Otago v Auckland

Bones

African Monkey

Also, why is Simon Hickey in the squad? Can we loan him out to Counties or Southland or something like that and have Zarn Sullivan on the bench instead?

KiwiMurph

@African-Monkey Hickey isn't even the best first-five from his school in this game....

Bovidae

So Bower makes the bench for the SI team but doesn't start for Otago?

Kiwiwomble

@Bovidae maybe he hadn’t had as much time with the squad, saders then N v S

Daffy Jaffy

@African-Monkey I also hoped Sullivan would make the bench, mostly because I have never seen him play. It will be interesting to see how Hickeys game has developed, remembering that he left for overseas 5 years ago as a 21 year old. Now 26, he returns with 78 games of European experience (scoring 500 points) for Bordeaux and Edinburgh. He was thrust into the starting 10 role at much too young an age back then for Auckland and the Blues . My concern would be that his instincts may be too conservative to suit this team. Hopefully with age and experience he will now be able to better drive the game plan, and we know he will at least kick his goals. I guess the Hurricanes will also be hoping this for next season.

nzzp

@Daffy-Jaffy said in Otago v Auckland:

He was thrust into the starting 10 role at much too young an age back then for Auckland and the Blues .

Textbook case on how to ruin a young 10, and something Auckland did with monotonous regularity. The contrast with how someone like Mo'unga gets developed vs Hickey is stark.

That said, when he took the line on he was sensational. Unfortunately it only happened occasionally, and he started standing deeper and deeper. Good coaching may bring him back to his potential.

African Monkey

Don't think it would have mattered when Hickey was blooded tbh. He lacks any sort of speed and athleticism to start at 10 in NZ rugby and stifles teams on attack in the process. I thought he'd suit European rugby more tbh.

Duluth

@African-Monkey said in Otago v Auckland:

Don't think it would have mattered when Hickey was blooded tbh. He lacks any sort of speed and athleticism to start at 10 in NZ rugby and stifles teams on attack in the process. I thought he'd suit European rugby more tbh.

I thought Pivac was going to turn him into a halfback (he got ~20mins there in an NPC final). That probably didn't happen because there were no better options at ten back then

African Monkey

@Duluth I do recall that, and we did have Anscombe around back then.

Tim

shark

@Tim said in Otago v Auckland:

@Bones And dipshits here compare Bridge to Howlett.

You're a fucktard if you can't see the similarities.

I don't think anyone has claimed Bridge is as good as Howlett so you've completely got the wrong end of the stick given you seem to have assumed that, but there are similarities in many areas...postionally, physically, pace etc.

shark

@Bovidae said in Otago v Auckland:

So Bower makes the bench for the SI team but doesn't start for Otago?

Same with Tomkinson who was in the South squad, didn't even make the 23 though, and appears to be getting eased back into action.

kiwiinmelb

Calebs quads look massive in those white shorts 😲

Bones

Marshall. Always trying to be smarter than the ref 🙄

Duluth

AJ Lam tidying up some shitty situations

number9

Ruru still passing shithouse and Apisai throwing still sucks.

ACT Crusader

Surely Ruru was out in touch?

Steven Harris

@Duluth what is up with the discipline..?, dare I say it , it’s like watching the Blues..

number9

Ruru is panicking out there.

The Silver Fern

Otago v Auckland