2020 Mitre 10 Cup Thread

[Monkey Magic]

Counties' squad added to the OP. Kieran Read's return is obviously the major talking point.

Dalton Papali'i is also a good pickup, while Baden Kerr returns, and Luteru Laulala is back after missing last season with an ACL.

be interesting to see how they go this year, some stronger players than they've had previously. Also is Tai Lavea the coach now? Interesting to see how he rises up from 1st xv, Auckland assistant and now counties head coach

[JPNZ]

I asked CRFU when Canterbury's team will be announced and they said tomorrow (Wednesday) at Midday.

Will add here when I can.

[mrbrownstone]

Northland squad added to OP. This drip-feeding of squads is so strange, not sure why they can't all announce them on the same day.

Anyway, All Black availability permitting the Goodhue/Ranger midfield is again the star attraction here, while it will be good to see a fit again Tom Robinson in action.

[JPNZ]

Sorry to post a pic and I'll remove if you want but I'll be buggered if I'm writing that whole squad out

[Carter's Choice]

Sorry to post a pic and I'll remove if you want but I'll be buggered if I'm writing that whole squad out

So what's our hypothetical best XXIII looking like?

15. Josh McKay
14. Manasa Mata'ele
13. Braydon Ennor
12. Dallas McLeod
11. George Bridge
10. Richie Mo'unga
9. Mitch Drummond

8. Whetu Douglas
7. Tom Christie
6. Cullen Grace
5. Sam Whitelock
4. Mitch Dunshea
3. Oli Jager
2. Codie Taylor
1. Joe Moody

16. Brodie McAlister
17. Daniel Lienart-Brown
18. Harry Allan
19. Luke Romano
20. Tom Sanders
21. Ere Enari
22. Brett Cameron
23. Rameka Poihapi

[stemoc]

might see bridge and mckay interchange, i think the AB coaching staff would like to see bridge at 15 cause if he is to remain with the AB's this year he needs to be able to play more than just left wing..reece covers both wings and centre (and can play fullback), clarke will be an AB this year along with reiko and clarke covers both wings and centre, same for reiko, bridge needs to 'evolve'..or he might get rokocoko'ed..


also, Auckland named

Auckland squad

Jarred Adams, Leni Apisai, Adrian Choat, Caleb Clarke, Hamish Dalzell, TJ Faiane, Marco Fepulai, Taufa Funaki, Blake Gibson, Liam Hallam-Eames, Simon Hickey, Alex Hodgman, Akira Ioane, Rieko Ioane, AJ Lam, James Lay, Tumua Manu, Harry Plummer, Salesi Rayasi, Waimana Reidlinger-Kapa, Marcel Renata, Jonathan Ruru, Scott Scrafton, Mike Sosene-Feagai, Hoskins Sotutu, Zarn Sullivan, Angus Ta’avao, Tanielu Tele’a, Jordan Trainor, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sione Tuipulotu, Danny Tusitala, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Soana Vikena, Jack Whetton

[Kiwias]

Sorry to post a pic and I'll remove if you want but I'll be buggered if I'm writing that whole squad out

So what's our hypothetical best XXIII looking like?

15. Josh McKay
14. Manasa Mata'ele
13. Braydon Ennor
12. Dallas McLeod
11. George Bridge
10. Richie Mo'unga
9. Mitch Drummond

8. Whetu Douglas
7. Tom Christie
6. Cullen Grace
5. Sam Whitelock
4. Mitch Dunshea
3. Oli Jager
2. Codie Taylor
1. Joe Moody

16. Brodie McAlister
17. Daniel Lienart-Brown
18. Harry Allan
19. Luke Romano
20. Tom Sanders
21. Ere Enari
22. Brett Cameron
23. Rameka Poihapi

Damn, that is a very fine looking team.

[Enzedder]

Waikato will announce the entire 2020 Mitre 10 Cup squad after the launch next Tuesday morning.

