Taranaki vs Manawatu (Ranfurly Shield)

[Stargazer]

Another try to Tamanivalu. Great team try. They certainly make the Turbos pay for that yellow! MMac converts: 20-6 Taranaki. 2 minutes to play until the break.

[Stargazer]

@taniwharugby said in Taranaki vs Manawatu (Ranfurly Shield):

selfishly, I'd like Taranaki to absolutely thrash Manawatu so badly they curl up and let HB have thier way with them too!

I couldn't agree more haha

[Stargazer]

Otere Black down; knee injury ...

[Stargazer]

Wish Laban would shut up.

[Stargazer]

Black is stretchered off. Te Rure on. Always an awful sight.

[Stargazer]

Naholo scores his 2nd. MMac adds the two.
Half time: Taranaki 27 - 6 Manawatu

[Rapido]

I like Naholo's supporting running line for that try, even though he was tailing a slow forward he didn't run so flat that he forced a forward pass back on the inside.

Lovely to see a backwards pass. Warms my cockles.

[African Monkey]

@stargazer I love Fauono Ken Laban.

[Stargazer]

@african-monkey I don't like it that he tries to sound like a rugby encyclopedia, while at the same time regularly being wrong on his facts.

[Tim]

@stargazer Oh boy. Really hope it isn't bad.

[westcoastie]

@tim so does Tana Umaga.

[98blueandgold]

Naholo looking a class above, surely FirstChoice right wing for eoyt.
My man crush on Perofeta continues, I hope he can grow next year with Blues. Can really see him being a ABs 10.
Also like this Halafihi, see he was with Hurricanes this year but don't know if he played. Would like to see more of him at next level. I wonder if Chiefs might pick him up with all the departures they have had.

[Tim]

@98blueandgold Halafihi was on a one year contract with the Hurricanes. He could be useful at the Blues too.

Although there was a chance his one-year deal at the Hurricanes could be extended in 2018, the 23-year-old said it was not playing on his mind as he prepared to face Wellington in the capital on Saturday.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/96076224/toa-halafihi-just-wants-to-play-some-rugby

[Stargazer]

I don't know whether anyone noticed, but Perofeta was replaced in the 39th minute by Ngatai. The Naki coach said in the mid-game interview that he had rolled his ankle (he didn't seem too concerned though).

[Stargazer]

In the mean time, Jamie Booth scored a try for the Turbos. It's 27-11,.
And now it's a try to Ngatai at the other end! 32-11 to Taranaki with the kick to come.

[Stargazer]

Try converted: 34-11. 58 minutes played.

[Stargazer]

Try Ambrose Curtis. Te Rure converts: 34 - 18 Taranaki.

[Stargazer]

Missed tackles shown on screen:
Taranaki 6
Manawatu 22!

[Stargazer]

There are three players absolutely dominating this game: Naholo, Tamanivalu and Halafihi.

[Stargazer]

Geeeeez, Riccitelli's face! Off to the blood bin, or being replaced.