Waikato v Manawatū

[Crucial]

Anyone else feel that Roe operates better at this level yet Ratima shines more in Super?
Just how it seems to me. At NPC Roe distributes well and is able to clear the ball faster while Ratima's more 'aggressive' approach gets lost. Move up to super and Ratima will get people out of his way and comes across as the more effective of the two.

[Bovidae]

Ratima is the more robust of the two, so thrives with the physicality of SR. Roe needs more time and space to operate, which the NPC allows.

Roe starting with Ratima on the bench is the best use of them both for Waikato. I'd prefer to see a more equal share of time on the field though. So far Filipo has started each of the 3 halfbacks once.

[ACT Crusader]

Interesting first up breakdown penalty. The Turbos player technically tackled the Mooloo ball carrier and competed for the ball all in one motion.

[Steven Harris]

When your season is going south and you just can’t take a trick ..🤷🏻‍♂️

[Stargazer]

Beautiful try from Ratima.

[antipodean]

That's a nice try finished off by Ratima. Manawatū could do with a defence coach.

[Higgins]

@antipodean Obviously not within John Plumtree's gambit.

[Winger]

53-6. Highest score so far this week.

[Winger]

Manawatu started off well last year. What's happened to them

[Bovidae]

Well that was one of the most underwhelming 50 pt wins.

Waikato looked too casual for much of the match. McCurran, Sinkinson and Coombes-Fabling were the pick of the Waikato players for me. Sullivan had a shocker.

[Stargazer]