Battle of the Bays: Steamers v Magpies

[Stockcar86]

@Stargazer said in Battle of the Bays: Bay of Plenty v Hawke's Bay:

Hawke's Bay

1 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 2. Ash Dixon, 3. Ben May, 4. Michael Allardice, 5. Tom Parsons, 6. Geoff Cridge, 7. Brendon O'Connor, 8. Gareth Evans, 9. Folau Fakatava, 10. Lincoln McClutchie, 11. Mason Emerson, 12. Danny Toala, 13. Stacey Ili, 14. Neria Fomai, 15. Caleb Makene

Reserves:
16 Kianu Kereru-Symes, 17 Jason Long, 18 Joel Hintz, 19 Devan Flanders, 20 Josh Kaifa, 21 Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, 22 Zach Donaldson, 23 Ollie Sapsford

Not trying to curse us, but the Magpies have been pretty lucky with injuries this year, and can still put out a great 15 with a strong bench. Apart from Falcon (injured before season) is McNicol the only possible top 23 player currently injured during the season?

[Snollygoster]

@Hooroo Yes, He usually plays there. It seems that injuries are beginning to bite though with a few different selections. Mua left the field injured last week so I assume isn't right yet. Tom Franklin usually plays lock but did play at 6 a bit for us a couple of years back. Pryor Collier has hardly played for the Steamers (if at all) this year so I assume Forbes is out. Dennon Robinson-Bartlett, who is in the reserves, has come in from the Development team for his first game.

It will be interesting to see what tactics are used by both teams. Hawkes *** are pretty adept at the rolling mauls and Bay of Plenty are getting good at clearing the ball quickly to our outside backs.

I can't wait.

[Stargazer]

@Stockcar86 Jonah Lowe would be in the top 23 as well.

[Stockcar86]

Of course. My bad

No way should I have forgotten him with his performance in last years match

[Stargazer]

Former Hastings Boys 1stXV national champions in this game:

Folau Fakatava, Lincoln McClutchie, Danny Toala, Kianu Kereru-Symes and Devan Flanders for the Real Bay, and Dennon Robinson-Bartlett for Bay of Plenty.

[Higgins]

What a magnificent sight seeing my team walking down the stairs amongst the crowd to take the field for this game. Something essentially old fashiond almost cricket like in a way. Anyway battle commences.

[Nepia]

@Higgins said in Battle of the Bays: Bay of Plenty v Hawke's Bay:

What a magnificent sight seeing my team walking down the staris am,ongst the crowd to take the field for this game. Something essentrially old fashiond almost cricket like in a way. Anyway battle commences.

I saw it as a sneaky plan by Of Plenty to try and make some our players trip before making the field.

[Nepia]

Early try to Of Plenty after a lot of ball in the 22.

[Stargazer]

Does anyone know why Ash Dixon isn't starting?

Edit: and who is our hooker on the bench?

[Higgins]

Goodness, this is a very Philpottesque start as the score balloons out to 14 nil.

[Stockcar86]

well, fuck

[Canes4life]

Chase Tiatia is ripping Hawkes Bay a new one. Sheesh HB look piss poor on defence.

[Nepia]

@Canes4life said in Battle of the Bays: Bay of Plenty v Hawke's Bay:

Chase Tiatia is ripping Hawkes Bay a new one. Sheesh HB look piss poor on defence.

On defence implies there is defence.

[Higgins]

If anyone interested in a fultter the NZ TAB currently offering $8.00 for a HB win.

[Nepia]

I'm going to start ragging on the sub standard facilities to cover my anger at the start.

How can an NPC ground have players walk down from the grandstand and the coaches box is a trestle table?

[Higgins]

@Nepia And probably no big screen for replays either. Having said that the ball did look held up about a couple of millimeters abouve the ground.

[shark]

Yep, there are high schools with better facilities than what's on offer today! Where the heck are they anyway? Whakatane?? Opotiki??

[Stargazer]

@shark Tauranga Domain

[Stockcar86]

Looks like a 20 point wind

[Higgins]

We are certainly off our game today. Normally a lineout five metres short of the line would almost be a certain try but without Ash Dixon it went nowhere and eventaully the ball was turned over in front of the posts and hooferd down to half way. This is not going well!