2012 Auckland ITM Cup squad named
Auckland flyhalf - Gareth Ancombe lining up a shot on goal against Waikato during their 2010 ITM Cup Semi Final at Eden park. Photo by Hannah Johnston /Getty Images.
Auckland head coach Wayne Pivac today announced his 26-man squad for the 2012 ITM Cup.
The squad boasts a good balance of youth and experience, with nine new caps named in a group featuring 16 players with Super Rugby experience.
Daniel Braid will captain the side, and is just eight caps shy of reaching 100 games for Auckland.
Pivac said he was pleased with the make-up of the squad.
“I’m pretty happy with the balance of the squad. There are a lot of experienced guys coming back from Super Rugby, particularly in the forwards and in the backs we’re pretty young so I think it’s really exciting,” Pivac said.
“We’ve got a good group of players who are all motivated for their own individual reasons to do well so we can’t wait to get into it.”
New Zealand Under-20 prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi has been named in the squad for the first time, alongside new forwards Nathan Vella, Joe Tupe and Steve Fualau.
While Fualau is new to Auckland, he has 27 provincial caps for Canterbury and has also played for Manu Samoa.
In the backs Ben Lam and Albert Nikoro will make their provincial debuts, however both earned caps for the Blues earlier in the year.
At 19, Lolagi Visinia is the youngest member of the team. The wing/fullback was a member of the New Zealand Sevens team this year.
Pakuranga backs Tony Fenner and Malakai Fekitoa are also included in the squad for the first time.
The 2012 Auckland ITM Cup squad is (by club):
Ponsonby:
Gareth Anscombe – Flyhalf, 18 caps
University:
Daniel Braid (Captain) – Flank, 92 caps
Steven Luatua – Lock/ Flank, 10 caps
Pauliasi Manu – Prop, 27 caps
Sean Polwart – Flank, 16 caps
Andrew Van der Heijden – Lock, 26 caps
Marist:
Auvasa Faleali’i – Halfback, 13 caps
Peter Saili – Flank, 44 caps
Angus Ta’avao – Prop, 18 caps
Joe Tupe – Flank, 0 caps
Pakuranga:
Malakai Fekitoa – Centre, 0 caps
Tony Fenner – Flyhalf, 0 caps
Tom McCartney – Hooker, 63 caps
Charles Piutau – Fullback/ Wing, 7 caps
Papatoetoe:
Steve Fualau – Hooker, 0 caps
Albert Nikoro – Wing /Full back, 0 caps
Suburbs:
Nathan Hughes – Flank, 8 caps
Lolagi Visinia – Fullback /Wing, 0 caps
Grammar Carlton:
Ben Lam – Wing, 0 caps
Alby Mathewson – Halfback, 8 caps
George Moala – Wing, 7 caps
Hadleigh Parkes – Utility back, 10 caps
Ofa Tu’ungafasi – Prop, 0 caps
Dave Thomas – Utility back, 23 caps
Nathan Vella – Hooker, 0 caps
Manukau Rovers:
Liaki Moli – Lock, 16 caps
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