Canterbury v Hawkes Bay

[Stargazer]

@Nepia We should have Fomai on the left wing and Visinia on the other. Sapsford as cover on the bench instead of Grigg.

[Billsy111]

So let's be honest, this is very much Canterbury's game to lose. Yes I know it's the end of there Storm week, but they have the depth of player to come through that. Hawkes Bay to be honest, haven't hit there straps yet, there's been glimpses of it, but as yet no 80 minute performance. Tom Parsons and Devan Flanders not playing is a big blow but it is what is, and injuries can't be helped. To be honest it gives other players a chance and remember Josh Kaifa was brilliant last year against these guys. Canterbury will start this game very quickly, phase after phase, and attempt to get points early. Hawkes Bay have to own the last 25 of the first half, and the first 25 of the second. No post halftime catnaps, no flat patches, if they do that they'll lose heavily. In all honesty to come away with some competition points would be good. Then get back home and get ready for Southland's Shield Challenge. No I'm not flying the white flag, but I'd be surprised if Hawkes Bay pull this one off, but hey you never know.

[Higgins]

@Billsy111 Especially when bet365 is offering 1.89 for The Bay with a ten and a half point start, very tempting!

[Higgins]

Three nil to The Bay after about five minutes, helped no end by a fairly strong wind behind my guys in this first half

[Stockcar86]

I can't believe how much the Canterbury backs stood back to defend off that scrum

[Higgins]

Yee haaa eight nil after a nice try, kick to come!

[Duluth]

Last pass looked dodgy

[Higgins]

@Duluth There have been a few this season going my way even lookng through my one eye.

[Higgins]

Yellow card against The Bay openside. At this rate and with hoped for consistency this could be a record number of cards in an NPC game and it instantaneously leads to Canterbury 05 - 10 HB after about 25 minutes

[kev]

@Higgins said in Canterbury v Hawkes Bay:

Yellow card against The Bay openside. At this rate and with hoped for consistency this could be a record number of cards in an NPC game and it instantaneously leads to Canterbury 05 - 10 HB after about 25 minutes

Deliberate infringements so worth a card. Kicking out at a player like that could have earned a card by itself.

[Higgins]

Was that a push against the HB defender?

[Higgins]

Indeed it was so the try is rightly disallowed. No yellow card for it though, even though it was described as "foul play".

[Higgins]

Rakete-Stones held up over the line right on half time with the margin still being eight points. I doubt that will be enough, but you just never know....................

[Winger]

13 - 5 HB at HT. Is it enough with the wind Canterbury will have in the 2nd half

Only watched for last 5 minutes but HB scum was holding up well enough. One area I thought Canterbury would have a big advantage

[kev]

@Higgins said in Canterbury v Hawkes Bay:

Rakete-Stones held up over the line right on half time with the margin still being eight points. I doubt that will be enough, but you just never know....................

Hawkes Bay has a big pack. Every chance.

[Winger]

@Higgins said in Canterbury v Hawkes Bay:

Rakete-Stones held up over the line right on half time with the margin still being eight points. I doubt that will be enough, but you just never know....................

HB needed this try after a bad mistake by Canterbury. 20-5 might be enough with this wind

[Higgins]

@Winger At least playing into the wind does favour you when it blows lineout throws down your side.

[Winger]

@Higgins said in Canterbury v Hawkes Bay:

@Winger At least playing into the wind does favour you when it blows lineout throws down your side.

Good defense HB

[Nepia]

WTF was Weber doing at the penalty?

[taniwharugby]

@Nepia not liking the wind for kicking...woulda been fine if mcclutchie had gone for the line