NPC - news, injuries etc

[Higgins]

@mikey07 The problem is that Hataitai Park is clay based and even though the WCC spent untold money on it putting in new drainage two years ago it does not seem to be making much difference. In fact the first year it got done it was worse than previously. The water does not seem to drain away all that quickly and when it does it takes ages to soak into the clay and does not penetrate all that deep in any sort of hurry. End result it chops up rather quick if not managed closely.
The underground irrigation however works beautifully and gone are the days of the ground being rock hard and covered in grass that was extremely brown and looking half dead come start of the winter season.

[Higgins]

@mikey07 Yes I was referring to the spectator capacity and parking at Porirua Park. Spectator faciliteis being good and parking rather scarce. Come to think of it that could also be said about Hataitai Park (if you don't mind sitting on the terraced embankment). Ground conditions (including floodlighting) and changing rooms obviously being miles better at Porirua.

[Tim]

@Steven-Harris A throwback battle of the bridge at Onewa Domain would be ace.

[Steven Harris]

@Tim amen to that..if the NZRFU are not interested , time for the unions to take their game back to the community..all the games have been scheduled to accommodate Sky viewers .

[Bovidae]

The Ranfurly Shield holders (hi @Chris-B ) often take their home games to other grounds within their province. I've seen Waikato games in Tokoroa and Matamata over the years, and other games have been played in Cambridge and Morrinsville.

[Chris B.]

@Bovidae The Minor Premiers do as well.

Ta$man's home semi final will be played at Landsdowne Park in Blenheim.

[Bovidae]

@Chris-B said in Mitre 10 Cup - news, injuries etc:

@Bovidae The Minor Premiers do as well.

Ta$man's home semi final will be played at Landsdowne Park in Blenheim.

So you just know TJ will be the commentator in that game.

[Chris B.]

@Bovidae And a good chance against Auckland!

[Yeetyaah]

Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi just made a post on his Instagram about how his time in Taranaki has come to an end. Which means he's moving. BOP maybe? He's from Rotorua.

[Higgins]

Probably signed somewhere overseas, Japan possibly (the European seasons have by and large already started and you would have thought someone would have let us in on the info by now if he had signed there). When does/did his Chiefs contract end?

[Tim]

@Higgins 2021

[Higgins]

Thanks. I'll start the rumours and proffer that he will end up at Ta$man for the next Mitre10 Cup!

[Bovidae]

BOP or Waikato. Both are losing their no.1 halfback.

[Yeetyaah]

@Bovidae surely Waikato then.

[mikey07]

@Bovidae Wellington did 1 better and took there shield games to Masterton and Levin in 08

[Bovidae]

@mikey07 said in Mitre 10 Cup - news, injuries etc:

@Bovidae Wellington did 1 better and took there shield games to Masterton and Levin in 08

Waikato and other teams have done exactly the same. I've been to matches in Ruatoria and Paeroa to watch Waikato play East Coast and Thames Valley, respectively, in RS games.

Otago went to Oamaru earlier this season.

[mikey07]

@Bovidae and so they should take the game to the Heartlands home ground

[Stargazer]

Mitre 10 Cup, Semi Finals confirmed:
Friday 18th, 7.35pm – Bay of Plenty v Manawatu (Rotorua)
Saturday 19th, 2.05pm – Ta$man v Auckland (Blenheim)
Saturday 19th, 4.35pm – Hawke’s Bay v Otago (Napier)
Saturday 19th, 7.05pm – Wellington v Canterbury (Wellington)

.

Farah Palmer Cup Semi Finals confirmed:
Saturday 19th, 12.00pm – Auckland v Wellington (Eden Park, Auckland)
Saturday 19th, 2.05pm – Hawke’s Bay v Northland (Napier)
Saturday 19th, TBC 1pm/2pm TBC - Otago v Ta$man
Sunday 20th, 2.05pm – Canterbury v Counties Manukau

[Bovidae]

The Sat night game will still clash with Australia vs England.

[Steven Harris]

There was a kid that came on as replacement prop for Otago yesterday in Northland game his name is Saula Ma’u , apparently he is 145Kgs 6,3 and only 18 years old..he is literally the biggest human being I have ever seen run out on to a rugby field..from what I believe he schooled in Auckland ..anyone know anything about this kid ..?,you would think he would be a contender for the NZ under 20s next year..