Auckland Vulcans vs The Big Black Bears

[Skinner]

Gemmell has this team stealing defeat from the jaws of victory in spades. Tenth on the table. Played 9, won 2.

1 Wade McKinnon
2 Fetongi Tuinauvai
3 Niuvoa Taka
4 Joel Moon
5 Johnny Aranga
6 Jordan Tuarae
7 Pita Godinet
16 James Gavet
9 Dane Shelford
10 Nathaniel Neale
11 Lewis Brown
12 Sione Lousi
13 Tulson Caird

14 Howie Matthews
15 Toshio Laiseni
18 Kurt Tehira
19 Sialii Tufeo

Coach: Brent Gemmell




1 Luke Capewell
2 Ryan Apps
3 Shaune Corrigan
4 Andre Itula
5 Curtis Johnston
6 Eddie Paea
7 Jarryd Hogan
8 Garret Crossman
9 Beau Falloon
10 Daniel Sayegh
11 Matt Hunt
12 Deon Apps
13 Brock Molan

14 Dean Webster
15 John Kaifoto
16 Martin Field
19 James Nightingale
20 Mark Talanoa

Coach: Wayne Lambkin

 

[Dirty Hoe]

brent is a one season wonder...hes shown his true colours as a coach.

strong team on paper, should be putting it together

 

[Skinner]

You'd have to give them a show on Saturday, but you wouldn't be plonking your house on 'em

 

[playdaball]

They do look strong on paper. Is Johnson playing for the 20s?

 

[Iafeta]

No he isn't, pdb. Tuimavave and Inu are the 20s halves. Interesting to see Fisiiahi start at fullback, the bloke has blistering speed... but in order to do it they've popped Nafe Seluini back to the pench. Is it just me, or does Nafe look like a damn smart footballer?

Likiliki and Niko's side have been outstanding the past few games. Does anyone know how Elijah Niko ranks when the club does it speed tests? That's the only thing that might stop him long term, he has a good work rate and is quite strong. I would say more Meli-ish than Vatuvei-ish.

 

[ozbash]

Is it just me, or does Nafe look like a damn smart footballer?

his 3rd year in U20's. he is very good.

 

[JB]

Does anyone know how Elijah Niko ranks when the club does it speed tests? That's the only thing that might stop him long term, he has a good work rate and is quite strong. I would say more Meli-ish than Vatuvei-ish.

Tbh Penehe's impressed me more than Niko. Been ripping it up lately.

 

[Rich102]

How the hell can Lewis Brown be in the Vulcans and Henderson be on the bench for the Warriors? Shows the Warriors aren't serious.

What's with Johnson? When is he due back? Looking forward to seeing him alongside Tuimavave.

Should be a good U20's game this week - an improving Warriors side vs the competition leaders.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

How the hell can Lewis Brown be in the Vulcans and Henderson be on the bench for the Warriors? Shows the Warriors aren't serious.

What's with Johnson? When is he due back? Looking forward to seeing him alongside Tuimavave.

Should be a good U20's game this week - an improving Warriors side vs the competition leaders.

Obviously Henderson is in the dummy half rotation - wouldn't make too much sense to put Brown back in there even if he came to the club as a No.9. Hendo's been going okay for mine, better than Heremaia after his early-season burst (ie 2-3 games).

If it's a nice day, like it is today, 20s game should be great. It'll be 50-40 or some such, you would think...which doesn't necessarily=great game, but entertaining none the less.

 

[Skinner]

It'll be 50-40 or some such, you would think...which doesn't necessarily=great game, but entertaining none the less.

And therein lies the greatest issue with the junior grade

 

[Skinner]

Half time at number 2. Vulcans 24 North Sydney 0 :shock: Just waiting on the second half sleep

 

[Skinner]

34/10 to the Vulcans......no half time sleep.

 

[Phantomlock]

Bears played ugly. They're got problems stringing together sets and it isn't any wonder they're even lower than the Vulcans. They didn't trouble our boys much at all. We were really agressive in the tackle despite being 'outsized' yet again.

Godinet was impressive setting up many scoring opportunities, scoring twice himself and always asking questions of the Bears. He was my MOM - he did bomb a try though when he had a chance to put Afioga away for an uncontested try but he otherwise played faultlessly.

