The Silver Fern

@kiwiwomble Haha, classic!

@canes4life said in Taranaki v Manawatū:

Awesome to see the Naki and Manawatu combining for a haka in honour of Sean.

Nehe leading the Tika Tonu got me a little emotional.

Pretty good game to watch. Naki are a very well drilled side. Always seem to have runners set and support players in motion.

@bones was more a dig at Clarke, it was a legit tackle haha

@tim Jared had a good game around the paddock , but was shaded by Ross Wright at scrumtime

@gt12 Yeah, probably the pick of their backs.

@duluth said in Manawatu v Counties:

I see the NPC website has players match stats from opta on this page. Click on the players number
https://www.provincial.rugby/news/bunnings-npc-round-1-match-appointments-and-team-lists/

Great to see there are stats, but awful way of presenting them. There's no way you can easily compare player stats this way.

@Winger his shoulder I think he was grabbing it if we had made the semis we might have won the whole thing with some actual leadership.

..and Counties fans will be a bit happier now

Taranaki starting to take control

You'd hope he's only out for 2 months.

Taumateine has been sneaky good for Counties. I think he's been one of the better halfbacks in the M10 this season.

Far better back play from bop. Black put players into space this week and both half backs looked snappy. But the manawatu defence did give them space.

Another thing. Chay Fihaki looked really good last night, which is great. But it annoys the living fuck out of me that Canterbury retain Fihaki, an Auckland kid out of Sacred Heart, and allow local lad Sam Gilbert to go to Otago. Both were in NZ U20 last year, and sure, Gilbert is a 15-cum-10 who can cover wing as he did last year for Canterbury, while Fihaki is a wing-cum-centre, but they're near enough postionally that it looks like Canterbury (and the Crusaders) made a choice and the local kid lost.

@ACT-Crusader said in Counties v Manawatu:

Entertaining game. Unfortunate finish for the Turbos with that attack incorrectly called in touch.

Lineouts again a lottery for both sides.

Who is the last forward to score a hat trick in the NPC?

Last forward to score a hat trick in Mitre 10 Cup was Patrick Tuipulotu for Auckland v Ta$man, September 7, 2018.

This game was at the same time as the shield match. Sky should realise theres people who will watch one game and record the other

The fluffybunnies announced the shield result and score at the end of this match

@Bones said in Manawatu v Otago:

@ACT-Crusader he's just one of those players that operates better with less time and space... instincts better than his planning!

also just doesn't the wheels...running off someone shoulder for sprint to the line? perfect...covering a whole backfield?...no

this was promising,

*“I’ve enjoyed centre, at the back of the Highlanders season, playing a few games and getting used to it,” Collins said.

“The risk is, if you are shifting every couple of weeks, you start losing the finer touches which take a couple of weeks to get used to.

“I’m pretty happy to play at centre for a wee while.”*

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/300112618/ranfurly-shield-michael-collins-vows-otago-wont-die-wondering-against-taranaki

@kev yeah I feel that FB gives him too much time to think about what he is about to do, he seems to work better with less time when playing more on instinct, that said, I'd say his confidence probably isnt where it needs to be right now either, which is why a stint on the wing, and then moving in later in the game might be best for him

Ok. Cullen and playing at the Showgrounds Oval tips it in favour of the poo for me.