NPC - news, injuries etc

[Stargazer]

Try to Mataele; converted by Poihipi - according to the commentator, who doesn't seem to know much about the players haha (or at least the Canterbury players).

28 - 14 Otago

Edit: according to the Canterbury twitter page, the commentator had the names right.

[Stargazer]

Try to Dan Fransen, converted by Poihipi.

28 - 21 Otago

[Chris]

@stargazer said in NPC - news, injuries etc:

Try to Mataele; converted by Poihipi - according to the commentator, who doesn't seem to know much about the players haha (or at least the Canterbury players).

28 - 14 Otago

Edit: according to the Canterbury twitter page, the commentator had the names right.

Try to Hansen coverted by Pohipi. Otago 28-21

[Bovidae]

I didn't see this one coming. He and Messam will take the average age up.

Jack Lam returns to Waikato for the 2021 Bunnings Warehouse NPC Season.

Waikato has added more experience to their loose forward trio with the announcement of Samoan International, Jack Lam,...

[Stargazer]

@bovidae I've the impression that several players who played for Samoa and Tonga the past few weeks, will end up playing NPC (as far as they don't have continuing contracts overseas). Might be playing for a spot in the Moana Pasifika squad, if not already signed.

[Stargazer]

Full time: Otago 28 - 21 Canterbury

So a game of two halves, with Otago dominating the first, and Canterbury dominating the second half.

[Chris]

Otago 28 -21

Canterbury will be happy Using all their development players against a full strength Otago.

Missing McAlister,Jager,Harmon,Grace,Prinsep,Stowers,Drummond,N Punivai,Naholo,McKay

[Bovidae]

@stargazer Yeah, could be the case. Like Messam, Lam will add experience to the squad. I'll wait to see the full squad to know which loose forwards have missed out. There are some young players who I hope are given a chance.

[Stargazer]

@chris Who's this Dan Fransen in the Canterbury squad? What's his preferred position? Is he any good, or more squad filler? How old?

A quick google tells me that he plays for Sydenham and has had two seasons playing for Mid-Canterbury. Also has played sevens, including for the NZ Development team. His last name sounds like he has Dutch heritage.

[Chris]

@stargazer said in NPC - news, injuries etc:

@chris Who's this Dan Fransen in the Canterbury squad? What's his preferred position? Is he any good, or more squad filler? How old?

A quick google tells me that he plays for Sydenham and has had two seasons playing for Mid-Canterbury. Also has played sevens, including for the NZ Development team. His last name sounds like he has Dutch heritage.

Yep you googled correctly, he has been a star in Chch club Rugby the last 2 seasons normally a FB.
Played for Marist Albion transferred to Sydenham this season.He is 23

[Yeetyaah]

@bovidae good or bad? Personally don't know much about him.

[Bovidae]

@yeetyaah Lam was really good when he played for Waikato and the Canes, but that was 7 years ago. I didn't see much of him at Bristol, and now he is in Japan. I could see him being used off the bench to cover 6/7/8.

[Stargazer]

The remainder of this weekend's preseason games:

Fri 30 July 2021 - 1.30pm - Christchurch Park, Christchurch
Ta$man v Southland
(no livestream)

Fri 30 July 2021 - 2.05pm - Rugby Park, Te Kuiti
Waikato v Taranaki
livestreamed on the Taranaki RFU YouTube channel

Fri 30 July 2021 - 2.05pm - Levin Domain
Wellington v Manawatu (insta)(img)
maybe livestreamed

Fri 30 July 2021 - 2.30pm - Moore Park, Katikati
Bay of Plenty v North Harbour

Fri 30 July 2021 - time TBA - Owen Delany Park, Taupo
Counties v Hawke's Bay

Sat 31 July 2021 - 2.05pm - Semenoff Stadium, Whangarei
Northland v Auckland
This last game is part of a triple header, with Northland B playing Ngāti Porou East Coast at 4.35pm and the FPC game between Northland Kauri and Manawatū Cyclones starting at 7.05pm.

[bayimports]

Bay of Plenty team for tomorrow

Kati Kati Area - SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES/COMMUNITY & ROADING | After...

After supporting local businesses tomorrow - head around to Moore park and watch BoP play North Harbour. One to watch is #14 Onisi Ratave - this kid is lightening fast !

[bobily2]

Various game day squads

[Stargazer]

[Gunner]

@bobily2 said in NPC - news, injuries etc:

Various game day squads

It's great to see Solomon Alaimalo is back playing.

[Steven Harris]

Interesting points to me are , very sizeable Taniwha pack ..
Rob Rush in the number 7 jersey ..interesting
Jordon Hyland at fullback
Johnny Cooper given the nod over Rivez Reihana..
Zion Going in as halfback injury cover..
Kaliopasi Uluilakepa ,Brady Rush Injured.
Sam Caird & Kara Pryor still to join the squad ..

Won’t be a stream , but I will keep you all updated .

[taniwharugby]

@steven-harris whaaaat, Scott starting at 12??

Tua not on the bench, assume he picked up another injury? No Brady Rush either?

Hyland at FB, sheesh, love the guy as a player, but dude turns slower than the titanic on iceberg watch, more oddly Leilua plays 15 at club footy too...I guess at least they havent pushed Scott there...

[Daffy Jaffy]

@steven-harris I wonder if Rush is keen to play 7 with Blake Gibson's (and possibly even Hunt's) position at the Blues up for grabs? He trained with them this season so maybe even got the word to try 7. If Sky TV new anything they would be showing this game as a promo for the NPC season considering the cameras are already there for the FPC. The rugby world now seems more in balance when there is a Going in the Tanihwha! (and a Tremain with HB).