Tasman v Counties Manukau
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A few interesting selections in that team.
Mainly a full strength starting XV - except Niuia is starting and Makalio is on the bench. Not sure of the logic in that - maybe concerned that a bench of Coxon/Niuia/Salmon would be excessively weak.
Not sure what they're thinking in the Salmon/Princep battle for reserve tighthead. Neither very impressive so far.
Cirikidaveta comes into the starting loose-forwards - he was a WTG selection, so fair enough - but Fox-Matamua disappears completely.
In the backs, the only surprise is David's little brother Willy (After-David?) on the bench instead of Tim O'Malley. I'm quite interested to see how he goes if he gets a run. Seems like a bit of a star at club level.
Edit: Not sure that team is right - the Mako website has Spowart in the team instead of Alaimalo, who is listed as "battered and bruised".
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Ta$man dominating.
Will Jordan going well, although I agree with Justin that he has been passing too late.
Counties need to get Nanai involved more somehow.
Counties probably need Vaega in the midfield. He rejuvenated the Counties' attack when he was put in the starting line-up a few weeks back, now the attack is back to being poor.
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Great comeback from Counties but just fell short. They looked like they lacked a bit of belief until they got their first try. Will Jordan was outstanding for the first 60.
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ACT Crusader said:
Mako$ by 50
Way off
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Dice said:
Nanai looks special.
Tai Lavea needs to get him back to Auckland.
Piss off he is ours, we poached him fair and square thanks to Cousin TNW.
A team with a core of TNW relations would be rather useful
Nick Williams - Half brother
Sonny Bill Williams - Cousin
Future All Black Etene Nanai-Seturo (FAENS) - CousinI wonder if Melani Nanai is related.
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Higgins said:
That Counties No 18 reminds me of the good old days when props looked like props should. Great to see, big ups to that man.
Jarrod Firth, Came in to the team Under Umaga, who was pumping him up for a Super Contract. Had a season each in Scotland and France. He looks nearly 40 but is only 26 and has looked like that since his early twenties. A real rugby, racing and beer type guy. He has interests and hosts a podcast to do with the thoroughbred racing industry. Coming back from Neck Surgery last October. Was with Taranaki a few weeks ago. Last played in NZ in 2015.
