Amid a dire season, the Auckland NPC side will be over the moon to have two key players from the All Blacks squad available for Saturday’s clash against Northland.
The provincial powerhouse has made a terrible start to the season. They recorded their solitary win via a late Caleb Tangitau try in a titanic struggle for cross-town supremacy with North Harbour last weekend.
Sitting on 7 points from 5 games leaves razor-thin margins of error if the blue and white hoops are to come within a sniff of the playoffs.
The national side has returned from South Africa bringing with them an unused Harry Plummer who has been given the nod to slot back in at first five-eighths and bring some needed stability to a backline seeking direction despite the improving efforts of NZ under-20 rep Rico Simpson.
Plummer will also adorn the captain’s armband in his first game for a number of weeks and pair up in the halves with Kemara Huaiti-Parapara who has made a good fist of the role since coming in for the injured Taufa Funaki
In a release this morning from NZ Rugby, 12 players involved in the travelling squad for the recently completed games in South Africa will be released to play for their provinces. In addition to Plummer’s availability, talisman lock Patrick Tuipolutu has been named by coach Craig McGrath for Sunday afternoon’s away fixture at Semenoff Stadium.
While Northland is the focus, sterner tests await in the form of recent Ranfuly shield lifters Tasman and second-placed Hawkes Bay- both away from home. Adding to the difficulty of these assignments is that they are part of Auckland’s “storm” week, during which all teams are saddled with getting through three games in ten days.
Blues Spencer signing adds to clubs expanding legacy
Switching to franchise footy, promising fullback Payton Spencer has been promoted from the development ranks to a full contract with the Blues.
While yet to appear this season for Auckland, the son of King Carlos is set to join Hoskins Sotutu and Caleb Clarke as the new generation following in their father’s footsteps. The Auckland NPC side also boasts Niko Jones, son of the legendary “Iceman” Michael.
