We were discussing this leaving the stadium and joked that NZR would issue an apology during the week.

@kiwimurph said in Waikato vs Wellington:

Super teams should be eyeing up Ratima.

He's got a Kelleher thing going. If he's lucky that will lead to a pornstar wife at least.

Dawai was real good, he's been around for a couple of years at least but looks better in this one game than he has ever IMO.

@Crazy-Horse said in Premiership Semi-Final: Auckland v Waikato:

@Kirwan said in Premiership Semi-Final: Auckland v Waikato:

@Crazy-Horse said in Premiership Semi-Final: Auckland v Waikato:

@Kirwan said in Premiership Semi-Final: Auckland v Waikato:

@African-Monkey said in Premiership Semi-Final: Auckland v Waikato:

I'm 50 mins into this game and geez does TJ have money on Waikato to win? Every decision that goes Auckland's way he sulks like a baby and has done nothing but rip into them when they make an error.

It’s painful, hopefully they give Nisbo the final.

I suspect the reason why some don’t hear it is they kind of agree with TJs anti-Auckland stance. Difference is they aren’t paid to basically promote a sport.

Look at that Oz league commentator that makes a basic try seem like it was orgasmic. It’s almost like he likes the sport or something.

I can't speak for others, but I am not anti Auckland, or anyone else for that matter. I just don't care enough for that shit.

I have asked before, but someone give examples on how he is so mean to Auckland/Blues so I can see what I am missing. I recall TJ being critical and sounding frustrated at the Blues a few seasons ago when they were playing dumb rugby, but at the same time just about everyone on here were expressing the same frustrations.

Lately I have been hearing TJ shooting his load over some of the young Auckland players - Rayasi and Sullivan spring to mind.

Auckland does something good, muted enthusiasm. Opponent does the same thing, creams his pants.

Auckland makes a mistake, goes on a multi minute rant. Opponent does the same thing, doesn’t get mentioned.

Example from this game, Auckland player gets shoulder charged off the ball, with the whiplash effect it looked like it nearly knocked him out.

He goes on and on about it was a harsh penalty.

His job is to commentate, not cheerlead his favourites. Every other province gets a local colour commentator, and they generally keep him in check when he starts talking shit.

If we can’t replace this dickhead, then at least pair him with an ex Auckland player that can call him out when he displays his bias, and crucially can sound enthusiastic for the Auckland team in the biggest rugby market in the country.

Yeah I recall him going on about the shoulder charge but saw it as him not agreeing with the penalty, not an anti Auckland thing. But I acknowledge that could come across as anti Auckland if you had a horse in the race.

Reminds me of people saying Justin Marshall favours the Crusaders in his commentary, but from my perspective as a Crusader supporter it seems the opposite. It's like he deliberately goes against the Crusaders to appear neutral. We all see and interpret things differently.

And you would have a point if it was just me going on about his bias, but even non-Auckland fans notice it.

I think Waikato has been training with Wellington on how to derail your season wow what a slide...

Am away this weekend so miss the BOP v Harbour match. What a huge one that will be! Back in time for the final v Waikato though. That is assuming that Tasman and Auckland maintain their current approach through semis. I can dream....

@Yeetyaah said in Auckland v Waikato:

Kinda glad I didn't watch that one. At a mates wedding drunk as shit.

Here’s the highlights. Enjoy 🙂

That was a good second half by both sides. Two evenly matched teams.

Unlucky finish at the end for the Naki because they had created the space.

That halfback for the Mooloo has a pretty sweet pass on him.

That was a peach of a last 20 mins from us. I was supposed to be at the game but decided to go down a couple of weeks earlier instead. Mates still went though and are still celebrating.

@Bovidae Yes, good to see mitch getting game time...he's playing well too. Just good to see Luke on the field.

I thought Pickerill was a step up from the guy last week.

@Hooroo Small world eh, my flatmate went to school with him and knows him.

@Yeetyaah said in Tasman v Waikato:

@Machpants so any player can disrupt the ball in a pass as long as it's flicked back?

Of course. You're not offside and you're not in any way deliberately knocking it forward.

@taniwharugby said in Waikato v North Harbour:

@Yeetyaah said in Waikato v North Harbour:

Te Whare is quite fast

certainly seems to have a great burst of speed!!

Te Whare is definitely quicker than someone of his physique should be. I think he has played mostly on the wing in rep rugby.

@Hooroo said in Waikato v Wellington:

@Snowy said in Waikato v Wellington:

@Yeetyaah I'm not a boomer and you don't have my staff or my nieces. They spell like that.

The odd thing about it is that it works.

My mum is late to the texting show. Only been doing it for about 3-4 years. Her older sister (my Aunty) is really good and quick at is and uses abbreviations all the time.

