Magpies - 2019 Mitre 10 Cup

[trooa]

14-12 HB HT. Lineouts shambles for both teams with the wind. Auckland misthrow on there 30, Fakatava breaks 20. 7 or so phases in tight & Evans scores.
Rayasi standout for Auckland, breaking tackles at ease & constantly looking a threat. O'Connor impressive for HB, outstanding in the tackle & jackal space. Auxkland got the better of them in the backs, HB winning up front apart from scrumtime.

[Stargazer]

@trooa Did you see who took the conversion for HB? Was it our 10 or 12?

[ACT Crusader]

Weather was cold and wet in the first half. Sun trying to break through now, hopefully sticks around for the second.

Both teams using the ball despite the conditions.

[trooa]

@Stargazer 10 we think but cant say with certainty sorry.
Guzzler is at the ground getting asked a million questions about his shoulder.

[Stargazer]

It seems, there is some confusion about the score?

[ACT Crusader]

@Stargazer 14-12 to HB is what one if the Orc fellas told me.

[Stargazer]

@ACT-Crusader Yeah, I see they have corrected it now on FB, too.

[ACT Crusader]

And I’m pretty sure it was the HB 1st 5 that took the conversion.

[Stargazer]

@ACT-Crusader Good, that's what I hoped.

[trooa]

26-14 Auckland overlap wide, Rayasi fended off the fullback easily. Rayasi another try, wayward pass off kick return, Rayasi regathers stays inside despite a couple of tacklers to score again in the corner.

[Higgins]

@trooa Caleb Makene, or have one of the bench players come on in that position at half time?

[trooa]

@Higgins No change at HT.

[ACT Crusader]

Orcs dominating field position so far in the second half. HB a little loose with the ball and not making first up tackles.

[ACT Crusader]

Nice break from one of the HB backs (no number and short blonde hair).

However the number 8 who’s been camping on the wing didn’t run a good line in support.

[ACT Crusader]

HB lacking a bit of punch in the midfield.

[Stargazer]

@ACT-Crusader We're still missing the Bucktruck (Richard Buckman).

[trooa]

Rayasi cant be tackled again on the sideline offloads, draw & pass & Tusitala scores.

[Stargazer]

[trooa]

FT Auckland dominated territory 2H, played with the wind much better than HB 1st half. McNicol made a nice break in 2H & 13 looked elusive on wing but definitely need some go forward in the midfield. Rayasi outstanding for Auckland.

[Stargazer]

@trooa @ACT-Crusader Thanks for the updates!