Auckland Vulcans

[ozbash]

VB NSW Cup rd #16 team announcement:

Four current Vodafone Junior Warriors are named to make their Auckland Vulcans debut this weekend against an unbeaten Cronulla Sharks side.

Winger David Fusitua is named in the place of Bill Tupou who today was released by the Warriors immediately to join the Canberra Raiders.
...
Under 20’s captain David Bhana comes into the side at lock forward, joining the man who he replaced as Junior Warriors captain, John Palavi, in an all local forward pack.

Selected on the interchange bench are Raymond Faitala-Mariner and Albert Vete who have had breakthrough years under John Ackland this season.

In other team changes Steve Waetford moves to halfback to replace the injured Pita Godinet who should be fit to return in a couple of weeks.



Auckland Vulcans:

(1) Tangi Ropati

(2) David Fusitua

(3) Siosiua Taukeiaho

(4) Jerome Ropati

(5) Atelea Nafetalai

(6) Carlos Tuimavave

(7) Steve Waetford

(8) Charlie Gubb

(9) Alehana Mara

(10) Sebastine Ikahihifo

(11) John Palavi

(12) Sam Lousi

(13) David Bhana



(14) Siliva Havili

(15) Murray Iti

(16) Raymond Faitala-Mariner

(17) Albert Vete

(18) Nathaniel Peteru

 

[ozbash]

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT - Godinet returns from injury, Albert Vete to debut:

Influential halfback Pita Godinet is set to make his return from injury in this week’s clash against the Newtown Jets at Henson Park.

That sees captain Steve Waetford shift back to the wing where he started the year out.
...
Vodafone Warriors under 20’s front rower Albert Vete has been rewarded for his standout from in the Holden Cup with promotion into the Vulcans side for this week’s match.

With Charlie Gubb and Suaia Matagi required by the Warriors this week the likes of Raymond Faitala-Mariner and David Bhana will once again be asked to step up.

Auckland Vulcans:

David Fusitua, Tangi Ropati, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Jerome Ropati, Steven Waetford, Carlos Tuimavave, Pita Godinet, Albert Vete, Alehana Mara, Sebastian Ikihahifo, John Palavi, Sam Lousi, David Bhana BENCH:, Siliva Havili, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Nathaniel Peteru, Daniel Palavi

Auckland Vulcans vs. Newtown jets, 15.00 AEST, Henson Park


-Corey Rosser

 

[ozbash]

VB NSW Cup rd #20 preview - Vulcans vs. Cutters

By Corey Rosser

When Auckland run out onto WIN Stadium on Saturday afternoon they will face a team desperate to win and keep their finals hopes alive.
...
Indeed the Illawarra Cutters will be brimming with confidence following their draw with the table topping Cronulla Sharks last week, a team which up until that point had lost points only to Vulcans back in round 16.

The home team will be missing star halfback Harry Siejka, a player with plenty of talent and a point to prove against his former teammates in the Auckland side.

In his place is the equally talented Josh Drinkwater who had a taste of first grade football earlier this year, before appearing to have fallen out of favour with the Dragons first grade coaches.

With an intimidating forward pack boasting the likes of former first graders Jarrad Hickey and Will Matthews, the Cutters will test the Auckland middle for the full 80 minutes.

The key man for them is Atelea Vea, a damaging second rower capable of breaking the line at will. His offload and running game has the potential to tilt this fixture in his team’s favour, while his battle with the likes of Sam Lousi should be intriguing.

Auckland will travel with a settled looking lineup – Steve Waetford and Jerome Ropati the only inclusions.

Halfback Pita Godinet will be an important figure if the away team is to leave with the two points - his ability to feed the Vulcans deadly edge second rowers will be relied upon heavily.

A win for the Cutters will see them keep their finals hopes alive, a loss might just end them.

The Vulcans have a healthy buffer between themselves and the ninth placed Wentworthville Magpies, but two points are a must if they hope to venture into the top four.

Expect a close match where attack rather than defence is the vocal point.



