North Harbour 2019

@Tim said in Auckland Rugby 2019:

Anyone know when the Auckland and Harbour squads are announced?

Just seen this on allbacks.com

The squad is:
Forwards: Karl Tu’inukuafe, Nic Mayhew, Luatangi Li, Sione Mafileo, James Parsons (co-captain), Luteru Tolai, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Jacob Pierce, Ben Nee-Nee, Xavier Cowley-Tuioti, Dillon Hunt, Murphy Taramai, Ethan Roots, Lotu Inisi
Backs: Bryn Hall, Lewis Gjaltema, Jack Heighton, Matt McGahan, James Little, Fine Inisi, Harrison Groundwater, Tomas Aoake, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Mark Telea, Matt Duffie, Jared Page, Shaun Stevenson

Management:
Head coach: Kieran Keane
Assistant coaches: Brett Craies, Sam Ward

Last year: Fifth in Premiership
Notable gains: Tomas Aoake, Matt McGahan, Jared Page, Asaeli Tikoirotuma
Notable losses: James Dargaville, Danny Drake, Chris Eves, Bryn Gatland, Daniel Hilton-Jones, Tevita Li, Hapakuki Moala-Liava’a, Mike Tamoaieta (deceased)

Gatland is injured for the season? First Five will be a big problem for them, unless Stevenson becomes a revelation.

Loose forwards look light. Glenn Preston is a big loss.

Assisting Keane will be former Auckland and Waikato No 10 Brett Craies, who has taken Northcote to the top of club rugby in the province, and Sam Ward, who had charge of a fine Grammar TEC side in Auckland club rugby and who has a wide knowledge of the young talent in the wider Auckland region.

They have promoted no less than 13 players in this Harbour squad from club rugby, which is a pleasing move. There are, however, some big-name losses to injury and there was the tragic death of tighthead prop Mike Tamoaieta earlier in the year. Loosehead prop Chris Eves has departed for Bay of Plenty, while prolific wing Tevita Li and No 8 Hapakuki Moala-Liava’a are chasing the yen in Japan. No 10 Bryn Gatland and Glenn Preston are on the long-term injury list.

@Tim said in Auckland Rugby 2019:

First Five will be a big problem for them, unless Stevenson becomes a revelation.

I don’t rate McGahan. Does James Little play 10 as well?

Danny Drake was playing with the blues dev. team this year and seemed well liked by Coventry so I thought he may be in the picture for replacing Scrafton next year, but I see he has signed with the Scarlets in Wales. Surely they will need more than 4 props. They won't see much if anything of Tu’inukuafe. Maybe Auckland will loan a couple as they have a surplus it seems.

Is Harrison Levien still playing in NH? He really hasn't kicked on.

I googled the Inisi brothers. They appear to have come from a school league background with Lotu playing for the Junior Warriors and since then both representing Tonga sevens rugby team on the world circuit. Interesting prospects maybe. Has anyone seen them play?

@Bovidae Harrison is with Northland i believe

@OleOleOle Correct. He signed with Northland in May.

Hmmm wonder if Adam Thompson made himself available ? Only played 2 and a bit games for taka but looked to still be very useful. His missus seemed to think they’d be here a while

@JK said in North Harbour 2019:

Hmmm wonder if Adam Thompson made himself available ? Only played 2 and a bit games for taka but looked to still be very useful. His missus seemed to think they’d be here a while

There was a story about him posted in another thread. Apparently Otago was also making an offer after they heard NH was interested

@JK I also read in the media that Otago is still trying to sign Adam Thomson.

Hopefully Jacob Pierce has a big season and has added some muscle

The 2nd lock was a big problem for the Blues - GCT, Scrafton & Goodhue were underwhelming. But Pierce didn't get a chance for some reason

@Bovidae he looked good in the club games I saw him play this season, but he was injured and didnt play the semi or final for OBM, have to assume it isnt a major injury as Northland havent picked up another 9.

And now East Coast Bays 1st Five Jack Heighton is out injured.

43-12 to BOP :disappointed_face: