I understand big hits get yellowed in amateur footy - particularly when they "bounce off" without getting a chance to wrap arms.

But that is a fucking disgrace. MERDE!

@Pot-Hale said in Forthcoming EOYTs:

Whilst I'm sure that some fans on here might possibly disagree with me, it would be just perfect for the rugby world if France, Wales or Scotland beat NZ and England lost.

Highly unlikely, I know, but.......

Wales need to be able to beat Australia first.

France aren't playing well enough, but it may further highlight some underlying issues with squad makeup.

Scotland? That would be an utter disaster.

@ACT-Crusader said in Toll Northland Mitre 10 Cup Squad for 2017:

What's the status of Kara Pryor? Is he recovering from injury, being rested or rotated? I thought he looked the goods early on.

Some sort of niggly injury according to our local rag up here. Sounds like he'll be good next week. We don't often get full injury status updates, so a lot of what we hear is word of mouth etc.

@ACT-Crusader I"m not sure,Canterbury look on another planet,the Saders & Canterbury franchise is light years ahead of anything around in terms of recruitment,coaching & development..North Harbour looking the only real challenger from the Premiership..

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/96707035/england-target-shane-bond-as-bowling-coach-for-ashes-series--report

McMillan seems to have come up through the coaching ranks so that's possibly a good thing. A few Naki players are going to start worrying about there places in the team now though. 😉

Krusty update:

Krusty: 19 wins 17 losses 1 draw 52.7%
McKenzie: 11, 10, 1 52.3%
Dingo: 43, 29, 2, 59.2%
Knuckles: 16, 8, 1, 66%
Steady: 33, 23, 1, 58.8%
McQueen: 34, 8, 1, 80.2%
Smith: 12, 7, 0, 63.2%

good to see they have thier priorities right...leading with rugby players having a few beers in the privacy of thier home, instead of the fact that citizens of Florida are evacuating because of Irma although was probably on the press too eary to worry about the big quake in Mexico!

Fucking soft try to Beale. Notice that Kepu was pointing right at the gap. Poor by the Bok forwards all chasing right

More photos:

http://www.facebook.com/4corena/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1539059689488026

@Donsteppa said in Steamers v Manawatu:

@Gunner said in Steamers v Manawatu:

This really has been a dull game.

Southland might give these teams a run for their money on current evidence.

Southland? Have they found backs who can tackle in the last hour? 🙂

Sadly backs in Southland rugby don't get much tackle practice. Too much 10 man rugby gets played down there. If you get the ball kicked to you, you are expected to either kick it back or run straight back to your forwards so normal mud cuddles can resume.
No wonder DMac got out of there before getting ruined.

Thanks DJ

Yeah it was a close first half, with the Tuis going down-wind, but Wgtn didn't really do much kicking in the 2nd half anyway, just kept it in hand and ended up running through them. I thought the Tuis did pretty well considering they wouldn't have played much together.

Yep I'll be there sideline Wed night, hopefully the Bay do well, but don't win 🙂

@Steven-Harris gotta say while initially skeptical about the need for going outside Northland with Bond & Douglas, cant fault those 2's level of play, work and commitment!!

Let us know if you hear anything more about Josh Goodhue too, assume he might get an enforced rest...also on any other injuries.

Any news on Robinson, Larsen or Uluviti (sp)??

Yeah I do feel for Harris, but I also think you can see a bit more structure in what we are doing now too, which we didn't seem to have under his 2 years, but again maybe it is just the cattle we have now is able to do what is required....

After 2 matches;

Tua 7
Jack Goodhue 5
K Pryor 4
Alaimalo 2
D Pryor 1

@Higgins said in Shield Snorters v Canterbury:

Nepia, I will almost certainly be up in Palmy tomorrow watching a whangai grand daughter playing for St Marys in the Hurricanes Schoolgirls final against a Palmy team at 11.30 so will take in, and give a report from, your outfit against St. Patricks College Silverstream in the boys final if we stick around long enough for that game at 2.30.

We made it up there in plenty of time, a loud beep on the van horn woke me at 5.52am announcing that my ride was had arrived to pick me up. There was never any danger of arriving too late and missing kick off!!!!!! Sadly our driver decided that the return trip would start immediately after the aftermatch formalities and players feed for his daughter's team was finished so cannot give you anything about HBHS v St. Patricks other than I almost skittled their coach Tim Mannix when our paths crossed and I was not paying that much attention. Fortunately I showed I have lost very little of my twinkle toes as I stepped him nicely.

In other results
St. Marys 31 - 10 Manakura in the Hurricanes Girls Final
Feilding Ag 16 - 11 Porirua College in the Hurricanes Co-Ed Schools Final
The girls match was never in doubt with St. Marys proving too powerful up front with their front row bulldozering their way forward giving them the all important go forward. Their No.8 looked very useful and scored a lovely solo try directly from the kick off to the second half whilst the number 5 lock, 1st five and centre looked well skilled.

The co-ed schools match looked to be pretty even with Porirua hitting the front with a beautiful try about dozen minutes from time (in spite of vehement pleading from one supporter for an offside call) only for Feilding to reply with about five minutes to play with converted try out toward the right hand corner. Porirua struck back and got very close to scoring only to lose the ball and that was that.

It was a typical winters day with the chilly wind taking me back to the days where the hip flask was an essential part of the rugby spectators attire.

EDIT Go here http://www.clubrugby.co.nz/wellington/story.php?id=2587 for another review of happenings up at the Showgrounds.

Far too good Wellington - geez, that was some pack - they are red hot this year! We were up against it from the get go. As I thought - The Lay brothers, despite good intent - were severely outgunned. Hell of a game to get an initiation!

Good again from Delany and Tiatia. Not much else I can add... Need to muscle up against the Turbos, critical game to be able to stay in touch.