The Silver Fern

Well got up this morning, and pleased with result. Although I wasn't overly worried who won series, was pleased it wasn't a sweep, as I never really thought personally it was a 'great' Lions team. I tried to watch game, but after getting home form a bloody good shield game in New Plymouth, it just felt flat, and when the stop for lightning happened , I headed for bed, So good on Wallabies, and congrats to Lions for series win.

Just looking at the highlights package above, reminded me how well the Naki defense was. It seemd pretty good on line and even further out was some bloody good scrambling.

Think I will just knock it on head. Half an hour and then play? Must admit kind of lucky it a dead rubber.

Loved that game. Taranaki boys never really looked to be in trouble. By geez JRK certainly knows how to accelerate into a gap. But wasn't alone in the Naki boys to do it. And to top i9t all off, I was at game, got to car, and home to Hawera , walked in door, turned on tv and the countdown was at 3-2-1 for kick off to Wallabies/Lions test. Though it feels a bit empty it being a dead rubber now.

@Canes4life said in Wellington v Canterbury:

I’m hoping Porirua park isn’t permanently in the long term plans for the Lions. They don’t seem to get many people turn up. Would love them to bring a few games back to the Hutt.

I think the problem of taking these games to small stadiums, it kind of stuffs up having season memberships. etc, That's perhaps why they won't take the games out to Hutt,. I do think is they going to stay at Porirua, they need to contemplate a scaffold stand type arrangement.

Was happy to see Manawatu had Higgins back on their jerseys. Now it Higgins concrete.

I think it great news, and credit tp LRZ gave it a try, and perhaps didn't work as he hoped.
Always have a crack at your dreams I reckon!

While looking forward to this tonight, I not quite as excited that now the NPC has started. I am pretty shallow I know. But works well off up to New Plymouth for Naki/Taniwha game. and should only miss first 15 minutes or so of this by the time I get home.

@MacDazzler said in Manawatu v North Harbour:

@Bovidae A big blow for Manawatu losing Jamie Viljoen the PNBHS 1st 5/8 to Taranaki next year.

I'd say he's the most promising player to come out of Manawatu schoolboy rugby in the last few years.

Hadn't heard about that Mac, as a Naki man, I obviously pleased, but can understand as a Tu man you would be disappointed. They don't want to be losing good young uns'. Is he Jodi's brother?Just out of interest, I liked the look of that kid that came on to replace Viljoen at 9, seems to have a pretty sharp pass etc.

Not my favourite stadium for watching rugby, been there a few times, and never really felt comfortable.

@Bovidae said in Manawatu v North Harbour:

@Duluth said in Manawatu v North Harbour:

3mins 30 secs of TMO

And the wrong decision. Are the cameras not good enough for NPC games?

Well you only got a couple of cameras, and to be fair the knock on although it looked a knock on, the players seemed to be in the way of everyone. It looked an iffy put down to, but thems the breaks, and pleased the Tu boys didn't drop heads.

Amen sparky.

Have to say how pleased I was to read that after weighing everything up NZR have come conclusion that NPC is too important to pathways for rugby in NZ too change. Bloody great!
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/360776605/work-be-done-new-zealand-rugbys-steve-lancaster-bullish-about-npc

Although some of excitement out of game with series decided, I still looking forward to it. Go up to New Plymouth for Naki game and should be home not long after kick off, so will be good. Main thing of interest will be how Wallaby pack goes with Tupou , and whether he pulls out finger and gets stuck in. Also how Lions play the game, they have been pretty keen on moving ball around, but have seen teams before at end of tour (especially with series won) can go off boil just a fraction.

Geez I enjoyed the game. I really was completely neutral, so just sat here and enjoyed the rugby. I thought usual for early game in NPC , there seemed to be a bit of disconnect on defense at times, but that's not unusual. Was a real case of experience against young up and comers in backlines.
It's so good having NPC back.

Silver Fern is only tipping I ever go in. Have to miss this one as I maybe away for a part, and just find it too hard to do tips when I not home.

@sparky yep they were talking about that on the podcast I was watching earlier. Seems the Red Bull thing is just a rumour (and a hopeful one), been no confirmation. Though they confident about Christie.

Seems it to be announced that the Prem clubs in England lost 32 mill pounds between them this season. That's a lot of coin, kind $71 mill of ours. Seems they lost 9 Mill pounds less than 3-4 years back.

If Rugby Pod I just watched is right, Finlay Christie is off to Newcastle in Pommyland next year. So will help the slectors go past him for this season?

@canefan said in Wallabies v Lions II:

Tim Horan had a very balanced view of the game. The Wallabies had it in the bag and let it slip. The final decision could have gone either way, he was disappointed for the Wallabies and their fans, but felt the ref did a good job. Refreshing

He's right, for all anyone screams about the last tackle/ruck, count how many Wallabies are standing there looking and not getting into defensive line. There about 5, that try could and should of been stopped regardless of what happened at ruck.