Canterbury v Tasman, Premiership Final

[Chris B.]

A couple of interesting selections in this team.

Nankivell starting ahead of Havili - that's a big call by the guy who's going to be Crusaders' backs coach.

Strange starting ahead of Parkinson. With Bird playing for Canterbury, I would have been tempted to go with Parkinson's extra height - though Strange has done a pretty good job so far this season.

A few important starting changes from the first time we played Canterbury:

Makalio for MacDonald, Ainley for Lepa, and Samu for Fredericks. We also lost Frizzell very early in that match.

In the Backs - Guyton, Nankivell and Lolohea are in for Christie, Havili and Faingaanuku.

Generally significantly stronger. A particularly important upgrade is Halanukonuka on the bench for Blair Princep.

Basically the strongest team we can field except Fredericks and Koloamatangi are injured and Squire with the ABs. Only one of those three would have started if available, another might have kept Frizzell and Blackadder off the bench.

[Chris B.]

@Mokey said in Canterbury v Ta$man, Premiership Final:

Ta$man have got this.

Not the way "my" teams have gone so far. Otago and the Cubs both going down and Buller at the plate and trailing.

Mako$ and Black Caps still in the Bullpen - but, I'm steeled to go 0-5 for the weekend!

[Stargazer]

@Chris-B. said in Canterbury v Ta$man, Premiership Final:

A couple of interesting selections in this team.

Nankivell starting ahead of Havili - that's a big call by the guy who's going to be Crusaders' backs coach.

Isn't Havili returning from injury? Maybe that's the reason? Or he's not 100% yet?

[Chris B.]

@Stargazer said in Canterbury v Ta$man, Premiership Final:

@Chris-B. said in Canterbury v Ta$man, Premiership Final:

A couple of interesting selections in this team.

Nankivell starting ahead of Havili - that's a big call by the guy who's going to be Crusaders' backs coach.

Isn't Havili returning from injury? Maybe that's the reason? Or he's not 100% yet?

Yeah - he had one game out. But, you'd think if he's fit to sit on the bench he'd be fit to start.

Certainly a vote of confidence in the young guy.

[Mokey]

Ack. Had to mute the anthem it sounded so bad.

C'mon Ta$man!

[Chris B.]

Far too many errors and far too much dumb play.

A somewhat strange conspiracy of events results in Ainley getting a deserved card.

We need to survive the next 10 minutes without leaking points and come home on a wet sail and dominant scrum.

[Mokey]

Pretty much. Fucking dumb shit to get the card, and the last thing Ta$man needed, a man down.

[Duluth]

Banks is having a shocker

[Canerbry]

VERY lucky it's only a yellow.

[Mokey]

Try! Woot. Good teamwork. 29-20 to the bad guys.

[Canerbry]

YESS great moment to score Mo, just when they looked like they thought they had a chance. Best 10 on the field tonight by a long way.

36-20 to the bad guys' big brothers.

[Mokey]

36-27 to the bad guys. Both teams alternating brilliant and shit.

[Canerbry]

And Marty Banks rattled bigtime. Not having a very nice day at all, is he.

[hydro11]

Ta$man have put up a great fight but they have made a few to many errors.

[Bones]

Any truth to the rumour Banks had his whole Treviso salary on Canterbury to win?

[Chris B.]

Any chance just thrown away. Far too many soft errors.

Lots of endeavor but, in the end, a very disappointing effort.

[Mokey]

Lowe was disappointingly quiet.

[Crash]

Mo'unga had an excellent game, standout performance, and in a way only served to highlight Banks' shortcomings.
Cant help but think Shag and Co could have made some room on this EOYT for Mo'unga, think they missed a trick there. Only hope he stays in NZ

[Chris B.]

Pretty unfortunate that Marty saved up possibly his worst ever performance for the biggest stage.

[Canerbry]

Awesome game, Ta$man caused plenty of problems but didn't get enough points. Richie Mo'unga has to be MOM, defense on our own line for long periods was awesome, Ta$man valiant but dare I say it missing the professional edge.