Must-win against Taranaki as home quarter final lies ahead

Auckland head to Eden Park in a must-win situation against Taranaki on Saturday afternoon.

Several positive results for the Blue and White Hoops would see the team head to Mt Smart Stadium next weekend for a home quarter-final.

The top four in the e­vens pool of the Bunnings Warehouse NPC will come down to the last round of the competition, with several teams needing results to secure a spot in the finals. 

Several players returning to the gameday team will bolster a strong Auckland side on Saturday afternoon.

All Blacks Angus Ta’avao and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck return to the Auckland squad, both looking to make their mark for their home province.

Leni Apisai makes his way back into the Auckland side after an injury caused him to leave the field in Round 3 against Bay of Plenty. The Māori All Black will be welcomed back into a highly experienced front row group.

Ponsonby fullback Jordan Trainor returns from injury for the Round 9 clash. Salesi Rayasi and AJ Lam will complete the back three.

Waitemata loose forward Adrian Choat returns to the XV alongside Blake Gibson and Jackson Pugh.

Auckland Rugby Coach Craig McGrath says there has been a simple message across the team leading into the final rounds of competition.

“It’s to win from here on out; it’s as simple as that. There is an extra edge being our last game at Eden Park for the season. We would love nothing more than to give our community something to celebrate on Saturday afternoon.”

The Arrival of the Rugby World Cup at Eden Park will see Auckland head to Mt Smart Stadium next weekend if they were to book themselves a home quarter-final spot.

Auckland have held a strong history with Taranaki, amassing several famous encounters. The pair last met in Round 5 of the 2020 NPC season. The Blue and White Hoops closed out the fixture 29-28 at TET Stadium.

Kick off is at 4:35pm from Eden Park on Saturday afternoon.

Auckland team v Taranaki

  1. Alex Hodgman (Eden)
  2. Soane Vikena (Waitemata)
  3. Marcel Renata (University)
  4. Josh Beehre (Grammar TEC)
  5. Hamish Dalzell (College Rifles)
  6. Blake Gibson (Ponsonby)
  7. Adrian Choat (Waitemata)
  8. Jackson Pugh (Marist)
  9. Taufa Funaki (Marist)
  10. Harry Plummer © (Grammar TEC)
  11. Salesi Rayasi (Marist)
  12. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (East Tamaki)
  13. Bryce Heem (Grammar TEC)
  14. AJ Lam (Grammar TEC)
  15. Jordan Trainor (Ponsonby)
  16. Leni Apisai (Ponsonby)
  17. Jordan Lay (University)
  18. Angus Ta’avao (Eden)
  19. Connor Vest (University)
  20. Terrell Peita (Ponsonby)
  21. Manu Paea (Manukau)
  22. Simon Hickey (Grammar TEC)
  23. Corey Evans (Grammar TEC)

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

 

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