NPR

Gumboot wrote: Sat Sep 07, 2024 8:50 am Mako take the Shield 25-24. What a game!

Surprised the game ended up that close given the Bay were doing everything in their power to lose the match. On the bright side at least the Shield is on the move again.

I actually tipped against the Bay this time but had the Makos at 10+

Steelers' new found discipline lasted all of one game.

FM, Welly almost screwed my GS in the FR.

Otago wasn't giving this one away, albeit in front of a disappointing crowd - Uni out at the moment or something?

Wellington 32 - 28 Otago.

Was it just me or had the Ref forgotten the coming in on the side of rucks and mauls?

Round 6 (of 9)

Okay now its serious folks, every game counts, if in NZ get out and support your team yo!

Friday

Southland vs Canterbury - going with the visitors here, the Stags have the wobbles, Canterbury gearing toward the finals

Saturday

Bay of Plenty vs Taranaki - BOP on this one, they seem to have found their early season form again.

North Harbour vs Manawatu - the least said about the Poo this season the better, Harbour at a gallop

Waikato vs Hawke's Bay - going with the Kato lads for this one, the Bay in their normal mid season wobbles, Waikato playing some decent football

Counties vs Otago - both teams need the points, picking the visitors to have more discipline.

Sunday

Tasman vs Wellington (RS) - clash of the round, the last two unbeaten sides. Wellington looking too professional this year. Shield headed to the Capital

Northland vs Auckland - have the Taniwha got what it takes to finish off the Aucks? If we were being mean we would call this a cripple fight, but lets focus on another clash where both teams need the points, picking the A team to edge this one.

Wednesday

Manawatu vs Southland - hey let's go cra cra, Manawatu first win of the season.

The Great Southern Derby between Southland and Canterbury is about to kick off in Invercargill, with released ABs Ethan de Groot and George Bell starting for their respective provinces.

Great start by both teams!

Cantabs score 2 quick tries but the Stags hit back with a cracker of their own.

This is fun...

Moody could be in for a tough afternoon at THP against de Groot.

Kiwias wrote: Fri Sep 13, 2024 7:16 am Moody could be in for a tough afternoon at THP against de Groot.

Yep, I can't recall him ever playing on that side of the scrum.

Stags draw level with a try from an excellent cross-field kick and the Stags are started to play really well

Poor old Moody's getting worked over.

Not a smart tackle by Dunshea

Kiwias wrote: Fri Sep 13, 2024 7:48 am Not a smart tackle by Dunshea

Lucky to cop just the yellow, imho.

Gumboot wrote: Fri Sep 13, 2024 7:51 am

Kiwias wrote: Fri Sep 13, 2024 7:48 am Not a smart tackle by Dunshea

Lucky to cop just the yellow, imho.

Yep. Red and Blacks score just before and just after halftime and now get another. Running away with this

Cantabs prevail 41-29. Really enjoyed that.

Stags put up a decent fight but ran out of steam toward the end. Really entertaining match.

Great start to the weekend, Canterbury definitely on the surge heading towards the finals.

Naki vs BoP underway and BoP leading 14 - 3 after 25mins

BoP take the bp win 33 - 20

Well, got the Steamers/Naki game horribly wrong.

How the Turbos could do with a Smith/Cruden or even Otere now. 1/2 backs have been poor.

The Bay not reacting well to having lost the Log last week. Down 0 - 14 against Waikato

Happy with that half - the rain has finally stopped but the surface is water-logged so it will still be slippery as hell out there.

Oops - rain is back but makes no difference now

Enzedder wrote: Sat Sep 14, 2024 7:56 am Happy with that half - the rain has finally stopped but the surface is water-logged so it will still be slippery as hell out there.

Oops - rain is back but makes no difference now

Who is the prop wearing the #10 jersey for your guys?

Leuila has gone gangbusters. The JAFAs must be sorry they let him go

Kiwias - he's a Moana Pasifika and Manu Samoa player

I wish we could play like this on dry tracks

43-5 after 54 minutes

Enzedder wrote: Sat Sep 14, 2024 8:07 am Leuila has gone gangbusters. The JAFAs must be sorry they let him go

Kiwias - he's a Moana Pasifika and Manu Samoa player

Ta. He is awesome

Kiwias wrote: Sat Sep 14, 2024 7:18 am The Bay not reacting well to having lost the Log last week. Down 0 - 14 against Waikato

It was practically a reserve team. I picked mooloos for comfortable win in the FR although I did not expect that kind of blow out.

Interesting day for everyone except the obvious, I blame covid and Waikato being far too close to Auckland for comfort, anyways ...

Harbour as expected went on a rampage over Manawatu, but the surprise of the day was Waikato easily dealing with a Bay outfit that didn't look overly interested, 50-5 result there! Well done Waikato, for Bay fans - here we go again mid season slump before hopefully we bounce back for the finals (if we make it, should already be there, but stranger things happen in Dannevirke).

For those wondering Counties v Otago is on today and not Saturday as previously stated, not sure why I got that one wrong, Trump moment clearly, maybe I shouldn't have had that tabby for breakfast.

Jethro wrote: Sat Sep 14, 2024 10:11 pmFor those wondering Counties v Otago is on today and not Saturday as previously stated, not sure why I got that one wrong, Trump moment clearly, maybe I shouldn't have had that tabby for breakfast.

Today's Shield challenge between Tasman and Wellington should be a doozy. The weather in Nelson is looking good.

Gumboot wrote: Sat Sep 14, 2024 10:16 pm

Jethro wrote: Sat Sep 14, 2024 10:11 pmFor those wondering Counties v Otago is on today and not Saturday as previously stated, not sure why I got that one wrong, Trump moment clearly, maybe I shouldn't have had that tabby for breakfast.

Today's Shield challenge between Tasman and Wellington should be a doozy. The weather in Nelson is looking good.

Am almost salivating for this clash, should be a game for the ages, the final two unbeaten teams fighting out a shield challenge

Me too, seriously looking forward to the Makos v Lions clash

Against the run of play, Tasman score a great try

Nothing in this match at all but Tasman score with 7 mins left and lead 23 - 15

Wellington rushing things now, serious scoreboard pressure, and knocking it often

David Havili and Levi Aumua have been awesome against a very strong Lions midfield

Late try to Tasman and the Shield is staying in Nelson

Strong finish by Tasman. Bloody good win considering their lineout was a shambles after Strange went off early.

Gumboot wrote: Sun Sep 15, 2024 3:54 am Strong finish by Tasman. Bloody good win considering their lineout was a shambles after Strange went off early.

They lost their two most senior forwards, one of them the skipper, in the first 20 minutes and still came through.