Hawke's Bay v Tasman (Premiership Semi-final)
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Somewhat better team than I expected, because we get Makalio, Strange and Springer back to compensate for the losses of PPP and Regan Ware.
I was expecting Ta$man B supplemented with Mitch Hunt and Big Leicester, but it is marginally better than that. I think we might have seven of our first choice 23.
They've finally decided to shift Big Leicester to centre and Big Levi to the bench. Tim and I told them to do that several weeks ago.
The other very interesting selection is Noah Hotham on the bench for Jack Grooby. Not sure whether Jack is injured or paying the price for a pretty awful finishing spell vs Wellington, but I think it's a good move. Hotham looked good in his start against the BoP juniors and probably couldn't do worse than Jack did vs Wellington.
Interesting that Chapman has clearly put daylight between himself and Grooby after starting the season as a somewhat distant No. 2 (or 3 in Christie's absence).
We're highly unlikely to win this - but, this season should stand us in good stead for the future in terms of the number of new players we've had to blood.
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...and because I've sketched it out...
Ta$man A
Tuúngafasi, Makalio, Lomax, Parkinson, Strange, Frizell, S. Havili, Blackadder, Christie, Hunt, D. Havili, Paea, Faingaánuku, Reece, Jordan
Coxon, MacDonald, Matenga, Cirikadaveta, Renton, Chapman, Nankivell, Talea
Also MIA: Fox-Matamua, Ware, Marshall and others I've forgotten.
Actually, we've got more than I thought - but mainly promoted from the bench.
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50 - 22 rule provides Ta$man with a lineout -> maul -> converted try.
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@antipodean said in Hawke's Bay v Ta$man (Premiership Semi-final):
50 - 22 rule provides Ta$man with a lineout -> maul -> converted try.
I hate that law, even before Ta$man scored that try
Lowe in at the corner.
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@chris-b said in Hawke's Bay v Ta$man (Premiership Semi-final):
...and because I've sketched it out...
Ta$man A
Tuúngafasi, Makalio, Lomax, Parkinson, Strange, Frizell, S. Havili, Blackadder, Christie, Hunt, D. Havili, Paea, Faingaánuku, Reece, Jordan
Coxon, MacDonald, Matenga, Cirikadaveta, Renton, Chapman, Nankivell, Talea
Also MIA: Fox-Matamua, Ware, Marshall and others I've forgotten.
Actually, we've got more than I thought - but mainly promoted from the bench.
You can't claim touring ABs as part of your A team FFS. It's a rare occasion when they get to play at this level.
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@nepia said in Hawke's Bay v Ta$man (Premiership Semi-final):
@antipodean said in Hawke's Bay v Ta$man (Premiership Semi-final):
50 - 22 rule provides Ta$man with a lineout -> maul -> converted try.
I hate that law, even before Ta$man scored that try
Lowe in at the corner.
I think it's a good law. The trouble is that teams are taking the risk of leaving the gap open for it (and paying the price).
The idea is that they cover the possibility which changes the defence structure and we get more attacking rugby. -
The Defence Optional Semi-Final...
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@antipodean said in Hawke's Bay v Ta$man (Premiership Semi-final):
The Defence Optional Semi-Final...
From the Magpies at least.
Think they missed a forward pass in that try though.
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@nepia were 2 YC offences by HB after it too
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@taniwharugby said in Hawke's Bay v Ta$man (Premiership Semi-final):
@nepia were 2 YC offences by HB after it too
I'm surprised the ref didn't look at those TBH. I guess he's decided not to call anything.
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@nepia can hear the hate in Smithys commentary though 🤣