In the meantime they have signed Liam Messam, Patrick Osborne and Adam Thomson so that's a good start

[mrbrownstone]

Sorry to post a pic and I'll remove if you want but I'll be buggered if I'm writing that whole squad out

So what's our hypothetical best XXIII looking like?

15. Josh McKay
14. Manasa Mata'ele
13. Braydon Ennor
12. Dallas McLeod
11. George Bridge
10. Richie Mo'unga
9. Mitch Drummond

8. Whetu Douglas
7. Tom Christie
6. Cullen Grace
5. Sam Whitelock
4. Mitch Dunshea
3. Oli Jager
2. Codie Taylor
1. Joe Moody

16. Brodie McAlister
17. Daniel Lienart-Brown
18. Harry Allan
19. Luke Romano
20. Tom Sanders
21. Ere Enari
22. Brett Cameron
23. Rameka Poihapi

At full strength, I don't think there's much doubt it's the strongest squad in the competition. All hinges on All Black availability. Without All Blacks, I'd expect to see something more like this:

15. McKay
14. Mataele
13. Punivai
12. McLeod
11. Pohipi/Knewstubb
10. Cameron
9. Drummond

8. Douglas
7. Christie
6. Grace
5. Dunshea
4. Darry
3. Jager
2. McAlister
1. DLB

16. Klein
17. Allan
18. ? (don't recognise a few of these names, not sure who's a prop)
19. Romano
20. Prinsep
21. Enari
22. Burke
23. Pohipi/Knewstubb

Still formidable, but I'd back a full strength Tasman/Auckland/Wellington to be there abouts.

[Carter's Choice]

Can I just say that there could be some ridiculously strong Mitre 10 Cup teams this year if the AB's are available.

[mrbrownstone]

Can I just say that there could be some ridiculously strong Mitre 10 Cup teams this year if the AB's are available.

Yup, at full strength Canterbury can basically roll out a Crusaders top XV, minus Alaalatoa, Goodhue, Reece, and Jordan.

[Ted.]

Can I just say that there could be some ridiculously strong Mitre 10 Cup teams this year if the AB's are available.

It's going to be fun.

[Kiwias]

At what point do the NZRU accept that test rugby for 2020 is a lost cause and free up all the ABs to play Mitre 10?

[Jerome_Kaino]

Will Liam Squire also be back for Tasman?

[Carter's Choice]

Will Liam Squire also be back for Tasman?

I'd forgotten he existed. I wonder of Foster will waste another 4 year RWC cycle developing Squire to be the AB no.6?

[Jerome_Kaino]

Will Liam Squire also be back for Tasman?

I'd forgotten he existed. I wonder of Foster will waste another 4 year RWC cycle developing Squire to be the AB no.6?

I think he will use Akira for that

[JPNZ]

At full strength, I don't think there's much doubt it's the strongest squad in the competition. All hinges on All Black availability. Without All Blacks, I'd expect to see something more like this:



Still formidable, but I'd back a full strength Tasman/Auckland/Wellington to be there abouts.

I disagree, we haven't seen the Tasman team yet. There is a reason the TAB has them as huge favourites to win this comp. They went unbeaten last year...

Jordan, Havili, Reece, Talea, Fainga'anuku, Nankivell, Fonotia, Hunt, Christie, Blackadder, Squire, Parkinson, Frizell, , Strange, Lomax, Makalio, MacDonald (obviously throwing names out not in positions)

Some quality in there

[JPNZ]

2020 Southland Stags squad

Ethan de Groot, Siate Tokolahi, Joseph Walsh, Chris Apoua, Lio Tosi, Shaun Stodart, Niko Manaena, Greg Pleasants-Tate, Talemaitoga Tuapati, Flynn Thomas, Michael McKee, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Craig Smith, Raymond Tatafu, Tony Lamborn (captain), Matthew James, Charles Alaimalo, Arese Poliko, Glenn Preston, Logan Crowley, Raniera Takarangi, Liam Howley, Scott Eade (vice captain), Greg Dyer, Ray Nu’u, Isaac Te Tamaki, Joshua Moorby, Amanaki Nicole, Rory van Vugt.

