Tasman v BOP

[KiwiMurph]

Christie winning the battle of AB halfback hopefuls.

[Yeetyaah]

Cam Stone is a pretty good ref

[ARHS]

@Yeetyaah agreed on that. Ta$man took their chances. Christie havili faingaanuku a class above. Bop just not playing with real belief in themselves. But vella and Thwaites good today.

[Duluth]

Only skimmed through this game. Was Eklund ok as a loose forward?

[Stargazer]

Am watching the replay of this game. Call it fluffing if you like, but David Havili has improved so much over the last two years. His decision-making is outstanding; he's showing Crotty like qualities in organising the defence; has a great boot etc etc. It's a shame they didn't pick him for the ABs. I think he offers more than someone like Dmac.

[Nepia]

@Stargazer said in Ta$man v BOP:

Am watching the replay of this game. Call it fluffing if you like, but David Havili has improved so much over the last two years. His decision-making is outstanding; he's showing Crotty like qualities in organising the defence; has a great boot etc etc. It's a shame they didn't pick him for the ABs. I think he offers more than someone like Dmac.

Come on mate, he was only playing BoP, meanwhile DMac put in a good shit against the high flying all conquering new Wallabies.

I assume he'll come into an extended squad though if they extend it now that he's not injured.

[ARHS]

@Duluth Did not notice him I'm afraid. Forgettable from BOP. But their front row was competitive. Otere Black seems to lack a bit of confidence in the new surroundings - bit flatfooted and ineffective kick options. Ware and Karpik had their moments.

[Stargazer]

@ARHS Great try assist from Black for Ware's try just before half time.

[Stargazer]

Haha, Finlay Christie so obviously milking a penalty and immediately going for the quick tap after the penalty is awarded, leading to the 2nd try from Fainga'anuku. Smart play from Christie, but oh so annoying for the opposition.

[Duluth]

[Chris B.]

Much better effort from Ta$man this week, with everyone contributing.

Christie especially looked like he'd shaken off some rust and things flowed better from there.

However, as above, the forward packs seemed reasonably evenly matched. The Ta$man backs just had more firepower and played with more adventure.

I think it will be a lot better for TTT to stay in NZ and play some rugby rather than sitting in an Australian grandstand watching the ABs. On that performance, I wouldn't want Otere Black very near an AB jersey either.