NPR

Glad I switched over to the BOP game at half-time...

Taranaki Snapper wrote: Sun Nov 08, 2020 2:46 am Glad I switched over to the BOP game at half-time...

Fucking struggling to do anything other than sit and watch games right now

Magpies win 34-18. Sona bringing some extra "energy" at the end.

Taranaki Snapper wrote: Sun Nov 08, 2020 2:46 am Glad I switched over to the BOP game at half-time...

Was it you that jinxed us - suddenly we couldn't scrum and both flanks were like sieves. I hope we don't make the playoffs - we'll be slaughtered

manwatu up 5-3 to naki, 29mins gone

So despite an impressive win over Tasman, Canterbury are still probably odds on for relegation.

Heaps to play for in this final round:

Counties vs Southland: Counties will want to avoid finishing bottom, Southland still in with a chance of a semi-final berth if they win and Northland lose.

Northland vs Waikato: Northland need to win to secure a semi-final berth (or hope Southland lose), Waikato still a chance of a home semi if they win and Tasman lost (or they win with a BP and Tasman win without a BP).

Wellington vs Manawatu: If Wellington lose by 7+ they will be relegated, unless Auckland beat Canterbury by enough. Win with a BP and they could still sneak into the semis in the event of a BOP vs Harbour draw. Manawatu would want to avoid finishing bottom.

Otago vs Tasman: Otago have a home semi wrapped up so not really a heap on the line besides momentum. Tasman probably need to win to secure a home semi, unless Waikato have already lost.

Naki vs HB: Naki have a semi locked up but can't get a home semi. Hawkes Bay probably need to win to finish top, unless Otago have already lost.

BOP vs Harbour: As far as I can tell, winner gets a semi, loser in huge danger of relegation if Wellington and Canterbury win.

Auckland vs Canterbury: Auckland need one point to secure top spot, and may already have it by now unless Tasman wins by a bonus point with a 23+ margin. Hopefully that means they take this game lightly. Canterbury need to win to surpass the loser of BOP vs Harbour and avoid relegation (pending Wellington's result). Could also sneak into the semis if lots of things go their way (Wellington loss, BOP vs Harbour draw).

Gumboot wrote: Sun Nov 08, 2020 2:58 am Magpies win 34-18. Sona bringing some extra "energy" at the end.

Geez enjoyed that game, and as I maybe settling in HB when I get out of quarantine and start looking, seems appropriate to be starting off in Shield country. I starting to practice talking up all the Bay boys!!

Good round up Mr Brownstone

mrbrownstone

I doubt that Canterbury will be able to repeat that stellar performance, much as I would love to see it.

Kiwias wrote: Mon Nov 09, 2020 4:28 am mrbrownstone

I doubt that Canterbury will be able to repeat that stellar performance, much as I would love to see it.

Yeah I'm not optimistic against clear title favourites Auckland, but home advantage might help, and if there's any team we can get up for with relegtation on the line it should be Auckland. Hopefully they have one eye on bigger things.

Realistically though our best chances of avoiding relegation would be Harbour losing without a BP, and us keeping it tight and getting at least 1 point, or Wellington losing with no BP. In either scenario we'd sneak in on the basis of beating them earlier in the season.

Spewing I missed the Canterbury game. Sounds like it was easily our best match of the season.

Carter's Choice wrote: Mon Nov 09, 2020 5:14 am Spewing I missed the Canterbury game. Sounds like it was easily our best match of the season.

It was quite...

arousing.

Shanky’s mate wrote: Mon Nov 09, 2020 5:30 am

Carter's Choice wrote: Mon Nov 09, 2020 5:14 am Spewing I missed the Canterbury game. Sounds like it was easily our best match of the season.

It was quite...

arousing.

It was a long time coming

Gumboot wrote: Mon Nov 09, 2020 8:20 am

Shanky’s mate wrote: Mon Nov 09, 2020 5:30 am

Carter's Choice wrote: Mon Nov 09, 2020 5:14 am Spewing I missed the Canterbury game. Sounds like it was easily our best match of the season.

