Senior Rugby Action

Premier Men @ Shadbolt @ 2:45pm

Our Premier men head out west for their 3rd round clash against Suburbs at Shadbolt Park. With their loss last weekend to Ponsonby, the boys will be looking to bounce back against a Suburbs team still hurting from their defeat to University. Whilst the result last week was disappointing, the team showed plenty of intent and purpose against a Ponsonby team littered with representative experience. Coaches will be ruing a game where the team had created a number of opportunities, but failed to convert those opportunities into points. A number of players will be making their debut tomorrow, including Patrick Pati, who makes his first appearance in the blue and white strip, after a stint in North Otago saw him won the Heartland Championship and then go on to represent the NZ Heartland side. His experience is a welcomed addition to the playing roster with Joe Collins ruled out with concussion.  

Tomorrows game also marks Otumaka Mausia’s 50th game for club, a regular member of the club since leaving Mt Roskill Grammar in 2014. We are proud of Otu and his continued commitment and loyalty to Rifles and wish him all the best. The team won’t need any motivation and would look to put out a solid performance in celebration of his milestone.

 

Premier Team v Suburbs @ Shadbolt 2:45pm

  1. Frederick Fonokalafi 2. Ezra Vai 3. Jason Skipps 4. Josh Brajkovic 5. Alan Rathbun 6. Hayden Edwards 7. Christian Kelleher 8. Ben Sa’u © 9. Sam Wye 10. Zarn Sullivan 11. Jason Mee 12. Otu Mausia 13. Meihana Grindlay 14. Joe Cooke 15. Patrick Pati* 16. Darius Mauga 17. Cruise Tito* 18. Penisoni Fineanganofo 19. Sam Knott 20. Cody Mitchell 21. Dominic Tevao 22. Moli Faiva 23. Epeli Ula*

 

*Premier Debut

 

Premier Development @ Shadbot 1:00pm

Our premier development continued their winning ways against Ponsonby last week. They too face Suburbs tomorrow, in a largely unchanged squad, with only a few changes due to a number players getting the “call up” to the Premier team. The Premier Development boast a number of players with premier experience including Hamish Boult and Patrick Vaovasa. The team will be looking these players for leadership and direction, as if they look to continue their winning ways.

  1. Richard Reed 2. Hamish Boult 3. Darius Mauga 4. TBC 5. Sam Knott 6. Pat Vaovasa 7. Alistair Burnett 8. Caleb Niuhulu 9. Ash Tuia 10. Pena Iloa 11. Epeli Ula 12. Alastair Frost 13. Kawa Vunipola 14. Vakaloa Tuima 15. Rex Tatoa 16. Dragan Saric 17. Lotuvai Ma’asi 18. Ezrah Kapeteni 19. Mitch Willis 20. Caleb Pulu 21. John Ogden 22. Moudiki Pulu

 

Premier Women’s TBirds v Manurewa @ Mount Fort Park @ 2:45pm

Our Premier Women’s have had the unusual start to the season, going into the 3rd, without a win so far in the shorten competition. Whilst last week’s single point loss to Ardmore was a much improved performance, it still means the team would need to win remaining games to stay in the hunt for the Coleman Shield. Manurewa will be a stern challenge for our ladies after their convincing win over Marist, but a good week of training, has the team quietly confident they can turn their season around tomorrow.

  1. Vainga Moimoi 2. Sapphire Abraham 3. Doris Taufateau 4. Maia Roos 5. Petra Zwart 6. Ruby Tangulu 7. Rosie Cox © 8. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u 9. Jennifer Rose Reu 10. Umu Taliu 11. Salote Tameifuna 12. Tamara Ati 13. Sima Hala 14. Elizabeth Pereira 15. Grace Freeman 16. Barbra Auva’a* 17. Maria Silao 18. M Gautusa 19. Rita Lili’I 20. Clementine Varea 21. Talia Tuaiti 22. Kiri Demant 23. Cilia Marie Po’e

 

*Premier Debut

Premier Development Womens Falcons 10’s @ Rifles @1pm

The Falcons play Eden at home in their second game of the season. A number of young and new faces at the club get another opportunity in the Blue and White after a strong win against Waiheke last week. Eden have moved from playing Premier grade in 2019 and will still carry some experience into the game. A good test for our young side, who hope to stamp their mark in the premier dev competition.

