Ranfurly Shield Challenge
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<p>Hopefully Colin Meads is feeling a bit better and can come along to support his side. </p>
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<p>Penikolo Latu in the Waikato squad? I had totally missed that. Another former Magpie. I hope he can stay healthy and fit this year. He seemed to be very talented a couple of years ago, but has not been seen since (I believe he had surgery on his hip last year?).</p>
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<p>Only 6 starters from the last game vs Thames Valley so I expect Botherway is using these 3 games to give players opportunties before the squad is announced. Adam Burn was the captain in that game but isn't in the 23 for KC.</p>
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<p>I didn't see any club rugby this year but I am still surprised that Melville don't have too many players in the team as they won the comp. Chiefs players like Moli, TKB, Donald, ALB, DMac and Stevenson plus Uhila and Halaholo will come into the squad. Maybe Hohneck depending on when he is leaving.</p> -
<p>An experienced King Country Rams team has been named with the bulk of last years Lochore Cup winning team retained :</p>
<p> </p>
<p>1. Carl Carmichael</p>
<p>2. Sean Wandin</p>
<p>3. Steve Te Moananui</p>
<p>4. Gene Waller</p>
<p>5. Aarin Dunster (c)</p>
<p>6. Anthony Wise</p>
<p>7. Sam Mason</p>
<p>8. Rob Sherson</p>
<p>9. Zayn Tipping</p>
<p>10. Whakataki Cunningham</p>
<p>11. Dean Church</p>
<p>12. Gilberto Pavan</p>
<p>13. Stephan Turner</p>
<p>14. Paul Olsen</p>
<p>15. James Hemara</p>
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<p>Reserves: Josh Dias, James Ritchie, Adam Morris, Steve Henry, Michael Foden, Kieron Rollerson, Te Waiti Marekura, Thomas Orr.</p>
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<p>Unfortunately, the Tree is still not well enough to attend but I'm sure he will be there in spirit. </p>
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<p>A large contingent from the King Country are travelling up to Matamata so lock up your wives, daughters and household pets...or whatever you value most... </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="601153" data-time="1469749777">
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<p>Harbour a big chance for the shield. First challenge of the NPC.</p>
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<p>pffft hahahahaha!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>you really are the funniest guy on here</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="601168" data-time="1469752897">
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<p>I wouldn't be too sad if we lost it to the Heartland Championship. but I expect KC to ship around 50 points</p>
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<p> Given the forecast wet conditions, we will happily take a lazy 40 point head start if it's on offer...</p> -
<p>So what would happen if a Heartland team wins it? I assume it will be challenged in the Heartland competition this season, but will there be 1-3 challenges by Mitre10 Cup teams at the beginning of next season?</p>
<p>Or does it work differently if a Heartland team holds the shield?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="601291" data-time="1469786972"><p>
So what would happen if a Heartland team wins it? I assume it will be challenged in the Heartland competition this season, but will there be 1-3 challenges by Mitre10 Cup teams at the beginning of next season?<br>
Or does it work differently if a Heartland team holds the shield?</p></blockquote>
Who knows? Who was the last non first div team to win it?<br><br>
Waikato on the back of Arthur Stone? -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stargazer" data-cid="601291" data-time="1469786972">
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<p>So what would happen if a Heartland team wins it? I assume it will be challenged in the Heartland competition this season, but will there be <strong>1-3 challenges by Mitre10 Cup teams at the</strong> <strong>beginning of next season</strong>?</p>
<p>Or does it work differently if a Heartland team holds the shield?</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Correct.</p> -
<p>For those of us in the cheap seats it was mainly wet and windy conditions. That was like the old days of playing on heavy fields in the mud.</p>
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<p>From the Mooloo website:</p>
<p><img src="https://scontent-syd1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13686763_10154436087861318_1507995770191266512_n.jpg?oh=34a219d72052b10bcd0d7a0bd2b65856&oe=582A82AC" alt="13686763_10154436087861318_1507995770191"></p>
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<p>Wanganui at Cambridge this Sat.</p> -
<p>Caught up with WTW there.</p>
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<p>Was a great day out if you were warm and dry! Plenty of quiets chopped, so much so that for the first time in a long time, I have memory blanks. Woke in the morning to see if the Chiefs had won. They hadn't :(</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If Sky would let the unions take the games to the smaller towns, the unions would make so so much more (Well the Waikato union would) Apparently it cost $30k to host the shield and that was covered by corporate tents easily in this case. Massive turnout considering the weather.</p>
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<p>Great day</p> -
<p>In the meantime Wanganui knock over a Taranaki Development XV convincingly.</p>
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<p>Could they be half a chance?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="602065" data-time="1470017682">
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<p>Caught up with WTW there.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Was a great day out if you were warm and dry! Plenty of quiets chopped, so much so that for the first time in a long time, I have memory blanks. Woke in the morning to see if the Chiefs had won. They hadn't :(</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If Sky would let the unions take the games to the smaller towns, the unions would make so so much more (Well the Waikato union would) Apparently it cost $30k to host the shield and that was covered by corporate tents easily in this case. Massive turnout considering the weather.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Great day</p>
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<p> I can't say we made to the appropriate marquee as it was far too comfortable in the United Matatmata clubrooms.. </p>
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<p>Congratulations to all those involved with organising a great day (despite the weather conditions). The hospitality received was of such a high standard that the King Country crew decided it wouldn't be appropriate to abscond with the Log on this occasion (plus we couldn't distract it's minders....)</p>
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<p>Our apologies to whoever owns the Okoroire Hotel..... :sorry:</p>
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<p>PS. It wasn't a bad game as well..... </p>
