A potentially tough assignment awaits the Ponsonby Premiers this Saturday afternoon when they host Suburbs at Western Springs Stadium in the fourth round of the Auckland club competition.

Ponsonby and Suburbs met on two occasions in 2017 and the victory on both went to Suburbs. In the first match the Waka Nathan Challenge Cup final, the scoreline was 31-15 and in the second Suburbs won by a convincing 36-0. Ponsonby last beat Suburbs in July 2016.

Ponsonby are a more cohesive unit in 2018 than in recent seasons and are producing some commanding and consistent results. Suburbs on the other hand in 2018 are still to discover the form that saw them win the Gallaher Shield in 2016 and make the Gallaher Shield final in 2017.

In 2018 Suburbs have shown some ominous signs and they possess some strong ball runners in the forwards and some pace out wide. The west Aucklanders have been a bogey team for Ponsonby for many years and would dearly love to disrupt Ponsonby’s path toward the finals.

The Ponsonby side for this fixture is:

PONSONBY:

1. Connor Halangahu

2. Steven Savali

3. Herman Huch

4. Samuel Slade

5. Moteiva Ngauamo

6. Waha Waitohi

7. Aleks Dabek

8. Taina Fox-Matamua

9. Campbell Woodmass

10. William Talataina-Mu

11. Noah Mataia

12. Tilitili Puloka

13. Patrick Tausie

14. Johnny Cooper

15. Morrison Siliko

16. Willie Uili

17. Brice Schilling

18. Matangareia Yates-Francis

19. Jamie Lane

20. Mcarthy Cocker-Filikitonga

21. Rillroy Suesue

22. Freedom Vaha’akalo