NZ Domestic Rugby 2021

[Dan54]

Well that's that one over. Was interesting how hard the Blues made it. Tribe was basically a toung team having first game together especially in forwards, but the young buggers had a good crack.
I do wonder where the IQ is in the Blues, because they sure need someone to show more.

 

[zer0]

Thought Sullivan was decent. Looks to have a good pass and has a big boot by the looks of it, which is very welcome. Hope to see much, much more of him in the TT matches. Return Nock to halfback, Faiane to second-five, and get the kicking game rolling again.

 

[Dan54]

Thought Sullivan was decent. Looks to have a good pass and has a big boot by the looks of it, which is very welcome. Hope to see much, much more of him in the TT matches. Return Nock to halfback, Faiane to second-five, and get the kicking game rolling again.

Bang on zer0, Sullivan looks to be the kind of kid that will turn out not bad. Certainly thought the Blues looked a lot better when Nock came on didn't they.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Highlights:

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Gave up at HT. Blues shamefully fucking boring. Bloated winless arseclowns, All Blacks all over the park, shouldve been up by 40 by HT versus the Chiefs High School Development XV.

Chiffs with all the verve, imagination and creativity, Blues with nothing to offer except for route one pick and go's.

Polynesian Blitzkrieg Jailbreak my arse, more like Supermax solitary brain confinement:

tl/dr Season Executive Summary: OMNIWRECK

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Dominic Brd has signed for Wellys in this year's NPC & 'canes in next year's whatever they're calling Super Rugby next year:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...minic-bird-for-2022-season-after-france-stint

Both really need to get themselves a quality 10 and/ or 9, you just can't win anything without one & ideally both (I'm assuming the reports are true & that TJP has signed for Roosters in NRL).

 

[Dan54]

Dominic Brd has signed for Wellys in this year's NPC & 'canes in next year's whatever they're calling Super Rugby next year:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...minic-bird-for-2022-season-after-france-stint

Both really need to get themselves a quality 10 and/ or 9, you just can't win anything without one & ideally both (I'm assuming the reports are true & that TJP has signed for Roosters in NRL).

I hoping Booth will be back next year (and playing ok) think him and that Riogard maybe an alright couple of 9s (not great but ok) and Love may come along ok.
You think after all these years supporting the Canes I would be a bit more pessimistic, but I think we maybe ok!

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Hoskins Sotutu switching from Aux to Steelers for NPC:

https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/p...nfirms-move-from-auckland-to-counties-manukau

If reports are to be believed there will be others in the coming weeks.

 

[Dan54]

Hoskins Sotutu switching from Aux to Steelers for NPC:

https://i.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/p...nfirms-move-from-auckland-to-counties-manukau

If reports are to be believed there will be others in the coming weeks.

Wondered when this was going to happen or be announced, was told about this a month or 2 ago, about the time Tiatia packed in as asst coach. If mate who told me is correct (and he has always been up to now including changes in Blues teams etc) the problem is with Ieremia, players feel he doesn't know how to coach, and comes to training unprepared, and assistants do a lot of the coaching.

 

[Dan54]

Crusaders announce team, no surprises, Ennor back and on bench.

Crusaders: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Leicester Fainga’anuku, David Havili, George Bridge, Richie Mo’unga, Mitchell Drummond, Cullen Grace, Sione Havili Talitui, Ethan Blackadder, Samuel Whitelock, Scott Barrett (c), Michael Ala'alatoa, Codie Taylor, George Bower. Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Tamaiti Williams, Oliver Jager, Mitchell Dunshea, Tom Sanders, Bryn Hall, Dallas McLeod, Braydon Ennor.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Doesnt yet look a "Crusaders level" Crusaders forward pack.

The backs will see them home though. Will Jordan will probably walk around the place, pop up to the concession stand for some chips during the 2nd half as play carries on without him, yet still finish up with the match-winning hat-trick.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Tribe: Damian McKenzie, Jonah Lowe, Anton Lienert-Brown, Alex Nankivell, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Bryn Gatland, Brad Weber (c), Luke Jacobson, Lachlan Boshier, Pita Gus Sowakula, Mitchell Brown, Tupou Vaa’i, Angus Ta’avao, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross. Reserves: Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, Sione Mafileo, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Zane Kapeli, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Rameka Poihipi, Chase Tiatia.

Not sure I'd start Brown over Ah Kuoi but I can see why they'd want LJ, LB & P-GS out there starting & they won't lose much when Kapeli comes on if last week is anything to go by.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Nanai-Seturo has committed to 7's so won't play SRTT but Rayasi is staying with 'canes:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...aiseturo-opts-in-for-olympics-sevens-campaign

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...its-to-hurricanes-for-super-rugby-transtasman

Clarke' decision has yet to be announced but I suspect he'll stay with Loss Bleus & AB.

Edit: yeah nah, Caleb wants some bling:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby...-to-chasing-sevens-gold-at-the-tokyo-olympics

 

[Dan54]

Tribe: Damian McKenzie, Jonah Lowe, Anton Lienert-Brown, Alex Nankivell, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Bryn Gatland, Brad Weber (c), Luke Jacobson, Lachlan Boshier, Pita Gus Sowakula, Mitchell Brown, Tupou Vaa’i, Angus Ta’avao, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross. Reserves: Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, Sione Mafileo, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Zane Kapeli, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Rameka Poihipi, Chase Tiatia.

Not sure I'd start Brown over Ah Kuoi but I can see why they'd want LJ, LB & P-GS out there starting & they won't lose much when Kapeli comes on if last week is anything to go by.

I was surprised that Brown started ahead of Ah Koui, but on reflection maybe a little experience against the Crusaders 2nd row for first while is not a bad idea. You would think the Crusaders are better in most departments apart from loosies, maybe scrumming will be even, have a feeling it will depend on Gatland staying calm and ALB and DMac being able to spark something.
As DP says you know Jordan will get the ball with a little bit of space at some stage and will burn everyone off. And bloody Mounga will find a mismatch with a tightie that he can get around!

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Should be dry, warm (17C) & not too windy in CheeChee tonight.

CruSadists firm favs with all but the Tribe faithful but as we've seen over the last month if they're in touch with 10-15 to go anything's possible.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Tribe paying $3.90 on the TAB with a 10.5 spread, both of which are ridiculous imo.

Edit: the anti-TJ campaign waged by the Three Horsemen of the Auckpocalypse has worked, Nisbo once again in Comms box albeit alongside Mr Boomfa! & Smithy.

Edit: Sione Havili a late scratching with a head knock in training, replaced by Tom Sanders in the XV with Whetu Douglas coming into the 23. So essentially no backup 7.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Old-fashioned centre kick was the option there, surprised Reece didn't take it as he's really good at it.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

Impressive how everyone still falls for Reece's stop and go

 

[zer0]

Pretty damned super soft penalty for Jordan's "high tackle" on the winger. But, given it is a penalty, why is it not a penalty try?

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

What a fucking stupid referral that was. Hopefully doesn't come back to bite them on the arse later but so stupid that it probably will, karma & all that.

^ zer0 that's a good point, penalty means the player committing it effectively wasn't there in which case Tribe score fo' sure. Funny game this, almost as funny as cricket sometimes......