Magpies v Southland

[Stargazer]

Southland Stags have been named:

1 Joseph Walsh, 2. Brayden Mitchell (C). 3.Guy Millar, 4. Mike McKee, 5. Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 6. Phil Halder, 7. Tim Boys, 8. Elliot Dixon
9 Liam Howley, 10. Scott Eade, 11 Mike Molloy, 12. Matthew Johnson, 13. Neria Fomai, 14. Ryan Tongia, 15. Lewis Ormond

Reserves:
Flynn Thomas, Shaun Stodart, Morgan Mitchell, Tepasu Thomas, Bill Fukofuka, Greg Dyer, James Schrader, Aleki Morris

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/95893811/injury-cloud-hovers-over-southland-stags-in-lead-up-to-opening-game

[Stockcar86]

grrrr

[Stargazer]

Our first Magpies team of the season:

1 Jason Long
2 Ash Dixon (c)
3 Mason Kean
4 Michael Allardice
5 Geoff Cridge
6 Marino Mikaele Tu'u
7 Tony Lamborn
8 Gareth Evans (vc)
9 Chris Eaton
10 Ihaia West
11 Mason Emerson
12 Richard Buckman
13 Cardiff Vaega*
14 Hayden Hann*
15 Tiaan Falcon

Reserves
16 Jacob Devery*
17 Mark Braidwood
18 Pouri Rakete-Stones*
19 Nick Palmer*
20 Hugh Renton
21 Zac Donaldson*
22 Pasqualle Dunn*
23 TJ Vaega*

*= Magpies debut

Unavailable:
Ben May (attending his father's unveiling), Tim Farrell, Matt Gardner, Jonah Lowe, Sam McNicol, Brad Weber, Ellery Wilson (all injured)

Prop Jarvy Aoake and No 8 Fa'alemiga Selesele will play for the Hawke's Bay Saracens against Poverty Bay in Gisborne on Saturday and outside back Mitch Drew for the Hawke's Bay under-19s against Manawatu at Park Island.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=11906110

[Stockcar86]

It seems to me that Evans/Mikaele Tu'u are playing in each others position, and apart from the obvious issue at halfback, this is a good a team as we can hope for with the injuries.

Good to see Hann getting a start in the 15's game, and I like Mason Kean starting.

If they sub the starting front row, it will be a pretty young front row, but at least they are locals and not imports (I consider that Braidwood has been living locally long enough now to be considered a local)

West/Buckman should be able to control the backline well, depending whether West is picking balls up from his bootlaces or over his head.

It would have been good if Fomai and Tongia could have been given contracts, instead of us importing players just for Mitre10 cup. I hope that does not come back to bite us

[Number 10]

Maybe they consider Evans is quicker than Mikaele-Tu'u? Or just more experienced - which he certainly is.

[Stockcar86]

@Number-10 said in Magpies v Southland:

Maybe they consider Evans is quicker than Mikaele-Tu'u? Or just more experienced - which he certainly is.

I'm sure his both considering Mikaele-Tu'u's size, but I'm still a bit old'school I guess - I think that size is more important for an 8 than speed

[Stockcar86]

My calculations make the average age of the starting team just under 25, and the subs average at 22.5. Exciting to have so many young players

[Stargazer]

Southland also have a halback injury problem. Liam Howley has withdrawn with an ankle injury and has been replaced by 19-year-old Jay Renton.

[Nepia]

Damn, I thought Eaton was injured ....

[Stockcar86]

Fuck, I hope Fomai is ok, looks really bad

[Stockcar86]

Good speed from Emerson to chase down Tongia

[Stockcar86]

TJ Vaega has been pretty shit so far

[Tim]

@Stockcar86 TJ or Cardiff?

[Nepia]

@Tim said in Magpies v Southland:

@Stockcar86 TJ or Cardiff?

Either one, they're not as good as their old man To'o was.

[Stockcar86]

Halftime Falcon to 12 and Buckman to 15 I hope

[Stockcar86]

What a shitty first half by HB. Lamborn, Evans and Emerson all off injured. and Eaton still unhurt:(

[WingerHB]

Feels like a continuation of last year...

[Stockcar86]

This is supposed to be the easiest game of the year

[Stockcar86]

Did I just see Dougie on the sidelines with a top knot?

[Stockcar86]

Bullshit yellow. At least the ref could have asked for that replay at real speed