Tasman vs Waikato

Bovidae

The Waikato team has been named. Not what I was expecting at all. No Tongan Bear. Latu would want to play better than he did in the RS games.
 
1. Latu Talakai (Fraser Tech)
2. Hame Faiva (University)
3. Atu Moli (University)
4. Jacob Skeen (University)
5. Brian Alainu'uese (University)
6. James Tucker (Hamilton Marist)
7. Murray Iti (Otorohanga)
8. Whetu Douglas (University)
9. Isaac Boss (Southern United) - captain
10. Damian McKenzie (University)
11. Jordan Trainor (Fraser Tech)
12. Willis Halaholo *
13. Nathaniel Apa (Fraser Tech)
14. Penikolo Latu (University)
15. Shaun Stevenson (Hamilton Old Boys)
 
16. Steven Misa (Hamilton Marist)
17. Tau Koloamatangi (University)
18. Sefo Kautai (Hamilton Marist)
19. Jordan Manihera (Hamilton Old Boys)
20. Mitch Jacobson (Hautapu)
21. Harrison Levien (Hamilton Marist)
22. Sam Christie (Fraser Tech)
23. Tevita Taufui (Melville)

Chris B.

Ta$man Mako$ (provisional): David Havili, Tima Faingaanuku, Kieron Fonotia, Alex Nankivell, James Lowe, Mitchell Hunt, Finlay Christie; Vernon Fredericks, Shane Christie (captain), Pete Samu, Quinten Strange, Alex Ainley, Blair Prinsep, Andrew Makalio, Tim Perry. Reserves: Jesse MacDonald, Tom Hill, Ross Geldenhuys, Jeff Lepa, Shannon Frizell, Billy Guyton, Tim O'Malley, Jesse Pitman.
 
Lots of new faces for the Mako$.

Higgins

Not to mention the Hammett factor!

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="606647" data-time="1471572365">
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Not to mention the Hammett factor!
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I think Hammer will be a major positive - he's a pretty experienced coach now. He might be our best hooker as well! :)
 
Surprised that Guyton is on the bench. We'll doubtless miss Marty Banks - presumably carrying an injury.
 
Lineout looks pretty short - we will miss Wheeler and Squire there. Hopefully won't miss Hames and Halanukonuka too much.
 
Interested to see how the young guys go - Finlay Christie, Hunt and Faingaanuku.

Higgins

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="606655" data-time="1471573705">
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I think Hammer will be a major positive - he's a pretty experienced coach now. He might be our best hooker as well! :)
 
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Experience doesn't necessarily make you any good though as I'm sure Cardiff Blues and Hurricanes followers know only too well.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="606659" data-time="1471573959">
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Experience doesn't necessarily make you any good though as I'm sure Cardiff Blues and Hurricanes followers know only too well.
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Boyd's experience of coaching Wellington into the second division has apparently turned him into a Supercoach - it's quite incredible what he learned in six months.

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="606655" data-time="1471573705">
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I think Hammer will be a major positive - he's a pretty experienced coach now. He might be our best hooker as well! :)
 
 
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I forgot that the stars had aligned and the Hammettuer's biggest fluffer (now that Paj doesn't seem to be around) now gets to fluff him in person and for his favourite team.

Higgins

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="606683" data-time="1471577560">
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Boyd's experience of coaching Wellington into the second division has apparently turned him into a Supercoach - it's quite incredible what he learned in six months.
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There is one big difference in his tenure at the helm of Wellington and the Hurricanes - John Plumtree was not involved with the Lions. In addition the Lions contained some very ordinary players, Marvan Karawana for one.

Chris B.

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="606690" data-time="1471579734">
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I forgot that the stars had aligned and the Hammettuer's biggest fluffer (now that Paj doesn't seem to be around) now gets to fluff him in person and for his favourite team.
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</blockquote>
 
I'm delighted to have him. With our superior management skills we'll undoubtedly get the best out of Hammer.
 