Our pack was more mobile and for once had a favourable error rate compared to their opposition. Lousi and Afioga impressed (again) in their natural second row positions as did Taka and Tuinauai in the centres. They'll be looking forward to Metcalfe's return though. Aranga's a classy fullback and to be honest had much more to offer than Knobby when he was dropped from 1st grade.

Lattimore and Gavet (more a second rower IMO) impressive when they were on the field together and Neale added some steal when he came off the bench. Tehira also shows good touches and with a bit more size could be another looking on the fringes like Shelford. Sialii Tufeo has heaps of potential...I like the look of this guy.

 

[AliN]

Bears played ugly. They're got problems stringing together sets and it isn't any wonder they're even lower than the Vulcans. They didn't trouble our boys much at all. We were really agressive in the tackle despite being 'outsized' yet again.

Godinet was impressive setting up many scoring opportunities, scoring twice himself and always asking questions of the Bears. He was my MOM - he did bomb a try though when he had a chance to put Afioga away for an uncontested try but he otherwise played faultlessly.

Our pack was more mobile and for once had a favourable error rate compared to their opposition. Lousi and Afioga impressed (again) in their natural second row positions as did Taka and Tuinauai in the centres. They'll be looking forward to Metcalfe's return though. Aranga's a classy fullback and to be honest had much more to offer than Knobby when he was dropped from 1st grade.

Lattimore and Gavet (more a second rower IMO) impressive when they were on the field together and Neale added some steal when he came off the bench. Tehira also shows good touches and with a bit more size could be another looking on the fringes like Shelford. Sialii Tufeo has heaps of potential...I like the look of this guy.

thanks Phantom, sounds like the boys went well.

Good to see you here btw..

 

[ozbash]

Welcome Phantonlock ;-)

 

[Phantomlock]

thanks Phantom, sounds like the boys went well.

Good to see you here btw..

Thanks AliN; The start of the game was 'eerily-freaky' - dark, gloomy and that heavy as downpour was a strange was to start the game. They kept the floodlights on even when the sun came out lol.

 

[Phantomlock]

Welcome Phantonlock ;-)

Gidday young man.

 

[Rich102]

Good report. Thanks!

 

[tezzah]

1 Wade McKinnon - Did not play, watched game from stands.
2 Fetongi Tuinauvai - is a consistent player. Error free and is a great help out the back and from dummy half. Quick off the mark but not overly flash.
3 Niuvoa Taka - solid performance on attack. Almost acted like another prop forward smashing through the mid field and continuously making metres carrying Norths forwards. Sound defence also out wide and works well with Sione Lousi, Pita Godinet and his winger Fetongi.
4 Joel Moon - played more like a stand off creating options, testing the line lots and putting in a few good kicks. Definitely stood out with ball in hand.
5 Johnny Aranga - solid performance out the back. Lots of dummy half runs and brought the ball up well. Very safe under the highball also.
6 Jordan Tuarae
7 Pita Godinet - Leads team very well. Often found open space on kicks. Troubled tiring Norths defenders. Good kick and chase followed up with first tackle on Capewell and Eddie Paea who was pushed to full back after average showing in halves. Followed up well with Moon putting in a chip and chase leading to try number 2.
16 James Gavet - growing in confidence each week along with match fitness. Lots of hit ups this week. Not looking to offload every hit up and basically chewing up metres from the front.
9 Dane Shelford
10 Nathaniel Neale
11 Lewis Brown
12 Sione Lousi - Cleary must pick him in his NRL side. He is aggressive, has a high work rate and offers controlled mongrel around the ruck area. Glad he is playing second row opposed to centre also. Was 18th man to Warriors Sat night. Would have relished playing Vulcans and then backing up to NRL later on.
13 Tulson Caird - consistent workhorse! Attacks the line like a prop forward and supports Gavet and Latimore on most touches. Made a huge amount of tackles.

14 Howie Matthews - safe and sound out the back. Loads of dummy half runs due to wet weather footy.
15 Toshio Laiseni - solid showing from Tosh.
18 Kurt Tehira
19 Sialii Tufeo

 

[playdaball]

Eddie Paea

Now there is a name from the past. Once touted as a future superstar

- went on Kiwi tour
- almost signed for Warriors
- a future South star

How things change