Taranaki v Auckland

nzzp

for Auckland to have a hope of winning this, need to

play the ref (finalyl started doing this)
stop the unforced errors (lineout in particular)
get better over the ball

Well played Naki, but by god it's hard to watch. Two players I really want to see do well - Trainor and Plummer - have had shockers. Rayasi impressive. Scrafton mixed bag,

Funaki seems a big step up on Ruru, particularly passing and decision making. TJF largely silent.

Ah well, hopefully a much better second half. Also: WTF with the refereeing of the hands in the face at the ruck? Just weird.

I don't like the super fast ruck ruling (holding on), but at least he's consistent. Naki better prepared for him

Tim

Ruru is fired up!

Duluth

@Kirwan said in Taranaki v Auckland:

This live? Score if so, stuck on a plane

Taranaki 23-17 early in 2nd half

Tim

Garbage refereeing.

Tim

Lam should've gone closer to the posts.

Bovidae

From what I've seen Perofeta looks very rusty with some average passes.

Tim

Strong wind this half.

nzzp

Good work Auckland, Rayasi gets there, kick to come. One point behind... should be 1 in front shortly

nzzp

Yep, and 29-28. GOod mental toughness to get back into this, we looked dead buried and defeated after 30 min

nzzp

Auckland withstnad 18 phases of frankly uninspired running from Naki, then Niko Jones grabs a loose ball.

Naki fullback has a head explosion. 90 seconsd to go, deep inside your 22 with a support runner... dont' you have a crack at running it out rather than kicking it out and giving possession back to Auckland?

Tim

LOL not straight at the end.

nzzp

@Tim said in Taranaki v Auckland:

LOL not straight at the end.

hey, a BP win from where we were was remarkable. Good effort lads.

But yeah, some random reffing calls, but not as influential as our ongoing unforced errors and terrible defensive alignment at times.

Frankly, that win has made my afternoon ... a pleasant surprise.

African Monkey

Haven't seen the game yet (will watch after I get home from work), but for some reason it reminds me of 2013 where we struggled in almost every game we play yet somehow find ourselves near the top until we play the stronger teams. That year we got smashed when we played Wellington and in the semi against Canterbury and I see this year being similar.

ACT Crusader

Whetton superb from what I saw.

KiwiMurph

Well done Auckland - far better second half.

Credit to Ruru - despite his limitations he had a good impact.

Bovidae

@Tim said in Taranaki v Auckland:

LOL not straight at the end.

Vikena got away with one 5 m out from the Taranaki goal line.

Any comment on Jones' counter-ruck? I didn't think you are allowed to take out the halfback when he isn't part of the ruck. Plenty of random calls at the breakdown in this game.

Duluth

Tim

@Bovidae said in Taranaki v Auckland:

Any comment on Jones' counter-ruck?

Was in the bathroom at the time.

Duluth

The loose forward balance is off. In this game 3 of the 4 loosies play the same role and are similar size/shape (Gibson, Choat, Jones)

Tim

@Duluth And Riedlinger-Kapa isn't a power player either.

The Silver Fern

Taranaki v Auckland