Hawke's Bay Tui

[Stargazer]

Full time: Otago 29 - 20 Tui

I think the Tui deserved more from this game. Not rewarded for their dominant scrum, with the ref too whistle-happy. I lost count of the number of scrums in which the Tui totally bulldozed Otago, but Otago got advantage. According to the commentators because they were not pushing straight, but I'm not convinced. Their dominance was just too big. Anyway, defence is a big work-on, although it improved in the second half, forcing Otago to make mistakes.

Apart from the game against Ta$man, this was probably their best chance of winning a game this season.
Next week, they play Wellington at the Hutt Recreation Ground, Lower Hutt (Sat 19th, 12.30pm).

[Stargazer]

Line-up for Saturday's game against Wellington. It's going to be a tough game!

[Stargazer]

Livestream Wellington Pride - Tui:

Farah Palmer Cup: Wellington v Hawkes Bay | Black Ferns was live. |...

Black Ferns was live.

[Stargazer]

Just when I was writing that I expected the Tui to get crushed after two Wellington tries in 9 minutes, Forne Burkin scores a try for the Tui.

It's 12 - 7 to Wellington after approx. 15 minutes.

[Stargazer]

Wellington scored a third try: 19 - 7

[Stargazer]

A third try to the Wellington left winger, Black Fern Ayesha Leti-I’iga.

26 - 7 Wellington

[Stargazer]

Try Michaela Baker.

26 - 12 Wellington

[Stargazer]

Yuck, another try to Wellington. 31 - 12

[Stargazer]

Try to our new left winger Harmony Kautai.

Half time: Wellington 31 - 17 Tui

[Stargazer]

A big score was expected with Wellington stacked with Black Ferns, but it's still depressing to watch. The Tui's defence is like Swiss cheese.

48 - 17 Wellington

[Stargazer]

55 - 17 Wellington

[Stargazer]

Geez, it's now 67 - 17. I knew it was going to be bad, but this is really, really bad.

[Stargazer]

That was the final score.

Again a big los from a Championship team against a Premiership team. Not surprised. This format definitely isn't working in the FPC; the differences are too big. On top of that, the Tui have lost so many players this year, it was going to be hard, even under the old format.

Extra tackle training this week? They need it, because they might be at the wrong side of a hundy next week against Canterbury.

[Stargazer]

Tui team to play Canterbury. I expect the poor girls to get the biggest hiding they've had in a long time ... I do hope that big Ashley Palu gets to bulldoze some of those Cantab girls though!

[Higgins]

@Stargazer
Are you suggesting HB start with 16, 17 or 18 on the field if Ms. Palu is to get the chance to show her bulldozing technique to the fullest extent!

[Stargazer]

@Higgins No, she'll be fine off the bench. IIRC the Canterbury starting props are (former) Black Ferns; let her do her bulldozing against their subs.

[Higgins]

The referee might have invoked the mercy rule before she gets the chance to get on though!

[Stargazer]

Half time: Tui 10 - 37 Canterbury

Score as expected. Tui defence has holes like Swiss cheese, but when in possession and on attack, they aren't too bad. Te Pou's try in the corner was a beauty.

[Stargazer]

Full time: Tui 15 - 72 Canterbury

What a relief! No hundred put on them. Actually, the Tui had some good moments in this game, but just couldn't finish them. If they learn how to tackle, things will improve a lot. Oh, and big Ashley Palu bulldozed her way over the try line for the third try!

Next week, they'll finally have a chance of winning a game (probably their only one of the season). They'll play Ta$man in Motueka.

[JC]

@Stargazer I was really impressed at the Tui's halfback. She's probably short of a yard of pace (is she a bit older than the others?) but jeez she can pick an option. Very quick to spot empty space and put the ball there, and good at changing the attack when they looked to be running themselves our of space.