Manawatu v Otago
-
Holland dropping out is always massive. Whether it is Aho or Naeata is much of a muchness. Same with whether it is Casey coming in. Not much between him and Taylor. Just tough when one of our best two forwards has now missed half the season.
-
Five back rowers on the field at once. Don’t know much about the quality of the Manawatu locks but hard to see Otago not getting punished for that
-
Haig, Naeata and Stodart are all passable weight-wise for locks. So shouldn't be a problem for those three. Fischli certainly gives a lot away in the size department
-
@Landers92 said in Manawatu v Otago:
@KiwiInLondon said in Manawatu v Otago:
Holland and tucker are both out
If that’s the case that’s not good news and will test the lock depth. Might see Fischli moved back into lock with Taylor start at 7 and Aho and a loosie come on to the bench. Either way depth will be tested.
Assumption was correct.
Abraham Pole dropping out is a big loss too so Wingham to now cover loosehead.
-
@SouthernMann said in Manawatu v Otago:
Holland dropping out is always massive. Whether it is Aho or Naeata is much of a muchness. Same with whether it is Casey coming in. Not much between him and Taylor. Just tough when one of our best two forwards has now missed half the season.
Naeata is out injured and not likely to be seen again this season. Has a hand/arm injury.
-
@Landers92 said in Manawatu v Otago:
@SouthernMann said in Manawatu v Otago:
Holland dropping out is always massive. Whether it is Aho or Naeata is much of a muchness. Same with whether it is Casey coming in. Not much between him and Taylor. Just tough when one of our best two forwards has now missed half the season.
Naeata is out injured and not likely to be seen again this season. Has a hand/arm injury.
Another one on the list then. That's a shame. He added a bit while he was involved. Fischli to me is a bit of a weird one. A jack of all trades, master of none kind of player.
-
@SouthernMann yup pretty much but he’s probably been the forward who has been most consistent. No lack of effort that’s for sure
-
If the weather goes to what is forecasted this is going to be an absolute shitter of a game. Plenty of rain and wind. Potential thunder. Great game for 10 man rugby, Millar kicking to the corner and Umaga-Jensen hitting it up two off the ruck. Good amounts of high ball kicks towards both Wild and Hurley
-
@SouthernMann said in Manawatu v Otago:
If the weather goes to what is forecasted this is going to be an absolute shitter of a game. Plenty of rain and wind. Potential thunder. Great game for 10 man rugby, Millar kicking to the corner and Umaga-Jensen hitting it up two off the ruck. Good amounts of high ball kicks towards both Wild and Hurley
Thank fuck because we suck in open games... thinking about your comments about our last decent back three, perhaps rose tinted glasses but I remember quite enjoying the Nareki, Koroi and Vahaakolo back three. Not perfect but three guys who were elusive an knew their way to the tryline... unfortunately the latter two had a few other issues.
-
@frugby those three certainly had their moments. It is just a lot of the other top provinces have had players or back threes that were the pick of the litter. Ta$man, Wellington, BoP, Taranaki, Canterbury, Hawkes's Bay have all periods where their back threes have been starting super rugby quality/emerging internationals. Even at their best only Nareki was a starting Super quality player.
-
@SouthernMann said in Manawatu v Otago:
@frugby those three certainly had their moments. It is just a lot of the other top provinces have had players or back threes that were the pick of the litter. Ta$man, Wellington, BoP, Taranaki, Canterbury, Hawkes's Bay have all periods where their back threes have been starting super rugby quality/emerging internationals. Even at their best only Nareki was a starting Super quality player.
Probably doesn't help, that as you have pointed out we don't really produce backs (particularly outside backs) so are relying on imports.
-
Millar has played some rugby during the NPC I didn't think he was capable of. Jeez conditions in Palmy are rubbish.
-
@frugby said in Manawatu v Otago:
Lopas I think also looks a better bet than DLB and Johnstone. Wonder if the Highlanders selectors will be trying to keep him around for pre-season. He has been strong both today and all season.
He is still only 23, turning 24 shortly. Through the Canterbury, NZ Schools and NZ U20s. Is bloody strong. I'd give him a nudge. I'm a bit bemused at how long we have kept DLB around for. Such a battler and is one of our most capped Highlanders players.
-
Also have to take the conditions into account. Players just slipping over. The ball is hard to keep hold of.
-
Poor Harry Taylor lookedlike he was in gumboots chasing the Manawatu player down the outside.
