Otago beat Southland.
On a related note; how good did Tanaka look? What chances of him getting picked up by a franchise next year?
Apparently Otago beat Southland.
The weather in that game is a good reminder of one of the reasons why the exodus from the Shaky Isles to Australia continues unabated.
I thought Southland played the more enterprising game but just could not finish off their opportunities. Top marks to the Scarfies for shutting them down.
Despite there being plenty of non-Southern born players there was plenty of passion in that local derby.
Top effort by the spectators, although there were only the really really brave ones not under cover as the game progressed.
Piddling down with rain in New Plymouth and blowing like buggery.
Gotta love the ITM Cup games. The most precious "log of wood" in New Zealand rugby is left out in the rain on display for the entire game.
Pity my adopted team didn't win, but if that had played for another 2 days they wouldn't have won, even though they managed to keep the scoreboard attendant unemployed for the first half.
In the end the Naki were too good, too determined, and made less mistakes and were the deserving winners.
Rain is nothing compared to what it's been through!Gotta love the ITM Cup games. The most precious "log of wood" in New Zealand rugby is left out in the rain on display for the entire game.
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8:30pm Criminal Element vs Meat Eaters
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Manawatu vs Tasman. Good performance from Peter Betham. He made the post match interview. Spoke well.
Manawatu had a reserve prop from a Las Vegas or Los Angeles Club who is studying at Uni in NZ. Pretty sure the commentators said he was with the Eagles at RWC 11.
Otago has a couple of Japanese players.
With the loose smattering of Australians and the above, the ITM cup is becoming rather internationalised.
IIRC this is not unusual, Martin Johnson played in King Couintry a while back, one of the Scottish Hastings brothers played in Auckland and Peter Winterbottom from England played in Hawkes Bay, but these were isolated cases.