Hawke's Bay v Otago (Ranfurly Shield)

Duluth

https://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/four-changes-forced-otago

The team lost three players in the first quarter of its season opener against Southland at Forsyth Barr Stadium last Saturday.

They were not just any old players, either. They were pretty much Otago’s leading players.

Elusive winger Jona Nareki injured his knee and is out for the season.

First five-eighth Josh Ioane picked up a head knock and is going through the return-to-play protocols. And prop Josh Hohneck added to Otago’s front-row shortage when he limped off with a calf strain.

There is one other notable absence for the Ranfurly Shield challenge against Hawke’s Bay in Napier tomorrow.

Captain James Lentjes has the weekend off. His first child was born earlier this week.

Nepia

@stargazer Not a bad team, think I'd prefer Visinia back on the wing but he's no old man Baker so that's all good. Plus good to have Fomai back. G Evans and Kereru Symes injured?

Stargazer

@nepia Don't know about G Evans, but Kereru-Symes broke his hand in last week's game and has been ruled out for at least a month.

Stargazer

@nepia I suspect Visinia will play fullback until Caleb Makene returns from injury. It looks like the coaches see Falcon only as a 10, who can cover 15. It will be interesting to see what they're going to do with especially the wing spots, once Makene returns. Lowe will start, but who of Fomai and Visinia will play on the other wing? Or will they go back to last year's line-up and move Fomai to 12? I guess that depends on how Toala goes (who's likely to play for a SR contract at the moment) ...

Kiwiwomble

i just dont feel that optimistic about this one. Hawkes Bay always turns up for the games let alone with the shield on the line

then add to the the reshuffled backline and just dont see what we're trying to achieve with our selections...honestly think a close game and no injuries would be a "win"

Number 10

@stargazer

Looks like Evans was dropped.

From this morning's HB Today

This week has been about standards, with Ozich demanding an improved performance, particularly in contact. He wants his players to be more accurate in this area, which helps explain the selction of physical openside flanker Solomone Funaki over Gareth Evans, who drops out of the 23.

Higgins

@number-10 @stargazer Don't panic I am taking my boots and jockstrap along just in case anyone pulls up lame in the warmup. Sadly not available for selection in the boat race team should there be one at the aftermatch function.

Stargazer

Don't be shocked to see the Magpies run out in a different jersey, today. They'll be wearing the charity jersey that will be auctioned off for "Nourished for Nil".

More info:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/all-for-the-shield-and-the-hawkes-bay-charity/W6ACGFYMMC7DYTAYTJ47L6VC6A/

The TradeMe link is here, for anyone interested:
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/search?search_string=magpies 2021 charity jersey&user_region=100&bof=wsf0wlcC

alt text

antipodean

@stargazer said in Hawke's Bay v Otago (Ranfurly Shield):

Don't be shocked to see the Magpies run out in a different jersey, today. They'll be wearing the charity jersey that will be auctioned off for "Nourished for Nil".

More info:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/all-for-the-shield-and-the-hawkes-bay-charity/W6ACGFYMMC7DYTAYTJ47L6VC6A/

The TradeMe link is here, for anyone interested:
https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/search?search_string=magpies 2021 charity jersey&user_region=100&bof=wsf0wlcC

Would anyone be interested? It looks like a league jersey.

Higgins

Just hanging out the washing and can report it is a beautiful HB winters day so far. Not a cloud in the sky and warming up nicely, must be close to ten degrees now and completely windless. Min you this is after a rather chilly Otago like frost here this morning, hopefully the only thing Otago will have had going for them today!!!
Forecast is not that flash as the day goes on with the wind to pick up strongly toward kick off time, first from the north west then swinging south so take plenty of warm clothes to counteract that (or slip you hipflask into your back pocket!). With a bit of luck any forecasted showers will go along the hills and miss Napier like they often do.

delicatessen

@kiwiwomble said in Hawke's Bay v Otago (Ranfurly Shield):

i just dont feel that optimistic about this one. Hawkes Bay always turns up for the games let alone with the shield on the line

then add to the the reshuffled backline and just dont see what we're trying to achieve with our selections...honestly think a close game and no injuries would be a "win"

Shit jinx attempt

Number 10

Ash Dixon is a late withdrawal.

antipodean

@number-10 said in Hawke's Bay v Otago (Ranfurly Shield):

Ash Dixon is a late withdrawal.

Schedule clash with Japanese lessons?

Kiwiwomble

@antipodean said in Hawke's Bay v Otago (Ranfurly Shield):

@number-10 said in Hawke's Bay v Otago (Ranfurly Shield):

Ash Dixon is a late withdrawal.

Schedule clash with Japanese lessons?

Told ya he should get on to all that house moving stuff @Stargazer

Canes4life

Where is Walker-Leawere for this match? Is he injured?

Number 10

Popped a shoulder in the club semi-final.

He might return in the later stages of the NPC.

Kiwiwomble

This post is deleted!

Canes4life

Visinia not happy with Gilbert there.

Kiwiwomble

@canes4life bit unnecessary from Gilbert

The Silver Fern

Hawke's Bay v Otago (Ranfurly Shield)