Anscombe wields a heavy axe
Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:24
In the wake of Auckland's 16-35 NPC loss to Canterbury last week, Auckland head coach Mark Anscombe has swung the selection axe and made seven changes to the starting XV for Sunday's match against Taranaki at Eden Park.
While there are a number of injury-enforced changes as well as the loss of All Blacks John Afoa and Benson Stanley, Anscombe was clearly unimpressed with his side's performance in Christchurch and has opted to give his younger players a chance to impress.
"We didn't play well against Canterbury and we weren't overly happy with the win [against Northland] the week before," Anscombe said.
"We want to have competition within the squad so we've brought a few young guys in to get some fresh legs in there and it also challenges the others. We want to have a healthy environment where players are accountable for their performances."
Young lock Liaki Moli gets his first start for Auckland in place of Kurtis Haiu, Bryce Heem has been recalled from his loan spell at Northland to cover the injured Dave Thomas (concussion), while Chris Lowrey is promoted from the bench to start at No.8.
"Kurtis will have a big part to play in the game, he just won't be starting. Liaki Moli has had a good year, he was a star of the New Zealand Under-20s this year in Argentina and he came off the bench against Canterbury and performed well so it's a good opportunity for him to show himself," Anscombe said.
The most interesting selections however arise on the bench, where Canadian import Adam Kleeberger gets his first crack for Auckland and New Zealand Under-20 prop Angus Ta'avao is given an opportunity in place of Pauliasi Manu.
"Adam's come over from Canada. Unfortunately he's had a couple of injuries since he's been here but he's had 22 international games for Canada," Anscombe said.
"He came out here looking for an experience and he's fitted in well. He's a good man and with Onosa'i falling out it's a timely opportunity to have a look at him. He brings a lot of energy and accuracy at the breakdown and it's a good chance to give him a run."
* Meanwile controversial Rugby League convert Sonny Bill Williams is set to finally make an appearance in New Zealand's premier provincial competition.
Williams has been named on the Canterbury bench in the team play Bay of Plenty in Christchurch on Friday.
His first appearance in the NPC comes after he played 40 minutes for Canterbury Metro last weekend, following rehab on his hamstring.
Williams is likely to get game time with a backline which fired against Auckland last weekend and backs coach Tabai Matson is looking for more of the same against Bay of Plenty.
"The backs were really decisive and that was a big difference," Matson said.
"The decisiveness was helped by understanding what they wanted to do. They communicated really well and got into position to take their opportunities really well.
"The other area was at the wide breakdown. Against Auckland they were prepared to go to those dark places and that was a massive step."
The Canterbury team also features All Blacks Owen Franks and Sam Whitelock - with Franks replacing Peter Borlase at tighthead prop and Whitelock coming in for lock Luke Romano.
Stephen Brett starts at flyhalf for the first time this season, after Colin Slade was called into the All Blacks squad for the Tri-Nations match against Australia in Sydney next weekend.
Other All Blacks unavailable due to Test commitments include Richie McCaw, Brad Thorn, Kieran Read and Slade.
* Meanwhile Waikato coach Chris Gibbes was able to recall at least one All Black for the encounter with North Harbour at Albany on Saturday.
In the backline vice-captain Brendon Leonard returns to the No.9 jersey, with the rest of the starting backline remaining the same as the previous week.
Richard Kahui returns to the squad after sustaining an injury to his shoulder while playing for the All Blacks, during the Tri-Nations earlier this year.
The forward pack remains the same again this week with the return of Ben May onto the bench after ongoing issues with his back.
"We are pretty happy with how the team went [last] Saturday and putting the bonus point on the table," Gibbes said.
"The areas of our game that we have focused on this week are our defence around the fringes and our execution in phase plays on attack," added Gibbes.
* North Harbour coach Craig Dowd also made some changes to his starting line-up. Luke McAlister moves out one spot to inside centre, with Michael Harris resuming in the No.10 jersey. Nafi Tuitavake will start on the left wing, which Dowd says is a reward for his excellent form last week, while Matt Luamanu takes over from the injured Tom Chamberlain at blindside flank.
* Wellington Lions coaches Andre Bell and Richard Watt have made a handful of changes, including a new front row and midfield pairing, to the team to play Manawatu in Palmerston North on Saturday.
The front row sees 2007 Turbos hooker Ged Robinson replace Dane Coles, Jacob Ellison come into the starting side at loosehead prop and John Schwalger switch from the loosehead to the tighthead side of the scrum for Neemia Tialata. Former Manawatu prop David Te Moana and hooker Motu Matu'u come on to the bench for the first time this year.
Tajhon Mailata earns his first NPC start for the Lions at outside centre in place of Charlie Ngatai and newly named Highlander Shaun Treeby moves in one position to inside centre.
