Championship Final - Hawke's Bay v Northland
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@taniwharugby and the 5 prop option again. Like that. As with everyone else I like the positive attacking option that Johnny offers at 1st. That said Dan will put his body on the line for the team. Wish them the best for the game. Hawkes Bay’s too lose as they really have been fantastic - which would make any victory so sweet. No pressure 😀
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HAWKE'S BAY
15 Kurt Baker
14 Lolagi Visinia
13 Stacey Ili
12 Neria Fomai
11 Jonah Lowe
10 Lincoln McClutchie
9 Folau Fakatava
8 Devan Flanders
7 Solomone Funaki
6 Marino Mikaele-Tu'u
5 Tom Parsons
4 Geoff Cridge
3 Joe Apikotoa
2 Ash Dixon (capt)
1 Pouri Rakete-Stones16 Kianu Kereru-Symes
17 Jason Long
18 Namatahi Waa
19 Isaia Walker-Leawere
20 Gareth Evans
21 Connor McLeod
22 Caleb Makene
23 Ollie SapsfordBrendon O'Connor unavailable due to concussion.
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@Number-10 Great, I think this is close to our best squad.
Funaki has been surprisingly good, although in a final I'd probably prefer the experience of O'Connor. I'm glad they went for McClutchie at 10, although Makene did well at 10 after that mare against BOP. Very happy Mikaele-Tu'u and Flanders aren't out with concussions symptoms; I know they both passed their HIA after the semi, but symptoms can also appear later. Also good to have Kereru-Symes back. I rather have him on the bench than Devery in case something happens to Dixon. The only thing I don't like is their continued preference for Sapsford over Toala. I know Sapsford is much bigger and adds more physicality, but I think Toala is the better player and combines better with McC.
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Can I ask what happened to mason emerson? Couple of seasons ago I thought he was superb but disappeared off the scene
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The line-up posted by @Number-10 has now been confirmed on the Magpies' facebook page!
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@family-man said in Championship Final - Hawke's Bay v Northland:
Can I ask what happened to mason emerson? Couple of seasons ago I thought he was superb but disappeared off the scene
He is in the squad. He primarily plays overseas in the off season - the US league playing fullback for the last couple of years.
The coaches have preferred Jonah Lowe this year on the left wing, and rightly so I think. He has shown what he is capable of when injury free.
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Stoked to see McClutchie starting. He is playing more and more like Aaron Cruden. While I am hoping for a blow-out for the home team, I'm expecting this to be a close game, so also glad that McClutchie seems to have been working hard on his goal kicking. 7 from 7 last week.
Weather should pass through today, leaving enough time for the ground to dry out before the game.
C'mon the Bay
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@Stockcar86 said in Championship Final - Hawke's Bay v Northland:
While I am hoping for a blow-out for the home team
why would you want a final to be a blowout?
While I'm hoping we will win, I am seeing HB getting about 40 points, and hoping we get about 30, but we havent scored too many with Hawkins at 10, so yeah...
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@Stockcar86 said in Championship Final - Hawke's Bay v Northland:
Stoked to see McClutchie starting. He is playing more and more like Aaron Cruden. While I am hoping for a blow-out for the home team, I'm expecting this to be a close game, so also glad that McClutchie seems to have been working hard on his goal kicking. 7 from 7 last week.
Weather should pass through today, leaving enough time for the ground to dry out before the game.
C'mon the Bay
? I missed the game between the two this year, did the black and white team beat the yellow and blue team?
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Very strong Hawkes Bay team that’s been named , to be be brutally honest , the team named for the final would currently beat most other teams across both divisions of the Mitre 10 Cup especially playing at home.
Personally if I was playing Hawkes Bay, I would play as much Rugby without the ball , and constantly play field position...and create pressure in their own half , easier said then done ..
One thing we know about this Northland team is , they play with a ton of heart , but the loss of Nock is huge ,and that’s no disrespect to Wil Grant who many have doubts is even the 3rd best halfback in the union.
Hoping it won’t be a blowout, but unfortunately this is a Magpies team that’s got all the cards well and truly stack in their favour and deservedly so. -
@Stargazer said in Championship Final - Hawke's Bay v Northland:
because the North Island Invitational XV beat our B team
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@mariner4life I knew that would trigger a few people. :face_with_stuck-out_tongue:
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@Stargazer said in Championship Final - Hawke's Bay v Northland:
@mariner4life I knew that would trigger a few people. :face_with_stuck-out_tongue:
I'm totally triggered
as fuck
good luck for
Saturdayfriday -
From the match preview;
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Tom Robinson – Northland
The man they call ‘Big Red’ has had an impressive provincial season. Last year he was hampered by injury, but this season he’s made every post a winner. He’s made the most tackles in the competition this year with 121, 28 more than Hawke’s Bay’s best Brendon O’Connor with 93. Expect him to make a huge impact on the final alongside fellow flanker Kara Pryor and big lock Sam Caird.
Folau Fakatava – Hawke’s Bay
Folau Fakatava has become more well-known for his beautiful hairstyle in 2020. The dyed blonde set-up at the back, a lockdown experiment, has become his trademark this season. But he’s been a notable force on the field as well. He’s made more try assists (9) than any other player in the Mitre 10 Cup this year and at only 20 years old he’s got a huge future ahead of him. He’s been a key man for the Magpies, and they’ll call upon his skills in Friday’s big dance.
PREVIEW: Mitre 10 Cup Championship final – Hawke’s Bay v Northland
History is on Hawke’s Bay’s side heading into Friday night’s Championship final at McLean Park. The Magpies have won five of their last six Mitre 10 Cup matches against Northland, including their last three in succession. But Northland have all the motivation they need, in their first final in 23...
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Storm Purvis interviews Tom.
Tom comes across like a real GC in all the social media stuff he's done(was some Blues stuff too)
10K views · 66 reactions | Don't be shy Tom. Drop the Address, we'll...
Don't be shy Tom. Drop the Address, we'll bring a crate 👍 👍
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@taniwharugby said in Championship Final - Hawke's Bay v Northland:
Storm Purvis interviews Tom.
Tom comes across like a real GC in all the social media stuff he's done(was some Blues stuff too)
Don't be shy Tom. Drop the Address, we'll bring a crate 👍 👍
He's a winner for me, out at the coast surrounded by babes immediately post game!
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