Canterbury vs Wellington
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Excellent game. A join to watch
Final result
Wellington B 36
Canterbury 31Higgins has a VG game and must start at 2nd 5 going forward. Class player. PUJ is a much better center than 2nd 5 but Proctor has the position locked up. Lakai was everywhere and over-all this forward pack went well.
The key though is we might have found the starting 1st 5 and HB. Morgan is just too up and down. And he hinders not helps skillful backline play. Canes and Wellington took a punt and it hasn't worked out. I just hope he isn't signed for another year as he needs to be let go.
Canterbury just looked out of sync for some reason. Maybe it's the Ellison defense. So, 5 out of 5. A great start to his head coaching career
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@Bovidae Murray to me looks more like a Kolbe/Nareki type though, who though short has enough power where he could survive.
You wouldn't describe him as lightweight, and he seems bloody tough.
I'd go as far to say, if the Blues/Chiefs are looking for depth in the outside backs, he'd be serious player worth considering.
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@Canes4life said in Canterbury vs Wellington:
Wellington extend their winning run. Awesome performance from a young team.
Still not top though. Lack of bonus points.
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@Winger said in Canterbury vs Wellington:
Morgan is just too up and down. And he hinders not helps skillful backline play. Canes and Wellington took a punt and it hasn't worked out. I just hope he isn't signed for another year as he needs to be let go.
Morgan is still signed for the Canes for 2024.
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Exciting game.
Did Umaga-Jensen release the ball in that tackle after his break? Looked pretty suss to me, even on the replay.
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@Winger both teams had some fairly dodgy calls go against them. Lakai stealing the ball legally under our own posts and then getting penalised for it was another moment that lead to a Cantab try. In saying that Halalilo looked like he didn't get the ball down either but was rewarded with the try, so a pretty mix bag from those referees.
Entertainment wise that was probably the best game so far this year.
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@Canes4life said in Canterbury vs Wellington:
@Winger both teams had some fairly dodgy calls go against them. Lakai stealing the ball legally under our own posts and then getting penalised for it was another moment that lead to a Cantab try. In saying that Halalilo looked like he didn't get the ball down either but was rewarded with the try, so a pretty mix bag from those referees.
Entertainment wise that was probably the best game so far this year.
On my viewing Halalilo very clearly got the ball down when he first went over. Commentators need a visit to spec savers
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@Chris I agree. Bredin is one of the worst refs in NZ and it's a shame he gets to officiate matches at this level. He shouldn't be anywhere near the Heartland Championship, let alone, NPC, FPC or higher up.
I don't know whether he was any better as a netball ref.He can be - and has in fact been - the difference between a win and a loss.
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@Canes4life said in Canterbury vs Wellington:
Entertainment wise that was probably the best game so far this year.
The contrast with the dire game against Ta$man. Awful backline display vs one of the best ever from Wellington. It gives the coaches a lot to think about.
Starting at HB and 1st 5. Preston and Clarke look-the-goods. Not perfect (kicking needs work) but a massive improvement on the Ta$man starters
I hope PUJ never starts at 2nd 5 again this year. He's been disappointing so far at 2nd but far and away better at center. One of his best games where he played in his best suited position. I'd prefer Proctor at 2nd 5 but Higgins was outstanding. He must be the first-choice starter next week and if he continues in this form ...
Another player who had a good game was Filipo. I always thought he was more suited to midfield (maybe 2nd 5) but he was good on the wing. His rugby progress must have been impacted by his thuggery when younger but now he maybe needs to find a team where he can focus on another position. But for now, CGB should be concerned.
And how old is Sam Clark (from the Chatham Islands). The Lions website lack these details but reading another article he seems about 22.
Sam CLARKE is a New Zealander rugby player standing at __ tall (__ ft) weighing in at __ kg , who currently plays for Wellington Lions in New Zealand as fullback.
And what about Preston. Bit on the light side that might have stopped his progress
Kyle PRESTON is a 23-year-old New Zealander rugby player standing at 1.77 m tall (5 ft 10 in) and weighing in at 75 kg (11 st 11.35 lb; 165.35 lb) , who currently plays for Wellington Lions in New Zealand as scrum-half. -
@Chris despite the odd reffing decisions including the one where Sam Clarke took out Mataele and was then awarded a penalty, this game actually had plenty of top quality play. Shame it wasn't adjudicated by a better and more experienced ref.
Kyle PRESTON profile and stats
