Premiership Semi-Final: Auckland v Waikato

[Dice]

@Yeetyaah said in Premiership Semi-Final: Auckland v Waikato:

Pretty good Auckland team. Waikato are fucked if Fletcher Smith isn't back, looked directionless without him.

I'm pretty sure I heard McOnie say that Fletcher Smith is back for this one.

[Yeetyaah]

@mariner4life do I need to mention the Ranfurly Shield?

[Duluth]

http://www.mooloo.co.nz/newsarticle/97703?newsfeedId=679962

1 Ollie Norris (Hautapu)
2 Samisoni Taukei’aho (Fraser Tech)
3 Sefo Kautai (Hamilton Marist)
4 Hamilton Burr (Hautapu)
5 Samipeni Finau (Hamilton Old Boys)
6 Adam Thomson (Morrinsville Sports)
7 Luke Jacobson (Hautapu) - Captain
8 Liam Messam (Raglan)
9 Xavier Roe (Hamilton Old Boys)
10 Flecther Smith (University)
11 Beaudien Waaka (Melville)
12 Bailyn Sullivan (Hamilton Marist)
13 Quinn Tupaea (Hamilton Old Boys)
14 Liam Coombes-Fabling (Fraser Tech)
15 Matty Lansdown (Fraser Tech)

16 Steven Misa (Hamilton Marist)
17 Rob Cobb (Hamilton Old Boys)
18 Josh Iosefa-Scott (Melville)
19 James Thompson (Hautapu)
20 Simon Parker (Hautapu)
21 Rhys Dickinson (Fraser Tech)
22 Patrick Osbourne (Fraser Tech)
23 Gideon Wrampling (Hamilton Old Boys)

[Yeetyaah]

@Duluth pretty good line-up. Glad Smith is back. Should be a good game.

[ARHS]

I guess one back from injury is better than nothing. Presumably Ratima now injured too, and Reihana not recovered? Forwards should be competitive. But not sure about the defensive combo's ability to keep Rayasi, Lam and Manu in check. I think Roe and Smith will need to play out of their skins in controlling field position to test Auckland.

[Bovidae]

At least Sullivan is back in the midfield as he was badly exposed last week when playing out of position. The story was that Reihana was more likely to be over his concussion than Smith.

I expect plenty of cross-kicks to Coombes-Fabling again.

Waikato has really missed Mitch Jacobson who gave the loose forward trio more balance.

We've limped into the SFs (the first since 2011) so should be bigger underdogs than the TAB odds. I'm not expecting a win but a better 80-minute performance than the previous game vs Auckland game would be good.

[Tim]

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/provincial/300163591/mitre-10-cup-huge-boost-for-waikato-as-fletcher-smith-returns-for-auckland-semifinal

[ploughboy]

@ARHS said in Premiership Semi-Final: Auckland v Waikato:

Is Waikato just not interested in getting fans to Eden Park for the game? Nothing on facebook or website currently, and the usual leaving of team announcement to last possible moment. Please for Pete's sake stimulate your fans to head up and show their presence, to energise the team. We all know you had a big night out last night, but... Well done Turk and the Dutch fullback from my old club though!

well done by turk alright a good man but dont put him in your old club

[ARHS]

@ploughboy lol. Plenty of passion in that battle of the bridges still huh. Turk's brother was in my team at Hautapu and a bunch of Leamington guys in my team in the UK so I have links both sides

[ploughboy]

@ARHS funny, i might know you then as i also know bert and played against him (went to school with both of them) and both were mates of mine. battle of the bridges will always bring it out. when did you play for that club,

[ARHS]

@ploughboy Early 80s. I suspect we went to the same school at the same time lol

[Yeetyaah]

Straight on the ball, good stuff. Terrible throw from Taukei'aho as expected.

[KiwiMurph]

Haha what a lucky break for Waikato

[Yeetyaah]

Great try from Waikato.

[Yeetyaah]

Why is Waaka kicking?

[KiwiMurph]

@Yeetyaah said in Premiership Semi-Final: Auckland v Waikato:

Why is Waaka kicking?

Fletcher Smith only just passed a fitness test yesterday.

[Yeetyaah]

@KiwiMurph so he can't kick but can run the ball into people and get tackled?

[KiwiMurph]

@Yeetyaah said in Premiership Semi-Final: Auckland v Waikato:

@KiwiMurph so he can't kick but can run the ball into people and get tackled?

He may not have been practicing kicking all week if he was focusing on getting fit.

[KiwiMurph]

Gee Zarn Sullivan is impressive.

[Steven Harris]

@KiwiMurph first saw Zarn for the NZ Maori Colts last year ..looked really impressive in that game but playing at first five