Horowhenua-Kapiti v Wellington (RS)
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@Stargazer I wonder if Aumua even travelled. Didn’t see him in any of the pics that the All Blacks XV page promoted.
Good to see him in the Wellington side.
Also good to see TJ Clarke at fullback. He’s been electric for Petone.
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@Canes4life said in Horowhenua-Kapiti v Wellington (RS):
I wonder if Aumua even travelled. Didn’t see him in any of the pics that the All Blacks XV page promoted.
He was in Japan.
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@Stargazer good spot, that’s interesting.
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@foobaNZ said in Horowhenua-Kapiti v Wellington (RS):
@Winger respect to Horowhenua but not sure performing well against them is really a gauge towards Super selection.
Consistency over NPC proper will be a better guide.
Agree. The first 2 are already in the running. Now they just need to perform at NPC level. This is just the first game.
Sheck might be another contender but he has already had games last NPC. But he too needs to perform again this year.
These three need to initially lock down a starting spot. That night be hard for a lock unless there are injuries. Performing in these two shield challenges even though against weaker teams will help of course
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If you're outside NZ, you may be able to view this game via the Rugby Network. Registration required, but it probably won't cost you anything.
I haven't checked it, because it will be geo-blocked in NZ.
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FT: Horo-Kap 7 - 68 Wellington
Wellington second half tries: Northcott, Faleafaga, Sam Clarke, Uluilakepa, TJ Clarke; conversions Morgan (4x)
Horo-Kap try: Malaki Masoe (nephew off); conversion Connor Paki
The score actually flatters Wellington a bit, because they struggled in the second half to come out of their own half and Horowhenua-Kapiti was unlucky not to score early in that half (knock-on in-goal). In that second 40, Wellington played against the wind and Asafo Aumua's yellow card didn't help either. The card was for a high tackle. No doubt on the part of the ref, and Aumua may be lucky there's no TMO in these games, and very limited camera angles. If there was contact with the head (not saying there was), it has either not been picked up or has gone unpunished. Also one of the Wellington tries would have received extra attention from the TMO as well, as the player looked in touch.
Stand-out for me was Peter U-J, who had some awesome clean breaks, two of which lead to a try. Logan Henry was good, too, and Isi Saumaki looked threatening. Morgan was typical Morgan, some really nice touches but also some howlers of passes. His goal-kicking went well.
In the forwards, particularly Dominic Bird was good and Halalilo had a good work rate.It's very hard to draw any conclusions from games like these, although the Wellington coaches will have noticed some clear work-ons, especially in the second half. Nice detail: both Clarke brothers scored on debut. Apparently, they're from the Chatham Islands.
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@Stargazer thanks for the rundown. I'm going to try and catch a replay of this game tonight after being in meetings all arvo.
