@African-Monkey said in Premiership/Championship.:
@Chris-B. Auckland have gone alright in recent years. Should have had a title in this decade. Our season so far would be our worst in a while. Wellington are obviously still recovering from 2014 but seem to be on the right track. They too, should have had a title or 2 in the last 5-10 years.
Ta$man, like Auckland have also been a bit underwhelming this season. 2014 was probably their best shot at the title? Taranaki are looking alright and look like Canterbury's main challengers this season.
I agree that the current structure is ok and as someone earlier in the thread said, it gives everyone something to play for.
Yeah - both Auckland and Wellington should have been able to tip up Canterbury somewhere over the past seven seasons (or however long their run is), but, in fact, only Ta$man has beaten them in a play-off game, and only Taranaki has won a title during that time.
We are, unfortunately, on the slide. Our forward pack is missing from last year - through defections and injuries - Siua Halanukonuka, Quentin MacDonald, Joe Wheeler, Alex Ainley , Liam Squire and Vern Fredericks. Particularly struggling in the lineout, but not quite as dynamic around the park either. However, we're currently better placed than our position on the table suggests, because the second half of our season should be easier than the first half - we've already played Canterbury, Taranaki and Waikato (and Otago and Northland) - Hawkes Bay, Auckland, Counties, Harbour, Southland shouldn't be quite as tough.
Assuming we avoid relegation this year, I think we'll be prime candidates next year when Marty Banks (and Fonotia and probably others) will be gone.
