NZ Domestic Rugby Competitions 2016

[waiopehu oldboy]

Teams for the Shield challenge tonight (16:35 AEST, NZ's daylight saving having started already):

Waikato: 15 Jordan Trainor, 14 Iliesa Ratuva Tavuyara, 13 Willis Halaholo, 12 Sevu Reece, 11 Tevita Taufui, 10 Sam Christie, 9 Harrison Levien, 8 Whetu Douglas (c), 7 Murray Iti, 6 Jordan Manihera, 5 Brian Alainu'ese, 4 Jacob Skeen, 3 Sefo Kautai, 2 Hame Faiva, 1 Tau Koloamatangi. Replacements: 16 Steven Misa, 17 Josh Iosefa-Scott, 18 Latu Talakai, 19 Leva Fifita, 20 Adam Burn, 21 Pele Cowley, 22 Jason Robertson, 23 Milford Keresoma

Canterbury: 15 Johnny McNicholl, 14 Marshall Suckling, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Nathan Earle, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Ere Enari, 8 Luke Whitelock (c), 7 Jed Brown, 6 Reed Prinsep, 5 Dominic Bird, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Ben Funnell, 1 Alex Hodgman. Replacements: 16 Nathan Vella, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Oli Jager, 19 David McDuling, 20 Billy Harmon, 21 Alby Mathewson, 22 Inga Finau, 23 Ben Volavola

Canterbury currently $1.21 favourites but anyone who knows their Shield history knows that don't mean shit. I'm expecting a Cantab win but that they'll be made to work for it & there'll be some sore or possibly damaged bodies when they have to back up v Taranaki on Sunday.

 

[2bluesfan]

As I said on earlier post this year, I really see Ioane as a long term 13 for All Blacks, and really believe that him and Lienert-Brown will be our midfield in 2023 WC. They both seem to have all the attributes of good midfield backs and think Ioane just needs a bit of experience to know when to pass etc, and it will come.

That could be a potentially great pairing.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

The drought is over!

CANTERBURY 29-23 WAIKATO (RANFURLY SHIELD)

Canterbury have won the Ranfurly Shield for the fifteenth time, five years since they last held it, and four years since their last, unsuccessful, challenge.

Waikato scored twice in the first half and both were stunners. First wing Illiesa Ratuva carved the defence up to put flanker Jordan Manihera over in the corner. For the second fullback Jordan Trainor regathered a chip from his 5/8 Sam Christie and shredded the defence to put No. 8 and captain Whetu Douglas over.

Canterbury also scored twice, hooker Ben Funnell from a lineout drive and wing Johnny McNicholl finishing off a backline move in the corner. Two Richie Mo'unga penalties to a Trainor conversion gave the challengers a 20-12 lead at the break.

Trainor closed the gap with two third-quarter penalties, Mo'unga also goaling for 23-18 before centre Vince Aso set up Waikato's third, score-levelling try for Ratuva in the corner with a trademark bust.

With the Shield seemingly destined to stay in Hamilton, Canterbury looked to close the game out through their forwards and halves denying the Mooloos any possession and forcing them into error and infringement. Young Jordie Barrett, having assumed the goal kicking duties, calmly slotted two late penalties to silence the cowbells as the rain came down.

North Harbour, who ended Canterbury's 2004-06, 14-match tenure, get the first challenge of the new tenure on October 7.

Match report: http://www.mitre10cup.co.nz/News/29872/canterbury-edge-waikato-in-ranfurly-shield-thriller

Note that the article's reference to Canterbury having equaled the record for the most successful challenges is wrong, Auckland having won it 16 times:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranfurly_Shield

Match highlights:

I no longer care if we win yet another Premiership title 'cos we've got the Shield back (I'll probably care very much if we win yet another Premiership title come tomorrow or the day after, but that's a tomorrow or the day after issue )

 

[Dan54]

Geez WOB that was a cracker of a game, the Moloos didn't want to let the Log go did they? Still good to see what the Log means to teams, and long may it continue.
Have to say young Jodie Barrett looked pretty composed under the pressure of the game , bodes well for him in a few years having the temperament to step up a level or two.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Yeah, you could see how reluctant Douglas was to hand it over, thought LW was gunna have to rip it out've his hands Match of the season IMO & proof that the wankers at "Aunty" who keep telling us the Shield's dead don't know what they're writing about (but watch them change their tune if D'Auckland ever actually win it again). It's a shame the way the draw has worked out, Cantabs v 'naki for the Shield in week 9 woulda been awesome.

 

[galumay]

very good performance by Wellington against Southland last night, wow, Lousi looked really good - why couldn't we get that out of him at the Tah's!!?

 

[Dan54]

very good performance by Wellington against Southland last night, wow, Lousi looked really good - why couldn't we get that out of him at the Tah's!!?

I think he growing into the game galumy, suspect he maybe quite useful at Super level after a season of Mitre 10.

 

[2bluesfan]

very good performance by Wellington against Southland last night, wow, Lousi looked really good - why couldn't we get that out of him at the Tah's!!?

I think he growing into the game galumy, suspect he maybe quite useful at Super level after a season of Mitre 10.

Probably a combination of needing time to learn the subtleties of the game and just going into a new environment with new coaches. Sometimes it just takes a different coach saying the "same" things in different ways. Players learn in different ways at different rates. In professional sport, time is a scarce resource. The Tahs probably judged that they couldn't afford to expend that resource in this instance.

I was a critic when he was at the Tahs, but I'm glad to see he seems to have found an environment in which he can flourish to some extent.

