of the 3 games in 10 days.
At least there has been some rotation across the 3 games

I see the B team is playing Waikato B as the curtain raiser

Looks a little weak? Players being held back for other teams?

1. Nephi Leatigaga (Mt Wellington)

2. Blake Hill (Eden)

3. James Lay (Pakuranga)

4. Ben Nee Nee (Pakuranga)

5. Otunili Moala (Grammar TEC)

6. Fred Kei (Manukau Rovers)

7. David Afamasaga (Marist)

8. Mike Tafili (Papatoetoe)

9. Dwayne Polataivao (Pakuranga)

10. Broc Hooper (College Rifles)

11. Solofa Silipa (East Tamaki)

12. Jay Saena (Marist)

13. George Emosi (Pakuranga)

14. Sailosi Vatabua (College Rifles)

15. Nick Smith (Pakuranga)

16. John Tu’ungafasi (Grammar TEC)

17. Ropate Rinakama (Suburbs)

18. Tana Fotofili (College Rifles)

19. Josh Kaifa (Manukau Rovers)

20. Rameka Paraki (Suburbs)

21. Liam Steel (University)

22. Rodrigo Costa (Eden)

We've hammered them in the last few seasons. Both teams look a bit light out wide. I'll be happy if we can get out of this with any sort of win.

@Duluth said in Auckland vs Waikato:

I see the B team is playing Waikato B as the curtain raiser

Looks a little weak? Players being held back for other teams?

1. Nephi Leatigaga (Mt Wellington)

2. Blake Hill (Eden)

3. James Lay (Pakuranga)

4. Ben Nee Nee (Pakuranga)

5. Otunili Moala (Grammar TEC)

6. Fred Kei (Manukau Rovers)

7. David Afamasaga (Marist)

8. Mike Tafili (Papatoetoe)

9. Dwayne Polataivao (Pakuranga)

10. Broc Hooper (College Rifles)

11. Solofa Silipa (East Tamaki)

12. Jay Saena (Marist)

13. George Emosi (Pakuranga)

14. Sailosi Vatabua (College Rifles)

15. Nick Smith (Pakuranga)

16. John Tu’ungafasi (Grammar TEC)

17. Ropate Rinakama (Suburbs)

18. Tana Fotofili (College Rifles)

19. Josh Kaifa (Manukau Rovers)

20. Rameka Paraki (Suburbs)

21. Liam Steel (University)

22. Rodrigo Costa (Eden)

Two from Eden!! Woohoo!

Auckland Bs ahead 24-13 at HT

Waikato played the better rugby for most of the half though.

The Auckland lock Moala scored the last try. Any relation?

Auckland B wins 37-23

Dominant last 20 from them

Kaifa had mixed game when he subbed on. Good with ball in hand but too many errors to push for a spot in the real 23

@Duluth Not sure, but they did go to different schools if that is any real indication. He's been around for a while in the club scene.

Not surprised in the slightest that Auckland are getting demolished.

Akira Ioane a man amongst boys out there.

@KiwiMurph Yes we've been average for most of the season and are very reliant on Akira Ioane.

Had to laugh at our scrum. Isi Tu'ungafasi rightly getting subbed. He's not up to this level.

Since when are you allowed to be in front of the kicker at a penalty?

That was ridiculously blatent.

Happened for the winning penalty for Wgn v CM the other night too.

@booboo said in Auckland vs Waikato:

Since when are you allowed to be in front of the kicker at a penalty?

That was ridiculously blatent.

Happened for the winning penalty for Wgn v CM the other night too.

the refs dont seem to pull players up for being in front of the kicker for restarts or penalties very often anymore....

This ref is a shocker. Misses a blatant Waikato knock on. Jono Hickey is also a shocker. Right team is winning.

@KiwiMurph said in Auckland vs Waikato:

This ref is a shocker. Misses a blatant Waikato knock on. Jono Hickey is also a shocker. Right team is winning.

I agree

bad miss, but Waikato deservedly in front.

Also, I think I just threw up a little bit in my mouth.