The Silver Fern

@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? 😁

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.

Bell is much better than Brodie Mcalister

@Bovidae said in Taranaki v Wellington:

Get Brad Cooper in the ABs as the attack coach.

And Jarrod Hoeata around the forwards!

@kidcalder hitting Fomai at the line was very Aaron Smith

How good was this!

Really good defence. Pledger as the primary playmaker from halfback.

Will Stodart looking like an absolute beast!

That was a pleasant surprise, we have a terrible record of going to New Plymouth although we have now won 3 of the last 4 so maybe I need to recalibrate. We were fairly ruthless with taking opportunities after losing to Southland through bombing a couple of tries.

@UpTheHarbs said in Counties v Taranaki:

Spoon Bowl against Harbour next Thursday

Pfft Auckland are Spoon favourites

Waikato has now beaten Taranaki in their last 4 Ranfurly Shield challenges, so a happy hunting ground.

@cliff said in Auckland v Taranaki:

Aj lam was badly outplayed by rona

The new blonde look makes Lam stand out for the wrong reasons.

Just looking at the highlights package above, reminded me how well the Naki defense was. It seemd pretty good on line and even further out was some bloody good scrambling.

@MiketheSnow said in Taranaki v Waikato (QF):

@mariner4life said in Taranaki v Waikato (QF):

In some cases I would entirely agree with you. Cane in the world cup final was too high (though red was harsh). The guys who started low and launch high? Obsolete.

And for the most part those guys are learning.

This? This is a blindside flanker bent completely at the waist, not driving up, making a hard shot. The tackler knows he's fucked and drops his height/slips, and gets rocked.

The tackler aims low, stays low, what else is he supposed to do? And add in its open field at pace, not one off the ruck at a jog. Both players moving forward. To me this is the very definition of a rugby accident. Which you are going to get no matter how many frivolous cards you hand out. This is a dynamic, fast, continuous game. Sometimes shit is going to happen.

And super slo mo in HD is not real life and should never be used for this kind of ruling

Agree with a lot of what you're saying, and for this particular example

Make a legitimate tackle with both arms wrapped where the shoulder doesn't come into contact with the attackers neck or head

He didn't

And if that is him bent completely at the waist, then standing up straight he must be close to being Ardie's height

Are you watching only in slow mo? SF is no midget either.
Tackler prepared for a big legitimate hit. How could he anticipate or adjust for the ball carrier dropping into the tackle so late?
Even with the drop the initial contact point was OK, with the head contact incidental.
That sort of tackle happens near the goal line a lot. And it usually escapes a penalty because the player dipping towards the line gives the tackler little chance to adjust.
IMO foul play is all about intent and recklessness.
Now people are calling for a ban from that tackle on social media... Slow mo analysis does rugby no favours

@darylmitchell said in Ta$man v Taranaki (RS):

It will be a fucking farce if Razor selects Ennor and Havili ahead of Daniel Rona. at all.

Was a close run game. Naki look like they need a rest after storm week, but will take the W!

Boring maul tries ...

@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.

@Donsteppa said in BOP v Taranaki:

Narawa seemed to look for his support quite early on that run. A group of either mates or his rugby club mates sitting nearby gave some good natured stick in his direction for getting caught though 🙂

On Friday I saw him nearly beaten in a sprint by some primary school kids - embarrassing. Real time at the game I think he knew the pass was the best option early on, I still think he could have gassed the chaser if he'd dug it in. Comfortable win although I didn't think we looked all that much better, just took the opportunities that came along.

@Yeetyaah well I said it when it cost the Naki a game. Kind of agree don't like TMO, but we stuck with it. I personally of old school if ref doesn't see it , didn't happen. But guess we won't win on that. Kind of can't make up my mind, but do prefer when the TMO only comes in when asked by ref, not when he sees something, is all what I think.

@Landers92 i need to find out a bit ore about the halfback protection, i get it before the ball is players, cant drag the half back in or drive past and take them out.....but if theyre playing the ball....they should be fair game

Anyway I enjoyed the game. Obviously pleased with Naki win, but would also add I an happy to see Southland seem to be coming on quite well, and a reasonable size crowd rightfully at game supporting them