Auckland v Counties Manukau

[KiwiMurph]

Prattley winning a scrum penalty. Is this bizzaro world?

[Dice]

I think it's been back and forth in the forwards, but our backs have thoroughly outplayed theirs. Have the Counties backs done anything in this game?

[KiwiMurph]

Then normal service resumes next scrum.

[Stargazer]

@dice Agreed, haven't seen much of the Counties backs. Auckland needs more possession to get their backline firing.

[Stargazer]

And then Plummer kicks possession away.

[KiwiMurph]

Ruru has been seriously shit already. Cripes.

[mimic]

For some strange reason, I have a feeling Dalton will be an all black before Akira

[Stargazer]

@mimic How tall is he? Or does he need an appointment with Ardie's hairdresser?

[mimic]

@Stargazer Dalton's 193cm tall and weighs 113kg

[Dice]

So TJ gave 3 points for Papalii, 2 for Kalolo Tuiloma and 1 for Salesi Rayasi.

I think Trainor and Gibson should've got in before Rayasi. Rayasi only had that one play.

[African Monkey]

Plenty of work to do but good to start off with a win against a bogey side (who isn't haha). Fukofuka was far better than Ruru who was awful, Papali'i, Gibson and Sotutu were very good as was Manu, Trainor and Rayasi. The scrum worries me as I would like to see Renata come back and I feel that a power lock is needed whether it's Tuipulotu or Lemalu if Tuipulotu isn't available. We're still a work in progress but good to see them showing a bit of ticker which was sadly lacking last year.

Oh, and please improve your goalkicking Harry Plummer haha.

[Tim]

Papali'i best player on the field. Fukofuka good too.

Renata, Tuipulotu, and Fatialofa will improve the pack. Olmstead to start at lock next week?

[KiwiMurph]

Good to beat Counties after losing them the previous two outings.

Backs looked promising.

Auckland look at least improved this year which is nice.

[Dice]

@tim Forgot about Fukofuka. He was very good. His kicking in particular was exceptional. It wasn't that easy for him at the ruck either, and he dealt with it well being a bigger halfback.

[Tim]

@dice He'd be a good signing for the Blues.

[Dice]

@tim Looked better than Ruru at least.

[Kirwan]

@stargazer said in Auckland v Counties Manukau:

@kiwimurph Has nothing to do with that. Counties line-outs and scrums are better than Auckland's. Auckland better score soon, because this score is stuffing up my tipping.

Scrum yes, but Counties screwed up about seven lineouts and dragged their hooker at 48mins, and he threw worse.

[ShadowTrooper]

@mimic said in Auckland v Counties Manukau:

For some strange reason, I have a feeling Dalton will be an all black before Akira

He is an anooying mutha.. for sure (Dalton that is not Akira) a guy you'd rather have playing with you than against you

[Kirwan]

Plummer looks composed out there but his goal kicking was poor tonight.

I think the scoreline flattered Counties somewhat, just little mistakes kept the score close.

[shark]

Don't know how Counties kept themslves in that, given how poor they were up front generally. Good game to watch though.