Son of former All Blacks great among key figures in powerful Auckland Mitre 10 Cup squad
Auckland have named a powerful 40-man squad for this season’s Mitre 10 Cup as they look to clinch their second domestic title in three years.
Head coach Alama Ieremia will have plenty of experience and a multitude of talent to draw upon this season, with 13 of his players featuring for the Blues in their impressive Super Rugby and Super Rugby Aotearoa campaigns.
A further nine players have Super Rugby experience, either from Blues teams in years gone by or with other franchises this season, while Ieremia has five All Blacks – Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Angus Ta’avao Patrick Tuipuloutu, Akira Ioane and Rieko Ioane – in his ranks.
How often he can call upon that quintet of players remains to be seen given this year’s international schedule is yet to be solidified, but there can be no denying the depth Ieremia has at his disposal.
“We have an experienced squad this season, and it will be up to the players and management to lead from within the group, to get the best out of our preparation,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
“We haven’t had an ideal pre-season like other teams, but that’s not going to stop us from being excited and coming out firing for opening round.”
The former All Blacks midfielder is, of course, referring to the cancellation of pre-season fixtures and training schedules brought on by the outbreak of COVID-19 in Auckland last month that forced the city into level three lockdown.
Despite the disruptive start to the provincial campaign, there is plenty for Ieremia and the Auckland faithful to be excited about, particularly among the young cohort of players coming through the grades.
Perhaps the most eye-catching rookie named in this year’s squad is 20-year-old loose forward Niko Jones.
Son of former All Blacks great Michael Jones, Niko burst onto the scene as a schoolboy at St Peter’s College two years ago, where a string of standout performances led to his school crowned national champions in spite of their underdog status.
Canterbury are set to again be strong contenders for the #Mitre10Cup this year after unveiling a 37-man squad on Wednesday that oozes depth and experience.https://t.co/juQNFI7Nzy
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 2, 2020
Inclusion in that year’s New Zealand Schools squad was followed by selection in the 2019 All Blacks Sevens squad, although injury while playing for the national development side thwarted his chances of an international debut.
However, Jones has been handed his first opportunity at Mitre 10 Cup action this year, and is among a raft of highly-rated rookies, including 2019 Auckland academy members Taufa Funaki, Zarn Sullivan and Soane Vikena, who was named Development Player of the Year at the 2020 Blues Awards.
Elsewhere, new Hurricanes recruit Simon Hickey, young loose forward Adrian Choat, livewire halfback Danny Tusitala and Manu Samoa prop James Lay have all returned to the province after stints abroad in European and American club rugby.
Ieremia will hope the experience they gained overseas will complement the services of the likes of All Blacks hopefuls Caleb Clarke, Hoskins Sotutu, Alex Hodgman and Scott Scrafton, all of whom earned selection in this weekend’s North vs South clash in the wake of some impressive Super Rugby showings.
Auckland fans will get the chance to see their side in action for the first time this year next Saturday, when they open their domestic campaign against Otago at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.
Auckland Mitre 10 Cup squad for 2020:
Forwards: Alex Hodgman, Jarred Adams, Leni Apisai, Mike Sosene, Soane Vikena, Joe Royal, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fatogia Paea, Angus Ta’avao, Marcel Renata, Marco Fepulea’i, James Lay, Scott Scrafton, Hamish Dalzell, Patrick Tuipulotu, Jack Whetton, Liam Hallam-Eames, Sione Tuipulotu, Waimana Reidlinger-Kapa, Blake Gibson, Niko Jones, Adrian Choat, Hoskins Sotutu, Akira Ioane.
Backs: Jonathan Ruru, Taufa Funaki, Danny Tusitala, Simon Hickey, Zarn Sullivan, TJ Faiane, Harry Plummer, Tumua Manu, Inga Finau, Tanielu Tele’a, Rieko Ioane, Joel Cobb, Caleb Clarke, Salesi Rayasi, AJ Lam, Jordan Trainor.
Comments on RugbyPass
$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to comments