Otago v Wellington
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="antipodean" data-cid="608924" data-time="1472114168">
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<p>I don't understand the new laws. I don't see how it has solved a probkem.</p>
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<p>That's because there wasn't a problem.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="608925" data-time="1472114199">
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<p>Who was the guy that reffed at McLean Park? I have not seen him before but after that will forever recall him. The alarm bells must be ringing at HB Rugby Headquarters after they got dealt to so badly by this Wellington outfit.</p>
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<p>We are actually a pretty good team.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="608925" data-time="1472114199">
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<p>Who was the guy that reffed at McLean Park? I have not seen him before but after that will forever recall him. The alarm bells must be ringing at HB Rugby Headquarters after they got dealt to so badly by this Wellington outfit.</p>
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<p>Brett Johnson, from BOP (I think). I know he has reffed Heartland games, not sure about Mitre 10 Cup.</p> -
<p>Sam Lousi put out of his misery thanks to getting subbed barely five minutes into the second half. Did anyone that signs off contracts at the NZFRU actually look at whether he can play or not before adding their signature to his TWO year contract?</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="608937" data-time="1472114888">
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<p>Sam Lousi put out of his misery thanks to getting subbed barely five minutes into the second half. Did anyone that signs off contracts at the NZFRU actually look at whether he can play or not before adding their signature to his TWO year contract?</p>
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<p>It's ridiculous. Make them play ITM Cup and show if they have the chops.</p> -
<p>how does the contracting work at Super level, surely if it meets certain criteria, the franchises can just sign who they like, only when they dont meet criteria do they need to get dispensation from NZRU (ie non-eligible players) </p>
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<p>Every ruck there is a Wellington player entering from the side, Apparently the refs are only watching for off your fee</p>
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<p>Otago have Matt Faddes as their star backline player. How can they be leading by this much...</p>
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This is fucked. The rules are beyond stupid. Every ruck it is a kick fest. Sooo bloody messy.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="taniwharugby" data-cid="608940" data-time="1472115199">
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<p>how does the contracting work at Super level, surely if it meets certain criteria, the franchises can just sign who they like, only when they dont meet criteria do they need to get dispensation from NZRU (ie non-eligible players) </p>
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<p>All salaries for Super Rugby players come from the coffers of the NZRFU (effectively yours and my money as we are members of rugby clubs in NZ) so they alone should be the ones approving whether contracts are appropriate and not be swayed by some whim of someone from super rugby organisations who effectively are not accountable financially if they sign a dud.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="608954" data-time="1472116555">
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<p>All salaries for Super Rugby players come from the coffers of the NZRFU (effectively yours and my money as we are members of rugby clubs in NZ) so they alone should be the ones approving whether contracts are appropriate and not be swayed by some whim of someone from super rugby organisations who effectively are not accountable financially if they sign a dud.</p>
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<p>Why would they? When have they ever? I would be enraged if the NZRU told individual organisations who they can and cannot sign. The Hurricanes have to live with it if the outcome is negative.</p> -
<p>No they don't as the money is not coming from their bank account. They contract a dud and the NZRFU still have to front up and pay the guy. The NZRFU must have the final say on whether any player a super rugby organisation proposes to sign is investigated thoroughly to see whether it is justified on current playing ability or not rather than simply rubber stamping it. I am not saying they come up with a list of players and tell their super rugby outfits that only those players on the list are able to be signed.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stockcar86" data-cid="608949" data-time="1472116026"><p>
Otago have Matt Faddes as their star backline player. How can they be leading by this much...</p></blockquote> Because we actually played as a team. It seemed like every Wellington player just wanted to end up on the highlight reel. Otago was also a lot more proficient with its interplay, Tom Franklin was absolutely immense. While halfWalden and Fletcher Smith dominated their inside opponents. For Wellington I thought their boy wonder Umaga Jensen was pretty slick, but they didn't put him in space enough. I'm really glad Mitchell Scott has put his problems behind him, he was an absolute terrier and fizzed in open space. Otago has been quite smart with the turn around games nearly completely swapping their team. I was also really impressed with Sio Tomkinson when he came on, the lad has massive wraps and it's good to see him stand up even if it was just on defence. Matt Proctor was also bloody good with ball in hand, although he was more hungus than Naholo at his worst. Needs to fix that if he wants to move past Super footy. Hopefully this will be Otago's year. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="608937" data-time="1472114888">
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<p>Sam Lousi put out of his misery thanks to getting subbed barely five minutes into the second half. Did anyone that signs off contracts at the NZFRU actually look at whether he can play or not before adding their signature to his TWO year contract?</p>
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<p>Looks to be an absolute waste of space. Surely there are better locks going around than him that could have been signed.</p> -
<p>Last night wasn't great viewing as a Wellington supporter, but it isn't a surprise when you consider how many Wellington players are straight out of school. Otago a lot more experienced.</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Wurzel" data-cid="608927" data-time="1472114240">
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<p>That's what happened to FAMC.</p>
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<p>If you mean Michael Collins, yeah I too was wondering what happened to him. Talked up as the next big thing in the midfield a few years ago but looked like a fish out of water playing with the big kids. I wonder if fullback is his new position or was he playing there to make up the numbers?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NZ Rugby Quizzes" data-cid="609016" data-time="1472149422">
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<p>Last night wasn't great viewing as a Wellington supporter, but it isn't a surprise when you consider how many Wellington players are straight out of school. Otago a lot more experienced.</p>
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<p>Why pick them then. You do realise that some of them have been fully contracted Lions players for two years prior to this (Malo Tuitama and TJ Va'a) so they are not exactly what you could refer to as novices. Va'a is also a Super Rugby contract holder so someone somewhere must think he is capable of playing with aplomb at that level. Little wonder increasing numbers of good players that have been plying their trade at Swindale Shield/Jubilee Cup level are now appearing in other provinces Mitre 10 Cup Squads after being overlooked in favour of the latest "hot shots" coming out of school. As an aside, but sort of along the same lines, James So'oalio is reputedly turning out for Buller in the Heartland Championship this season.</p>
