Farah Palmer Cup 2022
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Kick off delayed for Tasman's Bunnings Warehouse NPC and FPC matches
Due to disrupted travel, the kick off for Bunnings Warehouse NPC, Round 1 match between Tasman and Southland today (Sunday 7 August) has been delayed, now kicking off tonight at 6.35PM at Lansdowne Park in Blenheim. Gates open at 5.15PM with tickets available to purchase here.
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See in the photos posted that Hiriini, Woodman, Brazier & Fluhler are all training despite not being named in the squad. Thinking this might mean that Fitzpatrick & Nathan-Wong who were named might be playing this Aussie series and not the 7s RWC? Others will go back to 7s after this week but still a chance for RWC squad.
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@trooa said in Farah Palmer Cup 2022:
See in the photos posted that Hiriini, Woodman, Brazier & Fluhler are all training despite not being named in the squad. Thinking this might mean that Fitzpatrick & Nathan-Wong who were named might be playing this Aussie series and not the 7s RWC? Others will go back to 7s after this week but still a chance for RWC squad.
There is two weeks gap between the O'Reilly Cup games and the Sevens RWC then a month to the XVs RWC.
I'd say those four have 7s prioritised but are a possibility to be in the XVs squad. Would be crazy to leave out Woodman especially.
As for the two named in the squad v Oz there is every possibility that they can still go back to Sevens. Nathan-Wong especially is a key part of that Sevens team.Something I hadn't considered is whether any of the Sevens players with XVs aspirations might slot in some FPC time. I don't think any are officially in squads but that shouldn't matter.
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@Crucial That would mean they're missing 2weeks of 7s preparation, coaches call I suppose? Nathan-Wong is integral to our 7s team hence the worry.
The other thought I had was that Smith could only request 2 players so he went for players in position of need/no clear starters at the moment. Woodman will make the squad, Fluhler maybe but the starting wingers are probably set with Leti-I'ga & Tui. Demant is captain & will be 10, Brazier fighting with Nafatili for back up 10 in the squad. Hiriini will make the squad especially with her SR Poua form & leadership but we already have great depth in the flankers.
Centres and fullback are where the most conjecture is. Tubic & Holmes only FB options and now Nathan-Wong. I'd have Tubic ahead on FPC form but still can't figure out why she wasn't picked for the original series. If she doesn't start, we need someone to be practising goal kicking as Demants has been terrible in FPC. I can't remember but did Nathan-Wong kick for Northland last year?
Centres we have Brunt, Du Plessis, Semple & Fitzpatrick. Du Plessis has been the standout in FPC & will likely start centre. Semple form hasn't been great & Brunt hasn't played any FPC but thought she was outstanding in the last test. No clue on Fitzpatrick in 15s. Anyone know what's happened to Kelsey Teneti, hasn't played in FPC & wasn't named in the players not available for selection. -
Fluhler would be the first-choice centre in the strongest XV. That's where she played for the BFs last year, and it allows other players to be on the wing. Fitzpatrick is also a midfielder and one of the players from the 2017 RWC winning team.
Smith said that Nathan-Wong was chosen so he could have a look at her. Unlike the other sevens players she doesn't have much history in XVs. She is mainly a fullback who covered halfback.
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Waitomo Group: Waikato FPC team named to face Canterbury.
Waitomo Group: Waikato FPC have announced their matchday 23 to face Canterbury in a rematch of last seasons Premiership ...
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@Bovidae said in Farah Palmer Cup 2022:
Waitomo Group: Waikato FPC team named to face Canterbury.
Waitomo Group: Waikato FPC have announced their matchday 23 to face Canterbury in a rematch of last seasons Premiership ...
Reese Anderson is classy youngster. I'm surprised she isnt being given a regular role, even if on the wing for experience.
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@Crucial said in Farah Palmer Cup 2022:
Reese Anderson is classy youngster. I'm surprised she isnt being given a regular role, even if on the wing for experience.
She has started the first 3 games so is getting plenty of time on the field. The coaches haven't used Teneti yet though.
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@Bovidae said in Farah Palmer Cup 2022:
@Crucial said in Farah Palmer Cup 2022:
Reese Anderson is classy youngster. I'm surprised she isnt being given a regular role, even if on the wing for experience.
She has started the first 3 games so is getting plenty of time on the field. The coaches haven't used Teneti yet though.
Maybe it is reflective of the squad depth. Players like Teneti and Anderson would be straight in as regulars in most other sides.
Teneti might be a bit like Jorja Miller and is staying around the Sevens camp. -
Waikato/Canterbury the obvious big game this week and likely to decide top place come the end of the RR. ABs all look to have been released from camp for the round. I will now bore you with a little BOP mid season/pre-game write up as they are the team I have been following and this game against CM could put them firmly into the semis.
BOP have had a very big backline shakeup, possibly about time as the early arrangements had real weakness in clearing from their 22 which was making the forwards have to work extra hard. With some of those key forwards not being available over the next couple of weeks this was a good opportunity to see if a better combo could be found.
Takimoana, who had been playing halfback early on, finds herself back at fullback. Hopefully see has a kick while Takitimu-Cook has moved from 15 to 10. Her kicking game has been well below par so expect the drive to come from the midfield where Monga (who looks like a real little crash baller) has been paired with Wickliffe. Richardson has shifted wing in the absence of Watherston, who is on a precautionary stand-down after a try saving tackle last week created a small head knock.
Forward pack looks to be one of the best around at the moment even with Connor on the bench. A back row of Elder, Tapsell and Reynolds may not be the latest bunch of dynamic young loosies but bring a huge amount of experience. Delamere is starting hooker giving Connor a chance of a rest and the locking combo of Wills and Fitzgerald is key to the lineout game.
In short a very experienced forward pack joined to a bunch of kids (with one veteran). When these youngsters find their right position and start working together well (we saw a glimpse last week) watch out. Could cause an upset in the finals. -
