Semi v Wellington

[Gunner]

Having Ram on the bench isn’t all bad.
We’ve been pretty poor in the back end of games, which would indicate the subs have largely missed the mark. Having Ram come on in the second half might be the coaches way of adding some much needed experience late in the game.
Only got to look as far as the ABs, they don’t always select the best or higher ranked player to start - Hames is the 3rd ranked LHP, but he starts ahead of Crockett who is ranked 2nd.

Or I could be talking crap the coaches just rate K Pryor over Ram.

[taniwharugby]

@gunner nah is a fair point, although you do run the risk of by the time you bring on that player the game is gone...

[kev]

@njacoby hit on very salient point. First fives that play flat, take it to the line open up spaces elsewhere. The best example of that was Aaron Cruden / SBW combination for Chiefs.

[kev]

@taniwharugby suggests a running game maybe...

[Stargazer]

Wellington:

15 Trent Renata, 14 Julian Savea, 13 Wes Goosen, 12 Thomas Umaga-Jensen, 11 Ben Lam (Tawa), 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 9 Sheridan Rangihuna;
8 Galu Taufale, 7 Mateaki Kafatolu, 6 Brad Shields (c), 5 James Blackwell, 4 Sam Lousi, 3 Alex Fidow, 2 Asafo Aumua, 1 Tolu Fahamokioa (Tawa)

Reserves:
16 Sitiveni Paongo, 17 Vince Sakaria, 18 Joe Apikotoa, 19 Will Mangos, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, 22 Regan Verney, 23 Malo Tuitama (Oriental-Rongotai)

http://www.wellingtonlions.co.nz/news/settled-lions-team-named-for-semi-finalo/

[J77]

From what I've read Wellington are expecting a similar plan as to what we had last week. Here's hoping we've got a few extra tricks up our sleeve to surprise them with.

They are fully expecting the usual rigour at scrums and breakdowns, so they'll be a bit sharper in that department I'm guessing. I'm hoping we move the ball quickly from set piece and rucks and employ a smart kicking game to keep them turning around.. That way we can apply some real pressure..

[taniwharugby]

@j77 hopefully we don't have the same lineout meltdown as last week, as that was very costly in field position and confidence at an important period of the game.

Our lineout has been wobbly, been very good but also very bad.

[Stargazer]

[taniwharugby]

Errors early on

[taniwharugby]

Surprised they let Alaimalo away with giving Savea a push.

TMO...out?

[taniwharugby]

Haha , Hyland with another dodgy try v Wellington

[taniwharugby]

Good start by Kara

[taniwharugby]

Nice try there.

[Higgins]

Interesting to take the scrum instead of the kick but it pays off big time!

[Stockcar86]

Bad read by Renata to make that try for Northland.

[taniwharugby]

Not wrapping he fell over didn't he?

[taniwharugby]

Haha not really

[taniwharugby]

Was slow on not giving Josh that t/o compared to how quick he gave Goosen

[Bones]

@taniwharugby jebus. Lucky not to see a card for that, dodgy as.

[taniwharugby]

Wtf up with our scrum....