Really nice by Narawa, but godammit put your foot down man.

Exciting finale 33-36 counties win

Enjoyed the game. I had Taniwha in my picks etc, and was feeling completely neutral. Then I started to feel for Southland in first half, getting whipped, so started to cheer fot them. Bugger me didn't know my support was so essential! Genuinely both stoked for Southland fans, and feel for Northland ones at same time.
I will say again, I think Jamie Joseph must be quite pleased with what he seeing from some of these young fellas from Southland and Otago!

@Canes4life said in Manawatu v Hawkes Bay:

@Duluth said in Manawatu v Hawkes Bay:

10 Danny Toala

Lol wtf.

You underestimated my power to mess with the Canes. The original selection had Godfrey at 10 until James got my text.

😉

@Lancaster-Park said in Auckland v Canterbury:

Admittedly only saw the highlights but given the strongly held views by many in Auck that Akira is a beast but we just dont appreciate it I would have thought he would be playing like a man against boys at this level.
Did anyone at the game or seeing it all see him as a step above the rest?

As @KiwiMurph said, he's on the way out and I'm surprised he's actually playing here before heading to Japan. He's just going through the motions and who can blame him when there's the Japanese season waiting for him.

He probably just doesn't wanna risk injury, it's not as if he has anything to play for here, similar to Jack Goodhue at Northland last year.

@Kiwiwomble said in Otago v BoP:

@bayimports HOW DARE we steal your colours 30 years before you existed 😉

That's the whole fun of it 🙂

@Yeetyaah said in North Harbour v Waikato:

Fark me that chip from the ranga was crazy

Not just a ranga mate, a maori ranga. Can be quite unpredictable at times.

@Darren said in Wellington v Manawatu:

Lakai looked great, reminds me of a harder working Ardie. Possibly less highlights, but just doesn't stop working.
And why do we persist with J Savea? He doesn't offer anything.

I think in time Lakai will be a bigger and better version than Ardie. He's got the frame that's made for international footy and I feel the ABs have him earmarked as Sam Cane's replacement when he retires at the end of the year. He just needs to keep learning his craft and improving.

In the future I can see him and Sititi forming a pretty awesome combo for the All Blacks at 7 and 8 together, maybe even by the next WC.

'Nowhere to hide' for All Blacks as South African mini-tour looms 'Nowhere to hide' for All Blacks as South African mini-tour looms

Ancient rivals renew their blood feud this month, but can New Zealand handle the world champions in their own back yard?

Anyway I enjoyed the game. Obviously pleased with Naki win, but would also add I an happy to see Southland seem to be coming on quite well, and a reasonable size crowd rightfully at game supporting them

That first try by Tavatavanawai is worth a look.

Probably a 14 point swing if he misses!

@taniwharugby agree, embarrassing for us. We got opened up on the inside repeatedly. The lineout missed on attack several times. Whether it is the players or coaches that will need to be fixed. And, a lot of one on one tackles missed. But the thing that really annoys me. And it’s happened twice. We get a penalty with time up, just outside the 22, bonus point on offer and we take a quick tap. Kick to the corner, play the % for a bonus point every time. Until we can stop being just plain dumb, we won’t improve.

Yep, I got the impression the ref and tjs were waiting for tmo calls which never came. Looked like obvious infringements from the sideline.

@ploughboy said in Counties v Waikato:

he was at chiefs this year had a game at tighthead.
agree though looked good at loose head .hope they keep him

I have noticed that he has been playing LH for CM. The Chiefs will need to make a decision on which side Kaivelata focuses on in SR. LH might be the option with Proffit in his 30s.

@Kruse six months is the going rate for doing something more or less everyone else is doing ineffectually (but according to Rugby’s sumptuary etiquette) in a way that is effective but aggravates the pearlclutchers.

And Aussie fans should be delighted if their coach catches 6 hard - every other coach who has, has gone on to win the next RWC.

Sadly, doubt Joe was gaming the subs. Nothing I’ve seen from teams he’s coached suggests he has the nuts and/or diabolical cunning. Which is a shame. Rugby needs a devilishly cunning Aussie team prepared to do whatever it takes to win completely. fuck up the scrum for two decades to win five or six games - of course, sandpaper cricket balls, bowl underarm, sing Waltzing Matilda after the Haka - if it means a single, one point win over Georgia, yes 100%.

Fletcher Anderson has bulked up. I remember watching him play really well at openside in the NZ Schools trial.

@taniwharugby great to see his excitement at scoring as well.