Waikato v Wellington

[Dice]

Reece has had an unreal first half. He's even been great on defense.

[Stargazer]

@dice Such a pity he's going overseas. Would have been great for the AB7s.

He may still play for Fiji though.

[Stargazer]

Playing 14 against 13 now, with Manihera and Fahamokoa both also in the bin.

[Higgins]

'Looked like a Frontal Hopoate attempt from the Wellington No. 1

[Stargazer]

Great turnover from Billy Proctor.

Tuitama back on.

14 v 14

[Stargazer]

Geez, that was an easy bonus point try from Takarangi.

[Stargazer]

Wow, 26 - 0 to Waikato.

[Stargazer]

Finally a try to Wellington. Renata.

26 - 7 Waikato

[Higgins]

Hopefully just a consolation score.

[Stargazer]

That was an awesome attack from Waikato, resulting in Reece's hattrick.

[Stargazer]

43 - 14 Waikato with 12 minutes to go.

[Stargazer]

The team that was relegated in 2017 is smashing the team that got promoted. It would be nice if Waikato could grab the shield from Taranaki.

[Stargazer]

Hope I didn't jinx it. Try Matt Proctor.

43 - 19 Waikato

[Stargazer]

I jinxed it. Intercept try Tuitama. Bonus point for Wellington.

43 - 26 Waikato

[Stargazer]

Geezus. Try Filipo. Has Waikato already left the stadium?

JGB misses another kick.

43 - 31 Waikato

[Higgins]

Never one to really be overjoyed about a Waikato victory but I have made an exception to that tonight. They won way better than the final scoreline indicates
Waikato 43 - 31 Wellington

[Canes4life]

Lions were aweful tonight. Just can't afford to have guys like Blackwell, Kirifi, Goosen, Lam, Fifita, T Umaga Jensen rested at once. Too much experience off the park.

Pretty poor season management by the coach. Could have rested half the players against Southland last Friday and then another half against Waikato instead of taking half the team out at once. Could cost us a playoff berth with a tough run home.

Waikato well deserved their victory tonight.

[Canes4life]

@higgins Totally agree. Wellington were rudderless. No passion and none of them looked like they knew what was going on half the time.

Only forward that really showed anything was "Izzy from Gizzy" as the commentators kept calling him.

[Higgins]

I don't know much about that Wellington number 18. Looking at the team lists for when he played against my club I see he was listed on the bench but cannot recall how he played if he did get on the field. Got a vague recollection seeing him play for one of the Heartland Championship teams but again nothing to really remember him by. Looks like he is probably an import from somewhere offshore. Hopefully someone out there might be able to fill us in with a bit of background on him.

[Stargazer]

@higgins That Heartland team was Wanganui. He has played for Samoa A. Don't know whether he has ever played for the main Samoan squad.