Waikato vs North Harbour

[Duluth]

1 Ayden Johnstone (Hautapu)
2 Samisoni Taukei’aho (Fraser Tech)
3 Joshua Iosefa-Scott (Melville)
4 Tim Bond (University)
5 James Tucker (Hamilton Marist)
6 Adam Burn (Hamilton Old Boys)
7 Mitch Jacobson (Hautapu)
8 Jordan Manihera (Hamilton Old Boys)
9 Jack Stratton (University)
10 Matty Lansdown (Fraser Tech)
11 Sevu Reece (Hamilton Old Boys)
12 Dwayne Sweeney – Captain (Morrinsville Sports)
13 Quinn Tupaea (Hamilton Old Boys)
14 Declan O’Donnell (Melville)
15 Fletcher Smith (University)

16 Mike Mayhew (Hautapu)
17 Haereiti Hetet (Otorohanga)
18 Sosaia Fale (Hamilton Old Boys)*
19 Laghlan McWhannell (Hautapu)
20 Jono Armstrong (Hautapu)
21 Kylem O’Donnell (Melville)
22 Bailyn Sullivan (Hamilton Marist)
23 Tyler Campbell (University)

Waikato Team Named for First Home Game Against North Harbour

Waikato has named their team to face North Harbour for their first home game at FMG Stadium Waikato on Saturday...

[Bovidae]

I can only assume Toby Smith is injured as he was a late withdrawal last Sat. I expected he and Kautai to be the starting props when the squad was announced. And still no Luke Jacobson.

With naming Sweeney as co-captain Gibbes and co have limited their options in the midfield. Tupaea is a 2nd 5 playing at centre while I'd prefer Sullivan in the starting XV.

No great expectations for this game. Waikato should have beaten NH last year but found a way to lose. I suppose we're due some luck!

[Duluth]

1 Nic Mayhew
2 James Parsons (cc)
3 Sione Mafileo
4 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti
5 Ben Nee-Nee
6 Murphy Taramai
7 Dillon Hunt
8 Kuki Moala-Liava'a
9 Bryn Hall
10 Bryn Gatland
11 Tevita Li
12 Harrison Groundwater
13 James Dargaville
14 Matt Duffie (cc)
15 Shaun Stevenson

16 Luteru Tolai
17 Mike Tamoaieta
18 Chris Eves
19 Glenn Preston
20 Jacob Pierce
21 Lewis Gjaltema
22 Loketi Manu
23 Mark Telea

[Tim]

Interesting that Stevenson is covering 10 again.

[Stargazer]

@tim Can Bryn Hall cover 10 in case of injury?

[Tim]

@stargazer I think he's played there for his club.

[African Monkey]

He played a bit there at schoolboy level. He wasn't bad there but only as a last resort option. Are there no backup first-fives in the North Harbour club scene?

[Tim]

@african-monkey There's one in the squad, but maybe he's injured?

[Tim]

Who went off for Manu?

[Nepia]

Good play by Hall and Li for that try. (Seems weird to type that.)

[Tim]

Duffie is so out of form, and so low on confidence.

Good grubber though.

[Nepia]

Reece did his best Kata impersonation and got bundled into touch after a good run.

[Tim]

Li held back O'Donnell there. Stevenson getting some great distance on the kicks. How strong is the wind?

[Tim]

@tim said in Waikato vs North Harbour:

Duffie is so out of form, and so low on confidence.

Good grubber though.

And now he gets a turnover.

[African Monkey]

@tim Looks very strong.

[Tim]

Weak tackle attempt from Taramai.

Not liking Harbour's backs this year. Very side to side. Gatland looking a step down from last year's model.

Also, kick the easy penalties!

[Tim]

Another bad tackle miss. FFS.

[Tim]

LOL, Duffie is having having his best half so far this year.

[Nepia]

Stevenson blew that, luckily they got there in the end. Taramai in.

@Tim Clearly if you complain about a player they start doing good stuff.

[KiwiMurph]

@nepia said in Waikato vs North Harbour:

@Tim Clearly if you complain about a player they start doing good stuff.

When the fuck is this going to start with Michael Collins?