Otago v Wellington
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Feels like a big game for Ajay Faleafaga in the short term at least... to me it is ridiculous not to have in the matchday 23 at this level. Could easily spark things off the bench at the very least, but with Gilbert injured, I'd really like to see the Faleafaga, TUJ 12/13.
I imagine that will be tried at the end of the game when Millar comes on.
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@frugby said in Otago v Wellington:
Feels like a big game for Ajay Faleafaga in the short term at least... to me it is ridiculous not to have in the matchday 23 at this level. Could easily spark things off the bench at the very least, but with Gilbert injured, I'd really like to see the Faleafaga, TUJ 12/13.
I imagine that will be tried at the end of the game when Millar comes on.
What I am concerned about with Faleafaga is that he gets games like this, without continuity, without prep and then gets bagged and dropped when it doesn't go well. What is the strategy they have with him, how do they enaure they are building his confidence; as sporadic gametime with cobbled together teams is not what is best for the player. This looks like a similar situation to giving him a start in the last round of Super Rugby against a hot Hurricanes.
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@foobaNZ looks like the team is on the Tab Website backline featuring Harkin, Patafilo, Umaga Jensen, M Proctor, Solomon, Harry Press at hooker, I'm unfamiliar who would he your halfback and fullback but it's not listed as Preston or Clark
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@Grooter said in Otago v Wellington:
@foobaNZ looks like the team is on the Tab Website backline featuring Harkin, Patafilo, Umaga Jensen, M Proctor, Solomon, Harry Press at hooker, I'm unfamiliar who would he your halfback and fullback but it's not listed as Preston or Clark
It will be either Mitchel McLeod or the ring in from Waikato who's name escapes me.
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So from the TAB site our team is the following. A bit shocked as to why Caleb Delany is starting, surely we should be saving him for the Shield challenge.
- Yato Kamimori
- Harry Press
- Bradley Chrichton
- Caleb Delany
- Akira Ieremia
- Ben Tuiomanufili
- Sione Halalilo
- Dominic Ropeti
- Nui Muriwai
- Callum Harkin
- Pepesana Patafilo
- Peter Umaga-Jensen
- Matt Proctor
- Stanley Solomon
- Tom Maiava
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Contain the midfield and we should win.
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@SouthernMann said in Otago v Wellington:
Contain the midfield and we should win.
I wonder what the odds are? Might be a good time to put money on Otago.
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Otago is paying $2.45. In saying that containing ypur midfield is a big challenge. You have an All Black and a FAB. We have a club battler on debut and a fringe Super player from Australia. Mismatch
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@SouthernMann said in Otago v Wellington:
Otago is paying $2.45. In saying that containing ypur midfield is a big challenge. You have an All Black and a FAB. We have a club battler on debut and a fringe Super player from Australia. Mismatch
Technically they are two FAB's and both 1 test ABS. Harkin and Patafilo also provide plenty of quality in that backline and you can't sleep on Solomon.
Muriwai and Maiava are two relatively unknowns.
In saying all that I'd say Otago will run away with in the last twenty as they'll likely have a much stronger bench.
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@Canes4life we're exactly known for having a good final 20 minutes....
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@Kiwiwomble I doubt Wellington will have anyone of note on the bench so I don't think we have any chance in this one but you never know.
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Official team below. @Bones there are too many HOBM players.
The Solomon and Hurley battle at fullback will be exciting to watch. Two of the smallest players in the NPC with speed to burn.
Wellington Lions team to take on Otago:
Yota Kamimori – Stokes Valley
Harry Press* – Hutt Old Boys Marist
Brad Crichton* – Northern United
Caleb Delany – Old Boys University
Akira Ieremia – Tawa
Dominic Ropeti – Oriental-Rongotai
Sione Halalilo – Oriental-Rongotai
Ben Tuiomanufili* – Hutt Old Boys Marist
Nui Muriwai – Waikato
Callum Harkin – Old Boys University
Pepesana Patafilo – Tawa
Peter Umaga-Jensen – C – Wainuiomata
Matt Proctor – Oriental-Rongotai
Tom Maiava – Oriental-Rongotai
Stanley Solomon – Petone
Penieli Poasa – Oriental-Rongotai
PJ Sheck – Tawa
Siale Lauaki – Tawa
Matolu Petaia* – Tawa
Jeremiah Avei-Collins* – Northern United
Kyle Preston – Old Boys University
Sam Clarke – Paremata-Plimmerton
Riley Higgins - Petone -
Cool for Harry Press to make his debut in Dunedin after spending a few years down there
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@SouthernMann said in Otago v Wellington:
Cool for Harry Press to make his debut in Dunedin after spending a few years down there
Yeah, I reckon he'll become a regular starter for us. As a former HIBS lad myself it's good to see another player from our college make the grade with Logan Henry and James O'Reilly being the only others to play pro footy.
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@foobaNZ said in Otago v Wellington:
Def a B team. Wellington will be well to win this! But understandable given the Shield challenge.
If Callum Harkin is at 10 then I'm thinking they still think JGB is the first choice 10. Baffling.
Yeah we all know there are moronic coaches out there. Harkin clearly the better 10 but once again blocked by incompetent selecting.
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@SouthernMann said in Otago v Wellington:
@frugby said in Otago v Wellington:
Feels like a big game for Ajay Faleafaga in the short term at least... to me it is ridiculous not to have in the matchday 23 at this level. Could easily spark things off the bench at the very least, but with Gilbert injured, I'd really like to see the Faleafaga, TUJ 12/13.
I imagine that will be tried at the end of the game when Millar comes on.
What I am concerned about with Faleafaga is that he gets games like this, without continuity, without prep and then gets bagged and dropped when it doesn't go well. What is the strategy they have with him, how do they enaure they are building his confidence; as sporadic gametime with cobbled together teams is not what is best for the player. This looks like a similar situation to giving him a start in the last round of Super Rugby against a hot Hurricanes.
Got to something going on with him behind the scenes for him to be treated like this at the start of the NPC season. I’m not saying there has been because I don’t actually know but it’s possible(I hope I’m wrong). Theres also a chance he’s been carrying a niggle and slowly getting that back to 100%.
A guy like that who looked good in the pre season doesn’t just fall out of favor and play for the development team for no reason. Way too much talent to not even be on the bench, especially as a 10.
