North Harbour v Auckland

[Tim]

@KiwiMurph Sullivan has been very static taking the ball recently, and Auckland are kicking to preserve a lead, not to keep playing for points.

[KiwiMurph]

A second straight Harbour try that came from a Zarn error feeding Harbour field position.

[Duluth]

Great continuity

[KiwiMurph]

A really nice run by the rookie Ake in there. Looks useful in the loose.

[Tim]

Sione Mafileo hasn't been on Ozempic.

[KiwiMurph]

That's abysmal play by Funaki

[Duluth]

Auckland player of the match voting:
https://www.forum.thesilverfern.com/topic/6187/auckland-motm-v-harbour/

[KiwiMurph]

I wonder if Cotter will look at using Akira at 8 next season.

A performance like today has to give him food for thought.

[African Monkey]

@KiwiMurph He'd be good enough for the Blues reserve halfback spot.

[Steven Harris]

@Tim was told the other day hes weighing 150kgs

[Duluth]

[Tim]

Ioane's ball carrying in close was good in the first 50 minutes, had nice, low body positioning. His cleanout work was excellent throughout the 80.

[Duluth]

@Tim Also first in the tackle count again - 17 & 1 miss

[Steven Harris]

@Duluth he looks motivated.

[African Monkey]

@Duluth Not saying he should be in the ABs, but he's far too good for this grade.

[Stargazer]

Haha, I think the ref in the Canterbury v Manawatu game said something similar!

[Frank]

Does Zarn Sullivan have the potential to be an AB 10?
Or is he miles and miles away?

[Duluth]

@Frank said in North Harbour v Auckland:

Does Zarn Sullivan have the potential to be an AB 10?
Or is he miles and miles away?

You want a definitive judgement after 3 NPC games?

The change isn’t going as easy as a few predicted. That shouldn’t be a surprise though, the amount of time and the decisions he’s responsible for are very different

I thought he played well as a generic rugby player in the first two matches but struggled as a ten. He was better today (more variety in his options and actually put up contestable kicks) finished a couple of attacks well but also made untidy errors

At this stage I think he’s an AB quality 15 but there’s lots to learn at 10.

I wouldn’t even judge him on the NPC season.. it’s possible he might be the 10 for the Blues. SR would give a much better indication

[Stargazer]