BOP v Wellington

[Duluth]

https://www.wellingtonlions.co.nz/news/news-single/post/changes-aplenty-as-lions-prepare-for-the-steamers/

In the front row, after making his first appearance of the season from the bench last weekend, James O’Reilly earns his first start, while Keelan Whitman returns to number 8 after missing the Hawke’s Bay matchup.

Ruben Love slots back into first five, where he played the opening couple of rounds, with Aidan Morgan dropping to the bench. Tomasi Alosio earns his first start of the season on the left wing, while Wes Goosen moves to fullback to accommodate. 

On the bench, Tyrone Thompson moves back to the more familiar hooker role after a two-try stint off the bench in the second row last week, and after a debut last week, Iona Apineru is named in the number 19 jersey.

1 Xavier Numia
2 James O’Reilly
3 Alex Fidow
4 James Blackwell
5 Dominic Bird
6 Caleb Delaney
7 Du’Plessis Kirifi
8 Keelan Whitman
9 Connor Collins
10 Ruben Love
11 Tomasi Alosio
12 Peter Umaga-Jensen
13 Vince Aso
14 Pepesana Patafilo
15 Wes Goosen

16 Tyrone Thompson
17 PJ Sheck
18 Pekahou Cowan
19 Iona Apineru
20 Sam Smith
21 Richard Judd
22 Aidan Morgan
23 Brandyn Laursen

[Number 10]

[bobily2]

I'm guessing BOP is running out of backs? A halfback on the wing and two wings in the midfield. Should be interesting

[ARHS]

@number-10 Yuk - what is going on with those selections?? Drop your best players or leave them on the bench. Wellington are not that awful, despite their position.

[Duluth]

That picture is a bit blurry.. here's the text version of the team:

1 Aidan Ross , 2 Nathan Vella, 3 Jeff Thwaites, 4 Justin Sangster, 5 Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 7 Kohan Herbert, 8 Nikora Broughton, 9 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 10 Otere Black, 11 Alefosio Tapili, 12 Joe Webber, 13 Emoni Narawa, 14 Leroy Carter, 15 Sekuini Tanimo

Reserves: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Benet Kumeroa, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Stan van den Hoven, 20 Semisi Paea, 21 Luke Campbell, 22 Lucas Cashmore, 23 Cassius Misa

[bayimports]

@bobily2 said in BOP v Wellington:

I'm guessing BOP is running out of backs? A halfback on the wing and two wings in the midfield. Should be interesting

yep looks like most of the backline is in intensive cotton wool..urgh

[Donsteppa]

@bayimports said in BOP v Wellington:

@bobily2 said in BOP v Wellington:

I'm guessing BOP is running out of backs? A halfback on the wing and two wings in the midfield. Should be interesting

yep looks like most of the backline is in intensive cotton wool..urgh

Based on last weeks performance, this backline might be an improvement.....

[bayimports]

@donsteppa said in BOP v Wellington:

@bayimports said in BOP v Wellington:

@bobily2 said in BOP v Wellington:

I'm guessing BOP is running out of backs? A halfback on the wing and two wings in the midfield. Should be interesting

yep looks like most of the backline is in intensive cotton wool..urgh

Based on last weeks performance, this makeshift backline might be an improvement.....

yeah i watched the full Daryl Gibson NSW coaching experience last week..how does this guy continue to get a gig..I am assuming some of those options were part of the game plan..but it was kuck

[ARHS]

@bayimports There was just no plan to move the ball into space, or to defend around the ruck area.
Wonder if a dozen players took a joyride to Auckland and were stopped from getting back? I was hoping it would be top 15 for this one, as I expect it to be the relegation decider. Did not expect to throw in the towel.

[bayimports]

@arhs said in BOP v Wellington:

@bayimports There was just no plan to move the ball into space, or to defend around the ruck area.
Wonder if a dozen players took a joyride to Auckland and were stopped from getting back? I was hoping it would be top 15 for this one, as I expect it to be the relegation decider. Did not expect to throw in the towel.

yeah it was worse than disappointing, I would have thought a very basic game plan would be create space to give onisi ratave the ball for a one on one ..even our fijian import was catching a cold or heavily marked when he did get it

[mikey07]

BOP by 8

[barky1]

Hair-brained by Gibson. No explanation from the union around injuries (typical). Such a class squad this year but this backline from 12 onwards seems like they were drawing straws out of a hat.
Seems Gibson is heading to the pile with Greg Smith and Kevin Schuler

[Cpt Kumera]

Bop 13 plus

[ARHS]

Wellington by 20. Only hope for BOP is if I tip them to get a hiding. So I am.

[Duluth]

So has Narawa played 13 at other levels? At NPC level it’s just wing/fullback right?

His defence can be dodgey on the wing. Midfield will be tough

[Donsteppa]

@arhs said in BOP v Wellington:

Wellington by 20. Only hope for BOP is if I tip them to get a hiding. So I am.

I've also tipped Wellington 17+ in order to guarantee us a win....

[Tim]

Yellow card all day.

[Machpants]

Man it's no wonder the canes are going doing the gurgler, when they had their players on this embarrassment of a side, should be in top 3!

[Tim]

Two low skill teams.

[Tim]

Awful game. Pity both teams can't be relegated.