This weekend before our horse was racing, Mum sent, "Gluck"

I think your Mum has just invented a word, and I like it.

All of the years we have been wasting letters it seems.

Anyway the Wellington half back's parents decided to do it years ago too.

@Bovidae said in Waikato 2020:

There was also a U20 game on at Beetham Park between Waikato and Taranaki U20s today at the same time as the FPC game.

An update:

Firstly, never ask a player involved in a game what the score was. 🙂 Taranaki won 24-19.

Secondly, this wasn't an U20 game as such, but one of a series of games between the academy players from each province within the Chiefs region. The Waikato team is mainly U19 and younger than most of the other teams they are playing.

@Yeetyaah They saw Aumua play for Tasman and thought they could do it, too.

@Yeetyaah said in Waikato v Taranaki:

Fletch is having an average game.

I thought he was alright. Better than Perofeta anyhow.

He's not well served inside and at least can catch and pass.

@Stargazer said in Otago vs Waikato (Ranfurly Shield):

@Bones Are you really surprised? Despite him being in the AB7s squad for a couple of years now?

Yeah, he's never looked express. Wasn't sure if he was going to crack 15s either but looks like he's having a good season?

@DrivingMaul Yeah it was too I saw you talking to him.

My post match interviews with Kieran Keane, Murphy Taramai and Fletcher Smith:

@African-Monkey said in Waikato v Auckland:

@shark Interestingly enough, Ennor coming into centre will make it a 5th different midfield combo in a row. Having said that, Ennor and Osborne in the backline makes it a hell of a lot better.

Yep, I noted that early on in the Canterbury vs Southland thread after the teams were posted.

My post match interviews from the game:

@Stargazer A lot of attacking talent in the back line for the bay Ravouvou had a good game and was replaced at half time By Narawa who was just as dangerous when he came on. Forward pack was really dominant and I never felt like Waikato would get back into it. The Waikato Centre had a great game defiantly got the better of Webber.

@DrivingMaul thanks for all the post match interviews over the 1st round of the Mitre 10 Cup ..very professionally done..✅👍

@bovidae Cat's out of the bag then.

@damo don’t worry about missing the game,there was about 25,000 empty seats that missed the game as well..
But congratulations all the same..!

KiwiPie said:

I'm having a bad feeling about this game - didn't need some of the top performers out and putting players in for first starts in key positions.

But I'm naturally pessimistic.

I hate being spot on ..... semis not impossible with the direct competition still to play but starting to look like we'll need to win them all.

The worst 40 mins of rugby in a while by Waikato but I give Southland credit for being abrasive and forcing mistakes. A much better 2nd half by Waikato and helped by better subs coming on.

5 pts and flush the dunny.

@williethewaiter said in Taranaki v Waikato - Ranfurly Shield:

@chris-b said in Taranaki v Waikato - Ranfurly Shield:

@hooroo An extra glass of what? Water?

What happened to the days of being written off for three days (and your bosses expecting it) because you'd won the Shield? 🙂

this is one of the shit things about the NPC format now - the players don't even get to celebrate it properly - certainly no crazy stories like the old days.. cause they have to defend it 4 days after winning it.

rubbish!

Did you celebrate though?

They all look the same. 🤣

this thread is comedy gold. the difference 10 days can make!

glad i didn't put my thoughts onto 'paper' after that Auckland performance...

I'm guessing Tuipulotu will start the game off the bench and Olmstead kicks down as the backrower cover instead of Sotutu.

@bovidae Not sure, I am told maybe tomorrow. Fingers crossed!!

@bovidae said in Manawatu v Waikato:

Anyone know if the Manawatu player has been cited for the cheap shot on Tucker?

NZR is extremely shit when it comes to publishing citings and decisions on citings. I remember finding them last year, but don't quite remember where. I'll keep an eye on it.

What a dick move.

I was just reading this:

Greg Cooper has joined the Mitsubishi Sagamihara Dynaboars as head coach with former Highlanders and All Blacks prop Carl Hoeft as his assistant. The Dynaboars play in the Top Challenge League - the second tier of Japanese professional rugby - and are based in Sagamihira in the Kanagawa prefecture, 47km from Tokyo. Their squad includes ex-All Black Walter Little's son, Michael, a midfield back currently playing for the Sunwolves Super Rugby team and former Tasman and Northland five-eighth Daniel Hawkins.

@gunner too right. Very foolish

The online article is more comprehensive than what I had read in the newspaper.

@WillieTheWaiter What has Waikato spent on player salaries in recent years compared to other provinces? I remember reading that it was well below the salary cap, largely due to the historical debt owed by the WRU.

As mentioned it is hard to keep players (and develop them) if there are better offers in Europe/Japan and they are not getting a SR contract.

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