@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 Tasman 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 Tasman 🤨

@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.

@kiwiwomble Haha, classic!

@canes4life said in Taranaki v Manawatū:

Awesome to see the Naki and Manawatu combining for a haka in honour of Sean.

Nehe leading the Tika Tonu got me a little emotional.

Pretty good game to watch. Naki are a very well drilled side. Always seem to have runners set and support players in motion.

@bones was more a dig at Clarke, it was a legit tackle haha

@tim Jared had a good game around the paddock , but was shaded by Ross Wright at scrumtime

@gt12 Yeah, probably the pick of their backs.

@duluth said in Manawatu v Counties:

I see the NPC website has players match stats from opta on this page. Click on the players number

Bunnings NPC Round 1 Match Appointments and Team Lists Bunnings NPC Round 1 Match Appointments and Team Lists

The Bunnings NPC kicks off on Friday 6 August with Tasman Mako out to defend their Premiership title and a new contender looking to rise up from the Championship.

Great to see there are stats, but awful way of presenting them. There's no way you can easily compare player stats this way.

@Winger his shoulder I think he was grabbing it if we had made the semis we might have won the whole thing with some actual leadership.

..and Counties fans will be a bit happier now

Taranaki starting to take control

You'd hope he's only out for 2 months.

Taumateine has been sneaky good for Counties. I think he's been one of the better halfbacks in the M10 this season.

Far better back play from bop. Black put players into space this week and both half backs looked snappy. But the manawatu defence did give them space.

Another thing. Chay Fihaki looked really good last night, which is great. But it annoys the living fuck out of me that Canterbury retain Fihaki, an Auckland kid out of Sacred Heart, and allow local lad Sam Gilbert to go to Otago. Both were in NZ U20 last year, and sure, Gilbert is a 15-cum-10 who can cover wing as he did last year for Canterbury, while Fihaki is a wing-cum-centre, but they're near enough postionally that it looks like Canterbury (and the Crusaders) made a choice and the local kid lost.

@ACT-Crusader said in Counties v Manawatu:

Entertaining game. Unfortunate finish for the Turbos with that attack incorrectly called in touch.

Lineouts again a lottery for both sides.

Who is the last forward to score a hat trick in the NPC?

Last forward to score a hat trick in Mitre 10 Cup was Patrick Tuipulotu for Auckland v Tasman, September 7, 2018.

This game was at the same time as the shield match. Sky should realise theres people who will watch one game and record the other

The fluffybunnies announced the shield result and score at the end of this match

@Bones said in Manawatu v Otago:

@ACT-Crusader he's just one of those players that operates better with less time and space... instincts better than his planning!

also just doesn't the wheels...running off someone shoulder for sprint to the line? perfect...covering a whole backfield?...no

this was promising,

*“I’ve enjoyed centre, at the back of the Highlanders season, playing a few games and getting used to it,” Collins said.

“The risk is, if you are shifting every couple of weeks, you start losing the finer touches which take a couple of weeks to get used to.

“I’m pretty happy to play at centre for a wee while.”*

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/300112618/ranfurly-shield-michael-collins-vows-otago-wont-die-wondering-against-taranaki

@kev yeah I feel that FB gives him too much time to think about what he is about to do, he seems to work better with less time when playing more on instinct, that said, I'd say his confidence probably isnt where it needs to be right now either, which is why a stint on the wing, and then moving in later in the game might be best for him

Ok. Cullen and playing at the Showgrounds Oval tips it in favour of the poo for me.

@Tim I reckon Manawatu might have the better pack - at least in terms of the "greatness" pantheon.

Waikato only has Loe and (for a short time) Messam as regular first choice ABs.

Manawatu has Knight, Lambert, Shaw and Eveleigh.

@Bovidae said in Ultimate NPC: - Manawatu:

Lee Stensness
Lachie Cameron
Craig Wickes
Ken Granger
Jackson Hemopo
Jason Eaton

Wickes didn't last long.

I thought Granger.

Forgot Nug is from the Poo - My immediate thought was Donaldson

Pretty good pack.

Clayton McMiillan

I get BOP press releases emailed to me, I will try and post them more.

@shark said in Canterbury vs Manawatu:

@Tim said in Canterbury vs Manawatu:

Is Josh McKay the new Michael Collins?

More like a faster Damien McKenzie without the positional smarts.

How fast is he, he must be a bullet? DMac is quick.

How on earth?

Love the finish of the game. Sums up Southland’s woes. Southland player did all the work to stay in the field of play and get the offload off, only for a basic handling error to happen straight after and game over.

Kept scoreless in the second half after a big lead. If Southland were a horse...

@J77 ha not quite, just use them differently.

Outrageously bad refereeing for the Koroi try with the Otere Black obstruction.

Makes my head explode.