The Silver Fern

Yes, its strange to think that, but for a poor conversion and stupid pass to Ioane, we could possibly be unbeaten at this stage. In reality I really don't think that we deserve to be unbeaten however. We just can't seem to capitalize on the advantage and "put a team away".

And yes, that decision to continue scrumming rather than take a penalty kick was odd in retrospect. Some of the tactics in general were odd actually and ultimately unsuccessful. One thing that is noticeable this year is the chip (or grubber) kick beyond the defensive line out to a waiting player which seems to be working for some teams. I saw them practicing it in the warmup using Narawa but was never used during the game.

Despite my negativeness and cynicism there is plenty to be happy about this year. It would have to rate as the best year for a long time with many players excelling and a minimum of injuries (possibly).

Like Kiwipie said, the permutations for the finals are beginning to become apparent. I still think that on our day we can beat anyone but no win is guaranteed but this year we seem to be more consistent .

@Higgins and look at to Owen Franks now? the game is evolving so along with core roles, props need mobility,speed,covering/sweeping like a loose fwd and the way the game is heading the "high intensity/fast pace", you need to keep up and do more then just "scrum". And remember the Lions front row are young Fidow 21, Aumua 21, Numia 20. still boys and still developing. and re them being boys getting paid a mans wages?? mate the game turned professional a long time ago. keep up with the times higgy! they are the most exciting front row in the game right now. Lions/Canes are lucky to have them and i am excited to see them grow and develop. cut them some slack

@shark said in Wellington vs Canterbury:

@ACT-Crusader said in Wellington vs Canterbury:

There were patches in this game that we probably looked the best we’ve been this season. But credit to Welly for applying scoreboard pressure.

Our tight forwards struggling with the pace and our loosies aren’t really impacting at the collisions.

Backs are ho-hum. We don’t have any real imagination out there with someone to create with little space. We are relying on good ball to make impact. We’ve at least had game breakers in previous seasons.

All bang on. In the loose forwards it all looks good on paper when you can pick Whitelock, Douglas, Prinsep, Harmon and Christie but in reality there are issues. Harmon has guts in droves but he's small, his back up is yet to show anything at this level, Prinsep is no more than a workmanlike journeyman, Douglas isn't having the same impact he's had for the Crusaders and Whitelock is also struggling to assert himself. What we really need in that trio is someone like an Ethan Blackadder to throw himself into the collision and blow over rucks. Is Cullen Grace worth a crack on the blindside?

I think the second row is fine with Dunshea back. We're not getting much around the field from our props though which is odd given we can select from a bunch of Super rugby players there too.

Enari has been good aside from a propensity to put up ineffective box kicks, and we have Drummond to come back in and share duties as well.

Cameron looks like a guy who pulled out one really good season as a relatively unknown quantity, and his midget stature is really starting to hurt him. He's reluctant to challenge the line, probably because he gets tossed around too easily, and it's a pop gun punt he's packing so we struggle to exert field position pressure or clear well.

Midfield I've covered. Ennor at 13, Bateman 12 should give us more punch and having Bateman ourside him can only help the dwarf running the cutter. Poihipi offers grunt off the bench.

There's pace out wide in McKay, Gilbert and Punivai but the latter needs to back himself more in half gaps, and the former needs to run it up harder from the back. Really lacking depth here though. If only we'd hung onto Alaimalo and/or Will Jordan.

yep agree with all of that pretty much how we look in 2019

There were two HB v Wellington contests on last week and we were undefeated. The HB Tipping Team accounted for Wgtn 34 - 31 to rocket to the top of the table, albeit only after two encounters.

@sparky Dominating at a lower level as he does. Another flat track bully who always went missing in big tests.

@Nepia All I know is that IWL has said that he wants to be closer to home (Ruatoria). He and his partner are expecting a baby, so being closer to family is probably the main reason for moving.

@taniwharugby

According to the TicketDirect website children do have free admission. Only $10 for where we sit.

@steven-harris ha wow, hadnt heard that. Not surprised though.

One guy who hasn't been mentioned but had a massive game was Marcel Renata. He's been good all season, but was exceptional in this game. Hopefully the Blues have already gotten his signature.

Was good to see all the bench players making positive contributions when they came on. Also smart move by the coaches to not bring Clarke and Sotutu on because we needed experience out there to finish this game.

@shadowtrooper said in Wellington vs Ta$man:

I'm hoping the Chiefs can attract Levi Aumua back next season, but this time give him some decent game time

It would be good to know what happened this season. He's a big unit so perhaps fitness was an issue.

@sparky

Ben Lam needs to take an angry pill before a game. He has all the skills but just needs more aggression. and his defense needs work

The first CM try shouldn't have been, both inside chasers were in front of the kicker and advanced and had a direct impact on the play. The second try I can live with, not clear and obvious live that the chaser is in front.

@crazy-horse I think there was more to it at the start of the Hurricanes season. He wasn't in the best shape but he was carrying a niggly rib injury that always linger longer than they should. I don't know much about the kid but I hope he has learnt his lesson. The Canes can't afford another season where Riccitelli plays almost every minute.

They all look the same. 🤣

@bones I am saying he wasn't worthy based on his injury, not his playing ability over 20 mins of ITM Cup. I am willing to give him a chance to show his true colours over an extended playing period and only then can a proper judgement be made.

Good, albeit scrappy win to get our season going. Phew. They have some holes, but Wellington are a good NPC side and with the cattle missing from 2017, we just needed to get this W no matter how. Away to BOP this week which will be interesting.

If Ennor is out, there will be a massive vacancy in this side which we just can't fill adequately with the erosion to our depth since last year. Man for man we should still clean them up, but that'd be what Taranaki fans thought too. At least our guys don't have to travel to that dump Rotorua.

Was at the game on Sunday. Wellington always looked in control even though they were fairly sloppy at times. I was amazed at the size of our front row - probably the smallest front row going around the ITM Cup.

Number of classy operators in the backline but our forwards will need to front week in and week out if we are going to contest this year. The return of Aumua and the pending return of Fidow will boost our chances.

Woohoo!

thing is, someone like Savea should look a world beater at this level.

That turn of pace he showed, not sure I've seen him run like that for years, shows there is life in those legs still, but it might be a bit late?

@african-monkey yeah haven't seen much of him, but looked steady and a bit is size to him. Is he an omata lad?