Magpies v Otago (Championship SF)
-
Otago
1 Aki Seiuli
2 Steven Misa
3 Hisa Sasagi
4 Sione Misiloi
5 Josh Dickson
6 Adam Thomson
7 Slade McDowall
8 Dylan Nel
9 Rowan Gouws
10 Vilimoni Koroi
11 Jona Nareki
12 Josh Ioane
13 Aleki Morris-Lome
14 Henry Purdy
15 Michael Collins (c)Reserves:
16 Sekonaia Pole
17 George Bower
18 Saula Ma’u
19 Josh Hill
20 Mika Mafi
21 Connor McLeod
22 Taylor Haugh
23 Matt Whaanga -
Magpies
1 Pourie Rakete-Stones
2 Ash Dixon (c)
3 Ben May
4 Michael Allardice
5 Tom Parsons
6 Marino Mikaele-Tu'u
7 Brendon O'Connor
8 Gareth Evans (vc)
9 Folau Fakatava
10 Lincoln McClutchie
11 Mason Emerson
12 Stacey Ili
13 Neria Fomai
14 Caleb Makene
15 Tiaan FalconReserves:
16 Kianu Kereru-Symes
17 Jason Long
18 Joel Hintz
19 Isaia Walker-Leawere
20 Josh Kaifa
21 Devan Flanders
22 Ollie Sapsford
23 Jonah LoweSo indeed, Danny Toala out injured. That's a huge loss.
Jonah Lowe returns from injury via the bench.
6-2 split on the bench and no reserve halfback. -
@Stargazer said in Hawke's v Otago (Championship SF):
6-2 split on the bench and no reserve halfback.
Why would you take that risk? McClutchie moves to halfback and Falcon to 1st 5?
Hawke's should win this game easily.
-
@Bovidae Yeah, I think that's what will happen if Fakatava gets injured. So far this season, Fakatava's replacement (Zach Donaldson) has had very little game time. If Fakatava was subbed at all, it was always very late in the game, so Fakatava can easily go the full 80. So bench cover would only be injury cover. McClutchie can go to halfback, Falcon to first five, Makene to fullback.
I just read in the Hawke's Bay Today (unfortunately behind the paywall; had to use a trick), that they expect Lowe to play only 20-30 minutes because he hasn't played much this year (due to injury), but they want to get him ready for the Final (if they win tomorrow). That also explains why both Sapsford and Lowe had to be on the bench. Apparently, that 6-2 split is more important than having a reserve halfback, although in a previous game, they changed that on game day.
They also hope to have Danny Toala back for the Final.
Interestingly, the Otago reserve halfback Connor McLeod is a St John's (Hastings) old boy. His father is former Magpies first five-eighth Ross McLeod. Connor was never selected for any of the Hawke's Bay rep teams.
-
Why do they never start isaia walker leweare
-
@Jonty-lean keeping the powder dry...
-
Sitting here in full supporters kit albeit still missing my flag which a certain Wellington Lions player will forever be tainted as the number 1 suspect in it's disappearance. Replacement black and white hooped socks might be the all important change that could make the difference in a narrow win becoming a big Magpies win and new beanie and scarf topping of the outfit.
Oh here is the final top up to complete our pre-match build up for us HB supporters
Bring it on! -
-
-
-
The start from the magpies is about as disappointing as the crowd that’s turned up..common on boys.,!
-