Illawarra Cutters Vs Auckland Vulcans

WIN Stadium, Wollongong, Saturday, July 27

Kick-off: 1.10pm AEST

Referee: Phil Henderson

Broadcast: LIVE on Fox Sports 1



Illawarra Cutters:

1. Tyron Cranston

2. Gus Aiga

3. Josh Toole

4. Nathan Green

5. Kose Lelei

6. Nathan Dureau

7. Josh Drinkwater

8. Shannon Wakeman

9. Craig Garvey

10. Jarrad Hickey (c)

11. Willie Mataka

12. Atelea Vea

13. Will Matthews

14. Damien Cook

15. Matt Handcock

16. Evrett Vaurasi

19. Shane Pumipi

22. Nick Emmett

COACH: Paul McGregor



Auckland Vulcans:

1. Steve Waetford

2. Tangi Ropati

3. Siosiua Taukeiaho

4. Jerome Ropati

5. David Fusitua

6. Carlos Tuimavave

7. Pita Godinet

8. Daniel Palavi

9. Alehana Mara

10. Sebastian Ikihahifo

11. John Palavi

12. Sam Lousi

13. David Bhana

14. Siliva Havili

15. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

16. Nathaniel Peteru

17. Albert Vete

COACH: Willie Swann

 

[Rich102]

Vocal point?

 

[Izz]

Vocal point?

There'll be more shouting than usual?

 

[Skinner]

There'll be more shouting than usual?

lol

 

[Rich102]

What a frustrating game.
Nearly gave up on it with 20 minutes to go.
Cutters were 16-0 up. The Vulcans just couldn't complete sets; dropped balls, forward passes. No better in defence with missed tackles and not getting back the ten.
Penalties were 5-2 against them.
Then with 16 minutes to go they fired up and in seven minutes leveled the score. They were going to win for all money.
Each side took a drop kick for goal, both attempts bouncing back off the upright. Then, finally, Josh Drinkwater slotted the field goal that won the game.
Sam Louisi didn't play. Godinet was probably best Vulcan. Peteru was aggressive but made too many mistakes. Vete lacked real aggression.

If this is to be any use to the Warriors the standard of play has to improve. Looked like the Vulcans were hung-over from a late Friday night party.

 

[beefstew]

After watching the Vulcans yesterday and the 20's today, i hope we're not looking for any footy smarts from our lower grades, because they're all out.

 

[ozbash]

Team Announcement: VB NSW Cup rd #21:

Vodafone Warriors prop Russell Packer lines up for the Auckland this week, joined by Charlie Gubb who became the latest Vulcan to make his NRL debut recently.

Junior Warriors captain David Bhana, hugely impressive in his first few outings for Auckland, shifts back to the bench for this match against the Wentworthville Magpies.
...
Sebastian Ikihahifo starts in the number 13 jersey instead.

While the minor changes that come with being a feeder team are there, the Vulcans once again produce a mostly unchanged line-up and will be keen to address their two game losing streak.

The game kick starts a huge day of rugby league action at Mount Smart Stadium, with the Vodafone Junior Warriors, Auckland College Rugby League grand final and Vodafone Warriors clashes to follow.

Auckland Vulcans vs. Wentworthville Magpies, Mt Smart Stadium #2, Saturday August 3, 11:00 NZT.

Auckland Vulcans team:

David Fusitua, Viliami Lolohea, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Tangi Ropat, Steve Waetford, Carlos Tuimavave, Pita Godinet, Russell Packer, Alehana Mara, Charlie Gubb, John Palavi, Sam Lousi, Sebastian Ikihahifo. BENCH: Siliva Havili, David Bhana, Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Albert Vete, Nathaniel Peteru

 

[Rich102]

No JRo?

 

[Shaun Hewitt]

Vulcans team looks good enough to beat the Para Eels!

 

[jamaman]

Vulcans team looks good enough to beat the Para Eels!

Eels are near extinction! :crazy:

 

[Rich102]

Not on TV

 

[Meth]

Impressive pack

 

[ozbash]

Not on TV

yea, its at #2 ground, they dont think the main stadium can handle games...:roll:

piss poor, really.

 

[Rich102]

