The Bay v Manawatu Semi-Final
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@KiwiPie said in The Bay v Manawatu Semi-Final:
Not seen it in print but apparently the top finisher's game is on Friday night for Division 2.
It wasn't last year. Waikato played Northland at 2:35 pm on the Saturday. I know because I wasn't able to go being on a plane flying back from Christchurch at that time.
The Friday night game was Ta$man vs Canterbury. Sky will have some say as they need to move OBUs and crew around.
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@Bovidae I know BOP looked at that "latter in the day" time slot but I assume there just wasn't enough light. The decision in the end came down to floodlights which Tauranga Domain simply doesn't have.
Free entry is a great idea. I hope they fill the place up.
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@Hooroo location was decided by timing, if evening then it had to be in Rotorua due to no lights in Tauranga. If during the day would have been in Tauranga
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Really looking forward to being at this game
just published my predictions for the semifinals
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@DrivingMaul Are you saying BOP didn't have a choice as top qualifier, or did Ta$man have the first option of when they wanted to play? This would have meant the rest of the games had to be under lights.
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Throwback from pre-game at an NPC semi-final 15 years ago.
@Donsteppa @bayimports -
@KiwiPie said in The Bay v Manawatu Semi-Final:
Throwback from pre-game at an NPC semi-final 15 years ago.
@Donsteppa @bayimportsDoes the fat dude with the big hair still go to the games?? He used to be their quasi-mascot? Forgotten his name
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This is definitely worth a listen for some shield memories.
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jeez that is a throw back, think it was a shield match? we were robbed that day lol (as always)
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@bayimports said in The Bay v Manawatu Semi-Final:
jeez that is a throw back, think it was a shield match? we were robbed that day lol (as always)
Can't remember - were you there for the semi-final? I know we had 2 trips to Christchurch in less than a year. We were whipped in the semi-final by the Crusaders (effectively)
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@Hooroo lol hey that could be any of us (except the one without hair) in the middle
horiBop is who you meant.... i hope
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@bayimports said in The Bay v Manawatu Semi-Final:
@Hooroo lol hey that could be any of us (except the one without hair) in the middle
horiBop is who you meant.... i hope
That's the one!! Does he still attend the games?
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@Hooroo said in The Bay v Manawatu Semi-Final:
@bayimports said in The Bay v Manawatu Semi-Final:
@Hooroo lol hey that could be any of us (except the one without hair) in the middle
horiBop is who you meant.... i hope
That's the one!! Does he still attend the games?
I've not spotted him at one yet this season but I did bump into a few weeks ago and he was apparently still having his usual differences with the Bay Union and did intend to turn up. He actually was the official mascot in the early golden days (2003-2005) until his spontaneity was too much for them. He did once kidnap the Harbour Master and tie him to a bench. And then there was some trouble with Hawke's that made the news ....
Whipping the Lion in 2005 (although this was for a newspaper story)
Early Mafia days (2003 - and Bart trying to stay anonymous)
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@KiwiPie said in The Bay v Manawatu Semi-Final:
@Hooroo said in The Bay v Manawatu Semi-Final:
@bayimports said in The Bay v Manawatu Semi-Final:
@Hooroo lol hey that could be any of us (except the one without hair) in the middle
horiBop is who you meant.... i hope
That's the one!! Does he still attend the games?
And then there was some trouble with Hawke's that made the news ....
You mean when he attacked the Magpies' mascot, who responded by kneeing him in the nuts?
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@Stargazer said in The Bay v Manawatu Semi-Final:
@KiwiPie said in The Bay v Manawatu Semi-Final:
@Hooroo said in The Bay v Manawatu Semi-Final:
@bayimports said in The Bay v Manawatu Semi-Final:
@Hooroo lol hey that could be any of us (except the one without hair) in the middle
horiBop is who you meant.... i hope
That's the one!! Does he still attend the games?
And then there was some trouble with Hawke's that made the news ....
You mean when he attacked the Magpies' mascot, who responded by kneeing him in the nuts?
The very same https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10746532
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Media Release: Steamers face a different beast in Manawatu
Steamers assistant coach Mike Delany says Manawatu will be a different beast when the two sides clash in the first semi-final game of the Mitre 10 Cup.
