Wellington v Magpies

[Higgins]

Thanks. Poor sod what a game to make you debut in. Are we so short of backs that we only have two that can find a position on the bench, Chris Eaton must be more versatile than we have seen to date!?

[WingerHB]

I have a bad feeling about this...

[Stargazer]

[Stargazer]

Leni Apisai takes place on the Wellington bench.

[Higgins]

A couple of late unexpected events (took an age to find my eftpos card and missed the last bus that would have got me to the ground in time) has put a spanner in the works and I could not get to the ground in time so am sentenced to watching it in my lounge. Just like what looks to be about 7831 thousand other missing spectators.

Sitiveni Paongo has always played loosehead prop (saw him absolutely cream Alex Fidow when playing for Wellington College about three years ago) so that leaves a bit of an opening to exploit. I'm clutching at straws here obviously.

[Higgins]

Right the Magpies are up three nil after eight minutes. Time to create an all in brawl that forces the referee to abandon the match with the score at the time still standing?

The TAB odd drastically shortening on HB to win now being $4.25

[Higgins]

And those odds now out to a juicy and more realistic $8.00 after C Vaenga manages to be spectacularly sat on his arse whilst attempting to stop J Savea from scoring a try which J Garden Bachop managed to convert.

[Higgins]

Anyone fancying $10.00 for the Bay to win? That's what they are paying after Paongo scores a try and as I write that Alex Fidow scoots in under the posts in what is really looking like nothing more than an opposed training run. The $10.00 suddenly becomes $18.00 for an away win.

[Higgins]

The Magpies finally manage to win something even if it is only a penalty being awarded right on their own goal line. I'm considering doing a lap of honour in recognition of the achievement.

[Higgins]

Goodness, that was a mysterious no try decision by the TMO.

[Higgins]

Christ an obvious clear try again being referred to the TMO. I won't be holding my breath after the last episode.

[Higgins]

The allowing, eventually, of the try to C Vaenga has the effect of seriously reducing the HB win odds to $7.00 as halftime comes up at Wellington 19 - 08 Hawkes Bay

[Stargazer]

It looks like Cridge hasn't returned to the field? Must have failed his concussion test. Another one on the injury list. #14

[Higgins]

The halftime stats have just been published and my guys are putting a serious effort in at least winning the missed tackles award tonight by holding a comfortable 18 - 06 lead half time advantage - aaaaargh.

[Higgins]

That was an intriguing new play invented by The Barracuda, a defensive pop kick bomb on his own line to prevent the opposition from being able to tackle him. Sadly the ensuing play sees another Wellington converted try.

[Higgins]

HB are not looking quite so bad in the second half as they monopolise possession. Sadly there is not much penetration there but at least having most of the ball is stopping Wellington adding to their side of the scoreboard. Ten minutes still to go and it stands at Wellington 33 - 13 after Jason Long rumbles over for the second HB try.

[Higgins]

A burst of scoring sees both teams scoring rather nice converted tries taking the score to Wellington 40 - 20 HB five minutes left

[Higgins]

Goodness, Chris Eaton almost in for a most unexpected try. J Tangaere in from the ensuing lineout and the Magpies take a bonus point for four tries.

[Higgins]

And also go close to getting a second for the close loss but lose the ball when looking dangerous after the hooter had sounded.
Final Score: Wellington 40 - 27 Hawkes Bay

It wasn't anywhere near as awful on the scoreboard as I dreaded so there is a glimmer of hope that all might not be lost. Seriously though it looks like Wellington have more to be concerned about given that we had been defending like of cop on points duty in previous fixtures. There as quite a bit of heart shown by HB in the second half although there were still an alarming number of missed tackles. In summary - It could have been worse.

[Winger]

The HB players need to buy Nutbrown a beer with his 13-4 penalty count for them.

Savea looks like he's spent time in the gym rather than at the hairdressers. It reflecting in his performance too.

HB when they get their injured players back will be a much better side. And hopefully wellington never have Nutbrown reffing another game