Round Eight: Preview and team lists

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Thursday, September 26, 2019    Getty Images

Taranaki v Southland
Thursday 26 September, 7.35pm, Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth. TICKETS 
Played: 56 (1899-2016)
Won: Taranaki 35, Southland 20, drawn 1
Last match: Taranaki 30 Southland 14 in New Plymouth on 8.9.16
Referee: Dan Waenga

Southland are riding high, after claiming their first win in three years when they defeated Counties Manukau in Invercargill last weekend. Taranaki were convincingly beaten by Hawke’s Bay in round seven and have a bit of work to do if they want to be in finals contention.


Taranaki: 1: Chris Gawler 2: Bradley Slater 3: Donald Brighouse 4: Leighton Price 5: Mitch Brown 6: Heiden Bedwell - Curtis 7: Tom Florence 8: Pita-Gus Sowakula 9: Lisata Milo-Harris 10: Stephen Perofeta 11: Jackson Ormond 12: Teihorangi Walden 13: Sean Wainui 14: Waisake Naholo 15: Jayson Potroz
Reserves: Scott Mellow, Jared Proffit, Kyle Stewart, Josh Lord, Kaylum Boshier, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Matthew McKenzie, Liam Blyde

Southland: 1: Joseph Walsh 2: Greg Pleasants-Tate 3: Morgan Mitchell 4: Craig Smith 5: Mike McKee 6: Brayden Mitchell 7: Matthew James 8: Charles Alaimalo 9: Logan Crowley 10: Marty McKenzie 11: Rory van Vugt 12: Raymond Nu'u 13: Isaac Te Tamaki 14: Lewis Ormond 15: Josh Moorby
Reserves: Ryan Carter, Shaun Stodart, Christopher Apoua, Bill Fukofuka, Jay Renton, Mitchell Taylor, Tauasosi Tuimavave

Tasman v Auckland
Friday 27 September, 7.35pm, Trafalgar Park, Nelson TICKETS.
Played: 11 (2006-18)
Won: Tasman 4, Auckland 6, drawn 1
Last match: Auckland 36 Tasman 10 in Auckland on 7.9.18
Referee: James Munro

The Mako continue to fly high in the Premiership, having yet to drop a game from seven. They were pushed hard by Waikato last weekend but managed to still get over the line. Auckland have had a mixed bag season, winning three, drawing two and losing two. The defending champions are currently in fourth place and ideally need to win to give themselves a chance of playing in the finals and defending their title. Tasman skipper David Havili will become the first Mako to reach 50 games on Friday.

1: Wyatt Crockett 2: Andrew Makalio 3: Tyrel Lomax 4: Quinten Strange 5: Pari Pari Parkinson 6: Ethan Blackadder 7: Sione Havili 8: Liam Squire 9: Finlay Christie 10: Mitch Hunt 11: Leicester Faingaanuku 12: Alex Nankivell 13: Levi Aumua 14: Will Jordan 15: David Havili
Reserves: Hugh Roach, Tim Perry, Isaac Salmon, Te Ahiwaru Cirikdaveta, Jordan Taufua, Uchida Keisuke, Fetuli Paea, Tima Faingaanuku

Auckland: 1: Alex Hodgman 2: Leni Apisai 3: Marcel Renata 4: Jamie Lane 5: Jack Whetton 6: Waimana Riedlinger-Kapa, 7: Adrian Choat 8: Akira Ioane 9: Danny Tusitala 10: Harry Plummer 11: Caleb Clarke 12: TJ Faiane 13: Tumua Manu 14: Tanielu Tele’a 15: Jordan Trainor
Reserves: Robbie Abel, Jarred Adams, Marco Fepulea’I, Hau Paua, Aleks Dabek, Jonathan Ruru, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Salesi Rayasi

Bay of Plenty v Hawke’s Bay
Saturday 28 September, 2.35pm, Tauranga Domain. TICKETS.
Played: 51 (1922-2018)
Won: Bay of Plenty 27, Hawke’s Bay 23, drawn 1
Last match: Hawke’s Bay 29 Bay of Plenty 28 in Napier on 8.9.18
Referee: James Doleman

It was an entertaining battle the last time these sides met, just one point separating them. They are also alongside each other at the top of the Championship ladder. Hawke’s Bay have a seven-point buffer, but it’s the famous battle of the Bay and it promises to be exciting.

