Taranaki v Tasman, semi-final
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@Chris-B. said in Taranaki v Ta$man, semi-final:
@Tim said in Taranaki v Ta$man, semi-final:
Don't you have to play a certain number of regular season games to qualify for the playoffs?
No. The NZRU aren't very fussy about this competition so they just let Steve Hansen decide who wins.
Next year I might not bother wasting my time watching and just email Steve at the start and get him to tell me who's going to win!
Canterbury will win Chris
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@taniwharugby said in Taranaki v Ta$man, semi-final:
@Chris-B well one of NH or Ta$man were always on the raw end of that situation!
Unless, of course, they'd thought something along the lines that, "we don't want people thinking our competition is a bit of a farce so maybe we shouldn't let people play in the knockout play-offs if they haven't played at least a couple of games in the round robin".
If Canterbury makes the final next week Hansen's going to be in an interesting situation, where potentially he could release about ten All Blacks to play for them. Or he could release none.
To give it a tinfoil hat spin, does that depend on whether Razor is one of his great mates or if he hates Razor's guts and has scores to settle?
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Ta$man team: 1. T Perry 2. J MacDonald 3. R Geldenhuys 4. A Ainley 5. P P Parkinson 6. T Koloamatangi 7. S Christie (c) 8. P Samu 9. B Guyton 10. M Banks 11. J Lowe 12. D Havili 13. K Fonotia 14. V Lolohea 15. M Hunt
Reserves: 16. B Asumoa-Goodman 17. K Hames 18. S Halanukonuka 19. S Frizell 20. E Blackadder 21. F Christie 22. A Nankivell 23. C Makene
Missing Andrew Makalio at hooker and Quentin Strange at lock/bench.
Makalio is a big loss, not because he's great, but because Jesse MacDonald definitely isn't. They've seemed to minimize the amount they've had Jesse on the park, but unfortunately they're going to need plenty from him this week.
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Taranaki Bulls team to play Ta$man:
- Mitchell Graham (32)
- Rhys Marshall (40)
- Ryan Cocker (31) / Reuben OβNeill (12)
- Ben Matwijow (9)
- Leighton Price (17)
- Mitchell Brown (26)
- Mitchell Crosswell (38) - Captain
- Toa Halafihi (23)
- Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (20)
- Marty McKenzie (26)
- Latu Vaeno (15)
- Johnny Faauli (9)
- Seta Tamanivalu (44)
- Declan OβDonnell (8)
- Stephen Perofeta (10)
Reserves:
16. Sione Lea (45)
17. Jared Proffit (6)
18. Ryan Cocker / Reuben OβNeill (12)
19. Iopu Iopu-Aso (22)
20. Lachlan Boshier (15)
21. Cody Whittaker (1)
22. Sean Wainui (23)
23. Waisake Naholo (31) -
@reprobate said in Taranaki v Ta$man, semi-final:
The bench?
Probably doesn't know all of the moves.
Coaches being loyal to the players who have got them there.
Unlikely to have access to him if they do make the final. -
Haha - despite Steve Hansen's best efforts to sabotage us, we get the job done!
Load those fucking All Blacks on a plane Steve - and a couple of Barretts who are surplus to Canterbury's requirements - and don't you dare go thinking that some of them could do with a run and a celebration.
Though, to paraphrase Brad Thorn, "That'll be my final".
We've won the Canterburyless Championship - anything else is clover!
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@Chris-B. said in Taranaki v Ta$man, semi-final:
Haha - despite Steve Hansen's best efforts to sabotage us, we get the job done!
Load those fucking All Blacks on a plane Steve - and a couple of Barretts who are surplus to Canterbury's requirements - and don't you dare go thinking that some of them could do with a run and a celebration.
Though, to paraphrase Brad Thorn, "That'll be my final".
We've won the Canterburyless Championship - anything else is clover!
At least it's an all crusaders final Chris
Great game to watch, skill level of Tasmand forwards is awesome
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@Siam said in Taranaki v Ta$man, semi-final:
Impressive from the Ta$man boys and 2 sons from over the hill featuring prominently.
Commentators prattling on about Banks to the sunwolves. Did the trevisio deal fall through?
Hames as a substitute is handy
Does the north island play rugby?πWasn't sure about the way the props were being used, but using Perry and Geldenhuys against the top props and running out Hames and Halanukonuka against the reserves has been a masterstroke.
Banks to the Sunwolves is news to me - not sure whether that's a new development or Laban is confused.
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Another quality game from these two teams. Great to watch.