[mrbrownstone]

2020 Southland Stags squad

Ethan de Groot, Siate Tokolahi, Joseph Walsh, Chris Apoua, Lio Tosi, Shaun Stodart, Niko Manaena, Greg Pleasants-Tate, Talemaitoga Tuapati, Flynn Thomas, Michael McKee, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Craig Smith, Raymond Tatafu, Tony Lamborn (captain), Matthew James, Charles Alaimalo, Arese Poliko, Glenn Preston, Logan Crowley, Raniera Takarangi, Liam Howley, Scott Eade (vice captain), Greg Dyer, Ray Nu’u, Isaac Te Tamaki, Joshua Moorby, Amanaki Nicole, Rory van Vugt.

Cheers, added to OP

As an aside, it looks like Foxtel will be broadcasting this for Aussie viewers - the first round of games are listed if you jump ahead in their TV guide.

[Carter's Choice]

2020 Southland Stags squad

Ethan de Groot, Siate Tokolahi, Joseph Walsh, Chris Apoua, Lio Tosi, Shaun Stodart, Niko Manaena, Greg Pleasants-Tate, Talemaitoga Tuapati, Flynn Thomas, Michael McKee, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Craig Smith, Raymond Tatafu, Tony Lamborn (captain), Matthew James, Charles Alaimalo, Arese Poliko, Glenn Preston, Logan Crowley, Raniera Takarangi, Liam Howley, Scott Eade (vice captain), Greg Dyer, Ray Nu’u, Isaac Te Tamaki, Joshua Moorby, Amanaki Nicole, Rory van Vugt.

Cheers, added to OP

As an aside, it looks like Foxtel will be broadcasting this for Aussie viewers - the first round of games are listed if you jump ahead in their TV guide.

Will Foxtel do their usual trick of broadcasting the entire season before ceasing coverage for the semi finals and final?

[Macropal]

2020 Southland Stags squad

Ethan de Groot, Siate Tokolahi, Joseph Walsh, Chris Apoua, Lio Tosi, Shaun Stodart, Niko Manaena, Greg Pleasants-Tate, Talemaitoga Tuapati, Flynn Thomas, Michael McKee, Manaaki Selby-Rickit, Craig Smith, Raymond Tatafu, Tony Lamborn (captain), Matthew James, Charles Alaimalo, Arese Poliko, Glenn Preston, Logan Crowley, Raniera Takarangi, Liam Howley, Scott Eade (vice captain), Greg Dyer, Ray Nu’u, Isaac Te Tamaki, Joshua Moorby, Amanaki Nicole, Rory van Vugt.

Where are all the backs?

[stemoc]

they are in there, somewhere lol, i know nicole is a centre and tamaki a playmaker

[Kiwias]

Does anyone have any idea of places I could watch these online?

[DotScott]

Does anyone have any idea of places I could watch these online?

my friend recommends usagoalsdotnet if you know what that means.

[Kiwias]

Does anyone have any idea of places I could watch these online?

my friend recommends usagoalsdotnet if you know what that means.

Nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more.

[mrbrownstone]

Hawkes Bay & Tasman squads added to the OP.

As expected, Tasman have named a squad brimming with talent.

For me, the question is, will they be victims of their own success? From the team that started last year's final, Tim Perry, Liam Squire, Jordan Taufua, and Levi Aumua are all gone. This year, Atu Moli, Ethan Blackadder, and Pari Pari Parkinson are all unavailable through injury. And Tyrel Lomax, Quinten Strange, Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, and Shannon Frizell could miss most of the season with the All Blacks. That's a lot of talent potentially unavailable.

Tasman may just find life is more difficult when you're the hunted.

