Manawatu v Waikato

[Stargazer]

Manawatu

1 Fraser Armstrong, 2 Tim Cadwalllader, 3 Sione Asi, 4 Liam Hallam-Eames, 5 Nick Crosswell, 6 Liam Mitchell, 7 Antonio Kiri Kiri (c), 8 Brice Henderson, 9 Kayne Hammington, 10 Jade Te Rure, 11 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 12 Rob Thompson, 13 Lifeimi Mafi, 14 Te Rangatira Waitokia, 15 Junior Laloifi.

Reserves:
16 Sam Stewart, 17 Faalelei Sione, 18 Sean Paranihi, 19 Brad Tucker, 20 Sam Wasley, 21 Jamie Booth, 22 Sam Malcolm, 23 Hamish Northcott

https://www.turbosrugby.co.nz/news/milner-skuddder-to-start-on-wing-for-turbos

[Tim]

Do you guys rate any of the Manawatu props? I think Sione Asi was talked up a bit last year by some rugby commentators?

[Stargazer]

@tim I only remember Asi being in this year's NZU20 squad.

Fraser Armstrong is only the 3rd choice LH at the Canes. Not really noticed him, despite playing in 9 games. That can be a good thing or a bad thing.

[cgrant]

Asi struggled against the Aussies and the French at scrum time. Could he have improved in just two months ?

[Stargazer]

Waikato

1 Ayden Johnstone (Hautapu)
2 Samisoni Taukei’aho (Fraser Tech)
3 Joshua Iosefa-Scott (Melville)
4 Tim Bond (University)*
5 James Tucker (Hamilton Marist)
6 Jordan Manihera (Hamilton Old Boys)
7 Mitch Jacobson (Hautapu)
8 Murray Iti (Otorohanga)
9 Kylem O’Donnell (Melville)
10 Matty Lansdown (Fraser Tech)
11 Sevu Reece (Hamilton Old Boys)
12 Dwayne Sweeney – Captain (Morrinsville Sports)
13 Quinn Tupaea (Hamilton Old Boys)*
14 Declan O’Donnell (Melville)
15 Fletcher Smith*

16 Mike Mayhew (Hautapu)
17 Toby Smith (Hamilton Old Boys)
18 Sefo Kautai (Hamilton Marist)
19 Sam Caird (Hautapu)
20 Adam Burn (Hamilton Old Boys)
21 Jack Stratton*
22 Bailyn Sullivan (Hamilton Marist)
23 Tyler Campbell (University)
(* = Waikato debut)

Waikato Team Named for First 2018 Mitre 10 Cup Match

Waikato has named their team to face Manawatu in their first Mitre 10 Cup match at Central Energy Trust Arena,...

[Tim]

@stargazer said in Manawatu v Waikato:

6 Jordan Manihera (Hamilton Old Boys)

Be interesting to see if he can maintain a workrate in that position.

[Bovidae]

I was expecting a very different Waikato team, with 5 of the bench starting. It could be a mix and match selection in the first 2 games.

@Tim Manihera plays all his club rugby at 6, Adam Burn is the HOB no.8. Manihera might be moved to no.8 when Luke Jacobson starts.

[OleOleOle]

Likewise, I was expecting more of the bench players in the starting 15.

Look for Manihera to dominate!!

[cgrant]

Pretty solid bench. It should make the difference at the end.

[Stargazer]

No comments on this match yet? i only watched bits and pieces of the first 50 minutes. Had some doubts about the Manawatu try that made it 12 all, then Manawatu came alive with some strong carries from Kirikiri. Good finish from Thompson after another attack initiated by Kirikiri made it 19-12. The Declan O'Donnell try was a beautiful team try. It's 19 all.

[KiwiMurph]

Some wonderful attack by both sides.

[Stargazer]

Bugger, they're stuffing up my picks for this week. Junior Laloifi scores his 2nd for the Turbos. C'mon Waikato, I need you to win.

[KiwiMurph]

NMS looked sharp.

[Stargazer]

FT: Manawatu 24 - 19 Waikato

In the 50 mins I watched, NMS looking good for Turbos; Thompson, apart from his try, not really influential. Kirikiri looked good, too and that frontrower from the Brumbies (Sione?).

Reece & Manihera good for Waikato.

[Stargazer]

@kiwimurph Yeah, he was in everything. Lots of energy, sparking the Turbos' attack during the part of the game I watched.

[Bovidae]

I've just watched the first 40 mins as I didn't see any M10 games yesterday. Even though I know the final result I was encouraged by the 1st half performance considering that isn't the strongest Waikato team available. Jonno was correct with his halftime comments.

[Bovidae]

Thoughts on the 2nd half:

Numerous missed opportunities when in the red zone due to poor discipline (including a dumb play by Bond right at the end of the game) and handling errors will mean Gibbes and co won't be happy with the result.

Anyone know if the Manawatu player has been cited for the cheap shot on Tucker?

Plenty riding on the game vs NH now with 4 Premiership teams to play in quick succession.

[Stargazer]

@bovidae said in Manawatu v Waikato:

Anyone know if the Manawatu player has been cited for the cheap shot on Tucker?

NZR is extremely shit when it comes to publishing citings and decisions on citings. I remember finding them last year, but don't quite remember where. I'll keep an eye on it.