5 Players to watch: Counties Manukau
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Etene Nanai-Seturo
Nanai-Seturo turns 20 in the early days of the Mitre 10 Cup competition but can already claim international experience with the All Blacks Sevens and membership of the NZ Under-20s side. An exciting player, he made 11 appearances for the Chiefs in 2019 and is set to be a key performer for Counties Manukau.
Sam Henwood
Having made his debut for Auckland in 2011, the future looked promising for Henwood, but injuries, especially to his shoulders, dogged his early years. Concussion restricted him to only three Mitre 10 Cup games last year but after showing good touch in the Chiefs campaign, he shapes as a key leader for Counties Manukau this year.
Jonathan Taumateine
Taumateine played 11 games at halfback in his debut season of 2016 but missed all of the 2018 campaign due to injury. Samoan-born, he played six games for the Chiefs in 2017 and with his experience he will be a significant asset in serving what shapes as a potentially dangerous backline.
Daymon Leasuasu
A lock he was called up in the latter part of last season's Mitre 10 Cup competition, initially as a substitute but finishing by starting the last three games. Such was the impression he made in such a short time he was called up by the Chiefs as injury cover in 2019.
Andrew Kellaway
A product of Sydney's famed Randwick club and a former Australian Schools and Under-20 representative, Kellaway brings plenty of experience to the side having also played for the Waratahs and Northampton in recent seasons and has a nose for the goalline which should be handy for Counties Manukau.
Credit: Mitre 10 Cup