 

[Hawko]

Probably a combination of needing time to learn the subtleties of the game and just going into a new environment with new coaches. Sometimes it just takes a different coach saying the "same" things in different ways. Players learn in different ways at different rates. In professional sport, time is a scarce resource. The Tahs probably judged that they couldn't afford to expend that resource in this instance.

I was a critic when he was at the Tahs, but I'm glad to see he seems to have found an environment in which he can flourish to some extent.

I thought Lousi was pretty good this year from the bench and that 2017 would be his breakout year. I understand he wanted to go back to NZ, we certainly are under-manned at lock and he'll be behind some very good locks at the Hurricanes. I don't think he was let go, it just doesn't make sense.

If 2017 is his breakout year I'll be very pissed off.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Pissing down in Manawatu for Hawkes Bay Merlots against Manawatu Bucketheads.

Lots of games in the M10 Cup are played in damp-very damp conditions.

How many provincial level games are played in Aust in the Wet? Little wonder that we struggle when we go to the NH and play in the damp. Our players are never exposed to playing in the rain as they are developing their basic skills. NZL players on the other hand ... .... ... ducks to water.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Commentators just saying that there are 28 nineteen year old players in the M10 cup this year up from 9 last year.

NZL investing in youth. How many 19 year old players are there in the NRC in Aust this year?

 

[Highlander35]

Leota, Tuipulotu, Uelese all both 19 and in their U19 year for the Rising, and Valetini is 17. Think that's our share easy.

Plus Fox, Tumualealiifano and Tupai are all from the U20s this year, which is different, but still worth calling youth IMO.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Melbourne Rising and Q Country have a few 20 year olds. Not so many in the other NRC squads. Not too many in the comp who are in their first year out of school though.

 

[Highlander35]

As an aside, if it hadn't been for injury, we would probably have seen the U19 boys McGregor and Maddocks in the Rising teams as well, particularly the latter, who was named in original Rising squad.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Heartland Championship Round 6 results:

West Coast 28 (Chad Kingi-Ternant, Amenatave Tukana, Regan Stanton, Troy Tauwhare tries; Nik Cumming 2 con) Poverty Bay 62 (Jody Allen 3, Isaia Vuki, Murray Hewson, Ratu Daurua 2, Kieran Short tries; Vuki 7 con). HT: 28-16

East Coast 22 (Caleb Lewis, Tavita Ahoafi, Long Fisiihoi tries; Sam Parkes 2 con) Mid Canterbury 76 (Jarred Percival, Maleli Sau 2, Jordan Stewart 2, Christian Vainerere, Mike Lynch, Andrew Letham, Seta Koroitamana, Timoci Nabakeke tries; Percival 5 con; Leatham 3 con). HT: 6-38

South Canterbury 36 (Zac Southen, Leatigaga Vini 2, John Dyer, Miles Medlicott tries; Southen 2 con; Willie Wright con) Horowhenua Kapiti 24 (Ryan Shelford, Aaron Lahmert, Scott Cameron tries; Warwick Lahmert 2 con, pen). HT: 16-16

Buller 26 (Phil Beveridge, Setefano Sauqaqa, James Lash tries; Lash 3 con, pen) Wairarapa Bush 24 (Sam Gammie, Cameron Hayton 2 tries; Tim Priest 2 con; Andy Humberstone pen).

King Country 4 (Zayn Tipping 2 pen) North Otago 4 (Tyrone Davies 2 pen). HT: 2-2.

Wanganui 60 (Jamie Hughes 2, Te Rangatira Waitokia, Kameli Kuruyabaki 2, Tremaine Gilbert, Gavin Thornbury, Michael Nabuliwaqe tries; Dane Whale 5 con; Te Tau Kemp con) Thames Valley 14 (Hayden Wishnewski, Haere Renata tries; Beau Hamilton con). HT: 52-8.

KC v NO would have to be the lowest-scoring NZ first-class match for many a day. Another loss for the 'nua, who are now outside the top eight & don't look like they can make it back in.

Standings: http://www.flashscore.com.au/rugby/new-zealand/heartland-championships/standings/

Round 7 fixtures (standing):

(3) Buller v (1) Wanganui, Westport
(12) East Coast v (6) King Country, Ruatoria
(9) Horowhenua-Kapiti v (10) West Coast, Levin
(5) Mid Canterbury v (11) Thames Valley, Ashburton
(7) North Otago v (2) South Canterbury, Oamaru
(8) Poverty Bay v (4) Wairarapa Bush, Gisborne

 

[Brumby Runner]

Commentators just saying that there are 28 nineteen year old players in the M10 cup this year up from 9 last year.

NZL investing in youth. How many 19 year old players are there in the NRC in Aust this year?

I believe Jooste is still just 19.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Otago, so dominant against the other Championship sides, getting another reality check at Eden Park. Aucks scoring most've their tries from a fair way out, too. Reiko Ioane has a double already & big bro Akira's having a blinder at 7.

 

[galumay]

What is that side wearing the jerseys that look like the Auckland ones?

 

[galumay]

...and in the same vein, which team is that in the jerseys that look like the Otago ones?!

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Big test of Cantabs' depth coming up, three games in 10 days incl that Shield epic & playing (IMO) the second-best side in the comp. So far so good but I think we need to be more than three up* heading into the final 20.

*EDIT: MartyMac levels it up.

Looks like we're gunna need yet another halfback, Alby's elbow didn't look too flash as they were carting him off.