A late watch. As a neutral, I have found Mr Williams' refereeing very harsh for the Southern men, particularly at scrum time.

That was a nice relaxing afternoon on the sideline even with the early try to the Stags. We looked like breaking them open every time we ran the ball. Sterner tests to come

@booboo said in Shield Snorters v Wellington (RS):

@Machpants said in Shield Snorters v Wellington (RS):

@booboo said in Shield Snorters v Wellington (RS):

Haven't read the thread, and only kept a passing eye on the highlights on Stan, but ...

... thought TJ did his best to lose that at the end.

Firstly, play the advantage out, it will always come back to the penalty.

Secondly, don't get yourself, as skipper, sin binned with time up.

It was a bollocks call, he was airborne when he hit the guys arm, and came from behind the ruck - perfectly legal. Other times that would be a great turn over

Just to clarify, my first point was not playing out the advantage on attack for the kick that missed. Why not play it out?

I agree with that, dumb. But his card was incorrect - so he didn't get himself sin binned, the ref fucked up IMO.

@KiwiMurph said in Auckland v Ta$man:

Not rolling away nearly cost Auckland another game.

Gibson and Choat take a bow.

Choat was my MOTM, but Gibson probably made the two plays of the game.

Beautiful afternoon for some running rugby eh. 83 points is a fair outing.

@Tordah said in Bled 1 Melbourne - pick the score:

ABs to get a decent lead, then falter and almost lose it at the death, but for a B Foley knock-on.

About the closest prediction so far

@Bovidae yes. He has been quicker overall in the past. Think there is something going on in his mind about checking options before and after he picks up ball. Maybe just needs to hurry to one pace closer and wait for a call behind him. More minutes will sharpen it up.

Very entertaining game despite the incompetent refereeing. Trainor was the best Aukland player in a team which forgot to get out of its bus during the first 20 minutes, as the Frenchies say. I was impressed by Reihana. He's had his best NPC game ever. Murray is one to watch. He's only 19 and could develop into a very physical wing. He showed an impressive pace for his try. Great game from the Taniwha locks and loose forwards. They were into everything. As a neutral, I think the Taniwhas deserved the victory for the guts and passion they showed. A number of Auckland players looked desinterested at times.

It's a pity this conversion wasn't included in the highlights clip. How often does a loosie kick a perfect sideline conversion?

Mikaele-Tu'u kicked the conversion because it was his 50th game for the Shield Snorters.

310aecb2-a5cf-4c97-ac36-ae7a9e0e7fe9-image.png

@ACT-Crusader I know it is cliched, but IMO we were better than that score says...was about 50-70 mins Canterbury upped the tempo and we went off the boil.

Like any game, a few decisions here and there and who knows, but we failed to capitalise on our early chances and put pressure on the scoreboard, in that first quarter and in the end that told.

And as the graphic showed DMac is up there with winning the most breakdown turnovers. Not a forward to be seen in the top 5. 🙂

Poor effort from Harbour forwards I thought. Don't know how Tolai got away with earlier lineout throws.
Telea was best on the park but MSR Ah Kuoi and Eklund v good also.

@Crazy-Horse said in Ta$man v Wellington:

It's crazy that the decision wasn't/couldn't be changed once the TMO allegedly realised his mistake. It was before the restart so it wouldn't have changed anything.

I am absolutely baffled by that whole situation. Amateur hour all round.

FULL GAME: All Blacks v South Africa (2022 - Johannesburg)

Belated watch of second half.

Not much in it. Injuries buggered Aussie backline, and the way the half went hampered what looked to me like opportunity against tiring Boks.

As it was, BOK’s refereeing mid half left a lot to be desired. Nine consecutive penalties including seven around 22 only gave way to warning, when a yellow was warranted. Then TMO call for relieving penalty. Wallabies might well have expected to have scored a try after all that at around 60, and at 10-17 would have made it more interesting.

As was, Boks’ mugging of Gold in H1 was always likely to be decisive.

@Kiwiwomble if we don't defeat wellington this upcoming weekend then our quater final aspirations basically die😡

@ACT-Crusader said in Canterbury v Shield Snorters:

@Nepia said in Canterbury v Shield Snorters:

@Stargazer said in Canterbury v Shield Snorters:

@Nepia Yeah, that was so dumb! Total brain explosion. Still rather him than Sapsford or Higgins at 12.

Normally me too - but my anger at the forward pass and Toala stupidity hasn’t subsided yet. 🤣

I had to scroll through the thread three or four times looking for your posts of anger with the forward pass to Visinia for HB’s first try. Just couldn’t find them….

That one should have been reviewed by the TMO too (not sure why you expect me to get angry on behalf of your province) as it may well have been forward like the game changing one we're discussing.