New look Auckland up for challenge
Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:55
Defending champions Auckland, despite missing a large chunk of last's successful squad, are confident of retaining both title they won last year - the Air New Zealand Cup and Ranfurly Shield.
Auckland are missing 15 players from last year's squad, robbing the side of 614 games for Auckland.
Coach Pat Lam, who himself is leaving in mid season to take up the Blues Super 14 job, says the loss of all that experience is a real challenge.
Lam, in naming his squad for the upcoming season, remains confident that the province has the talent to overcome this hurdle.
"We are confident we have the best 26 players to go out there to defend the Ranfurly Shield in the next couple of weeks, and get ready for the start of the [Air New Zealand Cup] season," Lam said.
The squad includes three members of the New Zealand team that won the International Rugby Board (IRB) World Under-20 tournament - scrumhalf Grayson Hart, flank Peter Saili, and prop Paea Fa'anunu.
"They are part of the Auckland Academy and have been part of the programme for the last few years, so it is great to see them do so well. Obviously Grayson was with us last year and Peter and Paea thoroughly deserve their selection," Lam said.
Speaking about the loss of an entire team, 15 players from last year's squad, said the team will continue to work hard and remain a force.
"I said to the Academy at the start of the year when we looked at all the players leaving, and said to them it was a great opportunity if you do the work. Over the last three to four months the guys have worked really hard to get up there, and I am convinced we have the talent in Auckland," he said.
"We will miss the experience but it is a challenge for us as coaches to get these guys well equipped into the Auckland way of playing so they can go out there and do well."
Lam will be head coach for Auckland until after the Round Five clash with Waikato, before he takes up his new role as the Blues' head coach.
Players currently not considered due to injury include Chris Heard, Onosa'i Auva'a, Simon Munro, Julian Palmer, Brenton Helleur and Joe Rokocoko.
Three more are currently on All Black Tri-Nations duty - Jerome Kaino, John Afoa and Keven Mealamu.
Those who have departed since last include Steve Devine (78 games), Brent Ward (70), Sam Tuitupou (53), Brad Mika (80), Angus Macdonald (53), Isa Nacewa (54), Ali Williams (32), Derren Witcombe (30), Saimone Taumoepeau (46), Doug Howlett (58), Tasesa Lavea (37), Troy Flavell (9), James Somerset (6), Lance Po-Ching (7), DJ Forbes (1).
Auckland squad:
Forwards: Nick White (81 games), Charlie Faumuina (6), Tevita Mailau (5), Paea Fa'anunu Grammar (0), Tom McCartney (10), Pauliasi (0), Jay Williams (18), Stanley Haukinima (3), Dean Budd (0), Kurtis Haiu (41), Anthony Elisala (0), Chris Lowrey (1), Peter Saili (0),
Daniel Braid (70).
Backs: Taniela Moa (37), Grayson Hart (11), Lachie Munro (20), Benson Stanley (18), Winston Stanley (1), Ben Atiga (64), David Smith (25), Jarek Goebel (0), Isaia Toeava (17), Chris Mahony (8), Mikaele Pesamino (1).