It was quite...

arousing.

It was a long time coming

Not for me

Carter's Choice wrote: Mon Nov 09, 2020 5:14 am Spewing I missed the Canterbury game. Sounds like it was easily our best match of the season.

It was a superb performance -- one for the ages.

Shanky’s mate wrote: Mon Nov 09, 2020 3:47 am Good round up Mr Brownstone

Yes, this. Very much appreciate the state of play going into the last week of round robin.

Well the TAB must know something in the wind.

Canterbury $1.30 - Auckland $3.30

Rumours are Auckland will rest players and maybe help Canterbury avoid relegation.

JPNZ wrote: Mon Nov 09, 2020 11:47 pm Well the TAB must know something in the wind.

Canterbury $1.30 - Auckland $3.30

Rumours are Auckland will rest players and maybe help Canterbury avoid relegation.

TBF they already have top spot secured having beaten Tasman & Waikato (as far as I know, who beat who is the tie breaker in case of teams finishing on equal points) so they have little to play for except injuries.

Shows how much the game has changed though, as I can imagine a time when some Aucklanders would have cared more about relegating Canterbury than finishing first.

Win lose or draw tomorrow, Southland the team of the year for me! Put the heart back in the Stag!

Shanky’s mate wrote: Sun Nov 08, 2020 2:49 am

Taranaki Snapper wrote: Sun Nov 08, 2020 2:46 am Glad I switched over to the BOP game at half-time...

Fucking struggling to do anything other than sit and watch games right now

No try, foot in touch, just ground the damned ball....(yes, I know it was awarded...)

Yep, he was out. Shit decision, but even worse finishing.

Gumboot wrote: Fri Nov 13, 2020 6:49 am Yep, he was out. Shit decision, but even worse finishing.

I'm with you. Shouldn't have been awarded solely because he was a fool

That result clears things up a little. Hawke's Bay, Otago, Naki, Northland will be semi-finalists in the championship, just a question of who finishes where now.

Turbster wrote: Thu Nov 12, 2020 7:17 pm Win lose or draw tomorrow, Southland the team of the year for me! Put the heart back in the Stag!

Some exceptionally close losses. They could have been 5 from 5 at the start of the season. Good squad to build on for next year after some woeful seasons.

Mr Bungle wrote: Fri Nov 13, 2020 8:57 am

Turbster wrote: Thu Nov 12, 2020 7:17 pm Win lose or draw tomorrow, Southland the team of the year for me! Put the heart back in the Stag!

Some exceptionally close losses. They could have been 5 from 5 at the start of the season. Good squad to build on for next year after some woeful seasons.

Yep, they're not flashy but the commitment and cohesion has been outstanding.

Teams for tomrorow.

Canterbury: 1-Daniel Lienert-Brown, 2-Brodie McAlister, 3-Oli Jager, 4-Luke Romano, 5-Sam Darry, 6-Billy Harmon, 7-Tom Christie, 8-Reed Prinsep (c), 9-Mitchell Drummond,, 10-Brett Cameron, 11-Ngane Punivai, 12-Rameka Poihipi, 13-Dallas McLeod, 14-Chay Fihaki, 15-Josh McKay

Reserves: 16-Shilo Klein, 17-Finlay Brewis, 18-Tamaiti Williams, 19-Liam Allen, 20-Tom Sanders, 21-Ereatara Enari, 22-Isaiah Punivai, 23-Andrew Knewstubb

Auckland: 1-James Lay, 2-Mike Sosene-Feagai, 3-Angus Ta’avao, 4-Scott Scrafton, 5-Hamish Dalzell, 6-Terell Peita, 7-Blake Gibson, 8-Presley Tufuga, 9-Jonathan Ruru, 10-Harry Plummer, 11-Salesi Rayasi, 12-Tanielu Tele'a, 13-Tumua Manu 14-Joel Cobb, 15-Zarn Sullivan

Reserves: 16-Joe Royal, 17-James Lay, 18-Marco Fepulea'i, 19-Liam Hallam-Eame, 20-Niko Jones, 21-Taufa Funak, 22-Simon Hickey, 23-William Talataina-Mu

Canterbury unchanged. Can't really blame them after the best performance of the season, but still absolutely mystified by the loose forward mix & no Douglas in the 23.

