Akira is back (from the bench)

Auckland team to play Waikato:

Alex Hodgman (Suburbs, 3 caps) Robbie Abel (College Rifles, 12) Marcel Renata (University, 35) Jamie Lane (Ponsonby, 8) Jack Whetton (Grammar TEC, 30) Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa (Ponsonby, 6) Blake Gibson – Co-C (Ponsonby, 27) Hoskins Sotutu (Marist, 13) Jonathan Ruru (University, 14) D’Angelo Leuila (Papatoetoe, 3) Caleb Clarke (Suburbs, 13) TJ Faiane – Co-C (Pakuranga, 31) Taniela Tele’a (Marist, 7) AJ Lam (Grammar TEC, 2) Salesi Rayasi (Marist, 14)

Leni Apisai (Loaned, 3) Jarred Adams (Suburbs, 10) Taniela Koroi (Marist, 3) Peter-Chanel Tagaloa (Marist, 1) Akira Ioane (Ponsonby, 39) Danny Tusitala (Ponsonby, 3) Daniel Kirkpatrick (University, 4) Kurt Heatherley (Loaned, 2)

Unavailable due to injury: Harry Plummer (quadricep), Cam Suafoa (arm), Tumua Manu (hamstring), Scott Scrafton (jaw), Jordan Trainor (quadricep), Dalton Papalii (ankle), Lyndon Dunshea (knee)

I would have preferred Kirkpatrick to start. We can't afford to gift so much ball to the opposition.

Yes we defended well last week, but BoP's shitness saved us plenty of times too.

My chat with Rivez Reihana after Waikato training today about his first season in the Mitre 10 Cup

@DrivingMaul Mate you're killing it with these interviews. Good stuff. Really interested in how this kid goes with his career.

I'll delete this post.

@Yeetyaah Thank you, trying to turn it into an income but not anywhere near that yet.
I'll be at Waikato v Auckland (both Farah Palmer Cup and Mitre 10 Cup) and North Harbour v Bay of Plenty this weekend

This game is a Farah Palmer Cup double header here's the Waikato side:

1. Awhina Tangen-Wainohu (Hamilton Old Boys)

2. Azusa Yama (Hamilton Old Boys)

3. Tanya Kalounivale (Hamilton Old Boys)

4. Tazmin Gaby-Sutherland (Melville)*

5. Esther Tilo-Faiaoga (Melville)

6. Ash Gaby-Sutherland (Melville) Vice Captain

7. Emma-Lee Heta (Kihikihi)

8. Lena Mitchell (Hamilton Old Boys)

9. Raquel Anderson-Pitman (University)

10. Renee Holmes (Hamilton Old Boys)*

11. Lonita Ngalu-Lavemei (Melville)

12. Chelsea Alley (University) Captain

13. Rina Paraone (Kihikihi)

14. Donna Reynolds (Hamilton Old Boys)

15. Calista Ruruku (University)

16. Josina Ngare (University)*

17. Toka Natua (University)

18. Francea Hansen (University)

19. Leomie Kloppers (Hamilton Old Boys)

20. Chyna Hohepa (Kihikihi)

21. Kennedy Tahau (Hamilton Old Boys) *

22. Sophie Millar (University)*

The Auckland side:
Cristo Tofa (Ponsonby, debut)
Chryss Viliko (Marist, debut)
Aleisha Pearl Nelson (College Rifles, 61 caps)
Maiakawanakaulani Roos (College Rifles, debut)
Eloise Blackwell (Eden, 50)
Linda Itunu - Captain (Ponsonby, 52)
Leanne Thompson (College Rifles, 16)
Joanna Fanene (Marist, 12)
Moana Cook (Ponsonby, debut)
Patricia Maliepo (Marist, debut)
Isla Norman-Bell (Ponsonby, debut)
Lauren Sa’u (Marist, 4)
Abigail Roache (Ponsonby, debut)
Princess Elliot (Ponsonby, debut)
Natahlia Moors (Ponsonby, 12)

Saphire Abraham (College Rifles, debut)
Vainga Moimoi (College Rifles, 4)
Aimee Lenssen (College Rifles, 21)
Joeannha Naime-Purcell (Ponsonby, debut)
Charmaine McMenamin (Ponsonby, 46)
Jennifer Rose-Reu (Marist, 7)
Grace Freeman (College Rifles, debut)
Lose Mafi (Marist, 15)

@DrivingMaul Ah, I see Waikato have a former Hawke's Bay rep in Renee Holmes (Poverty Bay born). Super talented player at school age (in several sports); I wondered where she had ended up (I assume she's studying at Waikato Uni). At the time, they predicted that she would be a Black Fern one day.

It will be interesting to see how Auckland Storm goes this year, after a very bad 2018 season - despite being stacked with Black Ferns. They even got relegated and are only in the Premiership division again, because Northland have entered a team for the first time, which obviously has to start in the Championship division. Still a lot of BFs in the squad, so they are clear favourites for this game (or should be).

@Stargazer Sure Auckland have 5 Black Ferns in their matchday squad but they also have 11 players making their debut with 8 in the start 15!
Waikato only have 5 debutants so even if Chelsea Alley is their only Black Fern they are more experienced at this level across the team.

Interesting that Toka Natua is only on the bench, as a starting Black Ferns prop.

Waikato take on Auckland at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday night, kick-off is at 7.35pm:

1. Ollie Norris (Hautapu)

2. Samisoni Taukei’aho (Fraser Tech)

3. Sefo Kautai (Hamilton Marist)

4. Api Naikatini (Taupiri)*

5. James Tucker (Hamilton Marist)

6. Samipeni Finau (Hamilton Old Boys)*

7. Mitch Jacobson (Hautapu)

8. Murray Iti (Otorohanga)

9. Jack Stratton (Hautapu)

10. Fletcher Smith (University)

11. Bailyn Sullivan (Hamilton Marist)

12. Dwayne Sweeney (Morrinsville Sports) - Captain

13. Quinn Tupaea (Hamilton Old Boys)

14. Declan O’Donnell (Melville)

15. Rivez Reihana (Melville)

16. Sekope Lopeti-Moli (Hautapu)

17. Haereiti Hetet (Otorohanga)

18. Josh Iosefa-Scott (Melville)

19. Antonio Shalfoon (Te Awamutu Sports)

20. Hamilton Burr (Hautapu)

21. Carlos Price (Hamilton Marist)*

22. Louis Rogers (University)/Matty Lansdown (Fraser Tech)

23. Brandon Mudzekenyedzi (Hautapu)*

• = Waikato debut

Unavailable for selection

Solomon Alaimalo, Jahrome Brown, Tyler Campbell, Luke Jacobson, Ayden Johnstone, Anton Lienert-Brown, Damian McKenzie, Laghlan McWhannell, Sevu Reece, Taleni Seu, Toby Smith

@DrivingMaul Have Waikato been training at Ruakura not Fred Jones/Beetham?

@Bovidae Yes because Beetham is being keptoff so it's perfect for the All Blacks when they come to play Tonga

Looking forward to the Tele'a vs Tupaea match-up.

looking forward to the double header today

Up the fucking Mooloos

3 clear knockons in that series of plays and the officials did not see any of them WTF

Gibson is a bit of a gronk skills wise.

AJ Lam has had a shocking start.

Starting to see why Leuila hasn't kicked on haha.