The Silver Fern

The revised supporter tactics devised by @Stockcar86 and myself were never put to the test such was the whirlwind start made by the Shield Snorters which saw us up by about thirty within fifteen or twenty minutes and the game was well and truly over by then. They were well thought out and would have worked a treat but as they say we kept out powder dry for later use. About twenty or thirty 'Poo supporters were made the error of taking up seats nearby but we were very magnanimous about things, even going so far as offering them our congratulations when they got off zero. We generally left them alone to suffer in their teams ineptness with no need for us to inflict further torment onto their team!
The visitors did offer a bit of resistance after the initial onslaught as witnessed by keeping the score to a mere fifty when @Donsteppa so wisely pointed out earlier that a century looked a real possibility. It might well have been but we lost track of the number of tries called back for disputed reasons. All in all it was a game that lacked something, the close exciting finishes we have come to expect at McLean Park this season but considering it was against the 'Poo we can live quite comfortably with that!

Another win for harbour - 3 on the trot after a pretty poor start to the season

But where was Shaun Stevenson? Rested, injured or potentially on standby for a trip to france?

Whichever works best for you, FB or instagram:

How good is it seeing this guy back on the pitch? 😮‍💨 | Tasman Mako |... How good is it seeing this guy back on the pitch? 😮‍💨 | Tasman Mako |...

How good is it seeing this guy back on the pitch? 😮‍💨. Tasman Mako · Original audio

@ACT-Crusader I think SOuthland may have that, 27 or so, they took it from us which was about the same as what Manawatu had when they beat us last week I think (24?)

@taniwharugby Yeah I'm done with rugby for the weekend as well after this mornings debacle, and last nights jekyl and hyde show.

The Northland rugby circus continues next week where we will no doubt beat Shield Snorters. The following week we will flick the loss switch again and get pumped in Dunedin. So predictable at times..bloody gumbies!

@Duluth good stuff, deserves it.

@kev Rivez Reihana has extended his stay at the Chiefs, just not sure if it’s one or 2 years but will be definitely with the Chiefs in 2023

@FakatavaAllBlack said in Manawatu v Otago:

By the way @Chris-B just want you to know I will be supporting Ta$man next week like my life depends on it🙂

me too, definitely calling on the fact dad played for Nelson Bays...always been a fan of Ta$man 🤨

@Bovidae said in Taranaki v Manawatu:

So there was a problem with the lights.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/129926662/rugby-to-come-out-of-the-dark-at-yarrow-stadium

Funny at game I wasn't aware of lights problem, but if I think back maybe there was a bit of shadowing.

@Rapido Quinten's had no luck with injuries. In Super rugby, he's behind Whitelock and SBarrett - but, every time one of them gets injured it seems Quin gets hurt immediately after.

Picked for the ABs in 2020 and then got injured in camp, before he played. I think that might have opened the door for Vaa'i.

I reckon he's still a decent prospect as a test lock (though he's not a fern favourite). He's not massively tall - slightly more than SBarrett according to the stats, but he's mobile and does most things well.

As Nisbo noted last night, the Mako are much better when he plays - quite noticeable last year when he got hurt and then came back.- got us back on track.

Ok. As per watching way behind and dont know result ...

Have issues with Weber's 2nd try. Looked like a knock on to me.

@Dice he was like a different player at the chiefs this year though and for the Maori. Hopefully turned a corner mentally, skill and pace to burn just needed to not be too cool to apply himself.

Other than that first scrum and a little bit of fringe defence, Auckland played very well.

I do like Luke Campbell’s passing. Very swift from the base without any steps. Pretty accurate too.

@Crucial said in Manawatu v Canterbury:

@Winger said in Manawatu v Canterbury:

It was a good change Canterbury not always winning. But this team must be close to favourites this year

Pretty stacked team already and Ennor to come back?

Still not convinced by the Canterbury backs. Strangely, despite the scoreline and the long-range tries, I didn't think the backs were all that impressive. Not terrible, but good enough I suppose. They will be tested when Canterbury come up against a pack that can hold their own.