Waikato v Taranaki

[Yeetyaah]

Eh Fletcher Smith is a bit shit

[ARHS]

Taranaki exploited the sun very well. Hoisted several kicks directly into it and caused errors. Thought it was a 12 to 15 point wind so I expect Taranaki will be very disappointed despite fantastic goalkicking from Perofeta. Waikato locks and hooker were very prominent and Waaka and Wrampling look dangerous. Best I have seen Kini Naholo play.

[Dice]

There's been some good interplay between the Waikato forwards.

[Yeetyaah]

Taranaki wingers catch the ball challenge

[Yeetyaah]

Good vision from Roe

[Yeetyaah]

Far out how many extra rolls to Taranaki get at the ruck?

[Yeetyaah]

Ratima pushed off the ball there fucking hell Fraser do your job.

[Yeetyaah]

Good pass from Naholo

[Steven Harris]

I cant put my finger on it but Ricky Riccitelli just does not do it for me , staggered that the Blues have signed this guy .

[gt12]

Stupid stupid stupid

[Yeetyaah]

Good game Taranaki. Deserved winners. Waikato too many dropped balls and turnovers.

[Steven Harris]

@yeetyaah watching Waikato has been like watching the Taniwha butchering a game they should have won last night..
Really disappointed with Fletcher Smith ,very ordinary day at the office ..
Well done the Naki

[gt12]

I’d rather see a youngster playing for the Chiefs than Smith, he’s not the future, isn’t a great kicker, and still does really stupid things.

We may as well let a youngster do both of those, who might turn out to be really good.

[Tim]

@gt12 said in Waikato v Taranaki:

I’d rather see a youngster playing for the Chiefs than Smith, he’s not the future, isn’t a great kicker, and still does really stupid things.

There's a reason he doesn't play Super Rugby - he isn't any good.

[Yeetyaah]

@tim he's been decent for the past 3 years for Waikato but this year he's been pretty shit.

[ARHS]

Poor tactics by Waikato in second half earned that loss. With tight five superiority trying to play for position would have made much better sense. Ratima was a bit sloppy again so continuity game did not work. Well done Perofeta and Potroz.

[Bovidae]

@arhs said in Waikato v Taranaki:

Poor tactics by Waikato in second half earned that loss.

I was just going to say this, but I don't think either team used the wind to their benefit. Discipline in the first 10 mins and last 10 mins proved costly. Dumb.

Agree about the criticism of Smith. He has been below par all NPC, but he won't be dropped. I would still like to see Coombes-Fabling given a go at 1st 5 (where he played 1st XV rugby).

[Bovidae]

Also good to see McWhannell improving every week.

And we saw the best and worst of Naholo in this game.

[ARHS]

@bovidae agreed on those things. Naholo missed tackle badly for Waaka try. Thought game was won then for Waikato but some bad decisions by F Smith and the loss of Roe's cool tactical head cost them. Mcwhannell was great but whole tight five were very effective.