Alapati Leiua replaces an inured Hosea Gear (hamstring) on the left wing. Buxton Popoalii comes on to the substitutions bench.
Round Six fixtures and teams:
Thursday, September 2:
Counties Manukau v Tasman
(Pukekohe -
19.35)
Teams:
Counties-Manukau: 15 Tim Nanai-Williams, 14 Ahsee Tuala, 13 Siale Piutau, 12 Tana Umaga, 11 Sherwin Stowers, 10 Baden Kerr, 9 August Pulu, 8 Fritz Lee, 7 Pepa Kolomatangi, 6 Ronald Raaymakers, 5 Jamie Chipman (captain), 4 Taiasina Tuifua, 3 Jono Owen, 2 Grant Henson, 1 Simon Lemalu.
Replacements: 16 Mark Price, 17 Graham Dewes, 18 Sikeli Nabou, 19 Mark Selwyn, 20 Samisoni Fisilau, 21 Reynold Lee-Lo, 22 David Raikuna.
Tasman: 15 Robbie Malneek, 14 Blair Cook, 13 Kade Poki, 12 Tom Marshall, 11 James Kamana, 10 James Marshall, 9 Steve Alfeld, 8 Joseph Wheeler, 7 Jonathan Poff, 6 Poutasi Luafutu, 5 Ben Coman, 4 Glen Gregory, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Francis Smith, 1 Fai Mika.
Replacements: 16 Vernon Fredericks, 17 Craig Moore, 18 Jarrod Aberhart, 19 Shane Christie, 20 Kaide Whiting, 21 Sione Holani, 22 Afeleki Pelenise.
Referee: Kane McBride
Friday, September 3:
Canterbury v Bay of Plenty
(Christchurch - 19.35)
Teams:
Canterbury: 15 Sean Maitland, 14 Tu Umaga-Marshall, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Telusa Veainu, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 George Whitelock (captain), 6 Matt Todd, 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Steve Fualau, 17 Peter Borlase, 18 Luke Romano, 19 Ash Parker, 20 Takerei Norton, 21 Sam Monaghan, 22 Sonny Bill Williams.
Bay of Plenty: 15 Toby Arnold, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Brett Mather, 12 Phil Burleigh, 11 Ben Smith, 10 Mike Delany, 9 Taniela Moa, 8 Colin Bourke (captain), 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Luke Braid, 5 Culum Retallick, 4 Luke Andrews, 3 James McGougan, 2 Dan Perrin, 1 Josh Hohneck.
Replacements: 16 Simon Chisholm, 17 Tristan Moran
18 Luke Katene, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Chad Tuoro, 21 Daniel Waenga, 22 Jason Hona.
Referee: Garratt Williamson
Saturday, September 4:
Manawatu v Wellington
(Palmerston North - 14.35)
Teams:
Manawatu: 15 Craig Clare, 14 Shannon Paku, 13 Hadleigh Parkes, 12 Frank Bryant, 11 Lote Raikabula, 10 Isaac Thompson, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Hamish Gosling, 7 Callum Gibbins, 6 Doug Tietjens, 5 Fraser Stone, 4 Michael Fitzgerald, 3 Karl Haitana, 2 Rob Foreman, 1 Grant Polson (captain).
Replacements: 16 Sean O'Connor, 17 Shane Kingsland, 18 Reece Robinson, 19 James Oliver, 20 Karl Bryson, 21 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 22 Casey Stone.
Wellington: 15 Apoua Stewart, 14 Julian Savea, 13 Tajhon Mailata, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Alipate Leiua, 10 Fa'atonu Fili, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Scott Fuglistaller, 6 Victor Vito, 5 Mark
Reddish, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 John Schwalger, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Jacob Ellison.
Replacements: Motu Matu'u, 17 David Te Moana, 18 Faifili Levave, 19 Dean Brunsdon, 20 Ruki Tipuna, 21 Lima Sopoaga, 22 Buxton Popoali'i.
Referee: Vinny Munro
Assistant referees: Chris Rooney , Chris Jansen
TMO: Sean Edwards
Northland v Southland
(Whangarei - 17.30)
Teams:
Northland: 15 Lachie Munro, 14 Rene Ranger, 13 Jared Payne (captain), 12 Aaron Bancroft, 11 Iwi Hauraki Bryce Heem, 10 David Holwell, 9 Rhyan Caine, 8 Cameron Eyre, 7 Dan Pryor, 6 Dean Budd, 5 Mark Burman, 4 Pat O'Connor, 3 Bronson Murray, 2 Tim Dow, 1 Matt Wallis.
Replacements: 16 Mikaele Tuu'u, 17 Ross Wright, 18 Roy Griffin, 19 Cameron Goodhue, 20 Luke Hamilton, 21 Aiden Dewes, 22 Mateo Malupo.
