Farah Palmer Cup 2022

[Crucial]

@trooa do you know who the other halfbacks in the squad are? Today’s one doesn’t play there normally afaik and I’d have thought there were some specialists.

[Crucial]

Match reports with highlight videos

https://www.allblacks.com/news/farah-palmer-cup-round-2-review/

Table after two rounds

https://www.provincial.rugby/farah-palmer-cup/standings/

[Paekakboyz]

Watched all the highlights after catching Cant v Akld on the weekend. Men's or women's game, you can spot the players who have time and space. Some great tries and some cliff hanger results as well.

[Crucial]

https://www.allblacks.com/news/farah-palmer-cup-round-three-team-lists-2/

[Crucial]

[Crucial]

Waikato team is up on the AB site link posted above, but not on socials yet.

[Crucial]

This could be interesting.
After watching through the BOP game against the Poo as televised, they looked much better than I thought at the ground. Initially I thought Auckland may be a big class above but BOP forwards are very good and have a strong scrum. The young backs should have shaken off some nerves and having Wickliffe at the back directing them could really help. She's not shy at yapping and hopefully we will see better decisions in defence. The youngsters will feel more comfortable playing at Blake Park too. Home ground for the Mount players.

[Crucial]

[Crucial]

Massively messy game at the Mount. Weather, skills and pedantic reffing making this a hard watch. Neither team able to get any flow.
0-0 after 30

[Bovidae]

50th game for Chelsea.

[Crucial]

Well, a very ugly win for BOP but have to admire the defensive effort. Much better alignment and communication in the backs meant that Auckland had to go up the middle and the mistakes and turnovers happened. Big confidence boost for the team although they may suffer from BF call ups.
I think Auckland smashed them by 40 last year so this was pretty huge.

[Donsteppa]

That was heart in mouth stuff watching the Volcanix forever running the ball out of their own 22, given the potential for breakdown penalties at any time. But it worked!

[Crucial]

@Donsteppa said in Farah Palmer Cup 2022:

That was heart in mouth stuff watching the Volcanix forever running the ball out of their own 22, given the potential for breakdown penalties at any time. But it worked!

I dont think the coaches have confidence in the clearing kicks tbh and I can see why it's not a huge option. Handing the opposition a lineout on the 22 isn't great, but yeah they need to be a bit more organised with the recycles if they want to wait for an opportunity to relieve pressure. Connor is a smart player though. She changed up the tactics on field which is great captaincy and realised that the best tap options are the ones you keep direct and close. Don't pass it one or two out and make no ground.
I'd be very happy for her to captain the BFs to be honest. Would be one of the form players in the country at the moment. Makes ground every carry, accurate when she goes to ground, big hits. Kind of a white girl version of Sami T.

[Crucial]

Otago looking like a much better team this year. Maybe it’s because they are a level down and have a little more time and a little less pressure but they are keeping their shape and playing well. The halves combo is certainly helping.

[Stargazer]

This is a pretty cool story. It's unfortunate for the Tui that she was only available for the first two games and now has to move on, but it's awesome that she got this opportunity to play here in NZ, including two FPC games (and that the Tui got to learn from her).

https://www.newsroom.co.nz/lockerroom/spanish-captain-bimba-lives-rugby-dream-with-tui

[Crucial]

https://www.allblacks.com/news/farah-palmer-cup-round-3-review/

[Crucial]

Impact from the BF selection to teams this week. Thanks to @Stargazer for the list in the BF thread. As you'd expect Waikato and Canterbury lose quite a few so squad depth will be tested. BOP lose two hookers (although both have also played at 8 this year ) and a Prop so their recent scrum dominance could go. Auckland lose their captain and Wellington their best scoring option.
Good luck picking winners this week!

Auckland
Lock
Maiakawanakaulani Roos
Loose Forward
Tafito Lafaele
Charmaine McMenamin
Inside Back
Sylvia Brunt
Ruahei Demant
Theresa Fitzpatrick (Sevens)

BOP
Hooker
Luka Connor
Natalie Delamere
Prop
Santo Taumata
Loose Forward
Kendra Reynolds

Canterbury
Hooker
Georgia Ponsonby
Prop
Pip Love
Amy Rule
Lock
Chelsea Bremner
Loose Forward
Alana Bremner
Halfback
Kendra Cocksedge
Inside Back
Amy du Plessis
Outside Back
Grace Steinmetz

Counties Manukau

Halfback
Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu
Inside Back
Hazel Tubic
Outside Back
Ruby Tui

Manawatu

Loose Forward
Kaipo Olsen-Baker

Northland

Prop
Krystal Murray
Outside Back
Tyla Nathan-Wong (Sevens)

Otago
Inside Back
Victoria Subritzky-Nafatali

Waikato
Prop
Tanya Kalounivale
Awhina Tangen-Wainohu
Loose Forward
Kennedy Simon
Halfback
Ariana Bayler
Inside Back
Chelsea Semple
Outside Back
Renee Holmes

Wellington

Lock
Joanah Ngan Woo
Outside Back
Ayesha Leti-I'iga

[Stargazer]

@Crucial I assume you mean Canterbury, not Wellington? Aren't players still available for this weekend's games? The tests are on 20 and 27 August.

[Bovidae]

Ariana Bayler hasn't played for Waikato yet but must be fit again. Toka Natua is a handy replacement at prop.

[Crucial]

@Stargazer said in Farah Palmer Cup 2022:

@Crucial I assume you mean Canterbury, not Wellington? Aren't players still available for this weekend's games? The tests are on 20 and 27 August.

Yep, fixed. Thanks for spotting.

Didn't Smith say that BFs would be available to teams for the first 3 weeks? If only the last two of RR that would be better. Might be some teams crossing their fingers that depth will get them to the semis.