BOP v Otago Friday night, semi final
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According to www.mitre10cup.co.nz, which is one of the worst sporting competition websites ever seen, we're playing on Friday night.
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Pleased to see we are playing Otago - rather them than Wellington for now. I hear the squad is quite beat up, but it has been for some time. Our forwards will be strong - set piece immense this year. 6 strong front rowers (essential nowadays), couple of genuine power locks and a medley of loosies led by the super bound (surely...) Tupe. Not sure how the backs will line up - would like to see Chase Tiatia in for maybe Te Aute. Some question marks over our mid field defence - not sure how we always get opened up at will in this area.
Looking forward to a good semi. Well done to the boys for getting this far. Mid season looked like a potential disaster looming.
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God, I had given our chances of a semi away several weeks back. Against all odds and despite most peoples predictions (including the TAB) we have made it. Otago have been impressive and are deserving of a home semi but I still think we have a chance. We just lost to them earlier in the season by one point after all. I have just checked their season results....Losses to Canterbury, Counties and Auckland (who put over 50 points on them) a win to Northland by 5 points and a win to Ta$man by 3 points so they are definitely beatable in my view. I'm expecting both teams to use a similar game plan they used when they last played ie. we will be forward orientated and they will use the firepower in their backs hoping to punch holes like Hawkes Bay did. I'm guessing the team we play in the final will be a sterner challenge.....
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Sam Cane has been released to play for us.... great news.
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@Baron-Silas-Greenback said in BOP v Otago Friday night, semi final:
Sam Cane has been released to play for us.... great news.
Outstanding. I'm going to quote your post so that I can like it a second time.
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@Hooroo said in BOP v Otago Friday night, semi final:
I do wonder if he will only be on the bench though at AB's request? Just to get a bit of Game time.
In saying that I would bet the regular No7' goes down' early
At the very least he's on at half time under Coach Donsteppa
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They have picked 2 loose forward reserves as well.
So looks likely that they will go early with Cane and then still be covered in loose forwards in case of injury. -
@Baron-Silas-Greenback Excellent.
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Easily the biggest game on the planet this weekend !!
Good to see a settled team. Plenty of interest in the reserve selections...
.Haimona replaced by Hepetema. I wonder if this is because of injury ?
You'd think it will be a nightmare for Cane to adapt to the new rules but his experience will be valued.
Great to see Chase Tiatia back, Wasn't it a sight for sore eyes to see him charging through the defences last week ?
Can't wait .
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@Snollygoster Are there other games being played this weekend?
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Great to see Sam Cane made available, it has been quite a while since he last played for BOP. As great a player as he is, we need to be prepared to do the business without him. I would expect a 30 minute max. cameo - no more than that. Even with that, he needs to adjust the silly new (about to be extinct) rules.
More important than his role in this game is our midfield defence. We leak easily in this zone, wet piece and phase play. It appears to be more a communication issue, rather than a lack of skills. Hopefully there is plenty of talk out there on Friday.
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@GagaBoy said in BOP v Otago Friday night, semi final:
Great to see Sam Cane made available, it has been quite a while since he last played for BOP. As great a player as he is, we need to be prepared to do the business without him. I would expect a 30 minute max. cameo - no more than that. Even with that, he needs to adjust the silly new (about to be extinct) rules.
More important than his role in this game is our midfield defence. We leak easily in this zone, wet piece and phase play. It appears to be more a communication issue, rather than a lack of skills. Hopefully there is plenty of talk out there on Friday.
His last two appearances for BOP were:
31 Aug, 2013 v Auckland
26 Aug, 2015 v Southland -