Southland: 15 Glen
Horton, 14 Tony Koonwaiyou, 13 Kendrick Lynn, 12 Matt Saunders, 11 James Paterson, 10 Robbie Robinson, 9 Scott Cowan, 8 Kane Thompson, 7 Tim Boys, 6 Dion Bates, 5 Joe Tuineau, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Chris King, 2 Bayden Mitchell, 1 Jamie Mackintosh (captain).
Replacements: 16 Jason Rutledge, 17 Michael Peterson, 18 Elliot Dixon, 19 John Hardie, 20 Sonny Rangitohereri, 21 Seminar Manu, 22 Mark Wells.
Referee: Matthew Stanish
North Harbour v Waikato
(Albany - 19.35)
Teams:
North Harbour: 15 Jack McPhee, 14 Alipate Fatafehi, 13 Jack Tarrant, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Nafi Tuitavake, 10 Michael Harris, 9 Chris Smylie, 8 Richard Mayhew, 7 Malakai Ravulo, 6 Matt Luamanu, 5 Anthony Boric, 4 James King, 3 Ben Afeaki, 2 James Parsons, 1 Michael Reid (captain).
Replacements: 16 Manu Leiataua, 17 James Afoa, 18 Filo Paulo, 19 Scott
Uren, 20 Nalu Tuigamala, 21 Ben Botica, 22 Brendon Watt.
Waikato: 15 Sosene Anesi, 14 Tim Mikkelson, 13 Save Tokula, 12 Christian Lealiifano, 11 Dwayne Sweeney, 10 Trent Renata, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Steven Setephano, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 4 Toby Lynn, 3 Nathan White (captain), 2 Aled de Malmanche, 1 Toby Smith.
Replacements: 16 Vern Kamo, 17 Ben May, 18 Romana Graham, 19 Matt Vant Leven, 20 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 21 Richard Kahui, 22 Sam Christie.
Referee: Shane McDermott
Assistant referees: Glenn Newman, Luke Prangley
TMO: James Slater
Sunday, September 5:
Auckland v Taranaki
(Auckland - 14.35)
Teams:
Auckland: 15 Brent Ward, 14 Atieli Pakalani, 13 Ben Atiga, 12 Jamie Helleur, 11 Bryce Heem, 10 Matt Berquist, 9 Toby Morland, 8
Chris Lowrey, 7 Daniel Braid (captain), 6 Peter Saili, 5 Andrew van der Heijden, 4 Liaki Moli, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Tom McCartney, 1 Tevita Mailau.
Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Angus Ta'avao, 18 Kurtis Haiu, 19 Adam Kleeberger, 20 Brenton Helleur, 21 Gareth Anscombe, 22 Winston Stanley.
Taranaki: 15 Kurt Baker, 14 Andre Taylor, 13 George Pisi, 12 Jayden Hayward, 11 David Smith, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 Tyson Keats, 8 Ben Souness, 7 Chris Walker, 6 Jarrad Hoeata, 5 Craig Clarke (captain), 4 James Broadhurst, 3 Michael Bent, 2 Timo Tutavaha, 1 Shane Cleaver.
Replacements: 16 Mahonri Schwalger, 17 Carl Carmichael, 18 Kane Barrett, 19 Samuela Vunisa, 20 Brett Goodin, 21 Beauden Barrett, 22 Isaia Tuifua.
Referee: Bryce Lawrence
Assistant referees: Matthew Stanish, Steve Salton
TMO: Chris Morgan
Otago v Hawke's Bay
(Dunedin -
16.35)
Teams:
Otago: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Joe Hill, 13 Josh Tatupu, 12 Andrew Parata, 11 Ryan Shortland, 10 Glenn Dickson, 9 Sean Romans, 8 Adam Thomson, 7 Alando Soakai (captain), 6 Brad Cameron, 5 Hayden Triggs, 4 Hoani Matenga, 3 Halani Aulika, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Kees Meeuws.
Replacements: 16 Wyatt McKay, 17 Sam Hibbard, 18 Josh Townsend, 19 Charlie O'Connell, 20 Johnny Legg, 21 Hayden Parker, 22 Chris Small.
Hawke's Bay: 15 Mike Jackman, 14 Gillies Kaka, 13 Richard Buckman, 12 Jason Shoemark (captain), 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 9 Chris Eaton, 8 Grant Webb, 7 Trent Boswell-Wakefield, 6 Mike Coman, 5 Ross Kennedy, 4 Bryn Evans, 3 Clint Newland, 2 Hikawera Elliot, 1 Anthony Perenise.
Replacements: 16 Eugene Smith, 17 Josh Keys, 18 Leighton Price, 19 Michael Johnson, 20 Kahn Fotuali'i, 21 Ryan McLeod, 22 Sinoti Sinoti.
Referee: James McPhail
Contact Us | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Advertising
