NZ Domestic Rugby Competitions 2016

[2bluesfan]

I missed the first half of Otago v Counties, was anything said as to why so many of the Otago guys have big squares of tape under their right ears? Looks very odd.

Head impact monitors of some sort. Pretty sure they've worn them all through the Mitre 10. I seem to recall Randwick doing this on a more limited basis last time I saw them.

 

[2bluesfan]

it's the clear duty of each & every otherwise neutral G&GR member to adopt 'nua as their official Heartland Championship team.

I'm in. Go the 'Nua!

 

[Highlander35]

Having no sense of Geography, or team ability, Horowhenua-Kapiti has more unpronouncable and hence cooler name tho.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Head impact monitors of some sort. Pretty sure they've worn them all through the Mitre 10. I seem to recall Randwick doing this on a more limited basis last time I saw them.

OK, makes, sense but I don't recall seeing them before today.

I'm in. Go the 'Nua!

Well the Pauatahanui Inlet is pretty much the southern boundary of the Greater 'nua region so, yeah, you're doubly obligated Welcome aboard!

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Having no sense of Geography, or team ability, Horowhenua-Kapiti has more unpronouncable and hence cooler name tho.

Yes but 'nua means not having to worry about the pronunciation nazis: there's more than one way of saying "Horowhenua" (some debate about where to insert the long vowel(s), I believe) while "Kapiti" is alleged to have multiple "correct" pronunciations, too. Can't possibly go wrong with just 'nua, even if you're a skinny white boy like me

EDIT: I'm just gunna assume you're jumping on this bandwagon.

 

[galumay]

OK, makes, sense but I don't recall seeing them before today.

They have been wearing them for the last month at least, its a study into the effect of speed of neck movement on concussions being run by the Uni of Otago.

https://www.odt.co.nz/news/campus/university-of-otago/research-goes-rugby-teams-heads

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Appears the mighty Nua are starting to need results to go their way to get their deserved spot in the finals.

My quick & dirty maths says we're 8th & will need to either beat Wanganui (yeah, right) or hope West Coast knock North Otago over in order to make the Lochore Cup semi.

My quick & dirty maths was wrong, we're actually ninth so, yes, we need some help to sneak into the semis. Link to updated table posted at #195 above & rankings for next weeks fixtures amended accordingly.

 

[Dan54]

I missed the first half of Otago v Counties, was anything said as to why so many of the Otago guys have big squares of tape under their right ears? Looks very odd.

Been wondering that for a while WOB, and read somewhere during week it to help measure impact on the head of tackles etec etc, all in the name of science and looking at concussion etc!!

 

[Dan54]

Having no sense of Geography, or team ability, Horowhenua-Kapiti has more unpronouncable and hence cooler name tho.

And anyway Highlander if you an old bugger like me it always just Horowhenua or Nua, bloody Kapiti have always been part of the Nua, we just never used to let them have there name on the jersey . I was actually on the Nua board that turned down their request at one stage when they wanted it changed to Horowhenua-Kapiti!!

 

[Highlander35]

Names are funny

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Wellington Pussycats re-writing the record books again. Shame it's the "Most Points v Wellington" table but, hey, a record's a record, innit

Most points v Wellington (by Province)
...
54. Taranaki (9 Oct 2016)
...
50. Manawatu (5 Oct 2016)
...

Still in the Championship top-4, tho, Otago having now lost three straight.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Week eight wrap is up on the blog:

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/mitre-10-cup-week-8-wrap/#disqus_thread

Possibly worth a click...........

EDIT: as is this if you're wondering about the SF permutations:

http://www.mitre10cup.co.nz/News/29949/cheer-guide-mitre-10-cup

Myself I'm thinking Premiership 1. Canterbury 2. Tasman 3. Taranaki 4. Auckland & Championship 1. Otago 2. Wellington 3. Manawatu 4. North Harbour.

 

[galumay]

What a game of rugby! One of the best of the season, 27 all, Tasman v North Harbour. Marty Banks hitting the upright at about 97 minutes going for a 51m penalty to win the game. 20 minutes with 14 players for Tasman. They were probably robbed by an atrocious refereeing mistake that saw a player YC'd for a gentle push in the back. What a game!!

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Obviously Tasman would've preferred to bag four or better yet five points but the two they got puts them one ahead of Auckland & with Southland to play they're better placed than either Auckland (Taranaki to play) or Counties Manukau (Canterbury). It may cost them a home semi but they'll still make it IMO.

Taranaki v Auckland now the key match, a virtual QF for Aucks, less so for 'naki but with the prize for coming 4th being a trip to Christchurch you really wanna finish 3rd!

Harbour now three clear of BoP who have Hawkes Bay to play whereas Harbour have Northland, so again while they'd rather have had a win the draw isn't a disaster for them.

 

[zer0]

Taranaki v Auckland now the key match, a virtual QF for Aucks, less so for 'naki but with the prize for coming 4th being a trip to Christchurch you really wanna finish 3rd!

They'll lose comfortably, which is massively disappointing given the progress made over the last three years. Now we're back to shambling along with an ex-representative player in Nick White. Auckland being Auckland means we'll probably be stuck with him for the better part of the next decade.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^^^^^^^^ 'naki got up 35-32 so guaranteed 2nd, Aucks can finish 4th if Counties don't take any points off Canterbury. Not sure what happens if Tasman lose to Southland but seems unlikely so probably not worth worrying about too much.

 

[galumay]

Another cracking game! This comp just keeps delivering rugby of a sensational quality. 'Naki deserved the close win, had they lost it would have been a travesty given the refereeing errors late in the game. Orcland will wonder how they let that one slip through their grasp.

 

[galumay]

Amazing win by Otago over Manawatu, just about zero possession in the 2nd half, best defensive effort of the season saw them get home by 21-14. Those Otago boys will be in the ice bath for a while tonite!

 

[Dan54]

Amazing win by Otago over Manawatu, just about zero possession in the 2nd half, best defensive effort of the season saw them get home by 21-14. Those Otago boys will be in the ice bath for a while tonite!

Agree galumay, if ever a game was won on attitude and guts that was one!! Otago just tackled everything that moved, I thought it was anothyer good advert for the game.

Good to see Cruden back and playing well, will be back in 23 for ABs I guessing.

 

[galumay]

Damn! Counties Manukau getting the bonus point against the Canterburians has not helped Tasman at all. Beating Southland with a bonus point is do-able, but the pressure of HAVING to do it may tell.