Auckland v Waikato

brodean

I have Taele marked as FAB.

Hard to say this far out. He's 20. As a talent he's not close to what Zarn Sullivan was at 20 but Zarn hasn't progressed since 20 - probably due to a combination of covid, injury and other players in his way. NZ coaches have also become very conservative.

Duluth

Kicking off now

Duluth

Good option Funaki

Duluth

Nice start

Look like a much better side than last year

antipodean

Segner looking pretty good at 7 so far.

nzzp

kickoffs are a problem across the board in NZ rugby

Duluth

Defence has been solid

14-0 after 16mins

nzzp

surely not straight?

Canes4life

Waikato respond with two tries to make it 14-10. Kick to come.

brodean

Once an attacking maul goes backwards it should be use.

nzzp

900kg packs in the semi pro teams. FFS. Rugby with a weight limit for the team would be a lot of fun

Duluth

Good turnover by Spencer. Needed that. It’s been a messy few minutes

Canes4life

Who’s the Waikato 12? He’s very average.

Duluth

@Canes4life Austin Anderson

nzzp

Not many arms in that 'tackle' either. I don't love the ruling of tackling jumping players generally, but that seemed reasonable. It's when the attacking players are going forward I get pissed off - jumping to catch a pass shouldn't protect you

Edit: going forward

nzzp

Segner's been busy. Played well.

Taele runs like silk, but needs to carry better into contact

antipodean

WTF is Auckland thinking there at the end? You're in front, kick the ball out and go into the shed for halftime.

brodean

@nzzp said in Auckland v Waikato:

Segner's been busy. Played well.

Taele runs like silk, but needs to carry better into contact

Shocking pass from Taele at the end there.

Duluth

Attacking shape is far better than last year. Error rate was too high in that second 20mins though

Yeetyaah

Geez this is a tough watch during general play

The Silver Fern

Auckland v Waikato