Auckland head up State Highway 1 for the Battle of The Bridge

The Blue and White Hoops head over the bridge to face a dangerous North Harbour side in this year’s Battle of The Bridge match.

Head Coach, Alama Ieremia has made several changes after his team’s physical encounter with Championship team Tasman in round 6, where Auckland emerged victorious 31-10.

Two players will be set to make their debut for the Blue and White Hoops this weekend. Grammar TEC midfielder, Inga Finau will be given his first cap at Second-Five with Captain TJ Faiane being injured. Waitemata Loose Forward, Adrian Choat will be given the Captaincy for the Round 7 fixture.

Ponsonby Wing, Joel Cobb will be in line to make his first appearance off the bench as Auckland’s ninth player to debut this season. Tanielu Tele’a starts on the left wing with an injury to Salesi Rayasi in last weeks’ Tasman game.

Hamish Dalzell will come into the second row for Jack Whetton who fell awkwardly in a line out during the game against Tasman. Dalzell will run out for only his 4th appearance with Auckland after making his debut against Bay of Plenty in Round 4.

Liam Hallam-Eames and Sione Tuipulotu return to the bench for the inter provincial contest as well.

The 2019 meeting between the two provinces saw the bridge split down the middle with a 28-28 draw. With both teams combining for the only two losses Tasman have had this season, Coach Ieremia is aware of the big challenge.

“We only need to look to what they (North Harbour) did against Tasman and Hawkes Bay for any reason not to take this game lightly. The Battle of The Bridge rivalry comes with a lot of history and meaning between our two provinces, so it is important that we front up on Saturday” said Ieremia.

Kick-off is 7:05pm at North Harbour Stadium.

Auckland v North Harbour

  1. James Lay (University)
  2. Leni Apisai (Ponsonby)
  3. Marcel Renata (University)
  4. Scott Scrafton (Grammar TEC)
  5. Hamish Dalzell (College Rifles)
  6. Adrian Choat © (Waitemata)
  7. Blake Gibson (Ponsonby)
  8. Akira Ioane (Ponsonby)
  9. Jonathan Ruru (University)
  10. Harry Plummer (Grammar TEC)
  11. Tanielu Tele’a (Marist)
  12. Inga Finau (Grammar TEC)(DEBUT)
  13. Tumua Manu (College Rifles)
  14. AJ Lam (Grammar TEC)
  15. Zarn Sullivan (College Rifles)
  16. Mike Sosene-Feagai (Marist)
  17. Jarred Adams (Suburbs)
  18. Marco Fepulea’i (Ponsonby)
  19. Liam Hallam-Eames (Grammar TEC)
  20. Sione Tuipulotu (Eden)
  21. Danny Tusitala (Ponsonby)
  22. Simon Hickey (Grammar TEC)
  23. Joel Cobb (Ponsonby)(DEBUT)

 

 

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