Taranaki v Manawatu - Ranfurly Shield

[gt12]

Seta T is really a better player than the chances he’s been given - good in the midfield and on the wing. I’m still pissed he left the Chiefs.

[Stargazer]

@kiwimurph Thanks! Good to see Mataele is back. Laloifi is a good talent, too. Is he an Aussie; or is he a Kiwi who just happens to play for the Reds?

[gt12]

Mataele is just Joe v2. It’s crazy.

[Stargazer]

@gt12 Have to say that he's become better since he moved to the Crusaders. It's a pity he's leaving NZ; he's a good player to have available for the ABs if we're down players due to injury.

[KiwiMurph]

@stargazer said in Taranaki v Manawatu - Ranfurly Shield:

@kiwimurph Thanks! Good to see Mataele is back. Laloifi is a good talent, too. Is he an Aussie; or is he a Kiwi who just happens to play for the Reds?

Samoan born Aussie I believe.

[taniwharugby]

naki FB not up with those pesky rules...

[gt12]

@stargazer

Players who can do both are crazy valuable for the current AB set up. I wonder if he went too early?

[KiwiMurph]

@gt12 said in Taranaki v Manawatu - Ranfurly Shield:

@stargazer

Players who can do both are crazy valuable for the current AB set up. I wonder if he went too early?

He'd have been very handy to replace Rieko this weekend just quietly.

[taniwharugby]

Tamanivalu looking strong

[Stargazer]

@gt12 Yeah, I think so, too. I read an interview with him, saying that initially he signed with the Saders for one year, because he didn't really know what to expect. He seemed to leave the Chiefs disappointed about things. He liked the culture at the Saders so much, that he re-signed for a year. I understood from what he said that he's going to France basically because he now has a young family (he & his partner had their first child earlier this year) to support.

[taniwharugby]

nicely done

[gt12]

@stargazer

I feel like he didn’t get much of a chance at the Chiefs, and then when SBW pissed off we were high and dry.

[taniwharugby]

did that Poo guy tackle Hammington?

[Stargazer]

@gt12 Yeah, and although he didn't say it explicitly, I got the impression from what he said that it also had something to do with the culture at the Chiefs.

[Canes4life]

Fraser Armstrong is one giant lump of ineffectiveness. How he managed to play so many games for the Hurricanes just shows you how shit our propping stocks are in New Zealand atm. Probs not the smartest having Croswell at lock when Mitchell is bigger.

[Bovidae]

Anyway, c'mon Taranaki!!

[Stargazer]

@canes4life Yep, only getting game time at the Canes due to injuries. I think they should have a closer look at some of the youngsters in the M10 Cup and develop them. Tim Farrell at the top of that list, but also Pouri Rakete-Stones.

[Stargazer]

It doesn't look like the Shield will be on the move after tonight's game, unless Taranaki becomes complacent.

[Canes4life]

@stargazer Yeap a big fan of T Farrell. Along with Fakatava, him and Flanders could be long term Canes in their respective positions. Hawkes Bay have alot of talent and when they get Cridge back he will only boost their young playing stocks.

[Canes4life]

Manawatu look a level or 2 under Taranaki. The potency of Tamanivalu and Mataele is killing them and Milner Skudder has so far done sweet F all.