Hawkes Bay v Counties Manukau

[Stargazer]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Higgins" data-cid="610931" data-time="1472598998">
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<p>If missing a tackle leading to a try was the reason then Mr. Phillpot would be struggling to name a 15 such were the numbers that would be excluded after the Taranaki match. Hopefully things will improve in the tackling stakes, it could hardly get any worse.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Didn't note the "is one example" in my comment? But you're right that defence has been a huge issue for a lot of players. I wonder whether/how much the new rules (or inability to adapt to these rules & the refs interpretation of them) has really played a role.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I hope they've watched Otago play, because they seem to have found a good way of playing under these rules.</p>

[Higgins]

<p>Sad to say but a very unispiring start by the Bay and it's already HB 0 -  3 Counties (drop goal to Piers Francis) after just three minuntes. The Bay yet to get their hands on the ball.</p>

[Higgins]

<p>Despite a huge demolition of the Counties scrum they still manage to win a penatly from the reset which results in a scabby kick and chase try to Counties HB 00 - 10. Eight minutes gone.</p>

[Higgins]

<p>Take the points you muppets! A HB penalty direct in front 15 metres out and they kick for touch and then stuff the lineout up.</p>

[Higgins]

<p>A take the points plea after another penalty in a similar position to the last one.</p>

[Nepia]

<p>What an average start.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Can't say I've seen anything of note from this Samoan 7s player at 8.</p>

[Higgins]

<p>Thankfully commonsense prevails and Ihaia West converts the opportunity into three points. HB  03 - 10 Counties after 15 minutes</p>

[Stockcar86]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="611290" data-time="1472716313">
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<p>What an average start.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Can't say I've seen anything of note from this Samoan 7s player at 8.</p>
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<p>Give <span style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Mikaele Tu'u a chance I say</span></p>

[Higgins]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="611290" data-time="1472716313">
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<p>What an average start.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Can't say I've seen anything of note from this Samoan 7s player at 8.</p>
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<p>Agreed on both counts (Mike Coman might not have been so bad after all!!!!) but somehow the Bay manage to score a try wide out on the right to Robbie Fruean and its nicely converted by West HB  10 - 10  Counties after twenty minutes</p>

[Stockcar86]

<p>That should never have been a try to Counties, foot on the line by Counties at the start of that movement</p>

[Stockcar86]

<p>HB tackling is pathetic</p>

[Stockcar86]

<p>If the tactic by the coach is to kick it away and we can't tackle, how do they expect to win</p>

[Higgins]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Stockcar86" data-cid="611299" data-time="1472716745">
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<p>That should never have been a try to Counties, foot on the line by Counties at the start of that movement</p>
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<p>Yeah we seem to suffer at the hands of touch judges and TMOs in Napier</p>

[Higgins]

<p>URRRGGGGGGHHH, how much more of this shit can someone take as Counties score a rediculously easy converted try</p>

[Stockcar86]

<p>TMO screwing us again</p>

[Higgins]

<p>Now Selesele manages to find another way of butchering a try. Why do my guys make try scoring look so difficult?</p>

[Higgins]

<p>This five metre scrum must bring a try to the Bay</p>

[Higgins]

<p>No, they manage to find someway to avoid that despite the scrum having looked good in most scrums prior to that.</p>

[Stockcar86]

<p>FFS that was balking by Pulu</p>

[Higgins]

<p>A deliberate infringement by him should have resulted in a yellow card.</p>