[JPNZ]

Does anyone have any idea of places I could watch these online?

as a backup to usagoals (which has a fair few popups) Ive been using vipbox, viprow & vipleague for NRL league and its been great. Just google any of those and click rugby you should follow your nose

[stemoc]

Hawkes Bay & Tasman squads added to the OP.

As expected, Tasman have named a squad brimming with talent.

For me, the question is, will they be victims of their own success? From the team that started last year's final, Tim Perry, Liam Squire, Jordan Taufua, and Levi Aumua are all gone. This year, Atu Moli, Ethan Blackadder, and Pari Pari Parkinson are all unavailable through injury. And Tyrel Lomax, Quinten Strange, Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, and Shannon Frizell could miss most of the season with the All Blacks. That's a lot of talent potentially unavailable.

Tasman may just find life is more difficult when you're the hunted.

you need binoculars to see those 2, were u not able to find a higher quality image?

[mrbrownstone]

Hawkes Bay & Tasman squads added to the OP.

As expected, Tasman have named a squad brimming with talent.

For me, the question is, will they be victims of their own success? From the team that started last year's final, Tim Perry, Liam Squire, Jordan Taufua, and Levi Aumua are all gone. This year, Atu Moli, Ethan Blackadder, and Pari Pari Parkinson are all unavailable through injury. And Tyrel Lomax, Quinten Strange, Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, and Shannon Frizell could miss most of the season with the All Blacks. That's a lot of talent potentially unavailable.

Tasman may just find life is more difficult when you're the hunted.

you need binoculars to see those 2, were u not able to find a higher quality image?

If you want to provide them, happy to update it.

[stemoc]

I hope that Foxtel are covering this in Aus... seriously looking forward to it.

see if their tv guide has it
https://www.foxtel.com.au/tv-guide/grid

[JPNZ]

All Blacks playmaker Beauden Barrett’s return to the Mitre 10 Cup this weekend is in doubt because of an injury suffered in last Saturday’s North v South match in Wellington.

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) confirmed in a press release on Monday that most of the All Blacks squad would be released to their provinces for the opening round.

New All Blacks lock Quinten Strange and hooker Dane Coles were already unavailable because of injury, but NZR said Barrett, prop Joe Moody, loose forward Sam Cane and midfielder Braydon Ennor would be assessed by medical staff before a decision is made on whether they will play this weekend.

[JPNZ]

I hope that Foxtel are covering this in Aus... seriously looking forward to it.

see if their tv guide has it
https://www.foxtel.com.au/tv-guide/grid

Looks like most games are on Chan 505

[Kiwias]

Here is a list of the AB players permitted to play Mitre 10 Cup

North Harbour: Karl Tu'inukuafe.
Canterbury: Codie Taylor, Samuel Whitelock, Cullen Grace, Richie Mo'unga and George Bridge.
Waikato: Anton Lienert-Brown and Damian McKenzie
Wellington: Asafo Aumua, Ardie Savea and TJ Perenara
Auckland: Alex Hodgman, Ofa Tuungafasi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Akira Ioane, Hoskins Sotutu, Rieko Ioane and Caleb Clarke
Counties Manukau: Nepo Laulala and Dalton Papalii
Tasman: Tyrel Lomax, Shannon Frizell, Sevu Reece and Will Jordan
Northland: Jack Goodhue
Manawatu: Aaron Smith
Taranaki: Tupou Vaa'i and Jordie Barrett
Hawke's Bay: Brad Weber.
NB “Two players, new All Black lock Quinten Strange and hooker Dane Coles are still recovering from injuries and are unavailable, while four others, Joe Moody, Sam Cane, Beauden Barrett and Braydon Ennor, will be assessed by medical staff this week before a decision is made on whether or not they can play this weekend”

[stemoc]

@kiwias JSport not showing Mitre10 bro, what to do? :P

[HouseofPane]

