The Silver Fern

@higgins said in Hawke's Bay v Otago (Ranfurly Shield):

@delicatessen I saw Connor McLeod being helped by the physio back into the changing rooms as the team went back inside to complete whatever they do about 7 minutes prior to kick off. I can only summise that you must declare your matchday 23 to the referee and opposition maybe half an hour before kick off and any injuries etc after that time it is just bad luck and there is no provision for any late additions. Guess that must be to even things up for visiting teams who obviously would not have access to a third halfback for example that late in the game.

Yep, he stuffed his knee in the warmup.

His replacement will probably be Zach Donaldson.

The halfbacks in the Development Team's three matches in the last three weeks have been Trent Hape, Humphrey Sheild and Shamara Brooks.

Although ... I did see Aidan Thomas at the game yesterday - it was Saracens Day ....

anyone seen any news on Nareki?

@crucial and its looking good for the chiefs if he can keep building on how he's playing for Otago, looks like he had a real wake up

@taniwharugby said in Championship Semi: Otago v Northland:

@Steven-Harris yeah most of our props are the weak links in our pack, in that thier fitness leaves alot to be desired which affects thier decision making and execution (penalties, defensive lapses, hands)

A problem endemic to NZ rugby at the moment.

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Otago v Ta$man:

@Kiwiwomble Grapevine (S. Harris) says that Gatland is off to the Chiefs.

Yeah, heard that too, we also have koroi who is capable which is all we need as third choice

@African-Monkey said in Southland v Otago:

@Chris It was bizarre that he was left out in 2018 when he was easily the best in club rugby that year but they decided to go for 2 journeymen in Phil Burleigh and Sam Beard instead which did nothing for them in the long term as they both only lasted the 1 season.

Yeah exactly we were not impressed with those selections they were both poor.
I was thinking that season Nu’u must get a chance then they name the squad with those two in,Bizarre is a great word for it no rhyme or reason to it.

@Snowy said in Otago v Canterbury:

@Kiwiwomble said in Otago v Canterbury:

@ACT-Crusader are you Justin marshall?

His comments are usually better than Justin. Low bar, I know.

Damned with faint praise

@Duluth yup, not gonna be easy, made tougher by the limp performance on Friday.

Otago have a tough run in too, Cant (A) SOuthland (A) Ta$man (H)
Reckon Southland have probably the best run in, Manawatu (A) Otago (H), Counties (H)
Depending on naki's result today, they finish with Counties (H) Manawatu (A) HB (H)

Potentially be tight for 2nd-5th (although Otago in the box seat for 2nd) with HB pretty much sealed as top

@Higgins Yeah I know was merely highlighting how much he’s fallen from what he was.

@Magpie_in_aus Lowe played often centre during his schoolboy days and played both wing and centre for NZ U20s. He has played in the 13 jersey occasionally for the Magpies in his first years in the squad. Personally, I think it's his best position, although he's playing well on both wings.

@Chris said in Taranaki v Otago (RS):

@ACT-Crusader said in Taranaki v Otago (RS):

What a game by Otago! Their motley crew of forwards were excellent. Who’s that nuggety barrel playing number 8?

Josh Ioane seems to have a calming influence in the way they attack as well.

Dylan Nel a South African born player he played in Canterbury for a few years made the Canterbury B side was around the A squad but couldn’t get game time moved to Otago last season

Thanks Chris. I can’t say I remember him. He played with a bit of fire in the belly.

@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

@mariner4life Sky has been showing archive NPC playoff games. I have recorded last nights Waikato-Canterbury SF from 1998, as I remember it well. I won't bother with the final. 🙂

For those in NZ, there is another replay shortly.

@Tim the headline says it all.

Not sure what he has been working on 😐

@Kiwiwomble said in Ultimate NPC: Round 2 Counties v Otago:

@Nepia Latta > oliver, anton was almost as bad as coltmans at lineout thows, 171 games and his nickname is "Crazy"...come on

brewer was a toss up, was goign to swap but the deadline beat me

Oliver was a 50 test AB, Latta was a decent NPC player with a cult following, it really shouldn't have been a contest ....

@mariner4life said in Ultimate NPC: Round 1 Otaaaaaago v Ta$man:

How did @Chris-B vote twice?

Cash.

@Bovidae said in Ultimate NPC: - Otago:

@Nepia said in Ultimate NPC: - Otago:

How did Brewer miss out on this team and Pene make it? Justify yourself Otago-ites. 😉

Because Brewer pissed off to Canterbury? 😉

Ok, you've convinced me. 😉