Otago v North Harbour, Championship Final

[Stargazer]

North Harbour:

1. Nic Mayhew

2. Adrian Smith

3. Sione Mafileo

4. Gerard Cowley-Tuioti

5. Chris Vui

6. Glenn Preston

7. Connor Collett

8. Murphy Taramai

9. Bryn Hall

10. Bryn Gatland

11. Tevita Li

12. Michael Little

13. Matt Vaega

14. Matt Duffie

15. Matt Mcgahan

16. Ray Niuia/Vyron Smith

17. Jody Allen

18. Jethro Felemi

19. Brandon Nansen

20. Kane Jacobson

21. Chris Smylie

22. Daniel Hilton-Jones

23. Afa Fa'atau

North Harbour Rugby Union

The North Harbour Rugby Union was formed in 1985 and during this time has developed a reputation for playing colourful and entertaining rugby through all grades

[JK]

Tight first half 1 try each but harbour (who failed to convert their try) have picked up two late penalties and lead 11-7 at the break

[Donsteppa]

Harbour putting big pressure on Otago ion D in a way that they haven't faced in a while.

[Stargazer]

Must admit I'm impressed. Harbour is doing better than I expected so far. Entertaining game.

[Siam]

What's the tape behind the otago players ears?

[Stargazer]

@Siam Has to do with research, I think, into the impact of head knocks or something like that.

[taniwharugby]

@Siam something from Otago Uni to measure impacts for concussion research

[JK]

Think they've had it on all season?

Missed first 2 mins but looks like Harbour got another penalty 14-7 now

[JK]

Tense game here 14-14 with 12 to go....

Neither team wants to make a mistake but still keen to throw the ball around.

As a harbour fan I feel heartbreak is oh so close

[JK]

Otago get a penalty on the 40m line but cant put it between the uprights

7 to go. Harbour lucky to still be on even terms

[JK]

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!

[hydro11]

Man, North Harbour are a tough team. Solid on defence all night and took their chance when they had it.

[Bones]

Some dumb rugby at the end from otago there, impatient and inaccurate. Man some of those early breaks should've been converted too, too often not taking the simple option and trying to be tricky.

Great defence by Harbour, that was a fun watch even if it was the wrong result.

[JK]

We won that with MASSIVE DEFENCE. Just HUGE!!!

[Bovidae]

Gatland nailed a winning DG for HBHS vs St Kents in the schools final a few year back too.

[Donsteppa]

Bring back the old harbourrugby fan website!!

Great result for the underdog. Hard for Otago to swallow, but they didn't take the opportunities given them.

With that sort of effort Harbour could have turned back the Germans in 1940.

[Tim]

Fuck, I was on a skype work call for the whole game!

[Tim]

Pretty, pretty sure that NZ needs a 6th Super Rugby team now.

[Siam]

@Bones said in Otago v North Harbour, Championship Final:

Some dumb rugby at the end from otago there, impatient and inaccurate. Man some of those early breaks should've been converted too, too often not taking the simple option and trying to be tricky.

Great defence by Harbour, that was a fun watch even if it was the wrong result.

It was a good game to watch. LOts of kicking for a NZ game but bloody intense.

I wanted Otago to win but Harbour deserved that win largely through attitude and defence. Kept waiting for Otago to run it and could have a few times but their lack of adventure was a tad disappointing.

Why they put Eade on is a mystery. The hyphen at first five was going well. Was pretty cool seeing Hore come on although it didn't amount to much.

Well done harbour, took their chances, a good story and NZ domestic rugby a winner as well

[SammyC]

@Tim said in Otago v North Harbour, Championship Final:

Pretty, pretty sure that NZ needs a 6th Super Rugby team now.

Why?

Because harbour won the second division?

Because Auckland can't even make the semis of the first division?

Remember the big boys play in the real final tonight tim 😉