Wellington v North Harbour
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Wellington Lions
15 Wes Goosen (Old Boys University)
14 Ben Lam (Tawa)
13 Matt Proctor (Oriental-Rongotai) (c)
12 Billy Proctor (Marist St Pats)
11 Malo Tuitama (Oriental-Rongotai)
10 Jackson Garden-Bachop (Northern United)
9 Kemara Hauiti-Parapara (Tawa)
8 Teariki Ben-Nicholas (Old Boys University)
7 Du'Plessis Kirifi (Northern United)
6 Vaea Fifita (Wellington)
5 Will Mangos (Old Boys University)
4 James Blackwell (Petone)
3 Joel Hintz (Old Boys University)
2 Asafo Aumua (Avalon)
1 Xavier Numia (Oriental-Rongotai)Reserves
16 James O'Reilly (Hutt Old Boys Marist)
17 Tolu Fahamokioa (Tawa)
18 Tietie Tuimauga (Johnsonville)
19 Isaia Walker-Leawere (Poneke)
20 Mateaki Kafatolu (Petone)
21 Sheridan Rangihuna (Hutt Old Boys Marist)
22 Thomas Umaga-Jensen (Wainuiomata)
23 Trent Renata (Oriental-Rongotai)Gibbes has made nine changes and two positional switches from the Wellington starting XV which lost to Waikato in Hamilton on Wednesday night. Fullback Wes Goosen, wing Ben Lam, first five-eighth Jackson Garden-Bachop, flankers Vaea Fifita and Du'Plessis Kirifi, as well as lock James Blackwell, all return to the run-on team after impressing in the opening weeks of the Mitre 10 Cup. Gibbes has also promoted New Zealand Under-20 Xavier Numia to the starting side for the first time after he came off the bench against Southland and Waikato while Kemara Hauiti-Parapara gets the start at halfback. Second five-eighth Billy Proctor has also been given an opportunity in the midfield where he will pair up with older brother and captain Matt.https://www.wrfu.co.nz/news/post/experienced-players-return-for-wellington-lions/
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Not the best exhibition of rugby was put on by professional rugby players. Must have been about thirty or forty turnovers for starters but there were some very pleasing to the eye tries scored, particularly the first two in the match. Some referee assessor pleasing reffing (very minor obscure things being called) but some rather obvious things like lineout not straights and a number of rather advanced defence lines not picked up.
The overall standard of play, a Wellington win and a very chilly wind on a cold day made the whole experience not particularly enjoyable. About the only thing to thankful for was the free Burger King burger awarded to ticket holders after the home side scored four tries.
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Haven't watched Wellington for a couple of weeks -is Aumua doing his core roles well?
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@higgins said in Wellington v North Harbour:
Not the best exhibition of rugby was put on by professional rugby players. Must have been about thirty or forty turnovers for starters but there were some very pleasing to the eye tries scored, particularly the first two in the match. Some referee assessor pleasing reffing (very minor obscure things being called) but some rather obvious things like lineout not straights and a number of rather advanced defence lines not picked up.
The overall standard of play, a Wellington win and a very chilly wind on a cold day made the whole experience not particularly enjoyable. About the only thing to thankful for was the free Burger King burger awarded to ticket holders after the home side scored four tries.
Yip. It was a poor effort from us really. So much ball lost on attack. Dropped balls and ruck turnovers are one thing but there was also a lot of offensive penalties given away. We sort of won that game by just having good ball running. Effective enough in this match but if that is all we have it can be easy to shut down if the other team is able.
@Crazy-Horse I haven't seen too many Wellington games but Aumua was average today. Scrum was poor and a lot of ball lost at lineout. He is bloody good with ball in hand on the wing though. He is effective enough there that I don't really want him in tight too much.
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@crazy-horse He's doing everything well without setting the house on fire. He isn't anywhere near the physical condition that he was last year, however he is probably the best hooker in the ITM Cup without even hitting second gear. There were moments today that he probably would have scored this time last year, he is just carrying that extra weight atm which negates his explosiveness.
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@canes4life good to hear. Not expecting him to score length of the field tries, but I would have been disappointed if his throwing etc was crap. I was a little worried when he turned up out of shape for the Hurricanes this year. Is he known as a lazy trainer around Wellington or does it look like he learnt his lesson?
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@crazy-horse I think there was more to it at the start of the Hurricanes season. He wasn't in the best shape but he was carrying a niggly rib injury that always linger longer than they should. I don't know much about the kid but I hope he has learnt his lesson. The Canes can't afford another season where Riccitelli plays almost every minute.