Manawatu need not only to beat Wellington but also ensure they do not get any bonus points. THey are struggling at the moment.

Was that Julian Savea I saw playing at 12?

Could we see an AB midfield of Savea/Ioane at 12/13?

fuck off dane coles that try by the northlland hooker.. bruilliant

Kiwias wrote: Sat Nov 14, 2020 2:14 am Was that Julian Savea I saw playing at 12?

Could we see an AB midfield of Savea/Ioane at 12/13?

I hope not.

stemoc wrote: Sat Nov 14, 2020 2:15 am fuck off dane coles that try by the northlland hooker.. bruilliant

Spectacular stuff

Vahaakolo shows serious pace to score the game's first try

Given our half back situation I’ve been watching Christie pretty closely in this game, I don’t think he’s AB material. He’s a good player but I just don’t think he would bring much to the table.

Trapper wrote: Sat Nov 14, 2020 4:49 am Given our half back situation I’ve been watching Christie pretty closely in this game, I don’t think he’s AB material. He’s a good player but I just don’t think he would bring much to the table.

Yep, he's one of a bunch of 9s who are there or thereabouts. But imho the only one who looks like he's the complete package and good to go at test level is Fakatava.

WTF is going on with Josh Ioane? His form has fallen off a cliff.

mrbrownstone wrote: Sat Nov 14, 2020 12:02 am Teams for tomrorow.

Canterbury: 1-Daniel Lienert-Brown, 2-Brodie McAlister, 3-Oli Jager, 4-Luke Romano, 5-Sam Darry, 6-Billy Harmon, 7-Tom Christie, 8-Reed Prinsep (c), 9-Mitchell Drummond,, 10-Brett Cameron, 11-Ngane Punivai, 12-Rameka Poihipi, 13-Dallas McLeod, 14-Chay Fihaki, 15-Josh McKay

Reserves: 16-Shilo Klein, 17-Finlay Brewis, 18-Tamaiti Williams, 19-Liam Allen, 20-Tom Sanders, 21-Ereatara Enari, 22-Isaiah Punivai, 23-Andrew Knewstubb

Auckland: 1-James Lay, 2-Mike Sosene-Feagai, 3-Angus Ta’avao, 4-Scott Scrafton, 5-Hamish Dalzell, 6-Terell Peita, 7-Blake Gibson, 8-Presley Tufuga, 9-Jonathan Ruru, 10-Harry Plummer, 11-Salesi Rayasi, 12-Tanielu Tele'a, 13-Tumua Manu 14-Joel Cobb, 15-Zarn Sullivan

Reserves: 16-Joe Royal, 17-James Lay, 18-Marco Fepulea'i, 19-Liam Hallam-Eame, 20-Niko Jones, 21-Taufa Funak, 22-Simon Hickey, 23-William Talataina-Mu

Canterbury unchanged. Can't really blame them after the best performance of the season, but still absolutely mystified by the loose forward mix & no Douglas in the 23.

I saw that PRinsep is at lock with Sanders at 8 and Whetu Douglas on the bench.

Gumboot wrote: Sat Nov 14, 2020 5:26 am WTF is going on with Josh Ioane? His form has fallen off a cliff.

He is sliding well down the list now.

Watching the Taranaki Vs Hawkes Bay game (Counties were up 21 - 0 against the BOP so I abandoned that one).

I have just seen a perfectly good try overturned (i.e. a clear and obvious decision) - Naki seem to have the ref on board this afternoon.

Laughably shit TMO call robs the Magpies of a dead-set try.