The Silver Fern

Top entertainment, cards made it a contest in the final quarter.

Taranaki would have felt right at home in Rangoon, it is just like Hawera.

@ACT-Crusader said in Canterbury vs Wellington:

Exciting game.

Did Umaga-Jensen release the ball in that tackle after his break? Looked pretty suss to me, even on the replay.

On the front on replay it didn't actually look like PUJ was held - so therefore didn't have to release. A lot of refs would have pinged him though.

Cantabs bench provided some good spark.

Burke had a mare with the boot.

Harbour play a decent style.

Lack of execution in the first half really came back to bite. Maybe if we had gone in up at halftime like we should have been, the pressure might have told on Canterbury.

Agree about swapping midfielders. Goodhue has always been better at centre but think injuries and how much he has bulked up probably means he's more of a 12 now. Can potentially play as a second playmaker too. Probably good to have him defending closer in too.

Personally I think that injury to Craig may make it hard for him to make it back into the team. I thought we looked better with Hallam Eames extra size and physicality. Sweetman to come in plays similar to LHE so can see Craig dropping down the pecking order for me.

Reihana will come good but certainly didn't hit the level last night that he was playing at last year. Will also be good to get Moorby back and push Murray back to the wing.

@cgrant alt text

@KiwiMurph said in SF - Canterbury vs BOP:

It's a shame Poihipi isn't a starting 12 in Super. Class player.

@ACT-Crusader said in QF - Canterbury vs Northland:

@Canes4life said in QF - Canterbury vs Northland:

So close Northland. Canterbury are definitely beatable.

I think what this season has highlighted are that there are certain teams that play a way that trouble others.

I don’t think there is too much between the 8 teams that made the playoffs.

Yeah it feels like any of the top 8 can knock one another off on their day, it's about timing your run to the finals and making sure your players aren't gassed when they get there.

@ARHS Was that Nareki's first game back? He had some good touches, loved the kick that lead to the try.

@Crazy-Horse said in Canterbury v Auckland:

I wouldn't be too down if I was an Auckland supporter. Having finally watched the replay I thought Auckland were looking the better team right up to when the half back was binned. Even after that Auckland were not far off. On any other day Auckland might have won that.

Maybe,But Canterbury have started slowly this season every game and have played their best rugby in the second half.

Beautiful afternoon for some running rugby eh. 83 points is a fair outing.

@ACT-Crusader said in Canterbury v Hawkes Bay:

@Nepia said in Canterbury v Hawkes Bay:

@Stargazer said in Canterbury v Hawkes Bay:

@Nepia Yeah, that was so dumb! Total brain explosion. Still rather him than Sapsford or Higgins at 12.

Normally me too - but my anger at the forward pass and Toala stupidity hasn’t subsided yet. 🤣

I had to scroll through the thread three or four times looking for your posts of anger with the forward pass to Visinia for HB’s first try. Just couldn’t find them….

That one should have been reviewed by the TMO too (not sure why you expect me to get angry on behalf of your province) as it may well have been forward like the game changing one we're discussing.

@Stargazer said in Canterbury v North Harbour:

@Nevorian Owen Bell, is that a cross between George Bell and Owen Franks?

That’s him what a beast

Pleased I wasn't around to watch this! 🙂

@Bovidae said in Taranaki v Canterbury:

Pukekura Park looked in really bad condition after this match. Probably not the best ground to play on after heaps of wet weather.

Yep Bov, while good park for viewing etc, it's really a cricket pitch and not really going to hold together with as much rain as we have had.

@African-Monkey I think we need to do that same and get rid of some of the dead wood in this team.

@Crucial said in Manawatu v Canterbury:

@Winger said in Manawatu v Canterbury:

It was a good change Canterbury not always winning. But this team must be close to favourites this year

Pretty stacked team already and Ennor to come back?

Still not convinced by the Canterbury backs. Strangely, despite the scoreline and the long-range tries, I didn't think the backs were all that impressive. Not terrible, but good enough I suppose. They will be tested when Canterbury come up against a pack that can hold their own.

End-of-year awards winners:

Men's Player of the Year – Billy Harmon
Māori Player of the Year – Billy Harmon (New Brighton)
Men’s Rookie of the Year – George Bell (Lincoln University)

FPC Player of the Year – Stephanie Te Ohaere-Fox (Christchurch)
Most Promising FPC Player of the Year – Hannah King (Lincoln University) and Atlanta Lolohea (Christchurch)
FPC Development Player of the Year – Samantha Spence (University of Canterbury)

Canterbury Rugby Canterbury Rugby Canterbury Rugby Canterbury Rugby Canterbury Rugby Canterbury Rugby

@duluth said in Waikato v Canterbury (Premiership SF):

I agree. Some goodish players and some potential. But the squad is nothing special.. I think a few people haven’t noticed the change in quality (particularly the Sky commentators)

the quality of rugby analysis and insight in the commentating teams is woeful.