The Silver Fern

@Dan54 overall in general obviously but in Bells case the John McGlashen old boy getting the chance to play in a final against Otago of all teams is an opportunity gone begging as an Otago fan however more than happy to not see George or Sam next week lol

@Dan54 said in QF: Hawkes Bay v Taranaki: @KiwiMurph said in QF: Hawkes Bay v Taranaki: @Dan54 said in QF: Hawkes Bay v Taranaki: No argument , I wasn't accusing anyone here of that, merely stating that anyone who was blaming him had holes in head. You feeling a little precious or victimized this morning mate? :beaming_face_with_smiling_eyes: Feeling fine. I was just particularly interested in your take given that you have been leading the Jacomb bandwagon for some time. Still will be on Jacomb bandwagon, I been watching this game long enough to not write off a player when he didn't have a good game. I haven't yet seen a player be on top of game all the time, and I only on his bandwagon as I think he probably the most balanced of the uncapped 10s we got. I genuinely think young Simpson from Auckland another I like the look of. I dont think anyone is writing him off. Though I think the desperation for some fresh blood at 10 in NZ has seen his stock rise above what he's actually produced. Simpson at least has a huge boot which is rarity - hopefully he can get some better coaching than the Auckland 2025 environment - either at Auckland or elsewhere - so that he can start developing.

Drew Wild playing at 10. Brett Cameron late withdrawal.

Simpson had the blinkers on as well, missed his outsides on a few occasions and opted to kick.

@kidcalder hitting Fomai at the line was very Aaron Smith

Horrible conditions. Corporate boxes evacuated, due to the winds I guess. Was a little disappointed with Bop tactics, especially after they lost Judd. Wish Lasaqa had seen more ball and wish bop had taken points when on offer. Sullivan, Parsons and Fakatava v good for Hawkes Bay.

@Duluth said in Hawkes Bay v Wellington: Sullivan's form has fallen away a lot in the past 2 years Yeah, injuries, mixed with not knowing where his best position is, it looks like he'll just slowly move to Japan eventually. A talent that has just gotten stuck in the mud.

@Steven-Harris the backs need to buy the forwards a beer. Some inaccuracies caused a lot of issues - all that you said, plus that wide up and under that led to Hawkes Bay try against the run of play was so very average, Brady Rush was mostly rocks after playing well last week. But I thought Jordan Trainor was very good and we handled the high ball well.

Hadlee Hay-Horton had quite a game ! He can scrum and he can run. If the Highlanders or the Blues are in search of a good LH prop, then he could be the man.

Hawkes Bay nowhere near their best but still good enough to find another gear when it mattered awesome team watch when they get on a roll Was impressed with Harbours physicality but it’s fair to say their 10 had night to forget

@Grooter said in Otago v Hawkes Bay: Magpies get the chocolates. as for my Otago well Lucas Casey needs to be starting at 7 for us from now on Personally would like to see a back row of Haig 6, Casey 7, Stoddard 8. It’s the most well rounded and brings the most to the set piece and ruck. Thought Toleafoa was sea gulling at the ruck far too much and doesn’t seem like a viable option at lineout. Taylor was ok at 7 but Casey is an upgrade

@Dan54 said in Hawkes Bay v Counties: @Mauss I will be interested to see if Coles gets a bit of time for Hawke Eyes too, he another kid who doesn't look bad. I think Will Cole is an excellent young 10, and I agree, I'd like to see him get an opportunity. But game time will be hard to come by at the Magpies, with Godfrey and McClutchie ahead of him. But he's a genuine first five, so it would be good to see him being developed.

I remember robbie stuart as a player grafter . . . absolutely zero flare in his game kinda surprised at the time that he made AB in retrospect tho, considering the amount of players who get AB appearances under contemporary regulations, I have no doubts of his selection being justified a lot more players of olden times (at least as good as Robbie) would have also made the AB list nowdays

Whole lot of changes at that end to upgrade. Just seems logical to put a grandstand between the club rooms and the entrance... Where the temporary ones went up for the national sevens.

I think our coaches have been understudying with Robertson, out last ten mins of games has been poor all season.

@Bovidae said in Hawkes Bay v Taranaki: @taniwharugby said in Hawkes Bay v Taranaki: Lennox looks a good prospect too. I hope McMillan moves on from TTT and promotes Lennox. He is quick, and I remember he played at fullback when Taranaki had their injury crisis a couple of seasons ago. He plays at fullback for his club quite a bit too.

@antipodean said in Waikato v Hawkes Bay: @Bovidae said in Waikato v Hawkes Bay: Jacobson and Finau had a big impact, as you would hope they would. Forgot to include their participation in my tipping. You also forgot to factor the Pies not turning up as well. Sheesh, that's our worst performance against Waikato, and we once shipped 100 against them in the bad old days when we were confined to the old 2nd division. Hopefully it's a post RS loss blip.

@mikedogz Craig Goodman - I've got his book - The rise and all of Nelson Bays rugby. Here's the Mark Milne try he refers to. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1253851495085085 These days they'd be looking long and hard at a knock on at the base of the ruck!

@Canes4life said in Manawatu v Hawkes Bay: @Duluth said in Manawatu v Hawkes Bay: 10 Danny Toala Lol wtf. You underestimated my power to mess with the Canes. The original selection had Godfrey at 10 until James got my text.