Southland vs Northland

[taniwharugby]

@J77 I know 8 names in the 23, but then I guess Southland fans would look at our team and think 'who the hell are they' about most of them too.

Looks like the snow side of the weather has improved, but looks like weather will play its part on what looks to be a cold wet night

We 'should' win this, but it is also the type of game we so often let ourselves down in too

[Bovidae]

@J77

Brayden Mitchell has played for 3 super rugby teams over the years but very rarely as a starting hooker. I read that he and Thomas are co-captains so whoever is playing will be their captain.

[J77]

@Bovidae ah yep of course he was with the Chiefs for a while wasn’t he?

They also have one of our old players in Chris Apoua. We also have one of theirs in Matt Johnson. A bit of inside knowledge on both sides.

[Stargazer]

I recognise about 13 names in that Southland squad.

Te Tamaki has been in the All Blacks 7s squad; Nu'u has been in the Highlanders set-up, but I don't think he's played for them; Flynn Thomas (former NZU20 hooker) may have played a few games for the Highlanders against lesser opposition last year; he has been in their environment for at least two years. Braydon Mitchell has played for the Highlanders, Hurricanes and Chiefs. Willeman and Taliauli have come from the Brumbies (not sure whether they have actually played for them). Some of the others have played for the Stags for years.

[Bovidae]

@J77 Highlanders, Canes and Chiefs. Played for Waikato in 2013-14.

He didn't play last year because of major neck surgery.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/114784007/competition-for-southland-stags-no-2-jersey-healthy

[Machpants]

Ugh what a start to the season, NZ's most annoying commenTAAAYTor, who was born X, went to playCENtre at Y, PriMARy at Z, college at ....

[Machpants]

lovely weather. too

[Stargazer]

YC coming soon ..

[Machpants]

@Stargazer said in vs Southland:

YC coming soon ..

Nope wasted

[Stargazer]

@Machpants Yeah, surprised Northland still don't have points on the board.

[Machpants]

A hell of a lot of pressure and territory for no reward

[African Monkey]

@Machpants Ken Laban is a beautiful commentator.

[nzzp]

@Stargazer said in vs Southland:

YC coming soon ..

Dunno what the ref was on saying 'only 2'. They copped 2 offside penalties, followed by 2 straight scrum penalties. Frustrating.

Still, Northland look to have plenty here - should take this one with fitness

[Stargazer]

Typical first game of the season. Lots of handling errors, all looking very rusty. And that's including the ref.

[Machpants]

@African-Monkey said in vs Southland:

@Machpants Ken Laban is a beautiful commentator.

He may well be beautiful, but he's bloody annoying

[Stargazer]

Geez, that was good from Southland. Totally against the run of play, though. First try of the season.

[African Monkey]

@Machpants His pronunciation of Maori/Pacific names is a thing of beauty.

[Machpants]

@African-Monkey true, that's it tho

[Stargazer]

@African-Monkey Are you serious? He so often gets it wrong.

[African Monkey]

@Stargazer Yes I am serious. He's the only commentator who knows how to say the Maori/Pacific Island names properly.