The Silver Fern

Problem is, it still comes back to the individual ref or TMO view on what constitutes 'foul play' which I think many cards/penalties we have seen in recent years are not.

Segner Sullivan Tangitau

Enjoyable game

Hall needs to take the L and not cry to the ref after the game.

Simpson is a real talent for just 18.

Che Clark needs more minutes

Tangitau looked impressive all game

Akira and Choat played well in second half. Backs were horrid.

FMG - nice setup for a stadium that size. Overpriced food and bev are part of the landscape of course but the concourse access was good. I accept the crowd wasn't huge of course

Could only vote for XTH

@Lancaster-Park said in Auckland v Canterbury:

Admittedly only saw the highlights but given the strongly held views by many in Auck that Akira is a beast but we just dont appreciate it I would have thought he would be playing like a man against boys at this level.
Did anyone at the game or seeing it all see him as a step above the rest?

As @KiwiMurph said, he's on the way out and I'm surprised he's actually playing here before heading to Japan. He's just going through the motions and who can blame him when there's the Japanese season waiting for him.

He probably just doesn't wanna risk injury, it's not as if he has anything to play for here, similar to Jack Goodhue at Northland last year.

From the highlights I went Telea, Segnar and Lam. That pass from Telea was sweeeeet.

Well done Otago, some great offloads in there. Looked like a good battle. Enjoyed the shot of the Otago coaches box doing it tough with a few minutes to go.

@SouthernMann said in Otago v Auckland:

@frugby not 0/6

How good!

Hard to pick, was too many mistakes. Akira, Telea and Zarn for his impact.

@Duluth said in Auckland v Wellington:

@Bones said in Auckland v Wellington:

@cgrant said in Auckland v Wellington:

he is one of the most reviled players on this forum.

Say what now? You confusing him with Christie/Havili?

Not even the most criticised in this Wellington 23. J Savea and Apisai would be battling for that. Kirifi not far behind

Imagine that short ginger lock was still around.

Looks like Akira is not playing, with Segner at 8

Beehre & Vikena obvious. Went for Heem in the backs.. a few flawed options for the third pick

Gibson missed a handful (4) but got through a lot of work. 25 tackles

@Stargazer said in QF - Canterbury v Auckland:

Arguably the worst high tackle to go unpunished was just last week, when Auckland wing AJ Lam knocked the snot out of Canterbury replacement Blair Murray in Christchurch.

Bourke was amongst those puzzled referee Nick Briant didn’t show Lam a card, despite Murray going on to score a try.

It turns out Lam, who scored a try shortly after knocking Murray’s block off, has since been cited after it was deemed the hit met the red card threshold, and Briant later called Bourke.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/300987505/npc-talking-points-why-tmos-in-provincial-rugby-have-less-power

A Ranfurly Shield rematch

Yes, the Log o’ Wood isn’t on the line, but Saturday night’s semifinal between Wellington and Hawke’s Bay is a beaut match-up nonetheless.

Logs

For all his size, he’s not really using it as far as I can see. Beehre is far busier

Don't need abs cover next year, as their last game October 28 latest, no t end of Nov like normal. They'll do full pre season, unless they have a deal

Vikina, Behere and Plummer

@KiwiMurph many people in Auckland Rugby asking the same question about Hickey , what has he really done coaching wise..?
Interestingly enough he turned up to one of Manukau Rovers training nights to see what they were doing differently
Given Rovers had a possible upcoming semi final against G-Tech in the coming weeks , even though he was there in his Auckland capacity , he was politely asked to leave given he had ties with G-Tech ..🤦🏻‍♂

Thomas then.............?

Yeah, there is one U20 outside back that I expected to be promoted with all of the injuries but he must be injured too. I assume they are happy to keep Waisake Salabiau playing for the U19s.