Wellington vs Otago

Winger

Lions named to take on Otago:
1 Xavier Numia, Oriental-Rongotai
2 James O’Reilly, Hutt Old Boys Marist
3 Pekahou Cowan , Petone
4 James Blackwell , Petone
5 Dominic Bird, Upper Hutt RAMS
6 Caleb Delany, Old Boys University
7 Du’Plessis Kirifi, Northern United
8 Peter Lakai, Petone
9 TJ Perenara, Northern United
10 Aidan Morgan, Marist St Pats
11 Pepesana Patafilo, Tawa
12 Peter Umaga-Jensen, Wainuiomata
13 Billy Proctor, Marist St Pats
14 Julian Savea, Oriental-Rongotai
15 Ruben Love, Wainuiomata

16 Asafo Aumua, Avalon
17 Solomona Sakalia, Northern United
18 PJ Sheck, Tawa
19 Taine Plumtree, Old Boys University
20 Keelan Whitman, Marist St Pats
21 Richard Judd, Paremata-Plimmerton
22 Losi Filipo, Northern United
23 Nehe Milner-Skudder, Eastbourne

Winger

@Winger

So 4 new starters in the forwards. Numia both locks and Delany played on Wednesday)

5 new starters in the backs. Pepesana Patafilo and Love played in both

Unsure how this will affect the team. Especially Numia who have put in long shifts both on Wednesday and last Saturday. But also Bird and Delany that both played all three games.

I thought the midfield went well last week so surprised Higgins isn't in the reserves. Rather than have selected 2 wings. Although both starting wings have played in the midfield at times (Pepesana esp looked good at center) and Proctor has played 2nd 5. Assume also that Love could slot in at 2nd

Winger

@Canes4life said in Wellington vs Otago:

@FakatavaAllBlack yeah he's been a beast aye. For such a young lad he's made mince meat of some of his more senior opponents this year. Wouldn't mind seeing Lakai team up with Ardie Savea in the Canes this year.

Agree. I hope Canes hang onto him. I would also like to see him have a run at 7 to see how he goes but unlikely to happen at Wellington unless both 7s (Halalilo and Kirifi) are out.

Grooter

TUJ has no luck poor guy ☹️

Grooter

what is Love don't hurt me Ruben 😭

Winger

Wellingtons third try. 19 nil

Winger

Almost scored again after excellent back play from Well

Winger

@FakatavaAllBlack said in Wellington vs Otago:

TUJ has no luck poor guy ☹️

What happened? Missed this

Winger

Try Otago. 19-7 Wellington

Winger

Wellington in again. Numia

26-7. 4 tries to one

Stargazer

@Winger said in Wellington vs Otago:

@FakatavaAllBlack said in Wellington vs Otago:

TUJ has no luck poor guy ☹️

What happened? Missed this

Looked like a hamstring injury (he was icing his hammy).

Winger

Otago score right on HT.

26-14

2 yellow card one for each team

Winger

@Stargazer

I liked the reply. TUJ is far too injury prone. Disappointing for him

Winger

Very enjoyable game to watch. Otago still in it thanks to their 2nd try well into extra time

Winger

29-14

Winger

TJ seems to be enjoying himself back playing NPC rugby

Winger

Wellington take another shot to run the clock down with 14 men

Otago back up to 15

32-14 (4 tries to 2)

Winger

Blackwell off replaced by Plumtree

Wellington scrum well on top so far

Stargazer

So Dom Bird got a yellow in the 44th minute (before HT) and he's already back on in the 49th minute? Yellows aren't 10 minutes anymore? This is not the first game where I've noticed this.

Edit: I don't have another explanation than that Sky has re-set the clock on screen.

Higgins

There was a minute or two of play after he got carded until half time was whistled.

The Silver Fern

Wellington vs Otago