The Auckland Vulcans were in no mood to muck around when they hosted the Wentworthville Magpies, running out 44-10 winners without really even raising a sweat.
Early on the Vulcans forwards were causing their usual havoc, stretching the Wentworthville defence. It paid off on six minutes, Pita Godinet dabbing a grubber through for Viliami Lolohea to score out wide. The try went unconverted.
The joy was short lived though. Sustained pressure from the Magpies eventually broke the Vulcans down, with Pat Mataele strolling through to even up the ledger.
The next points were all about the two L’s - Lousi and Lolohea - Sam offloading wide to send his winger away for his second try which made it 8-4.
When Lousi received a short ball from Godinet and crossed from close range the Vulcans were looking well and truly in control.
Intricate short passing from the right flank only minutes later saw Sebastian Ikahihifo race away and score.
As the halftime siren sounded it was 18-4 to the Vulcans, Wentworthville still in the match courtesy of poor goal kicking from the home side.
Auckland wasted little time getting going in the second half, ‘foot on the throat’ mentality was the message from coach Willie Swann, and his troops delivered.
First Lolohea collected his hat trick, before Taukeiaho bolted 40 metres himself to cross and make it 30-4
Wenty were down but not out, producing a nice set to send former Vulcan Manu Ma’u over under the posts for a converted try with 25 minutes to go.
Classy play from Jerome Ropati put Ikahihifo over for his double, before a spate of penalties marched the Vulcans back up field where Sam Lousi did what he does best, smashing through several would-be defenders before offloading to Lolohea for try number four, which made it 38-10.
The visitors looked to have a try in the dying minutes before Carlos Tuimavave plucked the ball out of the air and raced 80 to dot down untouched.
The win was a welcome confidence boost of the Vulcans who had not played a home match in over a month.
It also maintains a comfortable, but not safe, points buffer between themselves and ninth place in the VB NSW Cup
FT: Vulcans 44 (Lolohea x4, Ikahihifo x2, Lousi, Taukeiaho tries; Taukeiaho 3/8. Godinet 1/1.
Magpies 10 (Mataele, Mau tries; Sandow 1/2.

http://www.aucklandvulcans.co.nz/

 

[ozbash]

VB NSW Cup rd #22 preview – Vulcans vs. Bulldogs:

By Corey Rosser

It’s hard to believe that only two years ago these two teams met on grand final day, playing out a thrilling match which ended in a Bulldogs victory.
...
Fast forward to present day and the Vulcans are sitting in seventh position while the Bulldogs have assumed wooden spoon favouritism.

Auckland at least will come into the match with the winning feeling fresh on their mind – last Saturday they put away the Wentworthville Magpies in clinical fashion 44-10.

The Bulldogs on the other hand suffered a ‘close but not close enough’ moment, going down 26-22 to the Illawarra Cutters.

The big money will be on the Vulcans, boosted by the return of impact utility Agnatius Paasi who comes back from suspension.

Last week rookie winger Viliami Lolohea scored more points by himself than their opponents did, with a stunning four try haul.

The Vulcans will be missing the man who set Lolohea up with a couple of those tries last week, Sam Lousi sitting on the sideline with an injury.

Veteran centre Jerome Ropati will also be missing, his class and solid defence is a big loss for the home team.

The key figures then look set to be Pita Godinet, his brilliant ability to control a match at this level is hard to stop, while expect Agnatius Paasi to cause his fair share of damage too, after what has no doubt been a frustrating period on the sidelines.

The Bulldogs will arrive in Auckland with plenty of class in their side however, and are a team that simply can’t be counted out.

Drury Low in the fullback position is a player with plenty of potential - when he is on song the Bulldogs have a whole new attacking feel.

The real key man for them is halfback Joel Romelo, the pint sized playmaker is a fiery character and a real match winner when things get tight.

The game kicks off at 12.50pm NZT and is part of a triple header at Mt Smart Stadium number 2.



Auckland Vulcans Vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

Mt Smart Stadium #2, Saturday, August 10

Kick-off: 12.50pm NZT, 10.50am AEST

Referee: Aaron Donald



11.00am: Paptoetoe v Otara (Sharman Cup Semi)

12.50pm: Vulcans & Bulldogs

2.30pm: Pt Chev v Mangere East (Fox Semi)





Auckland

1. Tangi Ropati

2. Viliami Lolohea

3. Siosiua Taukeiaho

18. Agnatius Paasi

5. Atelea Nafetalai

6. Steve Waetford

7. Pita Godinet

8. Russell Packer

9. Alehana Mara

10. Charlie Gubb

11. Sebastian Ikihahifo

12. Raymond Faitala-Mariner

13. Murray Iti

14. Siliva Havili

15. David Bhana

16. Nathaniel Peteru

17. Albert Vete

COACH: Willie Swann





Canterbury

1. Drury Low

2. Brett Lane

3. Corey Thompson

4. Ed Murphy

5. John Sila

6. Jack Littlejohn

7. Joel Romelo

8. Martin Taupau

9. Moses Mbye

10. Junior Palau

11. Lachlan Burr

12. Danny Galea

13. Harlan Alaalatoa

14. Paul Carter

15. Garet Shepherdson

16. Steve Azzi

17. Gerard McCallum

19. John Kite

COACH: Barry Ward

 

[MKEB...]

I see Martin Taupau is there in the Dogs side, Good Player this guy. Interesting to see him V Packer

 

[spear tackle]

I see Ropati is missing from our side ,injured?

 

[Rich102]

Consulting.