Pre-season Match: Clan v CruSadists, 11 Feb 2016

[waiopehu oldboy]

It's on!

This is Fred:

And this is his park:

And, sorry, but it's sold out & you can't even sneak in by buying a ticket to the Southern Field Days across the road.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...u-paddock-fit-and-ready-for-Super-Rugby-stars

Gonna be an epic occasion, wish I could be there..........

 

[Dan54]

Love the idea of making fields in a farmers paddock for preseason matches, the Canes one that is played at Mangataioka has always been really successful ( mind you it just down road from Tui brewery), so lets hope they keep up with these ideas.
Old Fred Booth looks pretty happy doesn't he!

 

[2bluesfan]

Love the idea of making fields in a farmers paddock for preseason matches, the Canes one that is played at Mangataioka has always been really successful ( mind you it just down road from Tui brewery), so lets hope they keep up with these ideas.
Old Fred Booth looks pretty happy doesn't he!

I drove through Mangataioka last week and thought the name seemed vaguely familiar but I couldn't put my finger on it. It was the same day that the TPPA was being signed in Auckland and as I drove through Eketahuna on my way south a report came on the radio news that protesters were apparently sitting on motorway off-ramps. The protesters were active in Eketahuna as well and I estimate that up to four were standing roadside in the town centre waving a placard.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Fred Booth Park was indeed packed out:

6,700 including mein host Fred:

They played for this stunning trophy:

But Rugby was the winner on the day, a late CruSadists try snatching a 19-19 draw.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...n-draw-against-highlanders-at-fred-booth-park

They're already talking about doing it again in two years (Southern Field Days are biennial, apparently). I'm kinda hoping the District & Regional Councils make it happen next year: this is grass roots- meets pro-rugby at its best & we need more of it.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

It's back!

Darfield RFC, Saturday at 17:00 local time.

Darfield's main & possibly only claim to fame is being near the epicentre of the first major Canterbury earthquake in September 2010.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darfield,_New_Zealand

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Crusaders (1-15): Tim Perry, Ben Funnell, Michael Ala'alatoa, Mitchell Dunshea, Luke Romano, Pete Samu, Jed Brown, Jordan Taufua (c), Bryn Hall, Richie Mo’unga, George Bridge, David Havili, Jack Goodhue, Manasa Mataele, Marty McKenzie.
Reserves: Forwards: Nathan Vella, Andrew Makalio, Oliver Jager, Chris Gawler, Samu Tawake, Quinten Strange, Pari Pari Parkinson, Tom Christie, Whetu Douglas, Leon Fukofuka, Ereatara Enari. Backs: Mitchell Hunt, Sione Fifita, Tim Bateman, Seta Tamanivalu, Sean Wainui, Inga Finau.

Highlanders (1-15): Craig Millar, Adrian Smith, Guy Millar, Jackson Hemopo, Tom Franklin, Gareth Evans, James Lentjes, Luke Whitelock, Kayne Hammington, Fletcher Smith, Tevita Li, Rob Thompson, Sio Tomkinso, Fa’asiu Fuatai, Jason Emery.
Reserves: Forwards: Greg Pleasants-Tate, Aki Seiuli, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Siate Tokolahi, Alex Ainley, Josh Dickson, Adam Knight, Dillon Hunt. Backs: Josh Renton, Marty Banks, Teihorangi Walden, Matt Faddes, Jonah Nareki

 

[Dismal Pillock]

*of the 6 All Blacks pictured above, a grand total of 0 of them will be appearing in the actual match advertised #No_Refunds

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

CruSadistts can now put the Farmlands Cup where the Super Rugby trophy used to go:


Crusaders 50 (Manasa Mataele, George Bridge, Jack Goodhue, Bryn Hall, Seta Tamanivalu, Tim Bateman, Sean Wainui, Pari Pari Parkinson tries; Richie Mo'unga 3 con, Mitchell Hunt 2 con) Highlanders 33 (Kayne Hammington, Tom Franklin, Tei Walden, Matt Faddes, Adrian Smith tries; Fletcher Smith 2 con, Marty Banks 2 con). HT: 26-14

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/...od-for-highlanders-in-trial-game-winning-5033

 

[Dan54]

Looking at that Sadists backline WOB, I not sure they will be as far off the pace as some have hinted at this year, Mounga is a pretty good 10, Crotty, Bateman, Tamanivalu and Goodhue are more than journeyman midfield players, so if wings etc go alright we know bloody well they will have a good pack!!

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^^^^^^^^^ depends on how often Shag lets Razor pick 'em plus how soon & how we'll Read comes back from his surgery (Taufua's a decent stand in but after that it starts to get a bit thin at 8) but, yes, potentially the best pack in the conference if not the comp & hopefully Crotty & Tamanivalu are the answer to our recurring midfield woes.