Here is a list of the AB players permitted to play Mitre 10 Cup

North Harbour: Karl Tu'inukuafe.
Canterbury: Codie Taylor, Samuel Whitelock, Cullen Grace, Richie Mo'unga and George Bridge.
Waikato: Anton Lienert-Brown and Damian McKenzie
Wellington: Asafo Aumua, Ardie Savea and TJ Perenara
Auckland: Alex Hodgman, Ofa Tuungafasi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Akira Ioane, Hoskins Sotutu, Rieko Ioane and Caleb Clarke
Counties Manukau: Nepo Laulala and Dalton Papalii
Tasman: Tyrel Lomax, Shannon Frizell, Sevu Reece and Will Jordan
Northland: Jack Goodhue
Manawatu: Aaron Smith
Taranaki: Tupou Vaa'i and Jordie Barrett
Hawke's Bay: Brad Weber.
NB “Two players, new All Black lock Quinten Strange and hooker Dane Coles are still recovering from injuries and are unavailable, while four others, Joe Moody, Sam Cane, Beauden Barrett and Braydon Ennor, will be assessed by medical staff this week before a decision is made on whether or not they can play this weekend”

"Don't have to wait for any All Blacks to be 'permitted' to play for your side, when you don't actually have any players in the All Blacks" - from *this* Otago fan here .

Also me: "Round 1: Otago v Auckland - fuck!"

[Kiwias]

Does anyone have any idea of places I could watch these online?

as a backup to usagoals (which has a fair few popups) Ive been using vipbox, viprow & vipleague for NRL league and its been great. Just google any of those and click rugby you should follow your nose

Cheers

[Kiwias]

@kiwias JSport not showing Mitre10 bro, what to do? :P

Look for streaming on the Net. All matches are being broadcast live on RugbyPass.

[Macropal]

Here is a list of the AB players permitted to play Mitre 10 Cup

North Harbour: Karl Tu'inukuafe.
Canterbury: Codie Taylor, Samuel Whitelock, Cullen Grace, Richie Mo'unga and George Bridge.
Waikato: Anton Lienert-Brown and Damian McKenzie
Wellington: Asafo Aumua, Ardie Savea and TJ Perenara
Auckland: Alex Hodgman, Ofa Tuungafasi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Akira Ioane, Hoskins Sotutu, Rieko Ioane and Caleb Clarke
Counties Manukau: Nepo Laulala and Dalton Papalii
Tasman: Tyrel Lomax, Shannon Frizell, Sevu Reece and Will Jordan
Northland: Jack Goodhue
Manawatu: Aaron Smith
Taranaki: Tupou Vaa'i and Jordie Barrett
Hawke's Bay: Brad Weber.
NB “Two players, new All Black lock Quinten Strange and hooker Dane Coles are still recovering from injuries and are unavailable, while four others, Joe Moody, Sam Cane, Beauden Barrett and Braydon Ennor, will be assessed by medical staff this week before a decision is made on whether or not they can play this weekend”

"Don't have to wait for any All Blacks to be 'permitted' to play for your side, when you don't actually have any players in the All Blacks" - from *this* Otago fan here .

Also me: "Round 1: Otago v Auckland - fuck!"

Going to be a long year for us Southern fans, upside is at least we'll have settled and established combinations, Southland v Otago was apparently a good game from both sides.

[Dan54]

So with the Heartland cancelled, I guess that was North Otago's one and only game for the year.

No, I read a while back that the Heartland unions have organised local home and away fixtures with neighboring unions. From memory they are all going to play around 6 games. Not a proper season but at least they've play some Rugby.

Cool, didn't know that.

As AC says not a proper season, but everyone still getting a bit of a season. And one advantage is that teams like the Mighty Nua are not using loan players, so all club players are getting a proper crack. Think I saw that Nua is actually playing Central Hawkes Bay too!

[Dan54]

At what point do the NZRU accept that test rugby for 2020 is a lost cause and free up all the ABs to play Mitre 10?

I wish, I would rather see ABs play all of Mitre 10 cup, but I suspect the bills have to be paid and there will be too many tests against Aussie one way or the other.