Hawkes Bay v Auckland

[Stargazer]

Mea culpa, mea culpa. You're right, I must have remembered it differently than it actually was or it was another game/year.

The biggest point of criticism at the time of selection was moving Abbott to 6, while Stanley was available. There were a lot of inexperienced players in that selection (starters Lowe, Waqa, Tangaere, and on the bench Sosene-Faegai & Sweet in addition to first year players such as Aoake, Ropiha and Braidwood), but I'd forgotten about Dixon & Buckman being injured and TBW being unavailable.

[billsy11]

That was then, but geez if we don't improve dramatically what will the result be this year.

[Nepia]

@Stargazer I don't know why you're complaining about the one time Stanley didn't get selected - he had way more games than his ability was worth.

[Stargazer]

@Nepia said in Hawkes Bay v Auckland:

@Stargazer I don't know why you're complaining about the one time Stanley didn't get selected - he had way more games than his ability was worth.

Unlike you, I don't think Stanley was that bad. What annoyed me most was that - because of his selection (in other games) - TBW didn't get as much game time as I think he should have had. I've never understood why Stanley was picked over TBW.
As to this game, I wasn't complaining about Stanley being named on the bench, but about Abbott unnecessarily being moved to another position than lock.

[Higgins]

An extremely promising start from the Bay - its still nil nil after three minutes

[Higgins]

Followed up by a near try to Ihaia West, admittedely against the run of play and from a long way out, but hey it did get me yelling in encouragement.

[Higgins]

And here comes an almost certain three nil with West to attempt a penalty from a real handy position

[Higgins]

A clear offside right in front of the referee in front of the posts by Auckland No 6 from a driving maul - not awarded for some reason.....................

[African Monkey]

You guys playing the far better rugby so far. Deserved lead for Hawkes Bay.

[Higgins]

TRY HB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ihaia West charges down a clearing kick byJono West and scores a much appreciated try (at least in this lounge anyway) Hawkes Bay 08 - 00 Auckland after fifteen minutes

[Stockcar86]

Amazing what a difference West having a good game makes. Am liking Falcon at 2nd 5 - less one dimensional than Ropiha

[Higgins]

And now another easy kickable penalty for Ihaia West who will soon make it HB 11 - 00 AUckland after 20 minutes

[Higgins]

But somehow he miraculously manages to miss it - How is that possible I mean we can send a man to the moon and land him in the desired spot yet manage to miss the targe from a mere twenty metres.

[Tim]

Get some halves, Auckland!

[Stockcar86]

@Tim Probably a front row too

[Higgins]

Auckland are starting to come back into the game now they are starting to win a bit of possession and they also kick a penalty into the southerly to make the score HB 08 - 03 Auckland after about 22 minutes

[African Monkey]

FFS we have been awful so far.

[Higgins]

Two shite teams on a bad day?

[Stockcar86]

Too late - I was screaming for West to take the drop kick conversion quickly

[hydro11]

Clear foot in touch. Hawkes Bay should have waited some phases before scoring or taken the quick drop goal.