Mako$ Board Meeting Agenda Item 1: Hammer
 
"Right we've got Hammer. He's bound to want to sack someone - who's it going to be?"
 
"Why don't we sign Zac Guildford and let Hammer sack him - get it out of his system?"
 
"Good thinking 99 - sorted! What's Agenda Item 2?" :)

Unco

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Chris B." data-cid="606683" data-time="1471577560">
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Boyd's experience of coaching Wellington into the second division has apparently turned him into a Supercoach - it's quite incredible what he learned in six months.
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</blockquote>
Boyd's been coaching for over 25 years. Try harder.

KiwiMurph

The year prior to Boyd's final year with Wellington, didn't he take them to the ITM Cup final? (2013?)

Chris B.

Ugly, but we get it done late.
 
Give us that Shield you bell ringing bastards! :)

Siam

Saw the team sheets and wondered if Shane Christie and Finlay Christie might be related. 
Saw the highlights and thought, probably not

Chris B.

The odds look to be against it. :)
 
Actually, Finlay was born is Scotland apparently, so Gregor Townsend might keep an eye on him. He looked very useful - might have been our man of the match.
 
Scrum went well. Tim Perry is a very good prop at this level and would be good at Super level if he could stay fit. Princep did well for a debutant and was pretty mobile - could work on his handling though. Several movements died with him.
 
Lineout was surprisingly reasonable - especially in terms of steals, but I can see it being an achilles heel against teams like Canterbury and Auckland.
 
I quite liked the look of Faingaanuku on the wing with limited chances. James Lowe was heavily marked, but still made the telling play at the end. Hunt and Fonotia were reasonable. Havili untidy at times, Nankivell a bit anonymous (as was Pete Samu - I didn't notice he was playing until the second half!).
 
Only Waikato player I paid specific attention to was Damien. He was a mixed bag - his goalkicking nearly won the match, but his line-kicking was ordinary. A fair way to go before he'd be in contention for the AB's pivot position.

African Monkey

Havili was very quiet for someone of his standard. I thought it was interesting that Guyton saw no gametime although Christie played very well.
 
Although Waikato lost, I think they're in for a good season and should push for top 4. They still have guys like Uhila and Donald to return and possibly Lienert-Brown as well.

Chris B.

Yeah - surprised me that Guyton didn't get on (in fact, that he didn't start), but I guess that will build Christie's confidence.
 
Those four points are very handy for the Mako$. I guess, these days, if you're not pushing top four you're likely in the relegation battle (in fact, you could be both!).
 
I don't think the Mako$ will be quite as strong this year - we could be missing Hames, McDonald, Wheeler and Squire from last year's pack - though hopefully we'll get Hames back shortly. I suppose on the other side, we didn't have Lowe last season, and look to have good replacements for Jimmy Cowan, Mitchell Scott and Robbie Malneek.
 
I guess we have hopefully, Hames, Halanukonuka, Guyton and Marty Banks all to come - and Lolohea who was very good last year.
 
I'll miss not having Robbie Malneek there! :)

Bovidae

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="African Monkey" data-cid="607890" data-time="1471820226">
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Although Waikato lost, I think they're in for a good season and should push for top 4. They still have guys like Uhila and Donald to return and possibly Lienert-Brown as well.
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I'm sure Waikato will be very frustrated with this game as they were in a great position to win it with 5 mins to go but stupid penalties by Manihera and playing at the wrong end of the field cost them. 
 
A big game vs NH on Sat now. There will be a reshuffle in the backline with DMac missing and presumably Stevenson out. Time to give the Fijian wingers a go.

Hooroo

Is DMac injured?

Nepia

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="607999" data-time="1471833681">
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Is DMac injured?
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ABs.

African Monkey

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Hooroo" data-cid="607999" data-time="1471833681">
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Is DMac injured?
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ABs call up.

The Silver Fern

Tasman vs Waikato