Hawke's Bay v Canterbury
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@KiwiMurph hopefully he gets the start next week.
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For me , one of the key things was the Magpies having experienced heads Parsons, Dixon and Evans On the paddock deep into the game .
And Canterbury’s bench I thought did’nt really offer a lot..
On Fakatava, yes he’s a young guy , but at the minute he suffers from the Augustine Pulu syndrome, what’s in it for me is my first option ..he actually surveys before clearing the ball, to the point of delaying putting extra pressure on the midfield .. -
What a nailbiter that was. Best forwards for me were Flanders, Dixon and Parsons, although O'Connor also won a few important turnovers. And, of course, Evans as soon as he came on. Best back by far was Jonah Lowe, but youngsters McClutchie, Fakatava and Toala also had a good game.
The ref was annoying, but I think he didn't disadvantage one team more than the other.
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Congrats Hawkes fans, always great to break hoodoo teams. Not only a big win, but also a great fight! Well deserved, enjoy!
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Well done Hawkes Bay. Good final play.
No leadership in those last few minutes from our boys. Far too erratic.
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Congratulations Hawkes Bay!
Jeez - there's a bit of a lack of weaponry in that Canterbury team.
Give it to Mataele, but if he doesn't do something big, there's not many others who are regularly going to make big plays.
@Chris-B said in Hawke's Bay v Canterbury:
Congratulations Hawkes Bay!
Jeez - there's a bit of a lack of weaponry in that Canterbury team.
Give it to Mataele, but if he doesn't do something big, there's not many others who are regularly going to make big plays.
Was Mataele playing?
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Well played HB. Certainly a few holes in our side with disruption from the current All Blacks all being gone, a bunch of kids on the bench covering the front row, inexperienced midfield, lacklustre out wide etc. But still, 15 or so SR players in the 23 should be enough most weeks. The experienced HB forwards made a big difference, and their largely unheralded backs were superior to ours too.
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Just wondering what I'd do differently with the team next week. I don't think there is any fire-power we can bring into the squad in the front row unless Brodie McAlister comes back from injury (and Harry Allan, but I think he's gone for the season?) I'd certainly have Romano in the 23 though, for his grunt. Which probably means Prinsep sitting it out unless he starts at 6 and Sanders moves to 8. I'd give Burke a start, McLeod for Poihipi if fit, and both Punivai brothers to start with McKay to fullback for Newstubb.
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Darry looked useful, although he needs to add some bulk. Pity the Blues have locked him up for the next three years. And on that note, likewise Otago and the Highlanders re Will Tucker. Both highly promising locally produced locks at 2m+ and both lost to the Crusaders when we need to be considering how we replace Whitelock. I read that Razor said Darry didn't want to compete for a spot. Ouch.
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Generally speaking I don't like hangovers, but this one I'm strangely enjoying. That game last night was something special, not just because Hawkes Bay won it but because it had a bit of everything. Hawkes Bay started well, moved Canterbury around and kept the attacking mindset. The set piece namely the scrum was strong, and out wide Visinia and Lowe were on fire. Toala looked full of running and Baker at the back looked very assured. Fokatava played well, but too many inside flick passes. Canterbury as per usual after halftime came out full of fire, and looked to be pulling away towards the 70 minute mark, but for me the best part of this game was that Hawkes Bay stayed tough, stayed in the fight and never gave in. Devan Flanders, Ash Dixon, Tom Parsons, Joe Apikitoa take a bow, you were all simply brilliant. Brendan O'Connor likewise at the breakdown. Jason Long magnificent last scrum, and good to see he like the rest of the pack never gave in and conceded. 1982 seems a long time ago, and is but this Hawkes Bay effort showed everything you want to see in players in the Black and White jersey. Great game, great effort, and for once an enjoyable hangover. Well done boys.
