Waikato v Auckland

canefan

@African-Monkey said in Waikato v Auckland:

@shark Oh yeah of course :smiling_face_with_open_mouth_smiling_eyes:

Seriously though, think you guys could take us next week. Plummer, Manu and Trainor not being there is hurting us out wide and our starts have been poor which ultimately cost us tonight.

We should have Ennor and Franks available as well, surely.

I think I saw the Canty coach say Franks will have an extended break

Bovidae

Probably a fair result but I've never seen a ref get in the way of play so often than Kelly did tonight.

Impressed with Finau on debut.

Bovidae

@Hooroo said in Waikato v Auckland:

Hilarious last ten mins including over time. How fat is the Ioane?

Someone in the crowd behind me yelled out "c'mon fatty" when Akira took the field.

African Monkey

@canefan If that's the case then he may as well not return.

African Monkey

@Bovidae He was very good, and although the loosehead prop had a hard time at times tonight, he looks like one for the future for me once he gets stronger and learns a few things which will come with experience as I thought technically he looked good, but for a 19 year old to be starting in the front row at this level is impressive.

Bovidae

@African-Monkey I agree about Norris. He'll get plenty of opportunities until Toby Smith is back. Johnstone is gone for the season.

Finau, Norris, Tupaea and Reihana all in the NZ U20s which shows you their youth. Reihana has only turned 19.

Chester Draws

I thought Ioane's last minute attempt to lose the game was because he was late, so that it was legal as a clean out is irrelevant.

Good try to lose the game. The referee not applying the rules (foul play overrides advantage) was lucky for him.

mofitzy_

Strange that the camera was on the empty stands all night. Unless I'm missing something it seems like you sell the tickets for the stand on camera first or it looks like you are playing for 3 men and a dog.

Bovidae

@mofitzy_ said in Waikato v Auckland:

Strange that the camera was on the empty stands all night. Unless I'm missing something it seems like you sell the tickets for the stand on camera first or it looks like you are playing for 3 men and a dog.

All the camera positions are on the Brian Perry stand side. That is also where the corporate suites are too. Those of us who usually sit in the WEL Networks stand have been moved.

It will be different for the AB test as all stands are open.

DrivingMaul

Post match interviews from the Mitre 10 Cup and Farah Palmer Cup games:
Richie Walker

Chelsea Alley

Caleb Clarke

Alama Ieremia

Roger Randle

Dwaynw Sweeney

shark

@African-Monkey said in Waikato v Auckland:

@shark Interestingly enough, Ennor coming into centre will make it a 5th different midfield combo in a row. Having said that, Ennor and Osborne in the backline makes it a hell of a lot better.

Yep, I noted that early on in the Canterbury vs Southland thread after the teams were posted.

The Silver Fern

Waikato v Auckland