The Silver Fern

@DurryMexted said in NPC Final: Wellington vs Bay of Plenty:

You know your 7 is awesome when every other teams supporters hate him. Kirifi a lions legend

There aren't many players that put their body on the line like Kirifi. Two championships as a Lions captain, he'll always be a Wellington legend.

You know we've finally got our shit sorted when we've been able to finish the business. A winning % of 85% over the last three seasons is pretty good going. Hopefully we can keep the core of this group together for another couple seasons yet.

@ARHS said in Wellington vs Waikato (SF):

Pleased that was such a close contest.
I think Mathis truly has dibs on the nickname Kwagga! Future AB for sure.
Kirifi, Preston and Savea all great for Wellington. Waikato awful lineout decided the game though. It was so poor without Mcwhannell and with average throwing and calling.
Unlike other posters, I thought Roe and Cruden were brilliant in controlling the match given the lineout woes and forwards inexperience. Don't get all the criticism of Roe. He has better field vision than any other 9 in NZ and possibly the best boot. He will throw the odd dodgy pass because he is in two minds while evaluating. But his 50 22s this year have been regular and his wide cutout pass is great. He jackals well too, but often only scrag tackles. If he improves technique there I feel he is the closest challenger to Roigard and Ratima, and is a good leader to boot.
I hope Ollie Norris can improve his scrummaging because everything else is top notch and compares well to Numia and Co.
I presume that Wellington fans have seen far better displays from Harkin, Solomon and Clarke. BOP will take heart there.
I wonder whether Wellington can contain Ah Kuoi, Narawa and Carter next week?

Yeah Harkin, Clarke and even Higgins were all pretty poor in that Semi Final, I can't see them being that poor again. Hopefully they can bring their best for the final next weekend.

@DurryMexted said in Wellington vs Counties (QF 1):

@Canes4life i missed this game due to travel, how much time did Love play at 10? How he look?

He played about 5-10 mins right at the end of the game. I reckon he would go well at 10 if he wanted to play there, definitely has all the skills, just needs time in that position.

@pakman said in Counties Manukau vs Wellington:

@Mr-Fish said in Counties Manukau vs Wellington:

@pakman who is Lalauki?

Spell checker’s version of Peter Lakai!

Haha I haven't been watching all of the NPC and wasn't sure if it was someone slipping under the radar.

@Chris-B Mate it's the shield, and shit happens. As I said you want to change to something it never was and I like it being special. I want it to keep it's mistique,let's just leave it at that.
I enjoy tradional things in game and I think it's been changed enough.

@Bones said in Wellington v Southland:

@Canes4life said in Wellington v Southland:

@Bones said in Wellington v Southland:

@Canes4life said in Wellington v Southland:

@Bones said in Wellington v Southland:

I'm not reading all that novel when you just mean, yeah there were also some very ordinary moments and his defence could do with some work.

This is because you’re focusing on the negatives and can’t admit the kid has something. If you can’t see it then I can’t help you there.

Do you expect all players in their early twenties to be the finished product?

Yeah that's exactly what I said, great call.

🙄

Ok no you were on point when you suggested a guy who's only just started being trusted to move to the midfield from wing in the mighty NPC, against the giant stags, would possibly push the best 12 in the country out of his spot in super rugby. Defensive mistakes against the world class Te Tamaki are littered through everyone's CVs.

I don't know why I didn't get all giggly schoolgirl over Higgins too. I was completely wrong to suggest defence might be a good thing.

Lol I can’t take someone seriously when they critique a player from a 5 minute highlights package.

You do realise he played like 4 games at 12 for the Canes this year aye and performed just aswell as Jordie did without the brain fades.

He also hasn’t just been trusted to wear the 12 jersey, they’ve shifted him around because he’s versatile and they obviously want as many good players on the park as possible. Just another example of you clearly not watching Welly over the last couple of years because he’s worn the 12 jersey plenty of times (including the 2022 final).

You’ve clearly not watched Wellington closely in the last couple of weeks/years so debating this with you is completely pointless.

@family-man he's definitely a similar mould to a young Ardie, not the biggest at all but very effective. Hopefully he fills out a bit. With Kirifi getting injured he'll likely push his case for that Hurricanes spot with Ardie moving on. I'm sure there will be others around the country that will be doing the same.

@Darren said in Wellington v Manawatu:

Lakai looked great, reminds me of a harder working Ardie. Possibly less highlights, but just doesn't stop working.
And why do we persist with J Savea? He doesn't offer anything.

I think in time Lakai will be a bigger and better version than Ardie. He's got the frame that's made for international footy and I feel the ABs have him earmarked as Sam Cane's replacement when he retires at the end of the year. He just needs to keep learning his craft and improving.

In the future I can see him and Sititi forming a pretty awesome combo for the All Blacks at 7 and 8 together, maybe even by the next WC.

@Duluth said in Auckland v Wellington:

@Bones said in Auckland v Wellington:

@cgrant said in Auckland v Wellington:

he is one of the most reviled players on this forum.

Say what now? You confusing him with Christie/Havili?

Not even the most criticised in this Wellington 23. J Savea and Apisai would be battling for that. Kirifi not far behind

Imagine that short ginger lock was still around.

@Canes4life two things:

I agree. And hopefully, if they're not already convinced, it ensures the Canes get him putting pen to paper immediately! If he has a ripper (like he did in his other starts) you can bet your house JGB will still be back.

@foobaNZ said in SF - Wellington vs Shield Snorters:

Flanders very very good.

Looked AB potential. Luckily for him Savea's away so we can all see if he's good enough at 8 to go all the way

Lakai and Kirifi can share the 7 position.

@booboo Asafo Aumua was running water so must be close. Not sure where Lakai and Sheck were either, not much comms from Wellington on those injuries.

@Chris-B said in Wellington v Hawkes (RS):

https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/18ea9d01-4d93-4fcf-aed6-acb231268acc

Great flick.

For some reason (or two ) I distinctly recall Jamie Lee Curtis in this in amongst some outstanding 80s comedy.

I’d have to get Stargazer to confirm but if they’re testing for Heroin and didn’t find any there’s a good chance it could have been PCP or Angel Dust on the Shield.

For shame Bay, FOR SHAME.

@Winger I wouldn't mind seeing this pack to start the year. Plenty of experience in that 8 now and there is a good mix of x-factor and grit.

Numia / Mafileo Aumua Lomax Delany Bird / Sangster Shields Kirifi (new Captain) Flanders

Bench forwards:
16. not sure about Hooker. Southall and O'Reilly are my preferred signings.
17. Mafileo / Numia
18. Lauaki
19. Bird / Sangster
20. Lakai (covering 7/8)

Players there or there abouts: Iose, Howden, Walker-Leawere, Rakete-Stones

Final gets one 27-17