Unavailable: Joshua Fusitua, Hamdahn Tuipulotu, Niko Jones, Zarn Sullivan, Tanielu Tele’a, Jamie Lane.

Good to see one of the specialist fullbacks is fit again

Ekuasi unlucky to miss out on the 23. Not listed as injured

Hmmmm...my mail had RTS starting at right wing for this one.

@Nogusta said in Auckland v Taranaki:

Hmmmm...my mail had RTS starting at right wing for this one.

interesting sounds like a request from higher up? any "unofficial" truth to the NRL rumours?

@bayimports he's not going back to league

@Nogusta said in Auckland v Taranaki:

Hmmmm...my mail had RTS starting at right wing for this one.

Now that is interesting.

@Duluth I thought Ekuasi would carve up NPC, but he hasn't had much of a shot at all.

@taniwharugby said in Auckland v Taranaki:

I thought Ekuasi would carve up NPC, but he hasn't had much of a shot at all.

Crazy loosie selections this year. Ekuasi has gone well when given a chance. Peita has been mixed

There's no strong ball runners in the trio. Choat and Gibson are too similar and their strength is on defence. Pugh can link well if the game gets loose but doesn't add much else.

@Kirwan I think that is where he should have been playing all along

@Duluth
I agree with you. The balance in the loose forwards is not good.

@ARHS But what were the Blues meant to do along with NZ rugby? We have enough wingers at the Blues with no 12s, and 12 was a problem position in NZ rugby at the beginning of the year, so it made sense to play him there.

Having said that, I do think he could make a useful utility in the ABs squad, similar to what Tupaea was doing before getting injured.

@African-Monkey I think he and his agent are to blame for taking such a high risk. Could have gone to Highlanders or Chiefs with an assured starting spot in back 3 and probably an AB spot on merit.

@ARHS said in Auckland v Taranaki:

@African-Monkey I think he and his agent are to blame for taking such a high risk. Could have gone to Highlanders or Chiefs with an assured starting spot in back 3 and probably an AB spot on merit.

Who would he displace? Clarke? Reece? Will Jordan? Jordie? He'd be fighting with DMac for a squad spot.

12 fits his league background more - similar defensive patterns and traffic to deal with.

@Duluth

Games worth watching to see how Perofeta goes. Although its expecting a lot without him having many recent matches. Esp at 1st. But the other option (DM) hasn't really looked like an AB first. At times he has but not consistently enough.

@Winger said in Auckland v Taranaki:

@Duluth

Games worth watching to see how Perofeta goes. Although its expecting a lot without him having many recent matches. Esp at 1st. But the other option (DM) hasn't really looked like an AB first. At times he has but not consistently enough.

He's finally playing at 10 too.

Whist Auckland have more to play for that's a strong looking Taranaki side.

Given Taranaki beat Canterbury when Perofeta played 10 and given Auckland's season this is going to be very close I think.

@nzzp said in Auckland v Taranaki:

@ARHS said in Auckland v Taranaki:

@African-Monkey I think he and his agent are to blame for taking such a high risk. Could have gone to Highlanders or Chiefs with an assured starting spot in back 3 and probably an AB spot on merit.

Who would he displace? Clarke? Reece? Will Jordan? Jordie? He'd be fighting with DMac for a squad spot.

12 fits his league background more - similar defensive patterns and traffic to deal with.

Fainga'anuku initially and likely Clarke

Part of the issue with wing is at 29 I don't think RTS is quite the same athlete he was 5-10 years ago.

Isn't it typically age 27 where AB wings tend to fade out with the odd exception (e.g. Cory Jane)?

@KiwiMurph that 'naki side does have a much better look to it with Perofeta & Vaai in there!