  1. Lucy Culleton 2. Milika Tanguli 3. Maria Hifo 4. Marryanne Fifita 5. Vanesa Garnelo 6. Fiva Setoga-Tuala 7. Sandra Leota 8. Ciara Duncum 9. Denita Wentzel 10. Salote Tu’itakau 11. Faasea Sao Taliu 12. Sita Le’ota 13. Caitlin Robb 14. Caoilinn Dwyer 15. Losa Tulilo

 

Under 21s @ Rifles @ 1pm.

The boys are 2 from 2 so far, after a come from behind win against Grammar Tec last week. Joe Fabish, fresh from his Premier involvement, Fabish had a busy day at the office, whilst the tight 5, worked over-time against a resilient Grammar pack. The bruising encounter has left a number of players injured and not available this week and this has challenged coaches Graeme and Terry to put a squad fit enough to take on Mt Wellington. Despite the injuries, the team has good momentum and is full of confidence going into tomorrow’s fixture. They continue to set the benchmark in this year’s competition. Head down to the club to catch some the action, kick off at 1pm.

  1. Vili Fangupo 2. David Mahe 3. Rona Tuialii 4. Levi Ulukiahoia 5. Penisoni Pfileti 6. Malipolo Manukia 7. Joe Fabish 8. Likau Alatini (VC) 9. TJ Folau 10. Revin Storey 11. Mila Fitialo Soochoon 12. Jayjay Sheung Fuk 13. James Matautu 14. Steven Edgar 15. Sofai Maka © 16. Sione Pulu 17. TBC 18. Lax Poese 19. I Opuu 20. T Tepolea 21. Metanoea Saulala 22. Western Tyreece Tahuri

 

Under 85s v Eden Lizards @ Shore Rd @ 1pm

In their first outing, our Raiders went down to a good Ponsonby Hustlers team at Western Springs. The team have had strong numbers at training and competition for places is high, with a number of players in their first year out of school including St Peters, Sacred Heart and Glendowie, giving the team a more youthful look to it this season. After weeks of training and a solid hit out against Ponies, the boys will be keen to get their season back to a winning start against the Lizards. Head down the road to catch some of the action, as the lads take on Eden Lizards at Shore Rd, kick off at 1pm.

 

  1. Jono Willis 2. Sam Irving 3. Aaron Blair 4. Dean Trembath 5. Harry Paulin 6. Connor Hafoka 7. Oscar Brewer 8. Daniel Ellingham © 9. Jamie Lawlor 10. Rory McKenzie 11. Xavier McCluskey 12. Jarrod Jennings 13. George Deans 14. Johnny Duncan 15. Robbie Macalister 16. Taylor Simmons 17. Madison Gellatly 18. Matt Wallace 19. Joshua Hjorth 20. Keisuke Ogawa 21. Luke Perez 22. Sam Holmes*

 

*Under 85s Debut

 

First Grade v Ponsonby @ Rifles @ 2:45pm

Last week, the First Grade travelled to Papatoetoe to play on Friday night. In the first game of the year and with a number of new players in the squad, coach Kris Hibberd, has had only a number of trainings to get combinations together. Whilst they didn’t come away with the win, the game would’ve been a good learning curve for all involved, and like the Under 85s, our First Grade numbers have been growing each week. Tomorrow, they take on Ponsonby at home at 2:45. The boys come from all over Auckland to play with their mates and to also,  Be sure to head down and support the boys.

  1. Fou 2. Jamie 3. Simi 4. Ben Fruean 5. 6. Issac 7. Eru 8. Lazy Lafs 9. Nick Miller 10. Dennis 11. Ray 12. Sofe 13. Herb 14. Pappa 15. T’Bag 16. Eli 17. Phil 18. Dwayne 19. Todd 20. Fua 21. Nate the Great 22. Jonny 23. Esi

 

 

 

 

Article added: Friday 03 July 2020

 

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