Yeahtheboys, I await with anticipation Stargazer's response to your posts.

The only save in grace was that the Bay v Waikato game wasn't a shield challenge and we still have a chance at holding the shield at the end of the season.

Shockingly good article from Reason. Articulated what I think about the only acceptable sexism these days.

I’m often calling out relatives about their casually sexist comments denigrating men, especially around my kids

I'm pissed off about some of the officiating, but can't blame the ref for our loss. It all went to custard after that long injury break in the 68th minute. A mega lapse of concentration and shitty defence followed and boom, Harbour win easily. At least we got a bonus point out of this game, but this just shouldn't happen again and again.

Thought McClutchie had a good debut. The young lad didn't look out of place and didn't show his age. Kereru-Symes has a big future; I hope he keeps getting the starts. Taulagi and Lowe showing also showing lots of class again today.

Not impressed with Braidwood this season (well, I've never really been impressed tbh). I hope Tim Farrell has the last of his big injuries and can take over next season. I also can't help thinking it's May's last season. Both are well into their thirties. Is Tavita-Metcalfe injured and is he a TH or LH? Can't remember.

Our props and midfielders are clearly our weakest links (the latter mainly on defence). Young blood is available for the frontrow; not so sure about our midfield. Can only think of centre Leo Thompson from this year's Napier 1st XV. Not sure there's a good enough future prospect for the 12 jersey.

Northland next ... on Wednesday.

@taniwharugby yeah that’s my frustration with Debreczeni. Really big boot but doesn’t seem to make much ground with kicks. That said we’re we playing into wind in 2nd half as Kitto struggled as well.

@98blueandgold

Tucker was quite amazing last night. Add Fletcher Smith to that list too!

@kev I agree with that, as I said, just frustrating some of those 50/50s he throws, that probably are more like 60/40s and we lose possession, which he does over and over, if they come off they are brilliant.

Reckon he is more naturally gifted than his brother, but he lacks the accuracy of Dan.

THe way he plays I would expect him to thrive in an environment surrounded by higher skiled players, but he still makes similar errors, so still think he needs to rein it in a bit.

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@darren-nicholson said in Dixon Wins:

@jegga said in Dixon Wins:

@hooroo said in Dixon Wins:

@williethewaiter said in Dixon Wins:

top effort that man. 5 time winner of championship.

he thanked all this family 'back home in England'..

MATE you're a kiwi! ha. did have an NZ flag behind him at least.

I'm not into motorsport by any stretch of the imagination - but defo something we should celebrate as kiwis.

Probably our most successful export sportsman?

He probably has the highest profile , Jason Wynyard would probably be up there in terms of world titles . From his wiki page

Along with this Jason Wynyard has earned a legendary status within the competitive woodchopping community by winning the Stihl Timbersports Series 14 times. The years in which hes won the title are: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Imagine the calluses.

Do fans really get that excited?

@stargazer yeah I have no idea to be honest. It will be interesting how it all plays out for him in the next 3-4 years. He’s obviously given up playing for Aussie 20s to learn his craft over here. Good kid who works bloody hard , so hopefully whatever way he goes he succeeds.

Voted for Matich, Kitto and Goodhue ( good half game ) and Robinson came close with his 20 minutes. But honestly could have named the whole forward pack for very dominant and physical display. Good work guys.

table certainly looking more interesting now with the ABs due a couple of long plane rides

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@taniwharugby agree with your comments. Jacobsen has been good for us. Matich is superb. Kara has always been an athlete and if the tight work is being done he comes into his own with his running game.

They were really niggley. That time on our line, Kara had been dragged off his feet into the ruck and was held in by Manawatu player. Another guy came on for clean out on Kara when ball was on other side of ruck. Then proceeded to carry on with it by pressing his forearm into Kara’s face after whistle. Douglas quite rightly pushes the guy off and scuffle ensued.

Also after Highland scored, their lock ( who was the main issue, on the roids? ) races in and starts pushing people in the face. Really random action because try was clean and nothing was happening.

The yellow card was nothing much but given penalties and slowing the ball down then maybe warranted.

When Hohaia scored, Matt Wright was taken out by fullback moving his line, and Ranger was held back closer to the line.

Something else: what are they going to do when they have engraved all the little shields on the Log? Are they again going to remove them all and replace them with smaller ones? I vaguely remember they've done that before? Obviously, we'll reach a point that the Shield is "full".

this thread is comedy gold. the difference 10 days can make!

glad i didn't put my thoughts onto 'paper' after that Auckland performance...

Tonight's stage is a flattish one with a climb to the finish - would seem like a good one for George to get into a break away and storm up the final climb. In theory, if he's got two minutes on the peleton at the base of a climb, he should be good enough to hold on - as long as he hasn't had to do too much work.

I gather he managed to get in a break a few days ago, but it got shut down.

Needs to do something - even if it's just helping Kruiswijk, because he's had a pretty disappointing ten days.

Sure - all through 2000 - 2003. We got up for a few but by and large there was a massive gulf in class.

Don't know how long Ash Dixon is out for. Had a leg brace on his right leg.

Brad Weber received the man of the match award.

Was a bit fearful when Gareth Evans was replaced; has always seemed to suffer an injury during a season, but looked okay at the aftermatch.

As with Counties Manukau last week, BOP did not appear at the aftermatch.

Sam McNicol has been out there the last two weeks helping the team with their pre-match drills.

The Shield Snorters won despite having had no outdoor practice at all this week because of the wet weather.

thought it was a bit shit sending Matthews on with time all but up on the clock!

Maybe he had been on the sideline for 5 minutes waiting for a break in play to get on, but from here it seemed stupid coming on for the lineout which they simply needed to catch and kick out to finish the game