Bay of Plenty:
 1: Aidan Ross 2: Nathan Vella 3: Jeff Thwaites 4: Baden Wardlaw 5: Alex Ainley 6: Tom Franklin 7: Mitchell Karpik 8: Hoani Matenga 9: Richard Judd 10: Kaleb Trask 11: Joseva Ravouvou 12: Chase Tiatia 13: Mathew Skipwith-Garland 14: Emoni Narawa 15: Pryor Collier
Reserves: Kurt Eklund, Tevita Mafileo, Ross Geldenhuts, Aaron Carroll, Hugh Blake, Leroy Carter, Jason Robertson, Dennon Robinson-Bartlett

Hawke’s Bay: 1: Pouri Rakete-Stones 2: Ash Dixon 3: Ben May 4: Michael Allardice 5: Tom Parsons 6: Geoff Cridge 7: Brendon O'Connor 8: Gareth Evans 9: Folau Fakatava 10: Lincoln McClutchie 11: Mason Emerson 12: Danny Toala 13: Stacey Ili 14: Neria Fomai 15: Caleb Makene
Reserves: Kianu Kereru-Symes, Jason Long, Joel Hintz, Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, Devan Flanders, Josh Kaifa, Zach Donaldson, Ollie Sapsford

Wellington v Northland
Saturday 28 September, 5.05pm, Westpac Stadium, Wellington. TICKETS.
Played: 38 (1939-2017)
Won: Wellington 27, Northland 9, drawn 2
Last match: Wellington 49 Northland 21 in Wellington on 20.10.17
Referee: Glen Jackson

Wellington are sitting pretty on the Premiership ladder, in second place, but seven points behind Tasman. Northland on the other hand are struggling, with just the one win, which they picked up in round one over Southland. The Taniwha, who are ravaged with injuries, haven’t beaten the Lions since 2014.

 1: Xavier Numia 2: Asafo Aumua 3: Sef Fa’agase 4: Naitoa Ah Kuoi 5: James Blackwell 6: Vaea Fifita 7: Du’Plessis Kirifi 8: Teariki Ben-Nicholas 9: Kemara Hauiti-Parapara 10: Jackson Garden-Bachop 11: Ben Lam 12: Thomas Umaga-Jensen 13: Vince Aso 14: Wes Goosen 15: Billy Proctor
Reserves: James O’Reilly, Sitiveni Paongo, Kaliopasi Uluilakepa, Josh Furno, Mateaki Kafatolu, Campbell Woodmass, Trent Renata, Pepesana Patafilo

Northland: 1: Ross Wright 2: Paddy Jo Atkins 3: Jack Straker 4: Temo Mayanavanua 5: Sam Caird 6: Sam McNamara 7: Jarod Byrnes 8: Jaycob Matiu 9: Sam Nock 10: Jack Debreczeni 11: Pisi Leilua 12: Blake Hohaia 13: Matt Johnson 14: Jonty Rae 15: Scott Gregory
Reserves: Nick Hyde, Isileli Tu'ungafasi, Corey Te Whata-Colley, Setefano Funaki, Aorangi Stokes, Harrison Levien, Tom Smith, James Cherrington*


Canterbury v Counties Manukau
Saturday 28 September, 7.35pm, Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch. TICKETS.
Played: 40 (1960-2018)
Won: Canterbury 28, Counties Manukau 11, drawn 1
Last match: Canterbury 19 Counties Manukau 14 at Pukekohe on 13.10.18
Referee: Nick Hogan

Both sides will be hurting this week. Canterbury suffered a shock loss to Manawatu and Counties Manukau handed Southland their first win in three years. The Steelers are in must-win territory if they want to avoid being relegated to the Championship.