The two sides last met in Round 9 of the competition, with the Steamers putting on an impressive 46-10 win over Manawatu.
Delany says, that result is history and the side wasn’t taking anything for granted, especially Manawatu.
“We know Manawatu is a good side. They have had a few injuries and they will be a different beast come finals time. Mitre 10 Cup is a real tough competition, a couple of weeks is a long time for a team and so it’s about looking at their threats and seeing how we can counter that.”
The assistant coach says, the team haven’t let the thought of a semi-final impact on the preparation for the game being played at the Rotorua International Stadium on Friday at 7.35pm.
“We’ve had a good rest after the Southland game. The boys have embraced the start of another week. Everyone is in good spirits and just excited about getting out there on Friday night.”
This has meant keeping the same routine as they have the entire season.
“We’ve tried to keep things pretty consistent throughout the year. There is a buzz in the final week but we just make sure we have the same processes in place. The culture in the team is really good and the boys are just wanting to get on with it.
“They understand it’s a big week but at the same time not over-thinking it. We’ve just made sure we control our game and work on things that we needed to work on.”
Delany says, there is something unique about this year’s team.
“The culture within our side is about trying to improve every week. So, we’ve put leaders amongst the group to ensure the side doesn’t get complacent. Manawatu is a real threat and we have to be clinical if we want to get the right result.”
Having free entry to the game has excited the players, Delany says.
“I was pretty pumped with the idea of free entry, I’m from Rotorua and it’s awesome to see. In my playing days, I loved the international stadium. It’s a great ground to play on and I don’t think too many teams enjoy coming there.
“So, if the supporters can really embrace that and get in behind it that would be great. The players have talked all week about how excited they are about it being free and the potential of all the support they will have at the game.”
Steamers loose-forward Tom Franklin will play his blazer game (15) when he takes to the field.
The gates open at 6.30pm and parking is also free.
Bay of Plenty Steamers
- Aidan Ross (C) (34)
- Nathan Vella (7)
- Ross Geldenhuys (17)
- Baden Wardlaw (18)
- Alex Ainley (6)
- Tom Franklin * (14)
- Mitch Karpik (25)
- Hoani Matenga (17)
- Richard Judd (26)
- Dan Hollinshead (34)
- Joe Ravouvou (7)
- Chase Tiatia (45)
- Mathew Skipwith-Garland (17)
- Fa’asiu Fuatai (16)
- Emoni Narawa (11)
- Kurt Eklund (10)
- Chris Eves (2)
- Jeff Thwaites (40)
- Aaron Carroll (19)
- Hugh Blake (34)
- Leroy Carter (9)
- Jason Robertson (13)
- Pryor Collier (5)
- Denotes debut
** Denotes blazer game – 15 games
() Denotes games played
Team subject to change
Mitre 10 Cup:
Bay of Plenty Steamers v ManawatuGame Details:
Friday, October 18
Rotorua International Stadium
Gates open: 6.30pm
Kick-off: 7.35pmEND
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Manawatu
1 Fraser Armstrong
2 Sam Stewart
3 Sione Asi
4 Fraser Stone
5 Liam Mitchell
6 Nick Crosswell
7 Johnny Galloway
8 Brayden Iose
9 Jamie Booth
10 Otere Black
11 Ben Werthmuller
12 James Tofa
13 Josiah Maraku
14 Te Rangatira Waitokia
15 Sam Malcolm16 Nick Grogan
17 Fa’alelei Sione
18 Paulo Leleisiuao
19 Rhys Pedersen
20 Sione Tu’ipulotu
21 Atutahi Henare
22 Stewart Cruden
23 Hamish Northcott.
The Turbos have been forced into a reshuffled backline for their Mitre 10 Cup Championship semifinal against Bay of Plenty in Rotorua on Friday night.
A hamstring strain has left Ngani Laumape sidelined, while Rob Thompson is still battling concussion and Andre Taylor was also ruled out with injury.
That sees the combo of James Tofa and Josiah Maraku get a chance to take control of the midfield after impressing in the second half of last week's match.
The other change comes up front with Sione Asi getting the nod at tighthead prop.
On the bench, Stewart Cruden comes into the mix joining Hamish Northcott.
Three of their best players out with injury. I expect the Turbos to get hammered by the Steamers.
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