Hawke's Bay v Counties Manukau

[Stargazer]

Magpies
1 Mark Braidwood, 2 Ash Dixon (c), 3 Ben May, 4 Tom Parsons, 5 Sam Ulufonua, 6 Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, 7 Josh Kaifa, 8 Gareth Evans, 9 Brad Weber, 10 Tiaan Falcon, 11 Mason Emerson, 12 Pasqualle Dunn, 13 Stacey Ili, 14 Jonah Lowe, 15 JJ Taulagi

Reserves
16 Ben Power, 17 Joe Apikotoa, 18 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 19 Devan Flanders, 20 Geoff Cridge, 21 Folau Fakatava, 22 Will Tremain, 23 Sasa Tofilau

.

Can someone explain to me the logic of naming Flanders at 19 and Cridge at 20, instead of the other way around? Great to have Cridge back, by the way.
Another mystery: are they converting Tremain into a first five-eighth, midfielder or outside back?

IIRC got injured against Otago, so I assume that's the reason for his absence.

[SammyC]

Just making my weekly multi picks and I see TAB have suspended betting on this game.

Anyone have any idea why this is?

[Stargazer]

@sammyc That's weird. I have no idea.

[Stockcar86]

Great to see Cridge back. Is Allardice injured?

Maybe the betting has been suspended cause TAB have heard that Brodie is being released to play...

[Stargazer]

@stockcar86

[Number 10]

@stargazer said in Hawke's Bay v Counties Manukau:

Magpies
1 Mark Braidwood, 2 Ash Dixon (c), 3 Ben May, 4 Tom Parsons, 5 Sam Ulufonua, 6 Marino Mikaele-Tu'u, 7 Josh Kaifa, 8 Gareth Evans, 9 Brad Weber, 10 Tiaan Falcon, 11 Mason Emerson, 12 Pasqualle Dunn, 13 Stacey Ili, 14 Jonah Lowe, 15 JJ Taulagi

Reserves
16 Ben Power, 17 Joe Apikotoa, 18 Pouri Rakete-Stones, 19 Devan Flanders, 20 Geoff Cridge, 21 Folau Fakatava, 22 Will Tremain, 23 Sasa Tofilau

.

Can someone explain to me the logic of naming Flanders at 19 and Cridge at 20, instead of the other way around? Great to have Cridge back, by the way.
Another mystery: are they converting Tremain into a first five-eighth, midfielder or outside back?

IIRC got injured against Otago, so I assume that's the reason for his absence.

The six-forwards two-backs split is no doubt an attempt to counter the big CM forward pack.

[Number 10]

@stockcar86 said in Hawke's Bay v Counties Manukau:

Great to see Cridge back. Is Allardice injured?

Maybe the betting has been suspended cause TAB have heard that Brodie is being released to play...

Yes, Allardice was injured against Otago, he was replaced at halftime.

[Higgins]

Can't recall having seen the number 5 in action before. Can anyone fill us in on how they rate him thanks? Wonder who the guy expected to cover Cridge if (when) he gets injured once subbed on, where is TBW when we need him?
Counties have not looked flash in the couple of times I've seen them play so we must be in with a reasonable chance of victory even considering our two wins have been against very ordinary opponents.

[Stargazer]

Counties Manukau:

1 Sean Bagshaw, 2 Joe Royal, 3 Kalolo Tuiloma, 4 Viliame Rarasea, 5 Matiaha Martin, 6 Matt Vaai, 7 Caleb Fa'alili, 8 Dan Hyatt, 9 Te Aihe Toma, 10 Latiume Fosita, 11 Tevita Nabura, 12 Cardiff Vaega, 13 Sam Furniss, 14 Toni Pulu, 15 Luteru Laulala

Reserves: 16 Gafatasi Su’a, 17 Mark Royal, 18 Coree Te Whata Colley, 19 Michael McKee, 20 Sikeli Nabou, 21 Liam Daniela, 22 Orby Leger, 23 Savelio Ropati.

.

A few changes from the line-up from Wednesday against Taranaki. Probably the most important change is at 7, Sam Henwood getting injured (concussed?) on Wednesday. Other changes at no. 8 and the midfield, including Orby Leger moving to the bench in favour of last year's Magpie Cardiff Vaega. Also changes at 17, 20 and 23 (Ropati started at no. 8 last week, so also an extra forward on the bench).

[Stargazer]

@higgins said in Hawke's Bay v Counties Manukau:

Can't recall having seen the number 5 in action before. Can anyone fill us in on how they rate him thanks? Wonder who the guy expected to cover Cridge if (when) he gets injured once subbed on, where is TBW when we need him?

Sam Ulufonua is one of the players who came to the Bay from Auckland at the beginning of the year. Can't say I've seen much of him myself. Here's some info about him:

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=12025392

[Stargazer]

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503460&objectid=12117152

[Higgins]

Ouch, not the best of starts.

[Higgins]

There is something not quite right about the Magpies socks, they are clearly not black and white hoops.

[Higgins]

Brad Weber down, a quick check of the reserve list does not show C. Eaton in the number 20 jersey so rest easy Stockcar 86.

[Nepia]

@higgins said in Hawke's Bay v Counties Manukau:

Brad Weber down, a quick check of the reserve list does not show C. Eaton in the number 20 jersey so rest easy Stockcar 86.

Instead we have an awesome backup in Fakatava.

[Nepia]

Taulagi's casual-ness pisses me off, he catches a pass and carries it under his arm, and then moves it to one hand just before he approaches defenders.

[Nepia]

Try to Counties after a turn over and 75 metre run with Hawkes Bay hot on attack.

[Higgins]

Ben May going for an unnecessary miracle off load that his skill level prevents and the end result is a runaway try 70 metres down field

[Nepia]

Jonah Lowe scores with some soccer skills.

[Higgins]

@nepia You can just imagine what Stargazer is doing right now! The try was beautiful to watch.