 1: Daniel Lienert-Brown 2: Brodie McAlister 3: Siate Tokolahi 4: Luke Romano 5: Mitchell Dunshea 6: Reed Prinsep 7: Billy Harmon 8: Whetukamokamo Douglas 9: Mitchell Drummond 10: Brett Cameron 11: Ngane Punivai 12: Inga Finau 13: Tim Bateman 14: Dallas McLeod 15: Josh McKay
Reserves: Seb Siataga, Harrison Allan, Owen Franks, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Ere Enari, Fergus Burke, Sam Gilbert

Counties Manukau: 1: Mark Royal 2: Joseph Royal 3: Conan O’Donnell 4: Viliame Rarasea 5: Daymon Leasuasu 6: Samuel Slade 7: Malgene Ilaua 8: Dan Hyatt 9: Jonathan Taumateine 10: Orbyn Leger 11: Kailone Hala 12: Cardiff Vaega 13: Nikolai Foliaki 14: Kirisi Kuridrani 15: Andrew Kellaway
Reserves: Donald Maka, Sean Bagshaw, Suetena Asomua, Sikeli Nabou, Jonathan Kawau, Liam Daniela, Riley Hohepa, Nathaniel Apa

Otago v Waikato (Ranfurly Shield)
Sunday 29 September, 2.05pm, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin. TICKETS.
Played: 54 (1935-2018)
Won: Otago 23, Waikato 30, drawn 1
Last match: Waikato 36 Otago 13 in Hamilton on 26.10.18
Referee: Richard Kelly

Otago were impressive in their last Ranfurly Shield defence against Taranaki a few weeks ago. On the flip side, Waikato will be seeking revenge, after they lost the Log ‘O’ Wood to Otago at the end of last season. Otago’s All Blacks Sevens playmakers Vilimoni Koroi and Jona Nareki will be instrumental in Otago’s defence and Waikato’s Quinn Tupaea has been a standout for the Mooloos all season. This promises to be entertaining under the roof in Dunedin.


Otago: 1: Aki Seiuli 2: Nic Souchon 3: Hisa Sasagi 4: Joe Latta 5: Josh Dickson 6: Adam Thompson 7: Slade McDowall 8: Dylan Nel 9: Rowan Gouws 10: Josh Ioane 11: Jona Nareki 12: Patelesio Tomkinson 13: Aleki Morris-Lome 14: Vilimoni Koroi 15: Michael Collins
Reserves: Sekonaia Pole, Jonah Aoina, George Bower, Louis Conradie, Mika Mafi, Connor McLeod, Taylor Haugh, Henry Purdy

Waikato: 1: Rob Cobb 2: Samisoni Taukei'aho 3: Sefo Kautai 4: Api Naikatini 5: James Tucker 6: Samipeni Finau 7: Mitch Jacobson 8: Simon Parker 9: Jack Stratton 10: Fletcher Smith 11: Bailyn Sullivan 12: Dwayne Sweeney 13: Quinn Tupaea 14: Declan O’Donnell 15: Solomon Alaimalo
Reserves: Sam Cooper, Ollie Norris, Joshua Iosefa-Scott, Tim Bond, Murray Iti, Carlos Price, Rivez Reihana, Matthew Lansdown

Manawatu v North Harbour
Sunday 29 September, 4.35pm, Central Energy Trust Arena, Palmerston North. TICKETS.
Played: 18 (1986-2016)
Won: Manawatu 5, North Harbour 13
Last match: North Harbour 29 Manawatu 25 in Albany on 10.9.16
Referee: Hugh Reed

Both sides sit on the same points in their respective tables, but the Turbos will be high on confidence after upsetting Canterbury last week. Ngani Laumape has been in bulldozing form for Manawatu over the last couple of weeks, so expect nothing different from him on Sunday.

1: Fraser Armstrong 2: Nick Grogan 3: Samuela Tawake 4: Fraser Stone 5: Liam Mitchell 6: Nick Crosswell 7: Johnny Galloway 8: Brayden Iose 9: Jamie Booth 10: Otere Black 11: Adam Boult 12: Hamish Northcott 13: Rob Thompson 14: Te Rangatira Waitokia 15: Andre Taylor
Reserves: Sam Stewart, Sione Fa’alelei, Paulo Leleisiuao, Sione Tuipulotu, Rhys Pedersen, Atutahi Henare, James Tofa, Josiah Maraku

North Harbour: 1: Karl Tuinukuafe 2: Luteru Tolai 3: Sione Mafileo 4 Jacob Pierce 5: Ben Nee-Nee 6: Ethan Roots 7: Dillon Hunt 8: Murphy Taramai 9: Bryn Hall 10: Matt McGahan 11: Mark Telea 12: Harrison Groundwater 13: Asaeli Tikoirotuma 14: Tomas Aoake 15: Matt Duffie
Reserves: David Meki, Luatangi Li, Jimmy Roots, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Tate Evans, Lewis Gjaltema, James Little, Fine Inisi